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The Novation Launchkey MK III is my main MIDI controller running through a MIDI splitter, I have hotkey to select each synth independently. This is a really awesome setup because it allows me to to set each synth to have independent controls -- tapping the pressure sensitive pads to the Volca Drum is a lot more intuitive than using native keys. It's also nice to just have each synth consolidated onto one keyboard so I'm not constantly reaching over for every little adjustment.
I have the Korg Volca Sample 1, which is quite a different experience from the now available Sample 2. I primarily use the Sample 1 as a way to store samples that I have edited, either from the Hercules Starlight DJ Control or saved sound samples made from my other synths like the Microbrute and the Volca's. The Sample 1 has a lot of shortcomings, so I definitely recommend the Sample 2 IF you are really looking for the Volca style sampler. However I find its workflow a lot less intuitive than the Volca Drum, despite similar amounts of customization available.
The Arturia Microbrute is a really heavy synth, I love it so much because it's such a strong electric heavy metal synthesizer. There are a deep range to dive into with some really cool effects that can easily be adjusted on the fly. It's also got a nifty arpeggiator that can make for some really great backing game soundtracks.
More than anything it Korg Monotron Duo Delay acts as an FX unit, because that sweet chip inside works so well for setting that lo-fi sound while adding some dynamics to whatever you're pairing it with. One of my personal favorites is the Volca Bass, which doesn't have FX on its own. What I really enjoy about the Monotron Delay is how interactive it can be, despite only having effectively 2 knobs to work with on line-in, the Time and Feedback almost act as turn-table into hyperspace itself.
The Korg Volca Bass is full of stellar sound design opportunities, and despite having no FX on the unit, it has countless hours of delving into bass line heavens, but it surprisingly has tons of lead sound to work with as well. The core difference between the Volca Bass and Keys is how the Volca Bass has 3 voices that can be played independently and in unison, making it a really versatile instrument for live switching between bass lines or lead lines.
The Korg Volca Bass is full of stellar sound design opportunities, and despite having no FX on the unit, it has countless hours of delving into bass line heavens, but it surprisingly has tons of lead sound to work with as well. The core difference between the Volca Bass and Keys is how the Volca Bass has 3 voices that can be played independently and in unison, making it a really versatile instrument for live switching between bass lines or lead lines.
I was gifted this one by my parents close friend from when I was growing up and this is a poly-rhythm machine to its core! This is a far easier drum machine to get going with compared to the Volca Drum, especially with there being a full 64 measures, unlike the 16 measures the Volca's are limited to. This is an absolutely stellar drum machine and I can't recommend it enough to anyone looking to get started with a 909-esque drum sound.
The Korg NTS-1 is a really nifty kit, as an instrument I use it most as an arpeggiator because I don't have many that utilize it! However, overall it is used the most as an FX unit, which I pair up most often with the Volca Drum, although I will use its FX for a lead synth for certain genres. What makes this a really great unit is on its own how many effects it has just out of the box, which can be further expanded from FX and Oscillator patches online. One thing to note about the NTS-1, mine at least, is that it has a fairly low output volume compared to my other synths. This doesn't affect anything it's FXing, but it does make its arpeggiation and regular playing much quieter than it should be. This may not be an issue with the new Korg NTS-1 MKII, however I can't confirm this for myself.
The PO-14 Factory has a very unique sound. I personally don't find myself using this one too much because of how it cuts through compared to my personal style. It's not a bad one by any means, and I definitely pair it up with the other PO's in succession, especially for quirky percussives added.
The Korg Volca Keys has a single FX unit contained in it that makes for a far more deep and dissonant, haunting sound. That's not all it can do though, as it's great at making sparkling, uplifting choruses. Both the Volca Keys and Volca Bass have no way to upload patches, but there are lots of visual patches online that you can find to get an idea of what each setting does.
I think the Volca Drum might be the deepest sound designer of the series, I have found myself spending hours on a single drum sound just finding the ways I can adjust that perfect sound. It has some of the most incredible rhythmic abilities on a standalone unit, one of my favorite beats I've ever made has been on this machine. It was like water drops with echoes being scratched on a turntable.
