Korg
volca drum
$129
Released 2019-03
Best Drum Machines · head-to-head
volca drum vs PO-32 tonic
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. PO-32 tonic is cheaper at $89. Every spec and price links to its source.
Teenage Engineering
PO-32 tonic
$89Cheaper
Released 2017-04
Which is better: the volca drum or PO-32 tonic?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The PO-32 tonic is the cheaper at $89.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | volca drum | PO-32 tonic |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $129 US MSRP | $89 |
| Brand | Korg | Teenage Engineering |
| Released | 2019-03 | 2017-04 |
| Sound engine | Digital percussion synthesis (DSP analog modeling: oscillator waveforms, wave folder, overdrive, waveguide resonator) | Sonic Charge Microtonic-derived digital drum/percussion synthesis engine (co-developed with Sonic Charge) |
| Voice count | 6 parts x 2 layers | 16 sound slots (unlimited additional sounds via Microtonic VST data transfer) |
| Sequencer steps | 16 steps per pattern, chainable up to 256 steps across 16 sequences | 16 |
| Sample playback | No | No |
| Onboard effects | Waveguide resonator (tube/string modes) with decay, body and tune controls | 16 real-time performance/parameter effects (beat manipulation and sound distortion) |
| Output count | 1 | 1 (3.5mm audio I/O) + built-in speaker |
| Midi support | Yes | No |
| Battery powered | Yes | Yes |
| Pad count | 16 | 16 |
Sources — volca drum: korg.com (verified 2026-08-01). PO-32 tonic: teenage.engineering (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the volca drum and PO-32 tonic?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Sound engine: volca drum Digital percussion synthesis (DSP analog modeling: oscillator waveforms, wave folder, overdrive, waveguide resonator) vs PO-32 tonic Sonic Charge Microtonic-derived digital drum/percussion synthesis engine (co-developed with Sonic Charge)
- Voice count: volca drum 6 parts x 2 layers vs PO-32 tonic 16 sound slots (unlimited additional sounds via Microtonic VST data transfer)
- Sequencer steps: volca drum 16 steps per pattern, chainable up to 256 steps across 16 sequences vs PO-32 tonic 16
- Onboard effects: volca drum Waveguide resonator (tube/string modes) with decay, body and tune controls vs PO-32 tonic 16 real-time performance/parameter effects (beat manipulation and sound distortion)
- Output count: volca drum 1 vs PO-32 tonic 1 (3.5mm audio I/O) + built-in speaker
- Midi support: volca drum true vs PO-32 tonic false