Korg Volca Mixchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

By far the most common complaint: only 3 (or 3+1 aux) channels are provided while owners typically have four or more Volcas, forcing them to leave gear out of the mix. Many call for double the channels in a future revision.

@dinogoldie9716

Hi Korg. Since you appear to be embarking on a wave of 2nd edition Volcas (FM2, Sample 2 etc), here's what I need from a Volca Mix mkII:\n1) Scrap the useless internal speaker.\n2) Drop the groundloop-generating internal daisy-chained power sockets and either replace with isolated power or omit entirely.\n3) Drop the useless stereo-widener and sidechain internal effects.\n4) At lleast double the number of channels and ensure that at least 2/6 are stereo.\n5) double FX sends.\n6) Add a sync-in and tempo-tap button. Link tempo-tap and sync in/out with aforementioned MIDI splitter.\n7) Add panning controls for each channel.launch

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September 25, 2022

@dinogoldie9716

In light of the second editions of the Volca Sample and FM, does Korg have any plans to manufacture a decent audio/clock/midi hub for their volca line? What are people using instead of this frustratingly limited groundloop hum generator? Can people recommend a good basic mixer with six inputs (at least two stereo) and at least one send bus?launch

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September 24, 2022

@mikeellisonhimself

If it cost the same as three power supplies I'd be interested but it doesn't. Three stereo inputs would have been better. Big fail though is lack of MIDI sync in. Nice to be able to control the Volcas together but not in isolation from other gear.launch

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October 24, 2020

@dinogoldie9716

It's a three (+ 1 send/aux) mixer but there's now like a dozen volcas. It's a mono mixer but many of the most recent Volcas are stereo. It's a mixer but valuable realestate on the unit is wasted on built-in speakers. it's a mixer yet there is no monitoring/cuing capabilities. It's a Volca but there's no ribbon, no sequencer and no ability to automate stuff. There's a 3 way power splitter but no MIDI splitter. So, in conclusion, it sucks. Korg need to bring out a Volca Mix 2 with more channels, effects and connectivity.launch

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August 31, 2020

Many compare the price unfavorably to cheap Behringer, Mackie, or Yamaha mixers offering more inputs and built-in effects, or to the third-party Vixen mixer designed specifically for larger Volca setups.

@joesarchive

why only 3 mixers when their is 4 (5 if you want to count the kick) volcas just buy a bastl dude or a vixen 6 like really korg???launch

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January 31, 2018

@karllongden4011

when i first saw that kong had produced the a volca mixer i thought ,\"shit .. oh no I've crowd funded a Vixen 6 channel  mixer for the Volca range and its coming in Feb ....  face palm\"... Having seen the this Demo I think ive spent my money wisely. Korg shame on you that looks as if it was designed on a back of cigarette packet in 5 mins ..!launch

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January 27, 2018

@cresshead

it's a bit expensive...the 3 psu outputs are nice but the mixer (the point of the device) is pretty low...you'd get a much better behringer for that money ie Behringer XENYX X1222USB has 12 inputs, in built fx, 3 channel eq, usb audio, rack mountable all for the same cost.launch

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January 27, 2018

@Mokkers_stuff

What a missed opportunity Korg! You could have developed an 8 channel mixer (for future Volcas) with all the features of a decent rig. It's interesting that the review demos I have seen use the same set-up, 3 sound sources and an effects unit thus avoiding the embarrassing question of where do we plug in the other Volcas / synths. Look at the offerings from Behringer and the Vixen mixer and I am sure there are others. I got a Behringer 1002b for under £100. Ok, its footprint is bigger but the functions and features it offers more than compensates. Sorry Korg, will NOT be adding the Volca mixer to my set-up. Here's hoping your next Volca release is more in keeping with expectations.launch

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January 21, 2018

Reviewers repeatedly say the onboard speakers are low quality and take up panel space that should have been used for more channels, panning, or a headphone cue system.

