I have a Volca FM Gen I, a TX81Z and a TX7. The first Volca FM's biggest issue was is it's lack of velocity sensitivity. This tends to make it sound very loud and piercing, which is only made worse by FM's inherent "crystalline" vibes. You start it up to add it into a mix, it just decimates everything like a giant glass dagger and you end up ditching it. But for whatever reason, the old Yamaha FM synths like the TXs are way more warmer and much easier to sit in a mix properly. As you suggest, the Volca almost always needs a low pass filter and some 'verb to smooth it out, or some kind or lo fi eq to stop it sound like fingernails on a blackboard.
I feel you on that one. When I have used it I have to ride the velocity slider as I record in each pass. I end up using the velocity slider in the same way I would use a filter on some of my other synths.
There is a third party firmware update that makes this synth velocity sensitive by midi keyboard. The velocity slider is then obsolete and you can enjoy true velocity sense.
Good video, I like volcas and I think your explanations are great! However, I have had both versions of the Fm and the difference is very big, a 3-voice chord with a long release can trigger voice theft, which is not ideal. In addition to polyphony, it has more effects, more patches, a randomizer, a better arpeggiator... Congratulations on the channel and keep it up!👍🏼
Oh nice!! Thanks for sharing. It's hard to give an honest opinion when I haven't used or owned the product (FM2) I do like the idea of a randomizer. If you only had the Volca FM1 would you still purchase the 2 now that you have them both?
@@craigwilliamsmusic I had the Fm1, I bought the second version and for a while I had both. I recently sold the Fm and have kept the second version because I have quite a few synthesizers at the moment! 😀
Nice, it's always interesting to see what people sell and keep. I love the idea of the extra features but I don't think it will get the use it deserves in my studio.
I think if you need more voices the Gen 2 is worth it but if you're happy with three note chords the Gen 1 is solid. I don't think the extra voices are worth the extra money since the FM doesn't get a lot of use in my studio. If I didn't have the Volca FM I would def get the Gen 2 over a second hand Gen 1.
Wasn"t interested in the volca fm, saw it at a very small price, so I decided to listen to it and give it another chance, sorry to say that I'm still not interested, would just be a waste of money ... Got the drum and the bass, really excellent and inspiring, just forget this one, for the same price you can get a used roland s-1, which is just on another level ...
I think for your first (or one of you first) Volca the FM probably isn’t the move. I think of synths as colours of pain. The FM gives you some more colours to your collection.
As always... excellent tutorial Craig !
Thank you!!
I have a Volca FM Gen I, a TX81Z and a TX7. The first Volca FM's biggest issue was is it's lack of velocity sensitivity. This tends to make it sound very loud and piercing, which is only made worse by FM's inherent "crystalline" vibes. You start it up to add it into a mix, it just decimates everything like a giant glass dagger and you end up ditching it. But for whatever reason, the old Yamaha FM synths like the TXs are way more warmer and much easier to sit in a mix properly. As you suggest, the Volca almost always needs a low pass filter and some 'verb to smooth it out, or some kind or lo fi eq to stop it sound like fingernails on a blackboard.
I feel you on that one. When I have used it I have to ride the velocity slider as I record in each pass. I end up using the velocity slider in the same way I would use a filter on some of my other synths.
There is a third party firmware update that makes this synth velocity sensitive by midi keyboard. The velocity slider is then obsolete and you can enjoy true velocity sense.
Oh nice, I'll have to check it out.
Phuking Brilliant!!!!!!!
hahahahha thanks matey!
Good video, I like volcas and I think your explanations are great! However, I have had both versions of the Fm and the difference is very big, a 3-voice chord with a long release can trigger voice theft, which is not ideal. In addition to polyphony, it has more effects, more patches, a randomizer, a better arpeggiator... Congratulations on the channel and keep it up!👍🏼
Oh nice!! Thanks for sharing. It's hard to give an honest opinion when I haven't used or owned the product (FM2) I do like the idea of a randomizer. If you only had the Volca FM1 would you still purchase the 2 now that you have them both?
@@craigwilliamsmusic I had the Fm1, I bought the second version and for a while I had both. I recently sold the Fm and have kept the second version because I have quite a few synthesizers at the moment! 😀
Nice, it's always interesting to see what people sell and keep. I love the idea of the extra features but I don't think it will get the use it deserves in my studio.
Thanks
You're welcome. Thank you for watching.
Do I have to have the Plug-Ins to get the sounds in your tutorial?
All of the sounds are coming from the Volca FM. I have some free sounds available on my website.
Thoughts on Gen 1 vs Gen 2?
I think if you need more voices the Gen 2 is worth it but if you're happy with three note chords the Gen 1 is solid. I don't think the extra voices are worth the extra money since the FM doesn't get a lot of use in my studio. If I didn't have the Volca FM I would def get the Gen 2 over a second hand Gen 1.
Wasn"t interested in the volca fm, saw it at a very small price, so I decided to listen to it and give it another chance, sorry to say that I'm still not interested, would just be a waste of money ... Got the drum and the bass, really excellent and inspiring, just forget this one, for the same price you can get a used roland s-1, which is just on another level ...
I think for your first (or one of you first) Volca the FM probably isn’t the move. I think of synths as colours of pain. The FM gives you some more colours to your collection.