Interesting perspective......for me, it just comes down to the fact that I've been passionate about them for a long time. Yet I'm just thrilled when I hear some of the amazing young musical talent out there. No matter how old, there are rare and brilliantly talent people out there, in so many walks of life, who inspire the rest of us. I do appreciate your considerate thought....and I remember being just as excited about synths and writing and recording, back before I was even old enough to get into bars........Music has been my biggest joy and passion.......All the best to you
I hear you. I've probably owned more analog gear than 95% of the players out there (cause I was around when that was all that existed), and yet, I fully support, own and endorse ALL types of synths......Each is a unique tool with its' own usefulness.....
You absolutely missed a completely fun feature. For anyone who plays guitar, bass, or has a sampler or mpc, the Virus C & TI have input channels and can be used as one hell of an effects pedal with gates distortion, mod matrix etc. Ive wasted hours just experimenting with various synths a virus and a patch panel. If you didnt try that yet, I would highly recommend it
I totally agree - I haven't even thought of covering the Atomizer, or using the external audio inputs in a video. Frankly, the deeper you dive into the Virus line, the more things of interest you find - I'm just limiting the videos I do to what I suspect the majority of watchers are looking for. Thanks for the suggestion, I may mention some of the other options like that in a future video.....
It’s so overwhelmingly powerful, that I can’t even embrace and realize this fact. “Friggin’ HUGE” is not enough for it. When i heard neuro-like bass first time, i was whoaaaa O_O. I checked only patches from A to C bank. I’m afraid of this thing. :D
YEAH I am a Virus user since version a. Thanks for your video. This is a great synthesizer. And I wouldn't call it anymore "virtual analog", because it's a great digital synth!
I'm really enjoying this thing. It's got a lot more potential for nuance and subtlety, than I ever thought possible based on many of the other videos I'd seen. As far as 'virtual analog' - I fully agree with you, I was just starting from the info I read on the Access site. It IS a great digital synth. I'm more thrilled with my purchase every day. Thanks for taking the time to comment Frank. All the best.....
This was great! Nice sounds. This synth is notorious for trance style sounds, but it's capable of so much more than that. I really liked your presentation and video style/editing also. Cheers.
Thanks so much for your comment. Although I have a lot of experience with gear, I am always hesitant about uploading, as I don't have multiple cameras or other gear which is so often used to create a really slick video production. Nice to know that some people get something useful from the upload. Awesome of you to take the time to comment (and watch). All the best.
@@willswitchcraft I don't think you need multiple cameras/slick style production and it's part of the charm to work with what you have! Will check out the other video also. Cheers :-)
Thanks. I'd really like to be able to do more entertaining vids with better production and editing, but I figured this was at least a good place to start. Thanks for your comment and support...
I really enjoyed your video. I've owned my TI2 keyboard for 8 years, and still feel like I am learning it. It is endlessly deep, and, as mentioned elsewhere, far, far more than a virtual analogue synth. I have been playing synths since the late seventies. I mostly use software synths nowadays, but the Virus is the one hardware synth I will never part with. As for the VST interface, I always found it works well. I was recently delighted to find how perfectly it works with Studio One 5 on Windows. Whereas with Ableton Live it occasionally suffers from some latency, or the arpeggiator has difficulty syncing, on Studio One it is rock solid, and I couldn't trip it up, no matter how hard I tried.
Thanks for your response. Because I'm on a Mac, I'm having to deal with the drama of not being able to run their Virus Control software on my OS. Luckily I have an older laptop still running an older OS, so that I can use it. I've just bought the Mystery Islands Music patch librarian/programmer. So far, it looks like pretty good solution. I too am a big of soft synths these days, but I have a strange art project, which requires hardware, so for that, I'm using the Virus, as well as a Deluge (from Synthstrom), and it's always very satisfying to use hardware again....
Lovely sounds. I didn’t know you did all that touring and had all that (or have?) amazing gear. Really enjoyed the whole video, from discussion to playing! Keep up the good work.
It's the one piece of equipment I CANNOT live without. I'd buy another just to have a backup (if I had the extra cash). Spoiled me because it was my first hardware synth - and nothing compares (IMO)
I just bought it 5 days ago. HE sounds great. But: THE shock: not compatible with Catalina !! And there doesn't seem to be any interest on the part of the manufacturer to fix it because, according to my research, the problem has been around for a long time. Unfortunately, I have to give it back because you can't work like that.
