Korg Volca Mix

[Daags]

... nice to see them finally deliver on this, given that it was frequently wished for amongst volca fans since the release of the second volca if not earlier.

http://www.korg.com/us/products/dj/volca_mix/

An analogue performance mixer that completes your volca setup.

volca mix is the long-awaited mixer for the volca series. The volca mix is a four-channel analogue performance mixer that lets you construct a live setup combining multiple volca units.

Volume faders are easy to control, plus crisp-sounding LO/HI CUT filters, and a master chain that radically transforms the sound. In addition to the sync function found on all volcas, there are also DC output connectors that can supply power for up to three volca units. Numerous functions to facilitate your on-stage volca performances have been packed into a high-quality aluminum-paneled body, reminiscent of a high-end DJ mixer.

The volca mix will unlock the maximum potential of the volca series.


Compact multi-function four-channel mixer.

An analog mixer for performance.

The volca mix is a four-channel analog mixer with an intuitive interface and plenty of connectivity. It provides two mono inputs and one stereo input, perfect for connecting three volca units. The jacks are mini-jacks, allowing you to make connections with just one stereo mini-cable from the headphone out of each volca unit. The channel volumes use vertical faders that allow precise control. The gain can be boosted to adjust the mix balance, and mute buttons are also provided. Each channel is also equipped with a LO/HI CUT filter that lets you control the low and high frequency ranges with a single knob. The pristine, natural-sounding filters that you expect from analog gear give you complete control over the character of your sound.
Output and monitor capabilities for use on stage, plus stereo speakers for maximum portability.

The output section provides RCA stereo line outputs to ensure stable connection. There’s a master volume with LED VU meter for adjusting the output level, as well as a headphone output that can be used simultaneously with the line output, providing a reliable monitoring environment on stage. Speakers are also built-in for excellent portability. The stereo speakers are placed at both sides of the front, and while compact, deliver SPL levels that are even greater than the built-in speakers on previous volca units.
Powerful effects and control.



Powerful master chain.

The volca mix is equipped with master effects powered by all-analog circuitry. In addition to an expander that broadens a mono source into a stereo sound image, there’s a dynamic range compressor that compresses the high-frequency range according to level changes of the low-frequency region, as well as a side chain effect that’s indispensable for dance music. Use these to dynamically vary the mix, adding a professional feel to live performances with the volca.
Connect an external effect unit for further variety.

The volca mix provides a stereo mini-jack send out and AUX in jack, and send level knobs for each channel. This allows you to use it with an external effect unit in a send/return connection. When used in conjunction with a unit such as the mini kaoss pad 2S, you can also enhance your live performances using standard effects such as reverb, delay, filter, and break. The AUX in jack can also be used as a stereo input channel for a fourth volca unit, an iOS app, or any other gadget, instrument, or device.
As the master of your volca live setup.

The volca mix features an analog sync out jack that can easily be connected to many pieces of KORG gear for tempo sync, and also a play button and tempo knob to control that sync signal. By using the volca mix as the sync master device of your live setup, you can easily enhance your live performance, such as simultaneously playing sequences from multiple synced units, and combining mute and volume control to create performances that use your volca units in even more ingenious ways.

Unlocks even more potential out of the volca series

DC out lets you use three volca units simultaneously.

Three VOLCA DC OUT jacks are provided, and by connecting the included DC-DC cables you can supply power for up to three volca units. Even when using multiple volca units on stage, you won’t need to bother with adapters or bring another power strip; just concentrate on your performance with a streamlined setup and breakdown.

A rich variety of included accessories.

