Help

Getting Started

MIDI Connection Setup

• Connect your Korg Volca Sample 2 to your Mac via USB-MIDI cable
• Launch Symbiont — the app will automatically detect the Volca Sample device
• If not auto-detected, use the device selector in the MIDI Monitor window to manually select your device
• A green indicator shows when the device is connected

Multi/Single Channel Mode

• Multi Channel mode (default): Each of the 10 parts is assigned to MIDI channels 1–10
• Single Channel mode: All parts controlled through a single MIDI channel using NRPN messages
• Switch between modes in the MIDI Monitor window

Basic Usage

Projects

• New Data (⌘+N): Initialize project and sample data. Prompts to save unsaved changes.
• Open (⌘+O): Open a vlcspllib file (KORG MS Librarian format)
• Save (⌘+S): Save to current file. Falls back to Save As if no file is open.
• Save As (⌘+⇧+S): Save project as a new vlcspllib file

vlcspllib Files

• Compatible with KORG MS Librarian format
• Contains 16 sequences with all parameters, step data, motion data, and sample audio
• Can be shared between Symbiont and KORG MS Librarian

Fetching Samples

1. Connect your Volca Sample 2
2. Use “Fetch All Samples” from the Transfer menu or Sample Manager
3. The app fetches headers first, then sample data for each slot
4. Large samples may require retries — the app handles this automatically (up to 3 rounds)
5. Progress is shown with phase indicators (Header / Data / Retry)

Editing Sequences

1. Select a sequence (SEQ 1–16) from the left sidebar
2. Each part shows parameter knobs for all available parameters
3. Click the Steps button to toggle between knob view and step sequencer
4. Toggle Active Steps to enable/disable individual steps
5. Adjust parameters by dragging knobs

Sending to Device

• Use Send buttons in the Sequence Editor right panel or Transfer menu
• A confirmation dialog appears before overwriting device data
• During SysEx transfer, an overlay blocks other operations

Detailed Guides

Motion Sequences

• Activating: Long-press (0.5s) any parameter knob to open the motion editor
• Drawing: Drag across the editor to draw motion curves (64 points per parameter)
• Interpolation: Each step has 4 data points with smooth interpolation between them
• Center-based parameters: Pan, Speed, and PEG Intensity show ±values from center
• Chromatic Speed: When in Chromatic mode, range is −24 to +24 (internal values 40–88)
• Clear: Use the Clear button to reset motion data for the current parameter
• Close: Click the × button to return to knob view
• Playback indicator: During Preview via MIDI, the current step is highlighted

Speed / Chromatic Speed

• The Speed knob has a mode toggle button (music note icon)
• Speed mode: Standard speed control (0–127, center=64)
• Chromatic Speed mode: Semitone-based pitch (−24 to +24, center=0)
• Values are stored independently — switching modes preserves both values
• Motion data type determines indicator color: Speed=red, Chromatic=blue

Part Copy & Paste

• Copy all parameters from one part to another
• Available from the Edit menu or context menu
• Copies all knob values, step data, and motion data

Sample Cut / Copy / Paste

• Use Edit menu operations on samples in the Sample Manager
• Cut removes the sample from the source slot
• Copy duplicates the sample data
• Paste places the sample into the selected slot

Drag & Drop Import

• Drag audio files directly onto a sample slot in the Sample Manager
• Supported formats: WAV and other common audio formats
• A confirmation dialog appears if the slot already contains a sample
• Audio is automatically converted to 16-bit 31250Hz PCM

Keyboard Pad Triggering

• In the Controller tab, use number keys 1–0 to trigger parts 1–10
• Each keypress sends a Note On message to the corresponding part

Troubleshooting

MIDI Connection Issues

• Ensure the Volca Sample 2 is powered on and connected via USB-MIDI
• Check that no other application is using the MIDI device exclusively
• Try refreshing the device list in the MIDI Monitor window
• On macOS, check Audio MIDI Setup utility for device recognition

Sample Fetch Retries

• Larger samples require more data transfer and are more prone to packet loss
• The app automatically retries up to 3 times for incomplete transfers
• If fetching consistently fails, try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB-MIDI cable

Transfer Overlay

• During SysEx send/receive operations, a blocking overlay is displayed
• Do not disconnect the device during transfer
• If the overlay appears stuck, the operation may have timed out — wait for it to complete

External Clock Sync

• When using Volca’s internal clock, Symbiont sends MIDI clock messages
• For external sync, configure the Volca to receive external clock
• The Controller shows “SYNC” or “EXT” status indicator

vlcspllib Compatibility

• Files created by KORG MS Librarian can be opened in Symbiont
• Files saved by Symbiont can be opened in KORG MS Librarian
• Both applications use the same binary format for sequence data

Keyboard Shortcuts

File Operations

Shortcut	Action
⌘ + N	New Data
⌘ + O	Open
⌘ + S	Save
⌘ + ⇧ + S	Save As

Edit Operations

Shortcut	Action
⌘ + X	Cut (Sample)
⌘ + C	Copy (Sample)
⌘ + V	Paste (Sample)
Delete	Delete (Sample)

Controller

Shortcut	Action
1	Trigger Part 1
2	Trigger Part 2
3	Trigger Part 3
4	Trigger Part 4
5	Trigger Part 5
6	Trigger Part 6
7	Trigger Part 7
8	Trigger Part 8
9	Trigger Part 9
0	Trigger Part 10