Yes, the lack of support from Access is inexcusable, I agree.......I was also very frustrated, however another company has released a software editor and patch librarian that is very good, and is very reasonably priced. If you watch this video, you will get a sense of it: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B5ZopRrVnNo.html
I've been really impressed with my Ti. I love wavetables and now that I understand the full capability of the modulation, I'm digging it. The real frustration is that Access is NOT planning to make their Virus Control software compatible with the new (64 bit) Macs, so I'll have to pick up the Mystery Islands Music software to do my editing and patch librarian stuff. Too bad they're not continuing to support this hardware. Seems a shame........Thanks for your comment!
@@HighMonkeyMonk The founder of Access stated they won't be putting any more resources into the synths for the foreseeable future... maybe a long time down the road, yes, but not for a while. They are going full force with the "Kemper" guitar amp profiler!
Great video.. Thanks for showcasing sounds I definitely haven't heard elsewhere on RU-vid. I've been looking into buying the TI2 for awhile now... Cheers!
Wow, not many people would pick up on that.....I got it in the Amazon, about 10 years ago, as well as a few other awesome pieces, right from the women who made them - so she got 100%, (no middle man). My wife and I spent about 6 weeks down in Peru - travelled throughout the whole country - an amazing experience in every way....
Glad to see you caught, " the virus" !! Nice demo, you make a great presentation. I still want a hydrasynth because of your demo. Anyway, keep up the good work, stay cool
Actually, I was in Paris last January and I DID catch the virus......It was a pretty serious ordeal, but I got over it ok......I loved my Hydra, but I finally decided to sell it to buy this Virus - The price was right, and it's wavetable capabilities are proving to be very impressive....
One synth to rule them all! 😉 But seriously, if you need a "desert island" synth, maybe this is it? Perfect for sound design. This is used in scores of film soundtracks (no pun intended).
I have'nt been around quite as long as you, but I've owned synths since '97. People told me about how good the Virus was, I did'nt listen and I slept on it for 20+ years. Man was I wrong, it took me 'till 2023 to get into it, but better late than never!
I too was 'late to the Virus party' myself........they're so excellent that I can say that I don't think I've been so constantly inspired by anything else......Better late than never - as you say
Agreed. It's solid and complex. I'm also a long time fan of Nord and Waldorf.....there are loads of cool New companies out there as well, however - no matter how great the features, effects or sounds, I wouldn't really feel comfortable taking them out on a big tour - just not reliable enough, ......sadly
@@willswitchcraft I do wish that Access would update the Virus since the design is over 10 years old. Especially now that Waldorf has updated their synth designs with new technology, new features, color OLED screens and so forth. I would buy an Access Virus today if they were not so lazy and more concerned about the Kemper modeler lol.
I with you 100%. Why create such excellent synths, then totally drop the ball - at a time when the rest of the synths in world are getting more competitive and creative? When you are already respected by 'the pros' - great opportunity to 'up your game' and keep innovating.....The fact that Access has basically abandoned their synths and supporters is pretty shameful.
always want one but i have so many Synth vst that make it too. I dont miss the virus. Have Hive 2, zebra, Dune, and many others.. the amount of Sound within presets is groundbreaking. BUT i always think why did they dont made it VSTi ? My PC has more power than any Audio DSP and that is for shure.
i'm so happy you made this video. i have had my virous c for over a year and I cant begin to understand it. pluss i;m new to synths this is my first. I'm desperately trying to get to the point where I can do what I can do with none acoustic sounding drum and use this primarily as a device for me creating an amazing electronic drums soundscape. I things that are exciting punches in law drum synthesizers but I wanted to also be something that isn't an acoustic real acoustic drum but drums that has an analog punch to them but sounds that you've never heard before from drums.. Ask you to make as much as you can on the virus because there's nothing out there for people who are new.
Glad you got something from the video I uploaded! There are some really radical drum sounds available for the Virus, that people have created. Very different from acoustic drum sounds - yet with punch and intensity...... I hope you continue to experiment - sooner or later, you'll get what you need out of the gear....