The volca mix comes with AC adapter, DC-DC cables, and audio cables included. Right out of the box, you’ll be ready to put together a complete volca live setup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8J5UcJ1xAk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2vaO6uHBC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ojyayidvt4

[Mushy Mushy]

The Vixen smashes the Mix into little tiny pieces.
https://kvgear.com/products/vixen-mixer

[Daags]

The Vixen smashes the Mix into little tiny pieces.
https://kvgear.com/products/vixen-mixer

have you got one ?

it's 250 bucks ... + an extra 20 for 4 dc cables (to power volcas) ... so that's 270 bucks so far, add shipping to that ... probably brings us to approx ~300 bucks ... and then for european customers, add customs & duty to that in the region of 22%+ .... so that's a minimum of 366 bucks to arrive at my door in Europe.

i also see that it suffers from the same problem other 3rd party, volca-specific power hubs have been plagued by:

A note about noise: The power hub is a simple daisy chain circuit. In many cases this type of arrangement is low noise. But in some circumstances, one or more devices in the chain can cause noise due to differential ground voltage. There are many solutions to ground hum noise. One simple solution is to resort to battery power. Fortunately, the Vixen can power itself and all connected devices using its onboard AA batteries or an external battery pack. This will allow your recordings to be as quiet and noise-free as possible.

now compare that to the volca mix ... $170, and will be stocked by retailers that will ship it for free. no customs or duties since it will be stocked and sold by european retailers (with all the after sales benefits that comes with strict EU consumer protection laws, not to mention the likes of thomann.de etc covering return postage fees - no questions asked - if there's a fault). so for less money than one 'vixen' i can get two volca mixes for $340, sold by a european retailer, which will include in that price a total of 6 dc cables for powering 6 volcas.

and we can only assume korg's own product won't be plagued by the same noise/hum problems that 3rd party power-hubs have experienced. but lets not even consider that as an advantage, until people have tested both units. but definitely noise/hum is an issue to 'put a pin in'.

and then what about the hardware advantages of the volca mix ... six analogue filters (across two volca mixes for the same money), analogue dynamic effects, volume faders (a big plus here ... those little nubbins on the vixen are a joke in comparison re: performance)...

so ya. sorry. but the vixen doesn't look to be smashing the volca mix to pieces, much less two of them for less money. interesting product, but I know where I'd rather spend my $340.

[Mushy Mushy]

You make some good points however I personally maintain my preference for the Vixen.

Let's start with the channels. You have 8 vs 3 (or 10 vs 4 depending on how you'd like to describe stereo channels). So you would need 2.5 Mix's to align to the Vixen. Actually you'd need 4 because the second and third would need to feed into the fourth. So let's reduce that to 3 for argument sake. We're now at GBP510 and thats without considering the ugliness of 3 of the same unit (arguable and subjective I know).

The Vixen has two sends vs one on the Mix.

Power for 8 Volca's vs 3.

Outputs on 1/4" jacks vs RCA (this is a preference thing I admit)

No ugly speakers (subjective I know). And this is coming from somebody who is a big fan of the Volca/boutique speakers.

I do love the clock on the Mix however I would prefer it sent via MIDI as opposed to Sync.

All up I personally much prefer the Vixen but I do buy your point that some people like a boxed solution they can walk in off the street and buy.

[Daags]

You make some good points however I personally maintain my preference for the Vixen.

Let's start with the channels. You have 8 vs 3 (or 10 vs 4 depending on how you'd like to describe stereo channels).

well, to compare 'like with like' ... you really ought to be comparing one vixen with two volca mixes, since two volca mixes will actually come in cheaper than one vixen. especially true for non-us residents.

so that would be 10 vs 8

So you would need 2.5 Mix's to align to the Vixen. Actually you'd need 4 because the second and third would need to feed into the fourth. So let's reduce that to 3 for argument sake. We're now at GBP510

what ? you're jumping the shark here, big time. You wouldn't 'need' these things at all. I'm content to compare one vixen to two volca mixes (see: like-for-like, ~$366 vs ~$340) and let the dis/advantages fall where they may. as far as feeding one volca mix into another ... highly unlikely that would be needed, simply output each volca mix indvidually into the PA ... or if needs really do be, just sacrifice an aux and feed the first into the second.

The Vixen has two sends vs one on the Mix.

still comparing one ~$366 vixen to one ~$170 volca mix.
with two volca mixes you have two aux's ... albeit with a slight caveat of each aux being tied to each unit.

