I suggest buying right angle jacks and not straight jacks. The right angle jacks will allow you to hide the cables under the Volcas instead of having a bunch of wires in your way. They should have asked a guitar player before designing these boxes.
I plan on buying the volca keys, FM, and beats. i am trying to do some research on what cables to buy, mixer, etc. and was hoping you could answer a few of my questions. I have a midi controller already and I was wondering how i would go about connecting my volcas to it. The volca FM will be the head of the daisy chain, leading to the beats and the keys. I will then connect all of the volcas to a mixer like you showed in the video. So, how should i go about connecting these to a midi controller? Can i connect multiple to one controller, or do i just have to use one of them? Also what mixer do you recommend? Edit: also i am aware i’m going to need a 5-pin midi cable to connect the midi in on my controller to a midi out, but i wanted to know if there was a way i could connect multiple to one midi controller, like maybe a mixer that has a midi out? Or a split midi cable?
Awesome, man! This video helped me think about the way I should connect/sync my two Volcas. Beat and Keys. By the way, I only have one monitor speakers with an aux outlet and a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen. How should I connect/sync my Volca Beat and Keys? Is this correct? Volca Beats sync out to Volca Keys sync in. Volca beats will be the Master. Right? And then I will connect the 3/4 to 1/4 inch cables to the ins of the interface. Each, yes?
You should plug them into a mixer or soundboard that will take multiple quarter inch inputs. The mixer should be plugged into a PA system, that's how you would go about getting the sound amplified without needing several amps.
I’m new and starting off, with these devices would you guys recommend any certain mixers or sound cards that would work best with these devices? I would also like to add a delay and relay pedal eventually, thanks :))
@@thayanaclasso4387 The same ones you will need to record. Quarter Inch to 1/8 (mono) and then plug the quarter inch end to your mixer or PA depending on your setup.
Thank you so much for posting this video. I have a question I hope you could help me with. In recording into a digital workstation you would have to send it through an audio interface. Would you have to send all four volcas through the interface or is there an adapter that four cables can plug in/ sending one signal to the audio interface?????
@@OutworldStudios I need some help, I have the Sample2 (Master) Nubass (Slave) & Keys (Slave) ..Anyways there setup correctly but the nubass & keys play somewhat faster than the Sample2 not sure whats going on ..Any ideas? Or is it a setting im missing hidden under the Function button?
THANK YOU. Just the video I needed. Only question: will the audio for all 4 come through the master sync or do you need to plug each head phone jack in individually? Also are you able to use a singular power supply that has multiple attached cables so you’re not using 4 outlets?
each volca needs its own channel, the audio will not come out as one on the master synced. No you cannot use 1 power supply for all 4, they need their own power supply each.
I have my 4 Volcas with a 9v 3A power supply (Centre Positive) and a Right Angle or 90 degree Daisy Chain 9v cable. I also 3D printed some 45 degree brackets which clip straight into my Volcas. The brackets give it a little bit extra height as well a 45° angle to tuck the cables in underneath them. If you using a 1 amp power supply for 4 Volcas it's not enough power to run all 4 at the same time. If you don't have a 3D printer send me a message & I'll sort something out 4U. I hope this helps
Probably a dumb question, but if you have 4 Volcas like this, then you’d need an interface with 4 inputs/channels to hear them all back at once right? So my scarlett 2i4 with 2 inputs would be useless???
Well you dont need an interface to hear them back. You can buy a mixer and use a PA for that. But yes, you can get playback with an interface and if you only have 2 inputs you're going to have to buy an interface with 4 or more channels.
I wouldn't have purchased Volcas if I had known the sync doesn't have audio. They should be able to link like Pocket operators. Bad design flaw. If you have 8 Volcas you have to have 8 inputs on an interface? Sheesh. Cannot find one video of how multiple volcas are connected to computer or even an interface. Selling due to this.
@@OutworldStudiosThe sync in/out do not have audio like a pocket operator. You have to connect a 3.5 to each headphone out to get sound to computer. Is this not correct?
"Also, people will probably wonder what the "special little adapter" is;" -- the link you gave us for Sweetwater is for the full power supply with the right tip, yes? I think what we're looking for is the actual little adapter tip you are using -- that way we can add it to existing power supplies, 1-Spot daisy chains, etc. Do you have a source for that? Thanks!