A guy gifted me the virus TI2 I don’t know where to start on analog moding or even different parameters on this keyboard, but this video gave me some great insight Thanks
It still works with Logic and any OLDER mac OS - like Mojave. It doesn't work with the newer 64 bit OS - Catalina and Big Sur.. I didn't find this out until AFTER I bought a newer Mac, and the Virus. I was lucky that (for my dj gigs) I still have an older Mac laptop around, which is still on an older OS. I guess the workaround might be - there is another company making an editor/patch manager for the Virus. Mystery Islands Music...... Not free like the Virus 'Control', but it looks great..
Interestingly i got Virus TI Snow to work very well with an older DAW called ORION-PRO.8.6... wow! It was tricky meaning ya' totally have to baby the beast because it will tell you what you're wrong... Basically all the Virus synth line parts have to be composed n Recorded/printed "first" then drums added... The tricky part at this point is Zooming in the view of the Virus tracks lining them up just right so they fit with the kicks.... Then ya can add what ever VST synth stuff.... only took a few years to figure out; work hard and work harder then make a basic Master Template so next time ya' compose a track it's pretty much in sync & align... A great sounding beast that still sounds amazing today... As it may take longer to compose with one of these gems it would be much easier to just use all VST's.... But that would be the easy way out.... Ya' gotta put the time in & it's very rewarding....
Interesting - sounds like you're very dedicated. I think the Snow looks like an amazing little package. I was quite interested myself, but ended up finding a Ti in my area (in Canada) for a really great price, so I picked it up. That's so great that you got it happening......Like you say, when you put in time, things are so much more rewarding......
Very exciting........ Yes, they're pretty damn awesome synths. If you haven't watched my other videos on the Virus, I just uploaded one about the new software for programming (not by Access) and this one, with endless Virus info ...that you may or may not interested you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9oLvhyPKiW0.html
Hey Grandpa ;) can u modulate an LFO with an LFO - in other words, is an LFO a valid modulation target for an LFO? Aaand is there FM? (okay, there is ring mod), but is there true FM with some algorithms like in System 8 with latest updates? :)
Yes, you can do almost any modulation routing you can think of.....and Yes, you can do FM, although it's somewhat limited as compared to other synths I suspect (I actually no longer have a Hydra, so I'm not up on any updates....)
@@willswitchcraft Wow, thank you! Good to know! Btw, do you give courses or even 1:1 sessions? I have already knowledge of basic sound design etc. and am super motivated to learn, but it's kinda tough to learn all concepts from scratch. Learning from someone who knows things for real is just a whole different thing. I give programming courses to my students and they tell me the same. 1h and they learn more about the craft than they could in a month. I'm into chillout and trance / house music, also into synthpop, edm so I guess, the Virus would be a perfect fit for my needs. Also, I'm learning Piano now, way more motivated than before as I lack skills :) Well, I really have millions of melodies and harmonies in my head, also produce music alot, yet I'm still not 100% where I want to be... idk, but I'd be very happy, and of course willing to compensate monetary quite well if you'd offer something like this :)
If you let me know what you're interested in learning, I can give you an idea of if I'd be interested, and what I would charge........Hope all's good at your end......all the best......
Hey Tristan, thanks for watching and commenting. I haven't watched many other Virus videos, so I'm not really aware of how my videos compare, but I'm grateful if you got some benefit..........All the best to you......
gosh i really aesthetically enjoyed this video... many more people should see this gem of your channel. reviews need more poetic spice like this .. thk u for the inspiration 🌈🎵🤩🌌🙏🧘
Hey Marco, thanks so much for your supportive and encouraging words......I have a few other Virus videos that I've uploaded in the past week if you're interested.....All the best!!!
That of the virus was the sound that was really meant when talking about virtual analog, the most powerful modern machines seem to do more things than this synthesizer, but in reality they do many, but all with poor quality. This synthesizer encompasses the quality of analog extended to multitimbrality with digital effects without making you feel the lack of quality. A high-end desktop processor would not be able to withstand the power needed for a single voice of this jewel and here is the substantial difference, it is perceived by the detail and depth of the sound, incomparable with the vst. I sold my virus for economic reasons, it costs a lot, but I regret it and look forward to having another one, because it is the perfect machine for me
I have bought and sold so many synths over the years, as I've had this addiction forever, but I totally agree. This piece of hardware is so complex sounding, programmable, and with dozens of voices simultaneously, there's not much that can compete.......thanks for watching and commenting
Excellent!You motivate to dive a bit more into the beast! Will it be possible to explain the best set up in the DAW? USb/midi?Would be really interesting to dig a bit on the best set up ! Thanks again for all those greats vid’s ! You should publish a tuto !!!I will definitely one of the first to purchase it!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Not sure what I'll get around to putting together in the future. I'll have to think about that. I don't use it with my DAW often, so I'm not much of an expert on that - I'll leave that one to someone else....
