Single Cell Software. I was looking into adding sync signal capabilities to my CEVS app to mimic what KORG have in their Sync. Kontrol app for i. OS. Their app generates an audio pulse which can be used to control tempo on Monotribe and Volca machines. Adding it to CEVS would mean people on all platforms could benefit from the extra control as well as adding swing capabilities to machines without a swing knob such as the Volca Keys, Bass, etc. The Volca Sample does have a swing knob but many have noticed that it doesnt seem to send its swing signal via the sync out jack unfortunately. The following post is the result of my research into KORG s sync signal and explains why other Volcas just cant swing like the Sample. If someone from KORG wants to chime in and correct or confirm my findings paging Takahashi san, that would be awesome. Open the following image to follow along. It might look a bit technical but Ill do my best to keep to simple terms. Figure 1 shows KORGs basic sync clock in pink. What S In A Crack Pipe Shot. A clock signal is just that, a reliable voltage pulse either from the machine itself or from another source that comes around on time, regularly, like seconds on a clock. Synths listen in on this signal to sync up their sequencers, LFOs, etc. Below that are 1. Volca machine. Notice how they appear at regular intervals. This is because their timing relies on the sync clock. The first thing to notice is that the clock skips a 1. Want an iMovielike video editor for PC Movavi Video Editor is an ideal choice. Its the best iMovie for PC alternative with similar features. Covering GarageBand versions 1 through 10 2013 GB for iOS m Were currently updating the FAQ to include a new GarageBand version 10 sectionThis is very important and the main reason why were seeing some strange things between machines. Having a clock that runs slower than your smallest step isnt a big deal, electronics can easily work out sub step timing as soon as they receive 2 pulses. The problem comes when you want to create effects like swing. Swing sometimes called shuffle is the change in timing from a straight, evenly spaced sequence. Its often used to create more human, less mechanical rhythms. An example in nature would be the human heart. It doesnt go BOOM BOOM BOOM, it goes, BOOOM ba. BOOOM ba. BOOOM due to the timing of the various squishy valves in there. In musical notation, this is often represented by dotted notes. One note is held a bit longer, at the expense of the next note which comes in a bit later and gets shortened by an equivalent amount. The size of the note we chose to stretch is what defines the type of swing. If we use 8th notes as our measure of the note, and then play fast 1. If we use 1. 6th notes as the swing unit of measure, we get a more groovy house hiphop sound. Looking at Figure 2, youll see how the Sync. Kontrol app creates swing by delaying every other 8th note pulse. These songs and new additions are now available as the Penmachine Podcast listed at podcast. Podder. org, Odeo, and YahooThe timing delay is defined by the swing amount in the app and goes from barely noticeable to extreme where the second note has barely started before the next comes in again. When we apply this to a machine with a 1. This is because were essentially splitting our swung 8th notes into halves to get our 1. Now in Figure 3, we see how the Volca Sample does its own thing and I presume modifies the sub divided internal clock of higher precision to control swing when you turn the physical knob on the unit. The swing modifies every second 1. When it comes time to generate a sync signal for the Sync Out jack, it uses every other clock pulse in order to create a compatible signal to the standard already established. Youll notice how those pulses arent affected by the Samples swing, which is why we perceive the Sample to not send its swing across to others. Conclusion Apart from working with hacks like working in double time and spreading out your beats over 2 parts, the other machines simple will never be able to swing like the Volca Sample. The timing protocol is established to 8ths notes and changing that in the future would mean old machines would play twice as fast. Why KORG chose this is a mystery, seems odd given that most synths since forever have relied on 1. Maybe a decision was made in the name of simplifying things for low cost machines, maybe it was historical reasons to be compatible with even older machines Ill admit Im pretty new to hardware synths. Maybe an oversight with regards to ever offering swing in the first place. But hey, at least knowing why helps quell the frustration, right And to answer a question which Im sure will come up Yes, Ill be adding my Sync. Kontrol module to CEVS anyway. Just dont expect miracles from it. Here are some audio examples to help explain the difference between no swing, 8th note swing and 1. Caustic, shuffle set to 5. As an interesting side note What happens if you send a swung synckontrol signal to a Volca Sample thats got its swing knob turned up A multiplied result which sounds really weird. Every step in a 4 step sequence starts long and gets shorter and shorter. Ill save you the graph this time but you can try for yourself.