Relatively new to this and having some issues, I am currently trying to connect three volcas. They all share the same power supply and are synced with stereo cables. Their outputs are all linked with stereo cables to a passive mixer which is then boosted by an amp to headphones. I keep getting a humming noise when all three volcas are connected to the mixer and amp. As I remove volcas from the mixer, the humming decreases. It does nit seem to be the result of one particular Volca. Is this something that would be fixed by switching to mono cables? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of the humming?
@@OutworldStudios I didn't know what an 'interface' was since you didn't show it but have since figured it out elsewhere. It also works with AUX TRS multi splitter.
Yes, 4 inputs to amp. Most likely you will end up using a mixer with pa and putting each audio out to a channel on the mixer, or you could also use an interface. I've seen people use audio splitters to put multiple audio inputs into one amp/channel. Don't do that because it can lead to short circuiting.
im not being able to conecta a volca beat with a volca bass, i used the steps you gave and nothing... im powering them with bateries and the volca bass says low battery, may that be the problem? should i use a power supply?
is that the sync input and output are just for tempo syncronization? bacause i get to sync the tempo but with headphones y just get the sounds from de volca connected to the phones. i need a mixer maybe? connect both volcas to it and the phones to de mixer...
@@fernandoortuzar1854 Yes, the sync is only for sync. Audio comes from the headphones out jack. If you have a Beat and Bass, you probably need a mixer if you want to jam live. If you're recording into a daw, you can just plug one at a time into whatever interface you are using. All my gear goes through a mixer so I can just mess around at my leisure.
You forgot to talk about how you deal with Midi on these devices.. How do I connect them to a software sequencer on my PC such as Ableton Live? I assume you need to connect all the Midi outputs to a USB interface with sufficient ports and then plug that into the PC, right? However would I be right in saying that you can only 'write' from the software to the Volcas but not the other way round because they don't themselves have Midi out?
@@happyzarate22 I mean you can't play notes on the volcas and record that midi data into your daw for editing/playback later - you can only record the audio. You'd need to mod them and add a midi out port to add that functionality I'm assuming?
@@peterstean2138 Check out the Volca forums, I think I read on there that some of the volcas have midi out on the pcb. You can hack it into the sync in port as a TRS midi out and still keep the functionality of the sync in. You can't use them both at once, obviously. I'm pretty sure there is a thread where someone did this to a Volca FM.
I’m new and starting off, with these devices would you guys recommend any certain mixers or sound cards that would work best with these devices? I would also like to add a delay and relay pedal eventually, thanks :))
@@sam-pq8pv I've used Behringers before and they work well with volcas. I wouldn't advocate their product as they're a little weak signal side. Use a mono cable to get the most signal strength from a vocal.
i dont understand the headphone/speaker situation i have two volcas and an audio interface with a stereo to headphone cable but i can only put it in 1 volca how am i gonna get the other one with sound?
Tbh I can't remember if that works or not with headphones but if you want control over each channel through a mixer board for live performance or when it comes to recording then you want all 4 outputs separate.
@@OutworldStudios what about if I use the mixer Volca? Then would the combined sound come out of just the mixer volca and then I would just have to use one headphone cable to connect to a portable speaker? And to connect to an interface for recording could I use just one of those headphone cables that split into two stereo quarter inch cables, coming out of just the volca mixer and into the interface? Like does the volca mixer combine the sound of the other 3 volcas?
Please help so if i can change the tempo on the sample or any other volca will the otherr volcas change tempo, i dont get why theres a tempo on the volca mix if the tempo is already on all the other volcas
If you sync multiple volcas, the sample or the beats volcas have a tempo. Which ever is the first in the sync chain controls the tempo for all. So to make it simple, make your sample your lead in the sync and whenever you change tempo on the sample, it will change the tempo for the rest. Hope this helps.
All the volcas have tempo. The mix just gives you a master tempo. A bit of a marketing ploy. Better to just get a small mixer with 4, 6 or more inputs and an effects loop. Even the little Behringer 4 channel mixer for $50 is a good idea
@@OutworldStudios You need to sum to mono properly even though you are really summing duel mono signals from the volcas, you still need to compensate for the drop in impedance. This is why so many people have noise issues with volcas. The cable you suggest is not correct, it is mono to stereo not stereo to mono. You either need a summing cable with resistors or a breakout cable. If you use a breakout cable, only connect one of the two mono sides to the mixer unless the volca is true stereo like the the FM or Sample, then connect both outputs to the stereo channel input.
