Access Music Virus Indigo

Running off OS4.9. Its actually refreshing for me, I've recently moved into hardware [which isn't easy on the poor man's salary!] and this is quite a nice step up, physically from the Microkorg. Mainly now, I have more than 4 knobs for live editing [which I've used live, and modulate many things live]

The presets are all a bit too much reverb or delay on them. Not a problem though, as I don't ever rely on presets; I edit them so far and differently, you couldn't even figured the custom patch came from preset X...

The patch editing really isn't that difficult. As said, a lot of the functions are in your face knobs, and yes there is a menu system, but i think its easy than the silly little menu matrix on the Microkorg [which people complain about as well, for some reason?]

I bought it second hand [maybe even third. Too bad, the previous owner[s] scuffed the hell outta my beauty]. So no manual for me, but I downloaded it from Access, and it isn't that bad. Could be better, but I learn better by doing, so I've looked at it maybe a handful of times.

16voices, 3osc + sub, 2 filters, FM mod, oh so much distortion for the most bone crunching basses and destructive leads.

I hear people complain about the keyboard action, and that its loose and whatnot. I actually like loose boards, I never formally learned on a real piano, so I actually hate weighted keys. This, and that it was more portable[and looked sexier!] was a part of the reason I got an Indigo over the kB.

16indepent MIDI channels. Velocity, and nifty assignable things to velocity[e.g panning]

Chorus/Flanger; Delays; Reverbs; LOADS of Distortion; Filter Saturation. Really cool. Part of me wants an Indigo 2 merely for the EQs as well, because sometime Ill have to waste a distortion or filter sat as a HPF/LPF to try and minutely compress the sound

Good for any genre, but mostly geared towards the electronica field. I personally use it for more EBM-esque sounds. The Virus has a nice dark sound to it, which I like. Even happy leads and chors have a slighly evil and menacing feel to them.

Effects are all pretty good, some of the distortions are interesting, but i dont really use em [eg Shaper]. Cool flangers, but often I do flanging in software[mainly on hits anyway]. Id like to eventually use it as an Effects Editor and the Vocoder.

I guess my only complaint is that the osc. can sound a bit to thin. Obviously you detune 'em and turn unision on, but, I think its called aliasing?, was a bit of a problem from what I read before buying. And high end notes sound not the best. The Virus is optimal in mid to low end notes, in my opinion.

Played with it live, and rawked the house. So crazy and fun to twiddle live.

The thing is so damn heavy, I think its a German Tiger Tank reborn into Music! I'd hate to drop it on my foot, mainly cause my foot would break.

Never had to ask, but I hear they are spectacular.

And until recently, Access was STILL updating the Virus B/kB/Indigo, a product around 8 years old!? Thats incredibly nice of them!

The first day I got my Indigo, I played with it from ~7PM when I got out of class til 1AM...its so damn heavenly in any way - good or bad. The most evil, vicious, cutting 303 like leads or the most angelic and innocent pads..the indigo is a beast.

If it were stolen/broken, Id probably cry. Well, not really, but Id be massively upset. Its the mainstay cannon in my studio, and a sexy center piece!

Great!!!!!!!!! twisting knobs, like the Nordlead

more than enough.

I have a Virus Kc and about 30 other synth's (hardware)...the Indigo is GREAT!! i am in LOVE!

no probs...

dunno, but germans are cool.

great great great..i love it, u will love it too.

Using OS 4.9. The synth is easy to use, however there are a LOT of menus to dig through. Some of the more commonly used functions (e.g) arp, unison should have dedicated control. The keyboard is long enough to be expressive and still be portable - that is indeed a plus. Editing patches takes some time, this is no beginners synth. If you are new to analog/subtractive synthesis, you would benefit from learning a software synth first. The manual is good and serves the purpose it was intended to - to show how to use the synthesizer and where controls and menus are. I don't blame access for not writing a manual on subtractive synthesis, that is not their responsibility. It is assumed anyone who buys an instrument this expensive knows what they are doing.

24 note polyphony, although unison and the 3rd oscillator can take some voices away. The keyboard action is ok, this is not the most expensive kb. I have a feeling the keyboard is more of a complimentary thing on this synth, most users probably use a master keyboard to control it instead. The build in effects are excellent for a synth, although the statement [82 simultaneous DSP effects] is misleading. The virus has a huge amount of memory (1024 patches) (128 Multi) enough to store pretty much any sound you can think of. The sheer amount of sounds that are avaliable for this synth is staggering. This is a very deep synth. Most VAs have one filter, this has two that can be arranged into different configurations. Despite others opinions the thing does slightly respond to velocity. Check you velocity value in your sequencer for more information. Access provides OS updates on a routine basis, there is no need for further expansion. No onboard sequencer, but really...why would you want a sequencer on a VA?