@@willswitchcraft so at least the midi routing for external set up (dawless) …so many sequencers avail nowadays …Cirklon/beat step pro /TORAIZ squid….the set up is the same for all of them but the routing for multi or single is interesting and a lot of people are struggling with that…just a hint… Thanks anyway!
Lovely thanks for sharing. Although I feel like I'd need someone with your experience to really teach me how to use it. Also somewhat questioning the practicality of the 61 keys version I got, it's huuuuuuuuge. The Virus does make me question the validity of my other synths though, do I really need them and a Virus TI?
each piece of gear has it's own charm and appeal..............most of the new synths are also very in depth, powerful and complex..........it all takes time
Grandpa, ever since I got the TI2 a while back, I experimented clipping when using that reverb. So strange. Even when I lower the volume I hear clippings. Some of the patch too that is soo processed, I hear clipping. Do you get that?
wish I had a good answer for you, or a similar experience to relate, but I don't.........Perhaps someone on the Virus Users Forum might have a comment that might help......
Hi Apologies probably not the correct platform but can anyone shed any light on why whenever I connect my TI2 to my PC via USB , I get a message on the PC telling me the usb device has not been recognised? I want to connect to the "Virus Control Centre" to rearrange and organise the various banks! Thanks in advance for any help!
I'm not on PC, so I'm not going to be much help with this. First of all - try the Virus User's Forum, there's a lot of info there....., beyond that, I have uploaded a few videos about the Virus, and related 'patch librarian' and 'programming' software. Maybe you'll get some answers there.
Hey Marcos, thanks for watching, and commenting yeah, they're really amazing........I really didn't understand their potential fully until I finally got one for myself....
Thanks, I actually sold my Hydrasysnth to buy the Virus. The Hydra is an amazing piece of gear, but for me, the Virus was a great choice. Everyone uses their gear in a different way, or to make different music - it's not easy to decide without trying a few. For me there were a few big issues with the Hydra - the screen was too small (my eyesight is shit), I hate the way the sound cuts out when you're saving a patch - very frustrating. Now that there's another company making software to support the Virus (Mystery Islands Music) I feel really great about my choice........................all the best, thanks for you supportive comment.
I have both the Hydrasynth and the TI2 and I can tell you that the FX on the Hydrasynth sound like dog shit in comparison to the TI2. Add to that the monotimbrality and the severe lack of voices (8) and it's really not living up to the hype. In my opinion, the only thing that the Hydrasynth has going for it is the user interface. In all other aspects the TI2 wins. Easily.
@@RezaMatix I have the desktop versions of both, so honestly I'm not qualified to make an assessment. From what I understand, the Virus keybed has monophonic aftertouch but the engine can receive and process polyphonic aftertouch.
If you compare the XL rack to the TI that you have, aside from the interface controls, what is missing if anything with the XL? I watched your video on the comparison but still a little fuzzy on exactly where the XL fits into the range of Virus synths, in terms of it's features and all. Also, a more general question, which is the minimum I should get if the internal effects options are very important to me. I think you mentioned it's from the TI and newer that they added more effects modeling, like guitar pedals, you described it. Is that correct?
Yes, the TI has the larger effects palette - just because it's newer, but it's possible that even the little desktop Snow has the majority of the stuff on the TI, but with fewer outputs and voices. Otherwise, I'm not sure about all the exact differences.....
Congrats.....If you watch one of my newest Virus videos, you'll see that I'm all about supporting programmers by buying their patches...............Also, in that video, I show the dozens of patch banks available for free for the Virus synth line.......Enjoy
My Ti & C right on the desktop, Still irreplaceable to this day. Nice vid! What patchsets are "Magica" @6:30 and "Mistique" @7:58 from? Sounds like those are fun to play. ...subbbbd z😎
Thanks so much for your comment. It's cool that people seem interested, so I'm just getting ready to upload a couple more Virus videos - one just about the Mystery Island Music software, and another, which details all the differences of all the models, as far as I understand things.....Glad you liked those patches. They're things I'd come up with, but I suspect they're just slightly modified versions of patches I got from someone else....