I suggest buying right angle jacks and not straight jacks. The right angle jacks will allow you to hide the cables under the Volcas instead of having a bunch of wires in your way. They should have asked a guitar player before designing these boxes.
Great video. I appreciate it. I hate that the Volcas can’t send audio to each other like the Roland Aira series 😑
I plan on buying the volca keys, FM, and beats. i am trying to do some research on what cables to buy, mixer, etc. and was hoping you could answer a few of my questions. I have a midi controller already and I was wondering how i would go about connecting my volcas to it. The volca FM will be the head of the daisy chain, leading to the beats and the keys. I will then connect all of the volcas to a mixer like you showed in the video. So, how should i go about connecting these to a midi controller? Can i connect multiple to one controller, or do i just have to use one of them? Also what mixer do you recommend?
Edit: also i am aware i’m going to need a 5-pin midi cable to connect the midi in on my controller to a midi out, but i wanted to know if there was a way i could connect multiple to one midi controller, like maybe a mixer that has a midi out? Or a split midi cable?
Awesome, man! This video helped me think about the way I should connect/sync my two Volcas. Beat and Keys.
By the way, I only have one monitor speakers with an aux outlet and a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen. How should I connect/sync my Volca Beat and Keys? Is this correct?
Volca Beats sync out to Volca Keys sync in. Volca beats will be the Master. Right? And then I will connect the 3/4 to 1/4 inch cables to the ins of the interface. Each, yes?
Thank you very much for this. The best demo on the web - succinct
After you plug them in to the headphone slot, where do those plug in?
You should plug them into a mixer or soundboard that will take multiple quarter inch inputs. The mixer should be plugged into a PA system, that's how you would go about getting the sound amplified without needing several amps.
@@OutworldStudios Thank so much for the Reply!
I’m new and starting off, with these devices would you guys recommend any certain mixers or sound cards that would work best with these devices? I would also like to add a delay and relay pedal eventually, thanks :))
@@OutworldStudios which cables do I need to plug volcas into a PA?
@@thayanaclasso4387 The same ones you will need to record. Quarter Inch to 1/8 (mono)
and then plug the quarter inch end to your mixer or PA depending on your setup.
Thank you so much for posting this video. I have a question I hope you could help me with. In recording into a digital workstation you would have to send it through an audio interface. Would you have to send all four volcas through the interface or is there an adapter that four cables can plug in/ sending one signal to the audio interface?????
Dont use a splitter it can damage your volcas. Get an interface with four channels if you want to record live with all four at the same time
@@OutworldStudios I need some help, I have the Sample2 (Master) Nubass (Slave) & Keys (Slave) ..Anyways there setup correctly but the nubass & keys play somewhat faster than the Sample2 not sure whats going on ..Any ideas? Or is it a setting im missing hidden under the Function button?
la salidas de los 4 audifonos tambien se conectan entre sii o como se hacen las conexiones
THANK YOU. Just the video I needed. Only question: will the audio for all 4 come through the master sync or do you need to plug each head phone jack in individually? Also are you able to use a singular power supply that has multiple attached cables so you’re not using 4 outlets?
each volca needs its own channel, the audio will not come out as one on the master synced. No you cannot use 1 power supply for all 4, they need their own power supply each.
I have my 4 Volcas with a 9v 3A power supply (Centre Positive) and a Right Angle or 90 degree Daisy Chain 9v cable. I also 3D printed some 45 degree brackets which clip straight into my Volcas. The brackets give it a little bit extra height as well a 45° angle to tuck the cables in underneath them. If you using a 1 amp power supply for 4 Volcas it's not enough power to run all 4 at the same time. If you don't have a 3D printer send me a message & I'll sort something out 4U. I hope this helps
@@tony1antcan you share the STL?
Probably a dumb question, but if you have 4 Volcas like this, then you’d need an interface with 4 inputs/channels to hear them all back at once right? So my scarlett 2i4 with 2 inputs would be useless???
