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So I've been looking for an affordable hardware synth that can make some rough, dynamic sounds for a dubstep setup a friend and I are putting together. At first, Volca Bass seemed to fit the bill, but after a little more research, it seems there's not really much difference between the two. They seem to have roughly the same sonic capabilities; from what I've read, the biggest difference apart from the controls is that the Bass has a better filter, but it's a hassle to make chords on it. Since the Keys is a lot more user-friendly, I'm kinda wondering if I should just go for that one instead. Is there anything important I'm missing?

have the keys

feel it would a bit limited for a dubstep setup

so would suggest the bass

or you could save and get a microbrute

^agreed, save up a little more and buy a Microbrute imo

Yeah, I've heard that the Microbrute was good for dubstep sounds... I watched a couple of demos, though, and I wasn't impressed; it sounded a bit too Moogish for my tastes. It could be that the demos I saw didn't show off what the thing's really capable of, though. If I do decided to get a Volca, I'm leaning toward the Bass at this point. I just saw a whole video on just the filter and it sounds like the filter from the Commodore 64's SID chip!

Really...the MicroBrute sounds Moogish? Go post that on GearSlutz

I've got the keys and I push it to its limits really quickly sound design wise. If I didn't have a lot of other outboard processing it'd be almost useless to me. I think it sounds pretty good in Unison mode. The problem is that is paraphonic (spl?) not polyphonic, sometimes certain chords just don't sound right on it...like I'll write a chord progression and play it on another synth and it sounds fine, it sounds out of tune on the keys. You can get usable sounds out of it, but its pretty limited, especially on its own.

I'd recommend a MicroBrute, but how far are you going to get with a monosynth? I own the Micro and love it. Again, because I've got some other gear I can get pretty great moving reese/growl sounds out of it even though its a single oscillator and monophonic. Granted it'll take you loads further than the Volca Keys or Bass IMO. But still its really only great for leads, bass, some sound FX and maybe kick drums (no noise oscillator, so most percussion is pretty much out).

Is this a live setup? What is the goal of the setup? Why are you only looking at analog synths?

Honestly, there's nothing in the Volca price range that'll do that job properly on its own. Maybe if you got lucky on a Casio CZ 101 auction or something...

Lemme give you some insight as an owner of both, the bass will probably be better for what you're trying to do. If you want rough sounds, the filter on the keys has noticeable stepping at higher resonances, while the filter on the bass has loads more character, and is much smoother at high resonance settings, more squealing, less stepping. Also, regarding chords, you can dial them in on the bass, since it has 3 oscillators that transpose an octave in each direction. The one thing that might be a consideration though is that the cutoff of the Key's filter is automatable, whereas the Bass's isn't, but that big-ass cutoff knob on the Bass is so fun to sweep around on that you won't want to automate it.

Moogs have such a different sound than the MicroBrutes, but I like the sound of MicroBrutes as well.

Yeah, I shoulda known I didn't know what I was talking about with the Moog comment. I've wandered across a couple of jams with Minimoogs and such but I didn't listen too hard, since that "retro monobass" sound I kept hearing wasn't really my cuppa tea. I compared the MicroBrute to a Moog since seems to be geared for that kinda sound.

After a bit more research and Penguinoid's explanation, I'm thinking I'll either go for the Bass, or save up and get a Red Sound DarkStar.

Jellypox wrote:Yeah, I shoulda known I didn't know what I was talking about with the Moog comment. I've wandered across a couple of jams with Minimoogs and such but I didn't listen too hard, since that "retro monobass" sound I kept hearing wasn't really my cuppa tea. I compared the MicroBrute to a Moog since seems to be geared for that kinda sound.

After a bit more research and Penguinoid's explanation, I'm thinking I'll either go for the Bass, or save up and get a Red Sound DarkStar.

So, I'm still curious...is this a live setup? Studio setup? A hybrid live/studio setup? Honestly, for me that would make a huge difference in what I bought. But honestly you should be able to get any Volca for around 120 if you are careful and wait for a deal on a used one.

Sorry, you asked that before and I never answered. This is for a studio setup. We aren't gonna be doing any live gigs just yet, but of course it can't hurt to grab some gear that's good for both. The cheapest I've seen a volca was $145, but then I haven't looked that hard. I found a used DarkStar for $200 online, that's looking like a pretty solid synth and definitely more versatile, so maybe I'll hold out for that.

