Analog drum machine Korg Volca Beats — tempo 59–360 bpm, MIDI, LED display, 193×115×45 mm

The Korg Volca Beats is a compact analog/PCM drum machine that reproduces classic rhythm-machine tones and provides a focused set of controls for producing dance-oriented drum sounds. It combines six analog-generated drum voices (Kick, Snare, Hi Tom, Lo Tom, Closed Hi Hat, Open Hi Hat) with a PCM engine for percussive sounds such as Clap, Claves, Agogo and Crash. The unit includes a 16-step loop sequencer derived from the Electribe series, hands-on knobs for sound shaping, and performance functions like Stutter, Active Step and Step Jump.

Advantages

Analog voices deliver dense, powerful low-end and punch with a minimal set of parameters for fast sound design. The PCM engine covers percussive sounds that are difficult to produce with analog circuitry and can be pitched via PCM Speed for distinctive textures. The built-in 16-step sequencer and real-time touch/step input make pattern creation and live improvisation straightforward, while Stutter, Active Step and Step Jump provide flexible performance effects and rhythm variation.

Suitable for

• Creating dance, electronic and lo-fi drum patterns
• Hardware-based live performance and improvisation
• Studio beat programming and sketching musical ideas

Key specifications

• Analog drum voices: Kick, Snare, Hi Tom, Lo Tom, Closed Hi Hat, Open Hi Hat
• PCM percussion: Clap, Claves, Agogo, Crash (with adjustable PCM Speed)
• Sequencer: 16-step loop sequencer, up to eight patterns stored internally
• Performance functions: Stutter, Active Step, Step Jump
• Controls: dedicated knobs for Click, Pitch, Decay and other sound-shaping parameters
• Tempo range: 59–360 BPM
• Display: 4-digit LED
• Dimensions: 193 x 115 x 45 mm

How to use

Create a pattern by entering steps on the 16-step keys or record in real time using the touch panel keyboard. Adjust analog voices using the Click, Pitch and Decay knobs to shape kicks and toms; use PCM Speed to alter the pitch and character of PCM sounds. Store up to eight patterns in internal memory and switch between them during performance. Use Stutter to generate repeated triggers and add rolls or delay-like effects; employ Active Step to skip steps during playback or Step Jump to trigger single steps for live variation.

Usage recommendations

For live use, prepare several patterns and map Stutter and Step functions into performance sections to create dynamic transitions. For studio work, combine the analog outputs with external effects or sampling to capture the distinctive low-end and lo-fi PCM character.