I love the Virus but am unsure which one I should get. I'm thinking C, TI, or TI2. As someone who has both, how big are the differences...worth a hefty price difference? Are the TIs more modern with effects etc?
Who's going to have a Merry Christmas this year!? Congrats and happy birthday.......Keep tuned, I'm probably going to upload another Virus video really soon......
hi is there anyway that you can get this to sound as good as the virus C? i recently bought a TI and im shocked that it sounds worse than my virus c or b dose so is there any way that you can make it sound as warm and as clear as the B or C ?
@@ozoneau hi i have a vid of both synths and the comparissionis mind blowing i dont like the ti myself its just akward and dont sound good unless your doing hardcore techno some one in the fb ti group and they found that the ti comperrses the sound that much it looses clarity and dose some mad noise thing as well
hi that was me i think as i posted the video in the c or ti group and the sound comparison is quite vast someone in the group then did spectral analizeing on the synth sounds with no fx on and the sounds were the same but the processing on the c is diffrent to the ti as they explained to me and thats why the ti sounds thinner
Grandpa, huh? I wouldn't say as much about Rick Wakeman, Stevie Wonder, Dennis DeYoung, Billy Joel, Elton John, Brian Eno - or Rick Wright & Keith Emerson if they were still with us, pioneer synthesizer players. Furthermore, it's a breath of fresh air to have somebody demonstrate it from outside the dancefloor context, which can kind of be confining at times. Some of your patches sound like they could be used to assemble a soundtrack for a documentary on the Museum of Natural History I definitely dug the 2020 plug with regard to the virus name. That came up in another fashion during 2000 when Mark Vail's Vintage Synthesizers was published.
I'm with you - nice to know that someone appreciates the people who were instrumental in moving the whole electronic music thing forward through all those decades. I got to hang out backstage and watch Keith Emerson, back on tour in about 1986. Watching pioneers like that is absolutely mind blowing. Thanks for taking the time to comment.....all the best....
How do you see the virus C in terms of trance music production...? Can one fancy it over the ti and TI2...? I am looking forward to get 2 hardware synths I have decided to get a Yamaha an1x on the cheaper side and nord lead a1 on the high end side.... I am caught up in a little confusion... Between these Yamaha An1x, nord lead 2x,jp 8000, and virus C which is better for trance in you opinion? Now moving onto the expensive ones.. NORD lead 4,NORD LEAD A1, ROLAND SYSTEM 8 THESE ARE MY ALTERNATIVES AS VIRUS HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND PRICED THRICE IT'S ACTUAL PRICE... ?
I haven't used a Virus C, so I'm not going to be much help. I loved my Nord Lead, but it has a very intense sound, really cuts....very different from the sound of an An1X from what I understand. It's a tough call. It really depends on the kind of music you work on, and what features/work flow suit your creative process......Sorry that I can't be more help......thousands of videos on YT to help you decide what is going to work for you......If you live in a major centre, you should consider renting a couple of synths for a month. If you're not blown away, rent 2 other ones the next month until you find 2 that inspire you, and that work well together
I love the Virus sound! I'm wondering if you have ever experienced issues with digital clicking sounds coming from your Virus? I have both a Snow and a Ti2. If I attempt to sequence them with my Digitakt in either Sequencer mode or Multi Mode I get an audible click/pop every now and then. Single mode doesn't see to have any issues. I'm curious to know if anyone knows how to fix this.
Wow You must be able to get a lot out of them. Most people seem to collect an assortment of synths, instead of multiples of one brand. I just hope that they decided to update the Virus Control to work on the new MacOS. I find it frustrating to keep a second laptop around just to do the patch librarian thing....
@@wc7511 I use the hardware mainly and run on studio and laptop Windows systems. Pretty much stable but Im a classic player as much as a tweaker (and just as bad in equal amounts) so sat using a pc when the synths already have everything loaded is a bit redundant. If I record, I don't use usb. I want to use one as a tweaking machine with all space rock weirdness, one as a classic(ish) Kboard and one for ambient scenes for the live sets. I've had loads of different synths but these are the only ones that keep me smiling... You can make a virus sound like a Roland or Moog or Korg strings machines but you cant make a classic synth sound like a virus ;-) and if I don't fancy taking the full system, I'll just load the keys with what I need and play the scenes from the laptop or from an SD card on the Jamman, but I do prefer playing everything live- that's the fun part!