For a surprisingly simple premise, the Korg Volca Kick has a really wide range of capabilities, with the ability to turn this into a synth all of its own, sounding unlike any of the other Volcas. This is another great pairing device for making polyrhythms with other drum machines or for anyone wanting to play with an MS-20 resonator on a classic 808 style sound.
The Novation Launchpad Mini is solely used for working in DAW's and mastering tracks, it does a great job at what it's meant to do.
The Serato Hercules DJ Control Starlight is limited by its software, however I use it as a way to scratch my own music and sounds. The software itself is also solid, so it's not so much a limitation as the DAW for this form of editing.
The PO-14 Sub is one of my favorite on the go music makers, so much so that I will often have it in my mixer with my main synth setup because of how solid it holds up as a backing bassline. The internal FX are pretty good but it pairs very well with the external FX units I have as well, making for great DAWless sessions.
Unfortunately the limited edition pocket operators aren't widely available anymore, but these only have pre-loaded samples which you can easily find and upload yourself. Besides, half the fun of pocket operators is changing their sounds to your custom samples! I enjoy the PO-137 and the PO-133, but I do find myself refraining from overwriting their tones. For that reason I have a regular PO-33 so I can take full advantage of loading samples I find and the nice pre-loaded ones from the special editions.
Synthesizer Accessories
Synthesizer Accessories
This small collection of synth accessories I have found to be useful (and necessary) for making cable runs easy and organized. Patch cables can get messy and with bad organization, it in very rare cases can even become a hazard to your equipment. Even when it's safe, it's still a massive inhibitor to productivity when you pick up a cable expecting one thing and it turns out to be another. With that, here are the accessories that I use for my personal synth setup.
Furman SS-6B Pro Surge Supressor
Furman SS-6B Pro Surge Supressor
I've put this in once before already but I'm putting it again because it's just that important. If you plan on creating a musical space of any kind, I highly recommend using an outlet in a room on a separate section of your fusebox (far away from any microwaves or washers+dryers) and use an Isolated Surge Suppressor . Now pedals themselves aren't a high power draw, unless something goes wrong plugging them into a cheap power supply, but the amplifier, your recording PC, alongside all of the pedals and other music equipment stacked up can start to draw a lot of power. A surge protector like this one keeps any variable power spikes away from your expensive equipment. A lot of the time this can also prevent unwanted whine introduced from power lines that aren't properly rated for such high energy draw, this is found especially in older houses or even newer ones if the lines weren't made for high current devices.
This specific MyVoltz Ripcord is a USB adapter for the Korg Volcas, one set can be used to daisy chain up to 6 Volcas on a 9v USB charging brick. Really handy for keeping all your Volcas powered from a single cable!
These magnetic charging tips I generally wouldn't recommend, as they're advertised for cell phones and things that have a much higher chance of getting dirty and potentially causing a short. However, in my synth studio I cover everything with a dust-cover and I don't really use these on the go. I primarily use these on the NTS-1, which has a very tight Micro-USB port, but it can be helpful for any port that you have a hard time plugging in.
The reusable zipties are stellar for cable management and they can be used endlessly, making it really easy to tighten your cables and loosen them to make adjustments. These can also become "permanent" to a specific use by cutting them down to size, preventing any excess plastic from snagging.
The much smaller, thinner, and more-standard Ziptie Tags are vital to keeping track of your cable runs. Some people like using color tags, but I find that writing down each end is the most reliable organization method. These zipties are thin enough to fit in between grooves of cable sheathing, so they won't be going anywhere.
MIDI Through Boxes are super useful to add to a DAWless synth setup or for anyone just looking to control up to 4 synths individually.
Of course, you'll need a MIDI cable to connect each synth and MIDI controller, so for this MIDI Thru Box you would need 5 MIDI Cables to take full advantage of each channel.
MIDI Through Boxes are super useful to add to a DAWless synth setup or for anyone just looking to control up to 4 synths individually.
Of course, you'll need a MIDI cable to connect each synth and MIDI controller, so for this MIDI Thru Box you would need 5 MIDI Cables to take full advantage of each channel.
MyVolts "Mickxer" 5 Channel Passive Mixer
MyVolts "Mickxer" 5 Channel Passive Mixer
I use this for DAWless setups where I just want to plug in a few devices to some headphones and jam on the go. It's a great little mixer!
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