Device Photos
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PSU
Basic data
Name
Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
Category
9) Samplers and Sample sequencers
Type
SAMPLE_SEQUENCER
Specimen
A (Original firmware)
Inventory tag
HW-2024-SA-VOLCA-001-ORG
Condition
OK
Physical parameters
Dimensions (mm)
—
Dimensions (inch)
—
Weight
—
Format
—
Material
—
Manufacturing (Period)
—
Manufacturer
—
Power
Voltage
3.7V (rechargeable lithium)
Current (typical)
0.3 A (battery mode)
Current (max)
0.6 A (peak)
Polarity
N / A (micro-USB charging)
Connector
Micro- USB (USB Type-B small)
AC/DC
Internal rechargeable LiPo battery, USB charging
Internal/External
Internal
Note
Battery: ~ 2 hours of full charge endurance. Plugged- in (USB power supply) - no problem to operate.
Warning: Check the polarity of the source before connecting! Improper power supply will damage the device.
Firmware and serial number
Serial number
KVS001ORG
FW version (current)
1.00 (Original KORG, never updated)
Check date
2026-02-20
Previous version
—
Bootloader
1.00 (factory default)
Update Link
Backup File
MANUALS / corg- volca- sample- mk1-v1.00.bin
Quick Summary
Compact sampler with sequencer, original KORG firmware. Limited features but stable operation.
Product Description
—
Features and functions
- Original KORG firmware v1.00 - original hardware, closed code
- 16-bit digital sampler - 12-bit in originals but stable sound
- 8 MB internal memory - approx. 5-10 min audio @ 8 kHz
- 10 Sound pats - velocities sensitive - drum synthesis
- 16-step sequencer - creating beats
- Sample recording - microphone IN - direct samples
- MIDI IN control - 3.5mm TRS TypeA (miniature jack)
- Sync IN / OUT - 5V trigger - synchronization with Volca devices
- Tempo check - 40-300 BPM
- Filter controls - Cutoff, Resonance - sound modulation
- Amp Envelope - Attack / Decay / Release - dynamics
- Battery 3.7V Li-Po - ~ 2 hours of stamina
- Micro-USB charging - modern power
- Compact design - 19cm × 12cm
- Stable - direct KORG support (vs. Community customs fw)
Primary I/O (quick orientation)
| Domain | Inputs | Outputs | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Input | 3.5mm stereo jack (microphone pre-amp level) | — | Level input microphone - suitable for recording raw samples. Impedance: approx. 10 kCalculation |
| Audio Output | — | 3.5mm TRS stereo (approx. -10 dBV) | Headphones / line- level output, without volume control (regulation on the device itself) |
| MIDI | Yes (3.5mm TRS Type and Miniature Jack) | Well | MIDI Note ON / OFF, velocities (ignored), MIDI CC for filters |
| Sync | 3.5mm TS (5V trigger - Sync IN) | 3.5mm TS (Sync OUT - for synchronization of other devices) | Compatible with all KORG Volca devices and TR-8 |
Controls
FRONT / TOP (user control)
- Parts: 10 drum pats (velocities sensitive but only dynamics control)
- Knobs: Part Select, Tempo, Filter CF (cutoff), Filter Depth, Amp EG
- LCD display: sample index, part, pace, sync mode
- Samples: Internal storage (8 MB) - approx. 5-10 min audio @ 8 kHz
- Function buttons: Record, Play, Tempo Set, etc.