@dinogoldie9716

Hi Korg. Since you appear to be embarking on a wave of 2nd edition Volcas (FM2, Sample 2 etc), here's what I need from a Volca Mix mkII:\n1) Scrap the useless internal speaker.\n2) Drop the groundloop-generating internal daisy-chained power sockets and either replace with isolated power or omit entirely.\n3) Drop the useless stereo-widener and sidechain internal effects.\n4) At lleast double the number of channels and ensure that at least 2/6 are stereo.\n5) double FX sends.\n6) Add a sync-in and tempo-tap button. Link tempo-tap and sync in/out with aforementioned MIDI splitter.\n7) Add panning controls for each channel.launch

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September 25, 2022

@Decoy303

The speakers on the Volca Mix are total trash. Best Volca speakers are on the Drum. I own this and it's a waste of money. Only thing useful is the stereo expander and compressor. The band pass filters are also nice but that's really it. The mixer Faders and speakers are rather pointless. This could have been so much more rather than so much nothing.launch

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November 26, 2020

@Iain0101

Another channel or two and tempo-synced delay would make this a killer addition. The crappy speakers can go.launch

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November 7, 2020

@dinogoldie9716

It's a three (+ 1 send/aux) mixer but there's now like a dozen volcas. It's a mono mixer but many of the most recent Volcas are stereo. It's a mixer but valuable realestate on the unit is wasted on built-in speakers. it's a mixer yet there is no monitoring/cuing capabilities. It's a Volca but there's no ribbon, no sequencer and no ability to automate stuff. There's a 3 way power splitter but no MIDI splitter. So, in conclusion, it sucks. Korg need to bring out a Volca Mix 2 with more channels, effects and connectivity.launch

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August 31, 2020

Multiple users report that sending to stereo effects units like the NTS-1 or Kaoss Pad 2S returns the effect on only one channel, since the send is mono, and ask how to work around it.

@AlbertSodylicious

Looks like you’re using SEND OUT on Volca Mix? If I use that with Kaoss Pad 2S all the mini channels are processed only on the left channel. Is there a mono mode on the Pad or some special cables? Has anyone else used a Volca Mix with Stereo FX units?launch

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March 7, 2022

@nebula0697

Hi Loopop/people. I'm trying to figure out why the effects loop returns signal on one side only of my headphones. I've tried sending to a mono guitar pedal and an NTS-1 (for its effects), and while the send button works perfectly I get the effect on only one side. If I run either effect between the instrument and the Volca Mix without using the loop, everything is fine, but naturally the idea of getting the Volca mix was to use the effects loop and individual sends. Could it be that the return circuit is somehow defective, sending signal to only one side? I understand the send is mono as stated here, but should the return distribute the effected signal equally to both sides of the stereo out?launch

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November 22, 2021

@electrosonicnebula

Hi Loopop. In case you're around, I'm having the problem that the mono send of the Mix into the NTS1's stereo input and back out through NTS1 stereo input and into the aux IN of the MIX is giving me reverb or other effects only one one side. Can I configure the NTS1 or the Mix to sum up signals so this doesn't happen? Or use different cables?launch

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October 23, 2021

@ducciboi

Is it always going to output to mono? I'd like to use the Pan knob on the Sample but it doesn't work with the Mixer despite there being an L R output.launch

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August 28, 2021

Some owners report the unit is noisy with both supplied and third-party power, describing ground-loop hum, crackling, or interference that makes it unusable for them.

@dinogoldie9716

Hi Korg. Since you appear to be embarking on a wave of 2nd edition Volcas (FM2, Sample 2 etc), here's what I need from a Volca Mix mkII:\n1) Scrap the useless internal speaker.\n2) Drop the groundloop-generating internal daisy-chained power sockets and either replace with isolated power or omit entirely.\n3) Drop the useless stereo-widener and sidechain internal effects.\n4) At lleast double the number of channels and ensure that at least 2/6 are stereo.\n5) double FX sends.\n6) Add a sync-in and tempo-tap button. Link tempo-tap and sync in/out with aforementioned MIDI splitter.\n7) Add panning controls for each channel.launch

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September 25, 2022

@dinogoldie9716

In light of the second editions of the Volca Sample and FM, does Korg have any plans to manufacture a decent audio/clock/midi hub for their volca line? What are people using instead of this frustratingly limited groundloop hum generator? Can people recommend a good basic mixer with six inputs (at least two stereo) and at least one send bus?launch

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September 24, 2022

@hstriepe

I just got one of these. A cute & functional addition to the Volca series, but boy, they are noisy both with the supplied and third party power. Not usable in my book.launch

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May 24, 2022

@flct_live

Hi, Tony. In this video (time 2:10) I can hear a little interference (it sounds like a crackling or sparks). What is that? I have the same intermittent problem but louder (I'm using Sample, FM an Keys thru Komplete Audio 6 on Ableton Live 10 Suite in Macbook Pro 2012 OS X 10.11.6). There are any way to prevent it? Sorry for my bad english. Thank you!launch

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August 6, 2019

Several commenters see the lack of headphone cuing as a major omission for a device positioned as a performance mixer, saying they'd rather use a proper DJ mixer instead.