Can't make a classic sound like a Virus - so true. and doing recordings without USB - quite unusual these days... Thanks for the informative reply.....All the best of the Season
Well Shit Paul, thanks for watching my fucking enlightening video! seriously, thanks for taking the time to watch and even leave a comment....I do appreciate it ;0)
I had a Hydra for a while, really, really awesome, in many ways (I have a Hydra video on YT if you care) but in the end, I sold it, and then bought my Virus. The Virus is killer, and always popular if you ever want to sell it and get something else......
When I hear most criticism of the Virus I think "This person has not spent time programing the Virus". I have saved several hundred patches created from an init patch and thrown away several times that because its so easy to come up with another. I almost always start every session with it from an init patch. One thing that happened when I got the Virus back in 2014 was my compulsive buying of synths stopped. Now everything has to get through the "Can I pretty much do that with the Virus?" test and not a single poly synth has done that. I try basically every new poly synth I can and not a one has made me think I needed it. I think its a fantastic synth and the ideal that it is confined to certain genres is confusing to someone that is familiar with its capabilities.
I totally agree, it's capable of so many things - a real chameleon......I've been programming synths since the late 70's, when you couldn't even save patches.. Every week I have an experimental synth session with 2 other fellows - out here in the wilderness of Canada. We know enough about synthesis that we can just manipulate one patch for the whole session if we want. It's all about fully understanding all the building block's' capabilities, etc.....which does take a lot of exploration and education...
@@willswitchcraft I've been programming synths since the early '80s. I know exactly what you mean. I used to do the synth sophisticate jam thing but the only person I know that can do it lives far away now. I'm guessing I could just hop into your group. Sounds delightful.
I think we're in sync. In about '78 I was drumming in an original prog rock band. Our keyboard player had a 2600, a Minimoog, and an Oberheim 4 voice. I lived in a warehouse where we rehearsed, so I spent countless hours playing around with his gear. In the 80's, I started buying my own synths, and got very seriously immersed in programming. I'm really lucky to have found people in my area with the same affliction. One of the guys has between 20 and 30 synths, so it can be a really intense immersion. We just start experimenting, no tempo, key or restrictions of any kind. Sometimes it's complete shit, but sometimes it's totally awesome.......Nice to be free to experiment......Maybe you could reach out somehow and find someone in your area. If I can find it here - in such a remote area, you might could too. You may be surprised by who's hiding out with a gear fetish.....
Thanks for that, but I really don't think there's enough interest.....and I have a very small subscription base....but I appreciate your supportive comment
Thanks.... Yes, they're pretty sweet and powerful. If you think about what you can have at your fingertips with a Snow, so small, portable and capable........in that scenario, they don't really have a lot of competition. The only unfortunate thing I've found, is that Virus Control (their programming and librarian software) doesn't work with the newer 64 bit MacOS.. Luckily, there's another company Mystery Islands Music, which does, and it's very affordable........
Yes, I hear the keybeds are top notch.......I'll be uploading a whole YT video on the differences between all the Virus synths in the next 3 days......check back if you're interested
@@willswitchcraft using the editor is also nice. U can program the TI like any basic synth but we can go further with the editor. It's a nice looking editor. The strength of the Virus is moving pads, stabs, synth Fx. I like my Darkstar TI2
I don't know if you saw it, but I just uploaded a video about using the alternate software editor: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B5ZopRrVnNo.html Tonight I'm finishing up a video about all the different Virus synths - compared. Cool that you have a Darkstar - that's a sweet looking piece of gear!
Thanks for your comment. Yeah, this thing is a real beast when it comes to FX and intense sounds. I've only had it a short time, and it's still blowing my mind every time I turn it on....
I expect it will completely blow you mind........especially if you do some hunting for sound banks which are applicable for your style of music................if it doesn't, please shoot me a comment, and explain what you felt was lacking/missing......
