Comparing the Korg Volca Sample 2 and Polyend Play: Which Sampler is Right for You?

Looking to add a sampler to your music-making setup? Today, we’re diving into two popular options: the Korg Volca Sample 2 and the Polyend Play. Both are fantastic in their own right, but they cater to different needs and budgets. Let’s see which one could be your new favorite music-making device!

Introduction

Music enthusiasts love samplers because they let you create unique sounds by playing and manipulating recordings. Whether you’re producing electronic dance music, hip-hop, or just noodling around with sound, samplers can be an essential part of your gear. Today, we’re going to look at two great samplers: the Korg Volca Sample 2 and the Polyend Play. Both are designed for musicians but offer different features, price points, and workflows.

Features and Comparisons

Build and Design

Korg Volca Sample 2: This sampler is known for its compact and portable build. It doesn’t have pads but uses buttons to manage its functions. It’s light and easy to carry, making it great for mobile music sessions.

Polyend Play: The Polyend Play is a groovebox, which means it’s a bit bigger and heavier. However, it’s packed with features and equipped with 16 velocity-sensitive pads. This makes it more versatile in terms of playing and performance.

Sound and Polyphony

Korg Volca Sample 2: It offers 16-note polyphony, which is pretty good for its size. This means you can play up to 16 sounds at the same time. Its sample rate is 44.1kHz, standard for professional audio quality.

Polyend Play: The Polyend Play takes it up a notch with 64-note polyphony. This allows for more complex compositions and richer sound textures. It shares the same sample rate of 44.1kHz, ensuring high-quality sound reproduction.

Storage and Memory

Korg Volca Sample 2: This sampler uses internal memory for storage. While this limits how many samples you can store, it’s usually enough for basic sampling needs.

Polyend Play: The Polyend Play uses a MicroSD card for storage, allowing you to expand your sample library significantly. You can keep a vast array of sounds and projects ready to go.

Sequencer and Effects

Korg Volca Sample 2: It comes with a sequencer to help you create patterns and songs. You also get effects like reverb and delay to add depth to your sounds.

Polyend Play: With a more advanced sequencer, the Polyend Play offers multiple effects, giving you more creative options to manipulate your samples. This makes it perfect for more experimental music production.

Connectivity and Integration

Korg Volca Sample 2: Offers basic I/O options with MIDI In and Audio Out. However, it lacks software integration, which may be a downside for some producers looking to connect to computers or other digital workstations.

Polyend Play: It has a wide range of connectivity options, including MIDI In/Out, USB, and Audio In/Out. This makes it easier to integrate with other gear and expand your setup.

Display and Interface

Korg Volca Sample 2: Uses LED indicators, which can be a bit limiting when it comes to navigating through functions and editing sounds.

Polyend Play: Features an LCD display, providing a more detailed and user-friendly interface to work with. This makes it easier to see what you’re doing when crafting your music.

Pros and Cons

Korg Volca Sample 2

Pros:

• Affordable at around $200
• Portable and easy to carry
• Simple interface for beginners
• Built-in effects like reverb and delay

Cons:

• Limited storage capacity
• No pads, only buttons
• Lacks advanced connectivity and software integration

Polyend Play

Pros:

• High polyphony with 64 notes
• Extensive connectivity options
• Velocity-sensitive pads for dynamic playing
• Expandable storage via MicroSD
• Multiple effects for creative sound design

Cons:

• Higher price point at around $1100
• Larger and less portable than Korg Volca

Summary

Both the Korg Volca Sample 2 and the Polyend Play are excellent samplers with their unique strengths. The Volca is a great choice for beginners or those on a budget, while the Polyend Play offers more features for advanced users.

Final Verdict

When deciding between the Korg Volca Sample 2 and the Polyend Play, consider what you need in a sampler. If you’re looking for portability and affordability with essential sampling features, the Korg Volca Sample 2 is a fantastic option. However, if you want a more powerful device with extensive connectivity, advanced effects, and more playability, the Polyend Play is worth the investment.

Now that you know more about these samplers, which one will you choose for your music-making adventures?