The line of volca devices from KORG, a legendary japanese company, is probably the most balanced and functional in the segment of portable and inexpensive music creation tools. These are truly original products, combining the best ideas of synthesis and sampling of the last century with a convenient, intuitive design and nice sound, for their price.

Bastl Instruments features the Thyme effects processor, Erica Synths introduces the Erica Black VCF module, Dreadbox Hades ands Elektron Octatrack MkII are shipping. Two new Kickstarter projects launched by Kvgear and KOMA Elektronik.

Many musicians - especially those who are into sound production but have to do it at home - dream about DSI Tempest or Elektron Analogue Rytm the prices of which are honestly snappish. Then they have that painful comeback and face their reality and are not in the mood to check their account. And a bit later they experience that amusing enlightment: the Internet allows us to find appropriate (concerning price and quality/functionality) variants of analog drum machines and any possible synth. Some of these instruments will surely give way to more expensive units but there are those great alternatives you can opt for until you earn enough to splash out.

The new microKORG is very attractive. White housing, light wooden sides. And the same technical basics microKORG used to feature back in 2002 – 4 virtual analog voices and a standard set of functions.

Meanwhile volca series keeps on growing and announcing new “family” members. This time it’s a kick drum generator called volca kick which sports the MS-20 resonant filter copy onboard as well as the new Touch FX function.