I have a huge collection of vsti's, including Pigments, UVI Falcon, Dune 3, Avenger, Phase Plant, Spire, Softube Parallells, the whole Arturia V Collection 9 and loads of fx-collections too. Right now, in my recording setup for 2023 ALL my synth sound are generated with two Virus emulators/players. This way I have access to Virus A, B and C and also the Ti. I just love the sound and richness of them, and as tou said (and showed), you can get so much more out of them than Trance/Techno/Acid patches. I even made some great sounding analogish pads and all in between.
The light fixture I was using just happened to have UV (blacklight) capabilities, which I hadn't even thought of....What can I say ? I love lights! (and synths)
This is two year ago, and I now have different patches in my Virus. If you check the names of the patches you like, you can probably find them online. Many of them are from different patch libraries, and most of those are available through the Access Virus users forum. Some of them you'll have to purchase, and some are my own custom creations, which I don't share.....
Yeah. It’s an incredibly versatile instrument. I have an TI2 myself and just love the “Total integration” into my DAW. What is constantly bugging me as I have the keyboard version is… why the heck didn’t they populate the BIG empty space with the missing knobs and buttons that the desktop version couldn’t accommodate?? Sure, price would be an issue. But I would argue that it would be an extremely welcome addition to such a competent instrument that obviously aims at being “hands on”.
I'm with you 100%. It seems ridiculous to have all that unused space, and then have to menu dive to get into the Modulation Matrix, etc. They could have at least created it as an optional version, and frankly, I suspect there are a lot of people (full time pros) who would have gladly paid the extra.
@@willswitchcraft Yeah its a shame that they've put the ti2 on life support. If they had a similar attitude to RME regarding firmware I'd buy one in a heartbeat...and this video didn't help my predicament either, these sounds were incredible 😅👌 If you have the time a longer demo of this synth would be awesome.
Thanks for the supportive comment. I can't imagine how many Virus users are dealing with this stress, because there's doesn't look like they'll continue to do updates, or make their software compatible with future OS........I guess we'll have to leave it to 3rd parties......
@@willswitchcraft Thanks for the video! No worries, I'm using a Virus B since 2001 .. still working, no problems and it still surprises me concerning sound capabilities. Although A TI 2 would be a nice thing 😁
Hi Will, Could you make a tutorial about importing presets onto the Virus without using the softeware (zthat doesnlt work on Macs)? Cannot work it out! Cheers
I have already uploaded a video about using the Mystery Islands Music software, which is now owned by Aurora or something. I may get around to doing something in more detail about that, but no promises. I seem to recall seeing something like that (Virus HC software info) here on YT somewhere, so try searching for that.......
Thanks for your comment Mike.....yeah, I'm still blown away by my Virus.....Nothing much has ever transfixed me like this machine.... As far as the sound decay.......as you may have learned from one of my videos - that's a key feature of the Virus line, because they can run multiple sounds at a time.....I could actually just keep going from sound to sound - with the previous ones sustaining, but because I do some editing, I thought it would be better to let the sounds finish their decay.....
I own a ASM Hydrasynth and the Waldorf Iridium, e.o. Would you say the Virus is a good addition or not? I only use my synth's for techno/acid. Thanks in advance for any help. Greets from Belgium
I would say that, although you already have 2 amazing sounding synths, you might find that the Virus is a great piece of gear for you. If you sat down with one for even half an hour, you'll find that the Virus is ideally suited for your style of music. Most of the people who created those genres were using the Virus - which has punchy sounds, ane killer arpeggiator/sequencer functions. My recommendation would be to see if you can borrow or rent one. I think you'll find it a much quicker and direct work flow for the type of music you're working in........There are times that I fire up the Virus and one patch instantly inspires a new, high energy track.....much more than the other gear you have. (I'm drooling for an Iridium, but the ambient & granular sounds are really it's main strength, and most of what comes out of them sounds very similar to me)
@@willswitchcraft Thanks for the quick response. I think i might go for it and order one. If you say it's great for the techno genre and easy to work with it sounds like a no brainer. It's true the iridium sounds a bit to clean for me but it's very versatile imo so i like it. The Hydrasynth sounds very dirty though wich is gooood. Thanks again for the helpful reply.
I'm guessing that, if you can find a used one, you can probably sell it for the same amount later, if you don't absolutely love it. The other big plus, is that there are thousands of sounds available for it, in different genres, which those other synths can't compete with.....
