Tags: Digital drum machine

Notes: Killer value as usual from Korg's consistently reliable Volca range. Here the focus is on digital drum synthesis, offering a range of conventional percussion instruments plus creative options including basic synth sounds.

Supplier's notes:
Welcome to an infinitely expanding world of sound-design. Joining volca kick and beats as the third, and most unique, drum synth in the volca lineup. The volca series is all about unique sound. Whether it's analogue, PCM, or FM, the volca series puts unique sounds into an accessible platform. And now, the series is joined by a new rhythm machine that brings yet another sonic character. It's the volca drum digital percussion synthesizer. Based on a simple trigger waveform, wave folder and overdrive are used to add overtones and distortion, and then a waveguide resonator effect brings the sound to life. The six-part DSP synth engine was designed with a completely different philosophy than conventional drum machines, and generates a wide range of unexpectedly different sounds. And of course, you can play those sounds from the volca-style sequencer.

Adding these distinctive sounds to your rhythms will revolutionarily transform your performances and productions.

Digital percussion synth with a 6-part x 2-layer structure:

The term "digital" typically brings to mind sounds that are based on PCM-sampled bass drum, snare drum, or cymbal, but the volca drum creates its drum sounds by DSP-powered analogue modelling. Oscillator waveforms such as sine wave, sawtooth wave, and noise are provided. By applying various changes to these waveforms, you can create a wide variety of percussion sounds that range from realistic to idiosyncratic, and are not limited only to drums.

The six parts each have two layers, and do not impose any rules or restrictions such as specifying which parts must be used for the bass drum or for the cymbal; all parts have the same specifications. You can freely assign your new sounds to these six parts without being limited by the conventions of a drum set. A kit consists of the six parts that you've assigned plus the waveguide resonator effect settings, and 16 such kits can be stored in memory (the factory settings contain 10 preload kits).

Distinctive sound from a newly developed DSP engine:

Each part consists of two layers. For each layer, users choose one of five types of oscillator waveform including sine wave, sawtooth wave, and HPF noise, and also choose from three types of pitch modulator and amp EG, each optimized for drum sounds. Layer parameters can be edited either individually or simultaneously, and users can also use the two layers to produce the same sound for additional thickness.

Waveguide resonator adds rich resonances:

The effect section features a waveguide resonator that's based on physical modelling, and which adds sympathetic resonances to the sound. You can choose from two types of waveguide: "tube" which adds the resonance of a cylindrical object such as a drum body or a long pipe, or "strings" which adds the metallic resonance of a string. The three knobs located in the centre of the panel let you specify the DECAY (amount of attenuation), BODY (sonic character), and TUNE (pitch). Setting TUNE to a lower value will produce a delay-like behaviour. You can take advantage of these knobs not only for sound design but also in your live performances.

16-step sequencer with a wide range of parameter automation:

The 16-step sequencer is excellent for improvisation. You can easily create patterns using the 16 buttons, each corresponding to one of the 16 steps. In addition to step recording, the sequencer also supports realtime recording in which you can construct a pattern while looping the playback. The pattern chain function lets you play multiple sequence patterns successively, so you can successively play back desired patterns of consecutive numbers. Up to 16 sequences can be connected to construct patterns with 256 steps.

Notes: Not just a drum machine but a drum synth, the LXR-02 combines the best analogue and digital sound design options to great effect. Six drum voices each with over 30 adjustable parameters.

Supplier's Notes:
Two companies - Sonic Potions and Erica Synths joined efforts to develop a drum machine that would stand apart from the masses and the LXR-02 was born. The LXR is a full-fledged digital drum machine with an integrated sequencer. Its sound engine provides 6 different instruments, each with over 30 parameters to tweak, producing sounds from classic analog emulations to crunchy digital mayhem, thus offering some of the most extensive sound design capabilities found on a drum synthesizer. Its compact, durable design and clear user interface make it ideal for live gigs.

Features
6 drum voices
Powerful sound design engine
Over 30 adjustable parameters per voice
Voice volume sliders
Insert FX section
4 assignable 6,3" jack outputs (2x stereo or 4x mono)
Full-size MIDI in/out
Flexible, performance-oriented 64 step sequencer
Performance mode with mutes, rolls, master bitcrush, and kit morphing
Kit, Pattern, Performance, and Song memory
SD card for easy FW updates and Project backup
USB MIDI
Headphone output
Extensive MIDI implementation
Durable and compact aluminum casing

Notes: A uniquely characterful drum machine, based on FM synthesis inspired by early 90s PC soundcards. Six drum voices and four synth parts can be controlled by a built-in step sequencer or MIDI.

Supplier's Notes:
At the heart of BlastBeats is a vintage FM chip called YMF-262 also known as the OPL3 chip & previously found in computer sound cards of the early 90s.

These chips were notoriously hard to program and were rarely used to their full potential. However, they can produce surprisingly rich beautiful and utterly dirty sounds with a bit of exploring...

By putting so many parameters within easy reach BlastBeasts makes it fun and easy to master the signature sound of the DOS era!

Rhythm & Synth

BlastBeats is a 10 voice groove box offering 6 drum voices and 4 synth instruments.

The many faders offer full control over the parameters of the instruments and can be automated and modulated per step

Beats and melodies are a pleasure to program thanks to the high quality illuminated buttons

Dimensions: 29.5cm x 16.5cm x 4.5cm (11.6" x 6.5" x 1.8")

Weight 944 g ( 2 lb)