Jellypox wrote:Sorry, you asked that before and I never answered. This is for a studio setup. We aren't gonna be doing any live gigs just yet, but of course it can't hurt to grab some gear that's good for both. The cheapest I've seen a volca was $145, but then I haven't looked that hard. I found a used DarkStar for $200 online, that's looking like a pretty solid synth and definitely more versatile, so maybe I'll hold out for that.

Thanks man. Hope it didn't feel like I was badgering you : ) I got my Keys for like 110 including shipping. Anyway, I know a couple people who love their DarkStar, I don't know a ton about them.

I hope the Bass works out for you. I'd highly recommend trying to layer and process your patches once you get them in the box. I guess it isn't an issue with the other Volcas and not an issue with all the Volca Keys, but mine is quiet quiet and has a high noise floor. So its difficult to layer patches. Consider a DI box for recording.

I don't want to sound fully like an asshole here BUT (teehehehe, my inner gearslut is showing) if you can't tell the difference between a microbrute and a 'moog' I dont really think you 'need' analogue gear at the moment. I dont want to be overly harsh, but it just seems like you dont really even know what you want to get from the gear you're looking at.

fragments wrote:

Jellypox wrote:Sorry, you asked that before and I never answered. This is for a studio setup. We aren't gonna be doing any live gigs just yet, but of course it can't hurt to grab some gear that's good for both. The cheapest I've seen a volca was $145, but then I haven't looked that hard. I found a used DarkStar for $200 online, that's looking like a pretty solid synth and definitely more versatile, so maybe I'll hold out for that.

Thanks man. Hope it didn't feel like I was badgering you : ) I got my Keys for like 110 including shipping. Anyway, I know a couple people who love their DarkStar, I don't know a ton about them.

I hope the Bass works out for you. I'd highly recommend trying to layer and process your patches once you get them in the box. I guess it isn't an issue with the other Volcas and not an issue with all the Volca Keys, but mine is quiet quiet and has a high noise floor. So its difficult to layer patches. Consider a DI box for recording.

Nah, it's cool. I talked to my buddy and he liked the Dark Star better, so it looks like we're getting that, since he's paying for half this stuff. Your feedback makes me want the bass enough, though, that I'm probably gonna get one later on! Thanks for the heads up about the volume, by the way!

cyclopian wrote:I don't want to sound fully like an asshole here BUT (teehehehe, my inner gearslut is showing) if you can't tell the difference between a microbrute and a 'moog' I dont really think you 'need' analogue gear at the moment. I dont want to be overly harsh, but it just seems like you dont really even know what you want to get from the gear you're looking at.

Maybe I didn't explain that very well, but I was trying to say that I wasn't fully listening to those Moog demos; I was turned off by the sounds I was hearing (and that was a while ago anyway so my memory's not that great) and the people demoing the Microbrute were making sounds reminded me of those demos from what I could remember. Aside from that, though, you seem to be assuming I'm interested in the Volca range because I want something that's analog; the point of interest is actually just that they're cheap hardware synths that don't sound like crap.

Interesting development in terms of options on the cheap:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=256509&start=960#p3763506

Why no love for the Monotribe? I wasn't the biggest fan of the Volca series and I feel like you might get more out of a Monotribe or Waldorf Rocket.

SaveMidnight wrote:Why no love for the Monotribe? I wasn't the biggest fan of the Volca series and I feel like you might get more out of a Monotribe or Waldorf Rocket.

Waldorf Rocket...hrm...the odd envelope section...not sure...I'd recommend a Anode MeeBleep over that...especially with the update for the Wavetable synthesis option. Honestly you can probably get a Mopho Desktop for like...250-300 at this point. Not exciting to program...but sounds the tits.

Yeah, I really enjoy noodling on my monotribe, but the lack of real asdr control is super limiting, especially since theres a bad click on 2/3 envelope settings. I think I'd find my monotribe more 'powerful' with the midi mod too; its so hard to deal with that ribbon keyboard vibe when you're trying to play along with another synth.

By itself, its one of the most fun thing to mess around with.

I would suggest spending 50 more bucks and getting Massive....i can guess what you think keys/bass can do and I can promise you its not reality.