Korg Volca Sample Granulator

About this device:

The "Volca Sample Granulator" is a Max for Live device that utilizes MIDI messages (note-on, note-off, and control change) to modify the standard behavior of the Volca Sample, taking advantage of the instrument's 11 programmable parameters as a starting point to apply a granular synthesis algorithm. Depending on the settings, it can also function as a generative drum machine.

THIS DEVICE DOES NOT DAMAGE OR MODIFY THE HARDWARE OR FIRMWARE OF THE INSTRUMENT. INSTEAD, IT CREATIVELY HARNESSES THE MIDI IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VOLCA SAMPLE.

Tutorials:

Tutorial 00: Setting up the device for the first time

Tutorial 01: How to use it as a classic granular synthesizer

Tutorial 02: How to use it as a generative drum machine

Technical specifications:

The Volca Sample Granulator is a combination of two devices: one is responsible for the user interface, and the other is responsible for note generation. This division of functions is necessary because Live does not permit sending messages to multiple MIDI channels from the same MIDI track, which is precisely how the Volca Sample is designed to address its different parts.

Important: Please watch the tutorial on how to set up this device for the first time. Once you've done it, you won't need to do it again.

Requirements:

• Max for Live
• A MIDI controller or something to play MIDI notes.
• An audio interface with MIDI OUT.
• A 5-pin MIDI cable.
• The Korg Volca Sample

How it works:

IMPORTANT: Detailed instructions on how this device works can be found in the tutorials attached at the beginning.

Grain production:

The device is activated with any incoming MIDI note and will remain active as long as the note is held. Once activated, the device's internal clock starts generating MIDI pulses, whose frequency is controlled by the 'density' knob. Each pulse represents a grain, which contains a group of MIDI messages that inform the Volca about:

• The MIDI channel (1 to 8), determining which part of the Volca the rest of the pulse's messages are destined for.
• The numerical value for each of the 11 programmable parameters for that specific part.
• A note-on message that triggers the playback of the grain.
• A note-off message that eventually turns off the grain.

The above process repeats infinitely as long as the device detects an incoming MIDI note. When there is no MIDI note, the production of pulses will cease.

User Interface:

In the device, you will encounter two types of controls: standard knobs and 'range sliders' (rsliders). The knobs provide a consistent fixed value to each pulse, while the rslider enables the user to define a range of values from which one is randomly selected to apply to each new pulse.

Note: It's important to emphasize that the rslider can transmit fixed values to the Volca when the minimum and maximum numbers within the range are the same.

Note: Certain parameters on the M4L device can be toggled between knobs and rsliders.

To manage the rsliders:

• Click and drag to establish a new range.
• Shift + click extends the existing range instead of replacing it.
• Command-click (Macintosh) or Control-double-click (Windows) and drag adjust the current range values vertically.
• Option-click (Macintosh) or Alt-click (Windows) and drag upwards or downwards expand or shrink the presently chosen range.
• Command-double-click (Macintosh) or Control-double-click (Windows) selects the entire range.