Well you dont need an interface to hear them back. You can buy a mixer and use a PA for that. But yes, you can get playback with an interface and if you only have 2 inputs you're going to have to buy an interface with 4 or more channels.
I wouldn't have purchased Volcas if I had known the sync doesn't have audio. They should be able to link like Pocket operators. Bad design flaw. If you have 8 Volcas you have to have 8 inputs on an interface? Sheesh. Cannot find one video of how multiple volcas are connected to computer or even an interface. Selling due to this.
Not sure what you're talking about. I recorded the background track all in one audio track with an interface while the volcas were synced
@@OutworldStudiosThe sync in/out do not have audio like a pocket operator. You have to connect a 3.5 to each headphone out to get sound to computer. Is this not correct?
"Also, people will probably wonder what the "special little adapter" is;" -- the link you gave us for Sweetwater is for the full power supply with the right tip, yes?
I think what we're looking for is the actual little adapter tip you are using -- that way we can add it to existing power supplies, 1-Spot daisy chains, etc.
Do you have a source for that?
Thanks!
The description of the video says the adapter tips come with the power supply.
I was looking at a similar set up but using a Yamaha mixer... or potentially an electribe, 2 volcas, Yamaha mixer and FL studio - would this work?
You need an interface to record.
Great!
And if I want to set up minilogue with Volcas what should I use?
You should use a minilogue and some Volcas.
Relatively new to this and having some issues,
I am currently trying to connect three volcas.
They all share the same power supply and are synced with stereo cables.
Their outputs are all linked with stereo cables to a passive mixer which is then boosted by an amp to headphones.
I keep getting a humming noise when all three volcas are connected to the mixer and amp.
As I remove volcas from the mixer, the humming decreases. It does nit seem to be the result of one particular Volca.
Is this something that would be fixed by switching to mono cables?
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of the humming?
The humming is most likely a ground loop due to the shared power supply, easy fix is to use batteries in the volcas.
so you need 1 input per volca? damn i was off the impression the sound follows through for some reason
All four of the Volcas have Tempo so wouldn't something else be meaningful to decide which is master?
i thought the Volca Sample sent out a stereo signal ?? Please correct me if i am wrong..Great vid thanks.
It doesn't work well with stereo, I've tried it. Mono cables worked best and gave me the best sound.
Makes no sense. What are the cables in the headphone jack and where are they going?
The answer is literally in the video.
@@OutworldStudios I didn't know what an 'interface' was since you didn't show it but have since figured it out elsewhere. It also works with AUX TRS multi splitter.
Let's talk about the background song
Made it with the volcas just for the tutorial.
Why stereo for sync. .? And why Mono TRs out.?
Can you help me ihave micro korg syntezicer/vocoder and volca beats how to connected together do i reAlly Nerf mikser
So they all need their own inputs to amp? So 4 independent inputs to amp?
Yes, 4 inputs to amp. Most likely you will end up using a mixer with pa and putting each audio out to a channel on the mixer, or you could also use an interface. I've seen people use audio splitters to put multiple audio inputs into one amp/channel. Don't do that because it can lead to short circuiting.
im not being able to conecta a volca beat with a volca bass, i used the steps you gave and nothing... im powering them with bateries and the volca bass says low battery, may that be the problem? should i use a power supply?
is that the sync input and output are just for tempo syncronization? bacause i get to sync the tempo but with headphones y just get the sounds from de volca connected to the phones. i need a mixer maybe? connect both volcas to it and the phones to de mixer...
@@fernandoortuzar1854 Yes, the sync is only for sync. Audio comes from the headphones out jack. If you have a Beat and Bass, you probably need a mixer if you want to jam live. If you're recording into a daw, you can just plug one at a time into whatever interface you are using. All my gear goes through a mixer so I can just mess around at my leisure.
You forgot to talk about how you deal with Midi on these devices.. How do I connect them to a software sequencer on my PC such as Ableton Live? I assume you need to connect all the Midi outputs to a USB interface with sufficient ports and then plug that into the PC, right? However would I be right in saying that you can only 'write' from the software to the Volcas but not the other way round because they don't themselves have Midi out?
