Access Music Virus Indigo 2

The preset patches are widely varied and show the capabilities of this device. Making new sounds can be as simple or detailed as one desires: Either press the Random-button and find things you'd never do on purpose, or build sounds layer by layer. The controls are very efficient , everything vital has a knob, and when there is a menu, it is flat and dead simple to work with. The only submenus are to be found in the system setup menu. Of course, nothing is perfect and giving the Virus a 10 here would be a bit too much. But it is a very workable synth, much more so than many of it's competitors.
While the english manual does have some errors and awkward translations, the german manual is very good. It doesn't overexplain, yet it manages to serve as a good introduction for non-synth versed musicians. It knows that you cannot explain all the possibilities of a device like the Virus, you can only go into the operation and give some examples.


OS version 6.5 build 352

When using the Virus as a source for a single or just a few sounds, or when recording sounds for use in a sampler, one will hardly encounter the polyphony limits. Things might be different if using complex multi-mode setups and controlling several patches at once in a bigger setup. Furthermore, the single (global) effect section is rather limiting here. The arpeggiator is not user-programmable, something that has only just been rectified in the new Virus TI.
Still, the effects (Chorus, Phaser, Delay, Reverb, Vocoder, etc) are more than adequate to bring a sound to production quality. Also, the possibility to feed external signals into the Virus and manipulate them is a big value for such a small box, even if most musicians will hardly ever make use of it.

The keyboard action on the Indigo II is excellent, good pressure sensitivity, and it has aftertouch - a very good addition even though almost none of the preset patches make use of it. But then again, the Virus is so much more than just a preset synth.

The Indigo II lacks USB or digital outputs, which is a minus. But the overall build is absolutely excellent - the thing is built like a tank.

Realistic natural instruments aren't the strength of this synthesizer, even though there are some very nice flute and elect. organ sounds to be squeezed out. This is an analog modeling synth after all, and it's wide variety of sounds is more than enough to make up for it. If you want a grand piano, you'll want to use something else anyway...
The effects are solid but not perfect, mostly due to the limited on-chip RAM of the DSP. This can be noticeable on long reverbs. It's still much better and more versatile than the effects of a D-50, for example.

For digital sounds, the Virus is hard to beat. I was a little concerned about ending up with a box that is only good for a couple of sounds - but my first hands-on experience has taught me otherwise right there. It's easy to pick this one instead of (for example) a used JP8000 due to the enhanced polyphony, the integrated effects, and the versatility of being able to use the LFOs to modulate pretty much every single parameter of a sound, not just cutoff, resonance and frequency. This allows for some insane sounds and, combined with the freely assignable mod wheel and two soft-knobs, good live usability.

I experienced no lockups or other stability problems. I don't have the synth long enough to say that this thing never crashes, so I do not grade it here.

I had no need to contact the customer support yet.

This is one sleek instrument. There is a whole world of sound in one neat package, complete with all the knobs you'd want for realtime tweaking. My wishlist: Effects per part instead of global, more polyphony, user-modifyable arpeggiator, digital audio in/outs, USB support. But even in the age of the Virus TI, the Indigo 2 remains a classic that is far too useable to be discarded. And with it's used-prices dropping below 1000 dollars, it's much more affordable than a TI right now.
Yes, I would replace the Indigo 2 if it were stolen. Would I replace my D-50? To be honest, probably not. The Virus is simply more versatile and, especially compared to a dinosaur like the D-50, in an entirely different league in terms of usability. If I had the money I would opt for a Virus TI because it has almost all the items on my wishlist - But I don't, so I wont ;)

I'd say for those who are willing to dive in a program this little baby. it's well worth it. Lots of button pushing but well worth the time it takes definately not for an ametuer. currently at o.s. 5.5 I've read that staying here is pretty good unless you want some new arp patches which really don't matter too much. Editing patches seems to be pretty easy since i'm used to button pushing and what not from the korg prophecy that i used to own. Didn't get the patch editor maybe I can find that online or something. Didn't come with a manual which is downloadable from the virus website so if i ever really need it i know where to get one im sure. I give this category a 10 for it being easy to use for me

polyphony is alot. . i can't remember off the top of my head 32 or 24 i think . one of those with the 3rd osc i know it decreses but not more that 6. good effects. never have been to keen on effects but it definately helps having some good delay or distortion even though you don't need it really. no on board sequencer which is okay. . i heard you have to d/l banks e through h from the website. . which kinda seems like a crock if they only give you half the rom patches advertised. especially for those people who don't have access to the internet but definately worth it i think if you can get it. keyboard action seem moderate. no weighted keys but responds to aftertouch which is good.

i'd say for the most part its realistic and i haven't played the virus indigo 1 but i hear this one getting a bad rap and i don't know why. maybe i'll check it out in the near future. sounds are okay. the presets kinda suck ass but if you need a starting point some can be okay. but most of them you're like wtf. . WHO MADE THESE STUPID SOUNDS!!! the keyboard works wonders to my playing and it kicks software synths ass in my opinion aftertouch is great though i don't use it that much. i prefer the prophecy's aftertouch more. seems to bee more industrial/synthpop oriented. has some piano's and organs. if you need those.

