Which Access Virus?

I am thinking of getting a Access Virus. This should be my last synth for a while. I'm looking for a rack version. But the demos of all Access Viruses sound similar. Are there any other demos available somewhere else apart from the ones on Access's website? May be somewhere I can listen to the presets? Also, which one do you think is better, if you can compare for world/ambient type of music? (I can't afford TI at the moment. I'm looking to buy one possibly on ebay).

TI is a better C

C is a better B

b is a better then classic

classic is then A

get the one you can afford

here's a comparison chart for the models up to the TI:

http://www.access-music.de/comparisonchart.php4

a lot of the stuff on the TI spec page is new for that model:

http://www.access-music.de/events/11-2004/virusti_details_keyboard.php4

The Virus Classic has recently been upgraded to the feature equivalent of a Virus B. So technically they're the same, as far as I know.

if you look at the chart, you can see that the B and the classic are the same.

the classic was released that way, as a lower cost alternative after the C was released.

swanusa:

if you decide that you like the specs of the B/classic, you can get either one and have the same functionality.

if you don't mind buying used and want to save a few bucks, you can get the B.

if you want to buy new, you can get the classic.

up to the TI models, they're pretty much the same as far as the basic sound goes, it's the number of voices and fx and so on that differs.

AFAIK, each new model can load the patches for the previous model, and they'll sound pretty much the same.

all of the patches made for all versions of the virus are available on the access site to be used in the TI.

the C can load patches from the B and A, and so on.

This might be out of your price range, but before I try Ebay, again (I had someone bid $1,000, but didn't pay)...

For $900 (paypal/money order), I have a Virus C tabletop. It's in fantastic shape, with manual and original box. I will include shipping (if you are in the U.S.).

These are actual sounds in my 'B' bank:

Virus C mp3

(6 megs)

Im after one too, been through all the comparisons, apart from EQ Section, Moog filter, poly count etc, they basically sound pretty similar. I think for what i want, i may get a 'B'.

I found these mp3s (German page) from the 'C' :

Scroll down to bottom of page.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.amazona.de/content/musictools/hardware/synthesizer/virus_c/LFOsMOD.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.amazona.de/content/musictools/hardware/synthesizer/virus_c/virus_c.htm&h=203&w=358&sz=25&tbnid=qiTv4bT1fXuPSM:&tbnh=66&tbnw=117&hl=en&start=26&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daccess%2Bvirus%2Bc%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

Also theres some very cool JMJ stuff done on a Virus KB on this page under 'the studio'

http://www.perkristian.net/

you know, the last half a year i've gone through several phases where i was gonna sell my Virus C, but you know what? if i actually got rid of it, it would be very very hard to replace. the effects section is no slouch either.

Sorry for this,guys!

I know this is off topic..

Anyone with the patchname script of Virus C (OS 6.5) for SX3?

thanks

Alex

IMO, the best value is the Virus Classic, unless you're really focused on some specific C or TI feature.

They will sound similar as alot of the patches originally for the Virus B (maybe even the A?) are still in use and included in the later models - including the TI.

Single mode patches from previous model will load into a later model and should in theory sound identical - the only differences (if any) will be down to DAC used.

I would suggest Model C desktop if a TI is out of reach. I think the TI is sonically quite a major leap from the C (as a synth, ignoring the TI bit). The C was much less of a sonic leap from the B I think - more poly, new filter type basically, slighly expanded mod matrix etc.

As a TI owner - I have to admit - I couldnt go back to a C

It is worth having a look around on ebay for TIs as well - you might be lucky and find a second hand one.

Link in my sig is for one of the Virus forums - people there can help as well.

Oh yeh, +1 for Allerian's comment. Most use (abuse) of a a virus you hear in alot of music is probably a model B compatible sound. Even on the TI I still use alot of sounds that are basically model B compatible, or could be without much loss with external fx.