Yeah Midi in only.
can you elaborate on the “write”
@@happyzarate22 I mean you can't play notes on the volcas and record that midi data into your daw for editing/playback later - you can only record the audio. You'd need to mod them and add a midi out port to add that functionality I'm assuming?
@@peterstean2138 Check out the Volca forums, I think I read on there that some of the volcas have midi out on the pcb. You can hack it into the sync in port as a TRS midi out and still keep the functionality of the sync in. You can't use them both at once, obviously. I'm pretty sure there is a thread where someone did this to a Volca FM.
I’m new and starting off, with these devices would you guys recommend any certain mixers or sound cards that would work best with these devices? I would also like to add a delay and relay pedal eventually, thanks :))
For example would the behringer xenyx work well? Thanks :))
@@sam-pq8pv I've used Behringers before and they work well with volcas. I wouldn't advocate their product as they're a little weak signal side. Use a mono cable to get the most signal strength from a vocal.
@@OutworldStudios thanks for the reply!
i dont understand the headphone/speaker situation i have two volcas and an audio interface with a stereo to headphone cable but i can only put it in 1 volca how am i gonna get the other one with sound?
How many channels does your interface have.
@@OutworldStudios ah okay i get it i thought i had to combine the Jack cables or something
Can it be plugged in directly to a Xair18 digital mixer to play live?
It should work with any mixer, don't see why not. I've used it to play live with a mixer before.
I have a problem where everything ends up desynced after awhile. Any tips?
Make sure your sync cables are in the right order.
Can’t you just connect the Volcas together with the syncs and then just have the audio coming out of one? meaning only using one headphone jack cable?
Tbh I can't remember if that works or not with headphones but if you want control over each channel through a mixer board for live performance or when it comes to recording then you want all 4 outputs separate.
@@OutworldStudios what about if I use the mixer Volca? Then would the combined sound come out of just the mixer volca and then I would just have to use one headphone cable to connect to a portable speaker? And to connect to an interface for recording could I use just one of those headphone cables that split into two stereo quarter inch cables, coming out of just the volca mixer and into the interface? Like does the volca mixer combine the sound of the other 3 volcas?
Dont use an audio splitter unless you want to potentially short circuit your volcas.
Sync is only for time/tempo synchronization and firmware upgrade, nothing else. It does not carry audio signal. It just sends an impulse.
Power suply? Does volcas not work on batteries?
I mean, yes but do you want to constantly be buying new batteries?
If I MIDI out from my TR 8 into the Volca Sample, will that make my TR 8 the main tempo maker?
I highly doubt that it will.
i am trying to sync Volca Sample and Volca bass just using one 3.5 male to 3.5 mae cable. Is it possible?
yes, syncing is the same for all volcas. the difference is mono or stereo, your sample is stereo, the bass is mono
Where can I hear the song in the background?
Its not been uploaded sadly.
Please help so if i can change the tempo on the sample or any other volca will the otherr volcas change tempo, i dont get why theres a tempo on the volca mix if the tempo is already on all the other volcas
If you sync multiple volcas, the sample or the beats volcas have a tempo. Which ever is the first in the sync chain controls the tempo for all. So to make it simple, make your sample your lead in the sync and whenever you change tempo on the sample, it will change the tempo for the rest. Hope this helps.
@@OutworldStudios yes, thanks so much
All the volcas have tempo.
The mix just gives you a master tempo.
A bit of a marketing ploy.
Better to just get a small mixer with 4, 6 or more inputs and an effects loop.
Even the little Behringer 4 channel mixer for $50 is a good idea
The volca sample have a stereo output
Yes they are stereo out, but the stereo signals are identical, so in reality it's mono and you're better off just using a mono cable for that.
@@OutworldStudios You need to sum to mono properly even though you are really summing duel mono signals from the volcas, you still need to compensate for the drop in impedance. This is why so many people have noise issues with volcas. The cable you suggest is not correct, it is mono to stereo not stereo to mono. You either need a summing cable with resistors or a breakout cable. If you use a breakout cable, only connect one of the two mono sides to the mixer unless the volca is true stereo like the the FM or Sample, then connect both outputs to the stereo channel input.
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Not for me...can you teach me slowly please
Do Volca's have stereo or mono outs?
Stereo is better, but you can use mono
Aww so clever thanks for sharing Wow! I subbed and looking forward to more volca videos🚀
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