Just buy a used one.....and if you want to get that Virus sound, with a much lower price tag - buy the SNOW......small, affordable, all the sounds, not as many knobs.....
This Virus keeps getting more interesting the more I discover about it from your videos. It sounds like a true workhorse synth capable of producing any sound. I’m excited to explore ambient sounds with it, as that’s what I’ve been into making lately. I got a lot of time on my hands from being temporarily out of work due to an injury. I’ll be fine, but it has me watching and commenting on a lot of videos as a result. So pardon me if I bounce around commenting video to video lol. I now see your experience in professional music with BTO and other artist. That’s just great. That’s why your video coverage on these prices of gear is so good. It’s because you had tons of experience with so much gear. I totally value that.
Thanks for the comment - yeah, I'm old, and I've spent a shipload of time on the road, and in the studio, with some serious acts - to be sure..........I'm also heavily into 'ambient', so we have that in common, as well as the Virus addiction (which you're just beginning to experience). It's a piece of gear that has no equal, and I've had a lot of synths over the years.........dozens..........
@@willswitchcraft that’s so exciting to hear. This means I’m in for a treat. I have a feeling it’s the last piece of synth gear I’ll be getting for a long time. That’s also cool your into ambient as well. I just started exploring it, so the sound design aspects are new to me. I try to purposely buy synths that allow for unique patch design. Like my Digitone and King Korg I picked up for dirt cheap. The guy just wanted to get rid of the King Korg due to its size being too long. so I got it for only $500. I’m into samplers as well. I have a Digitakt and Roland SP404 MKii. I also have Model Samples & Cycles, Korg Minilogue, Volca FM, Behringer 303, MicroFreak, and a Sh-01A. I think I’ve mentioned my JX-08 and JD-08 earlier today. So yeah, I have more gear then I should lol. It’s mainly to find out what works to inspire me. The Minilogue is so good sounding put threw a BigSky. It’s just got it’s own thing going, was playing with it last night. Of course anything sounds good threw a BigSky, but the Minilogue is here to stay in my home. I enjoy the MicroFreak in the same way. I really don’t see a need to buy anything else. Just get rid of things at this point lol. I have a feeling this Virus Ti is gonna be my favorite. The Radias being 2nd then the MS2000 just because it was my first real synth. Prior to it, I just played organs, pianos, and 80s prosumer synths which I started collecting to circuit bend, but haven’t even tried it. I played them Casios and Yamaha’s as a child in the early and mid 80s, when you where out touring with guitar gods and professional acts lol. I’m 46 years old. You seem about my buddy Dans age. He’s the guy giving me the Virus. Look at me just going on and on about it all….lol anything to do with things that make noise has had my attention since birth. I won’t even get into my camera obsessions. That’s a whole other story.
Unfortunately for me, I thought all of what you said made sense, until I bought one last week new, a Ti2 keyboard. All was good until I opened up the box and started to play the thing, a number of keys were not triggering a thing, my exited went down like a lead balloon, I contacted the reseller and they were at a loss, I emailed the manufacturer and they were not sure why as it’s tested before leaving for shops. I then checked the forums and it seems to have become a common issue for many, that was it for me. I sent it back as it was the last one in the shop and moved on. Sad really, I will never what that feeling again so will never go for an access virus, the total collapse of trust in the brand was gut wrenching once the reply came from them.
Wow, what an awful experience! I don't know much about the keyboard versions, and I'd never heard of that problem. Brutal. I guess the good news, is that there are so many great other brands and pieces of gear out there these days - something for every genre and musical direction. Sorry to hear that you had such a shitty experience with the Virus. That sucks.
@@willswitchcraft I was gutted, really gutted, but yea, lots of other gear. I was really looking at the multi-timbrallity, power, keyboard and solid build, all said to be above and beyond, I will agree with the build, it was an absolute tank when I held it and cried.
The sooner you move on and pick another piece of gear, the sooner you'll forget all this......Time to do some research and pick something which will bring you joy....
It's the first Ti. I think the most recent is the Ti2 - which has more grey in the graphics, and a wooden strip along the front (this one has wooden sides). I don't know enough about the differences to give you a complete overview, however I know the 'B' had about 24 voices, whereas the Ti series has a potential 80 voices, and can play 16 different parts (and patches) simultaneously...