@jasonmd2020

One glaring omission: no headphone cuing. Being able to program a Volca out of the main mix before bringing it in is a must have.\n\nI'll just get a DJ mixer. Nice try though.launch

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July 15, 2018

@tobillusion

2 mono + 1 stereo channel? Seems kinda weak to me... why not have 5 channels. The power out and mostly the speaker are not really needed. 5 channels in and some on board effects and it would be interessting. also ther is no L/R balance? The stereo width knob sounded good at 05:30. \nNice review none the less :) i wonder how you would compare to the roland go mixer that you also reviewed. or to the loop mixer from maker hart (5stereo channels for less than half $) bastl dude is only mono, so not really an optionlaunch

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April 30, 2018

@AndyVonal

I think this thing sounds great...but Korg seem to have missed a trick here in my opinion. Only 3 channels? But I have 4 volcas! Give me 4 or 5 channels please. An effects send? Give me some internal delay and reverb! LIke the ducking compressor but I can live without the filters I'm sure...my volcas have filters... It misses the brief that so many wanted. On the other hand, I'm sure there will be many out there who think it's the business and will love it. I so wanted to be able to free up those channels on my mixer which are currently handling the volcas... Guess I'll have to buy one of those mini behringer things...they are only £70!launch

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January 29, 2018

Users note the mixer lacks a MIDI sync input, meaning it can sync connected Volcas to each other but not to outside gear, which some call a big fail.

@dinogoldie9716

Hi Korg. Since you appear to be embarking on a wave of 2nd edition Volcas (FM2, Sample 2 etc), here's what I need from a Volca Mix mkII:\n1) Scrap the useless internal speaker.\n2) Drop the groundloop-generating internal daisy-chained power sockets and either replace with isolated power or omit entirely.\n3) Drop the useless stereo-widener and sidechain internal effects.\n4) At lleast double the number of channels and ensure that at least 2/6 are stereo.\n5) double FX sends.\n6) Add a sync-in and tempo-tap button. Link tempo-tap and sync in/out with aforementioned MIDI splitter.\n7) Add panning controls for each channel.launch

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September 25, 2022

@mikeellisonhimself

If it cost the same as three power supplies I'd be interested but it doesn't. Three stereo inputs would have been better. Big fail though is lack of MIDI sync in. Nice to be able to control the Volcas together but not in isolation from other gear.launch

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October 24, 2020

Unlike other Volcas, the Mix requires being plugged in and cannot run on batteries, which some users see as inconsistent with the portable Volca concept.

@phuturemusic

And I just don't get it: i'd like all my portable volcas to go outside and jam outdors.\nVolca mix: No, stay to the plug.\nUgh!\np s it makes even worse that it has those great tools: stereo width and compressor.launch

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September 20, 2018

@PaulGBass

Nicely done video, Godawful product. A 3 channel!!! mixer? Those dreadful tinny little speakers!! Doesn't work off batteries like the other Volcas....WTF???launch

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February 2, 2018

One detailed report states running audio through the mixer caused a noticeable drop in fidelity comparable to a large quality downgrade, leading that user to return the unit.

@rizdraver

The ONE thing that nobody mentions in these reviews is the quality of the audio. I took it as a given that it would be semi-decent since there were no remarks about it. In fact I didn't think I would even care that much given that I was working with a Volca Sample at 31.25kHz/ 16-bit. But there is a massive drop-off in fidelity running through this mixer. Basically the same level of drop in quality you go from a CD down to the Volca Sample's lo-fi 31.25kHz is again about the same drop after you run it through the Volca mix. So ultimately your Volca Sample sounds like it's more in the 18-20kHz quality of audio. Running my TD-3 through it was the same story. I had to send the Mix back. Much better sounding mini-mixers out there now in this price segment.launch

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December 11, 2020