Power for 8 Volca's vs 3.

still comparing one ~$366 vixen to one ~$170 volca mix.
with two volca mixes you have power for 6 volcas, with a reasonably high likeliness that there will be none of the noise/hum issues that the vixen admits to having in the product description.


jacks and speakers ... meh.


now lets talk about the hardware advantages of the dual volca mix combo:

6 volume faders ..... this really is a major one for anyone assuming they'll be performing live, or recording jams. if you have any inclination to perform/jam on these mixers, the volume nubbins on the vixen are a disgrace.

6 analogue lo/hi cut filters.

6 analoge effects .... stereo expander x2, dynamic range compressor x2, sidechain compressor x2

sync + transport control ... x2, which means you could have one unit at half/double time or whatever other tempo experimentation you might like.

master db visual guide, via leds.


all for less money, not to mention better customer protection under eu laws.


again ... it's not really subjective. the vixen simply does not come anywhere close to smashing the volca mix to tiny pieces. on the contrary, it is hard to even consider a vixen given the alternative of owning two volca mixes for less money. the extra two channels would have to be of major importance to warrant choosing a vixen ... and I would suggest that is an outlier scenario.

[Mushy Mushy]

Fundamentally disagree on all points but seeing as you seem to be getting a little worked up I’m just going to leave it.

[foosnark]

Is anyone else always annoyed by a "four channel" mixer that has three channels?

Yes, one is stereo. But there aren't any routing options that let you pretend it's mono, and there aren't any pan controls to use it as two stereo channels... it will forever be a three channel mixer

[SHall1000]

Saw somewhere reference to using the aux as a forth input. Not sure how that would work in practice.

Anyway re Vixen vs Mix at least we have a choice of options at long last.

[Daags]

Anyway re Vixen vs Mix at least we have a choice of options at long last.

ya, agreed.
this is actually the mixer I was/am considering for volca & various other miniature doodad duties:
https://www.amazon.com/LOOP-MIXER-Porta ... B01M68UK38

quite rudimentary compared to the volca mix and vixen .... but 5 stereo channels, 3 audio outs, volume faders, and left/right balance ... for the price, is very good value imo. also available from european amazon, but i linked the american site since it has the most reviews.

definitely an option if all you want is basic mixing.

but i'm now considering two volca mixes since i have six volcas ... and i've never found a satisfactory power-hub for the volcas that doesn't suffer from prominent noise/hum issues, so if the volca mix does that well ... i'm pretty much sold. also the 2 volca mixes + 6 volcas in the official korg demo video looks like a very tidy setup.

[david.beholder]

Can't beat used behringer or tapco mixer in anything.

[SHall1000]

OK. So why would the Korg be a better bet than a say a Behringer XENYX Q802USB. There is the power chaining but a USB interface is tempting. Prices are as low as £60. Even the Behringer Xenyx Q1002USB is only £70.

[Daags]

OK. So why would the Korg be a better bet than a say a Behringer XENYX Q802USB. There is the power chaining but a USB interface is tempting. Prices are as low as £60. Even the Behringer Xenyx Q1002USB is only £70.

If you have to ask, you should just go right ahead and buy the behringer xenyx. because neither the korg volca mix, nor the vixen, are better general purpose mixers. that's probably case closed right there, for you.

[david.beholder]

OK. So why would the Korg be a better bet than a say a Behringer XENYX Q802USB. There is the power chaining but a USB interface is tempting. Prices are as low as £60. Even the Behringer Xenyx Q1002USB is only £70.

If you have to ask, you should just go right ahead and buy the behringer xenyx. because neither the korg volca mix, nor the vixen, are better general purpose mixers. that's probably case closed right there, for you.

And SHall is asking about other arguments: why in the world (except fanciness) people would use expensive and limited volca mixer or vixen when they have better alternatives?

[Daags]

both of you can ask for arguments all you like, I'm certainly not arsed in providing them ... buy the xenyx, buy the tapco, they're better. you're right.

[david.beholder]

both of you can ask for arguments all you like, I'm certainly not arsed in providing them ... buy the xenyx, buy the tapco, they're better. you're right.

Therefore there are no rational arguments...