Service / hidden elements
- Reset: Turn off and turn on the device
- Battery indicator: LED on display
Connectors and connections
Connector matrix
| Interfaces | IN | OUT | Spec / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Input | 3.5mm stereo jack (microphone pre-amp level) | — | Level input microphone - suitable for recording raw samples. Impedance: approx. 10 kCalculation |
| Audio Output | — | 3.5mm TRS stereo (approx. -10 dBV) | Headphones / line- level output, without volume control (regulation on the device itself) |
| MIDI | Yes (3.5mm TRS Type and Miniature Jack) | Well | MIDI Note ON / OFF, velocities (ignored), MIDI CC for filters |
| Sync | 3.5mm TS (5V trigger - Sync IN) | 3.5mm TS (Sync OUT - for synchronization of other devices) | Compatible with all KORG Volca devices and TR-8 |
Latency and jitter
Clock sources
Internal clock, External MIDI Clock, Sync IN (5V trigger)
Clock IN/OUT format
MIDI clock (24 ppq) or 5V gate (Sync IN)
Typical latency
~ 20 ms (MIDI to sound, digest to original FW - slower than custom)
Jitter spec
N / A (digital sequencer)
Buffer support
16 steps of sequencer (per formula)
Impedance and signal levels
Line Level (dBu)
-10 dBV (output -- consumer level)
Mic In level
Low-impedance microphone input (~ 10 kCalculation Z)
Output Impedance
~ 1 kCalculation (3.5 mm stereo)
Input Impedance
10 kCalculation (micro input)
THD
< 1% typical (digital sampling, non-professional)
Frequency Range
20 Hz - 20 kHz (limited by 12-bit sampler)
Other Specifications (from metadata.specifications)
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| No other specifications | |
Additional technical details
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| No additional technical details | |
Typical routing
- Sample recording (In- device): Volca Sample records microphone sounds
• Microphone → 3.5mm jack (Audio IN Volca Sample)
• Press REC button
• Speak / sing to microphone (maximum 8 seconds per sample)
• Play: Play + select pad (sample playback) - External MIDI control: Arturia Keystep or DAW controls Volca Sample
• Arturia Keystep MIDI OUT → Volca Sample MIDI IN (3.5mm TRS TypeA adapter)
• Play music on Keystep
• Volca Sample plays samples according to MIDI note pitch
• Output → MOTU 896 (recording) - Sync with other devices: Volca Sample in sync with TR-8 or SQ-64
• TR-8 SYNC OUT (3.5 mm TS) → Volca Sample SYNC IN
• Volca Sample tempo synchronizes with TR-8 tempo
• Both devices play in strict sync (no latency)
Connection instructions: The examples below show typical signal flows in practice. For specific details (jitter, buffering), see section above.
SW / drivers
| Component | Windows | macOS | Linux | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No specific driver data; use the Documentation/Links section. | ||||
Custom firmware details
Author
—
FW family
—
Custom FW targets
- No explicit custom FW targets in metadata.
Custom CC mapping
| CC | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No custom CC mapping. | |
Custom FW global settings
| Settings | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No custom global settings. | |
Custom FW extended menu
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| No extended menu details. | |
Documentation and manuals
Manufacturer / Links
- Official site of manufacturer
- eBay - search Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
- Aukro.cz - search Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
- MusicníBazar.cz - search Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
- MIDI.cz - search for Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
- Kytary.cz - search Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
- Heureka.cz - search Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
- Gear4music.cz - search Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
- Muziker.cz - search Korg Volca Sample mk1 (Original KORG FW)
Service log
| Date | Event | Who | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-20 | Initial setup | JPG | Firmware: 1.00 (original). All I / O tested, synchronization, recording - OK |
Presets / User banks
Storage type
Internal Flash (8 MB, about 100 programs)
Number of banks
10 banks (10 males per bank)
Current bank
Bank 3
Backup File
PRESETS / korg-volca- sample-mk1-org-fw-banks.syx
Export format
MIDI SYSEX (via MIDI IN, export to PC)
Note
Samples can be exported via MIDI SYSEX, but the procedure is more complex to original FW. Custom FW has direct USB export.
Notes / service / modifications
- Manual: MANUALS / korg-volca- sample- mk1-manual.pdf
- FIRMWARE NOTE: This is ORIGINAL KORG firmware v1.00. There is a CUSTOM firmware variant (mk1-custom-fw) with multiple functions
- Original FW limitation: Slower latency, no USB MIDI (UART MIDI only), limited sample storage
- Tip: If you want more options - consider upgrade to custom firmware (see mk1-custom-fw specimen)
- Battery: Check battery state monthly. Older batteries can have reduced capacity.
- Compatibility: MIDI is standard DIN 5-pin emulation over 3.5mm TRS TypeA adapter (not USB)