very reliable builty like a tank for a small synth this thing is monsterous in weight . i would definately use it life without a backup

never had to try yet. but the website offers lots of updates which is more than most synth makers have to offer anymore its almost like they make something and then forget it was ever made leaving us screwed

if it were stolen i'd track the @#$%^& down and stab him in the face.
ive only been playing for 6 years or so and have a roland jx-10, roland jp-8080, quasimidi sirius, and used to own a prophecy. but this thing blows those away

Software 6.5. Had it for two weeks now and am very happy with the instrument, sounds, etc. The manual was translated from German to English and is a bit sloppy in spots but is easy enough to "read past" to get to the point 99.9% of the time. The synth sounds great and is why I bought it. Patch editing can be complex on this machine due to the menu vs. real controls and learning the idiosyncracies of working in such a way - but this is one amazing synthesis architecture. I own a Nord Lead 3 and have to say that the Virus beats the Nord away regarding capability and sound "livliness".

Good poly. Effects good - they add alot to having the synth beat the NL3. The modulation matrix is what makes this synth shine - just like I remember from the Oberheim Expander - which are impossible to find and expensive when you do! Filters are well implemented for a digital synth.

Great sounds. Good feel to the keyboard. Controllers (mod wheels) ok.

Works fine so far :-) Very heavy and seems to be built very solidly. Buttons and knobs feel good.

Email answered very quickly.

I would buy it again. A tad expensive but I think worth the price given its capabilities. People say "3 octaves for $1800?" - You have to remember, you aren't buying the keyboard when you buy a synthesizer - you are buying the capability to produce sounds. Besides, you can get the 5 octave for the same price - I chose the 3 because I wanted something compact and already have plenty of other full size keyboards.

WHAT was Access thinking changing the Indigo 1 to this pos.

Maybe good but complicated to use compared to the previous.

They rerally dropped the ball here. What happened to the sound that makes so many hits that the Indigo 1 was all about???

This is where this machine rocks. Sounds like nothing else out there. Beats the Indigo 2 into the ground. I think Access was trying to cut costs when they made the Indigo 2. I compared them and kept the 1.

Took some time to get use to the interface. Upgraded to 6.5- 351 but now must up tp 352 to correct analog output bug on 3-6. The ppl at Access E-mailed notification of the OS changes. COOL !!

The effects on this box may not be the most versitile but the sound is excellent. There are more features then I could imagine ever needing.

Studied everything on the market in the analog and the virtual class. Well I bought A Moog Voyager first but could not get the sound of the Indigo off my mind. Don't get me wrong as I am not sorry about the Moog purchase but the Indigo is a completly different animal with tons more on the ball. Now that OS 6.0 - 351-352 has analog emu the Moog is not even in the same building. Everything from presets tweaked to custom sound design is truly inspiring. From pure to disgusting is simple to get with this synth. Using the First 4 outputs in Mutimode is a pants wetting experience.

Built as tough as my BMW !!

When asking questions on the forum the responses have not only been from the regular forum members but from the people at Access. COOL!!

The Indigo 2 along with the minimoog is my favorite combo.

The Indigo 2 is the sexiest, most easy to use, ballsy sounding machine on the market. I have owned a Nord, Waldorf, and Novation synths. Nothing sounds like this machine.

The manual is very well written and easy to follow, especially the PDF version which you can run keyword searches on to find what you are looking for quickly. The machine has tons of knobs, and very simple to use.

There are 1024 presets. There is something there for everyone. Alot of classic tones, aggressive techno patches, wide pads and strings, even organs and wurli type sounds. The coolest part is, you can burn your own presets into the upper banks that use to be ROM only.

I have just downloaded OS 6.5. I was amazed to find nothing less that the finest modeled emulation of the Minimoog filter I have heard. This filter gives my Indigo 2 an absolutely different sound. I purchased the Virus because of the sound of the original filters, and for absolutely no money, these guys have given me basically another synth! For FREE.

Alots of polyphony, so multi-mode is super powerful. But it is also cool to have to polyphony for stacking voice in the unison modes.

The Virus acts as much as an effects processor as a synth. Really good reverbs, killer delays, Analog Bass Booster that adds mad weight to any sound, EQ, Chorus, EQ's lots of distortions - but the two secret weapons - the Phaser and the Vocoder!

The Virus has a sound unlike anything out there. It can be warm, cold, nice, evil, or just out right lunacy. I am hard pressed to thing of a type of music that the Virus would not be suited for... Ok, maybe Bluegrass or Polka. This box is a DJ/Remixer's dream. Processing loops and drum machines thru its effects, filters and vocoders is alone worth the price of the synth.

For people really wanting to get down and dirty and mold their sound to utter perfection - this is the box.

No complaints. Build is solid. I would not throw it down a flight of stairs, but taking it to the club and lighting the place up is not a problem at all.

Access has released more OS releases since I have had my Indigo 2 than any of my other synths manufacturers have in the past 2 years. All the updates are free. We have been given a Moog filter, new arpeggiator patterns, special tuning modes, knob shortcuts, ROM flashing, a new sync engine, and regular fixes for bugs that come up.

Support is great. Everyone at Access obviously loves what they do and do it with a laugh and a smile (join the forums and find out about the helicopter rides)

This is the desert island synth. With an iBook and Logic 6, there is no reason you cannot put out records with just the Virus. If you can, get the Indigo 2. I got the black one, but the silver is ultra sexy.

If you have not tried one out - now would be a good time.