On fx comment - the fx, while only standard synth fx (chorus, reverb, delay, phase, distortion +EQ and Analog boost) are actually very good for use with other electronic sound sources. Not as varied as on some synths, but I wouldnt swap them for anything. They are very good characterful fx - maybe too characterful for use with accoustic sources, but for use with iother synths and pianos etc - really nice.

swanusa:

i guess i kind of agree with Khazul:

if there's any way you can swing it, try to save a little more and go for the TI.

if you just want to have the virus sound, any model will do really.

but the TI really adds a ton of useful features. it's almost like a whole different beast.

i never counted up the wavetables, but i just read a review in EM that states it's got 72 different wavetables and each consists of 127 smoothly crossfaded waves. i haven't had other wavetable machines to compare it to (except for the PPG softsynth), but the wavetables in the TI sound very good to my ears, and there's a lot you can do with them too.

then there's the hyper-saws: up to 9 sawtooths that can be detuned, synced, and so on.

the virus control software has had some problems, but they're getting sorted out more with each new OS release. the last one included the 'remote' function, so you can use the TI as a softsynth controller now.

using the VC software is really starting to feel like it' 'integrated' at the level of a softsynth.

ya, it's a lot more money, but if you can swing it, i think it's worth it.

This is wrong. Apart from Sine (which has 1) the wavetables have between 2 and about 40 waves, from which 127 Index points are made by smoothly crossfading between them.

In fact, I think if there were 127 waves in the table, then crossfading them would be pretty difficult.

Like i said, I just read it in a review.

I suppose you could check it by playing it into an editor, using an lfo at its slowest speed to modulate the position in the waveform, and visually examing how many different waves are actually in there.

But it sounds like a lot of work.

IIRC, you cannot add your own waves or wavetables, though. Very much IIRC, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

So is it really worth spending 2k on a synth when there's a lot of development going on on the soft synths side?

Guilty as charged. And all paid for.

I dont care how much dev there is going on with soft synths - until someone solves some fundamental issues with the damn things - wont touch them with a barge pole.

Stand alone ones are slightly better as they dont ave a horrible daw application to fight with before you even get to messing with the synth.

Integration gets my vote as you still have the hardware and dont have to depend upon a computer when you dont want to, which with something like Cubase SX to fight with - most of the time is when I dont dont to

Actually, I just look forward to the use when I can say I *use* a DAW - not *fight* with the damn thing - then maybe I'll think about VSTis

not yet - and it doesn't seem too likely to be added in the future, so i wouldn't count on that part.

i wouldn't mind if they'd put out new ones once in a while - even if you could just overwrite the ones that are already there, without being able to roll your own, but i really don't think that's in the plans either.

ya, it's a lot of money, and you could get a virus A, waldorf xt (for wavetables), and a JP8000 (for supersaws), and probably still have money left over.

but i must admit that even tho the virus control has its share of problems, its really got a lot of good features, improves the workflow, and makes a lot of difference if you like working with a sequencer.

i definitely think it's worth what i paid for it.

Very unlikely, since this would screw up existing presets.

Ok, I saw one other video of TI (shot at NAMM 06, there's 2 people in the video). It sounds awesome! You guys are great with all your suggestions. I am leaning towards getting a TI now. My only problem is that I travel and I need something easier to carry but it seems the TI keyboard itself looks inspiring! What should I do? Is the keyboard necessary or should I just a get the rack? It just sounds like keyboard would be ideal. I have also heard about how good the action is on the TI.

Then you need a TI Polar - the smaller (37 key) fashion victims option

Originally posted by Khazul Then you need a TI Polar - the smaller (37 key) fashion victims option

Careful now...

Hi all

Nice replies and thx for the Warm welcome. I use other forums such as VSE, Infeckted and Darksonus

When I was referring to soft synths....I appreciate my gear list 'includes' some softies....but I was thinking of computer based softies hehe

Got to shoot out now and harvest some food from the local shop...but ill be back later to read the forums and get up to speed with whats going on!

DS

Damn, Ive posted this in the wrong thread

DS