100% pure virus. This thing is killer. It could easily fit into any genre, but presets are geared at electronic music. A trance producer's dream. The oscilators are organic sounding. Use some unison and the sound goes from thick to too thick beyond 3 note unison. Most preset pad sounds are poor, but the machine is capable of beautiful evolving pads - check out some of the ones from the vengeance sound soundsets. The sonic range of this synth is crazy, it blows my mind over and over.

The thing is a tank, I think it could withstand a few drops. I don't gig my stuff, but I would gladly take it with me if I did.

I've never had to deal with access. I got a killer price on this thing because a key was broken when I got it. Luckily I found it easy to repair myself and everything works fine.

I would def. get another one if it was lost. Maybe a virus C if I could afford it but, id settle for a B as the architecture is similar. I have been playing for 6 years and also own: Yamaha Dx7IID E!, Yamaha CS-2x, Oberheim[Viscount :P] OB-12, Novation KS5.

Plug it in, turn it on, and you're ready to go. Right out of the box, this keyboard is easy to use. If you want to explore its more serious capabilities including programming new patches, you're going to have to read the manual which isn't quite as easily penetrated. The multi patches are a little more difficult to understand than the standard patches, but again, you can use them as they are without programming new ones.

Polyphony is great, but the keyboard action is, well what action? They're decent for synth-action. The keys are unweighted, and lack aftertouch (although the processor understands aftertouch if you're using a master keyboard). Access has finally worked out the velocity curve bugs, and you can download a new OS from the Access site.

One of the best features is a patch randomizer. If you're suffering from "writer's block" but want to create some new sounds, Access has provided a way to randomize the parameters of an existing patch. This feature includes two depth settings so you can select both the relative number of patch parameters that will be changed as well as the amount each parameter changes. Very cool!

Very good analog modeling. Lots of exciting sounds. Access's website contains many sound sets to download.

Solidly built, metal chassis, box, and heavy aluminum side panels. This thing is classic German engineering. The electronics, or the operating system may have a couple of glitches. The later T model is better than the prior S model. Still, twisting knobs on *rare* occasions causes the editor to do some kind of hyper-space jump to another part of the menu. I haven't been able to figure out a repeatable, reliable reason for this. It's not damaging, just a little annoying.

Access's support is top-notch. They were even doing OS updates (and you want the latest OS update) well after the machine was discontinued -- this didn't include just bug fixes, but many more arpeggiator patterns, and other nice features as well. How about that for support? There is a a great user community, including many of the patch writers of the sounds you'll find on your machine. Check out the Access web site for more detail on support: www.access-music.de

I love this synth. If it were lost or stolen, I would be sad. It's small size is cool, but I might have been happier with the wider 61-key Virus KB.

I wouldn't buy this now, since it's two generations old. I might get myself an Indigo II, or the new Polar. But if you can find this for a good price, buy it -- but stick with the T model.

OS4.90. The single presets are generally cool, there could be more multi-setups and in particular more sounds in the multi-setups, but needless to say these can be added to quite easilly. Editing patches is both straight forward and difficult. Straight forward are the knobs that can be easilly adjusted, difficult are the parameters hidden in menus, particularly OSC-3. I also found it a bit disapointing that OSC-1 does not have semitone and detune capabilities as does OSC-2. The manual for OS4 is clear, but some of the jargon needs better explanation. I have found other synth manuals to be more explanatory.

I will not talk specs, you can checks these out yourself on the Access website. Effects are difficult to access, buried in menus, but the sound is good, what would be better would be dedicated controls for the effects (like the new TI). The ketboard make things really easy more inviting to make sounds as compared to just the module. Probably the most overlooked feature is that there is a headphone port, so in effect, you can just turn the unit on and play with nothin but a pair of headphones. I don't believe the unit is expandable, but there is so much sound possibility. To get this unit to do some drums you need to use a few different parts and various arpeggiator patterns, I think Novation do this better with dedicated drum kits as sounds and also dedicated drum arpegiations.

Sound is the main reson to go for Virus and some would say, sound is what it's all about. Sound is excellent, I feel the main power of this synth is in the filters. Best used for techno, trance, house and any other genre of electronic music. As for real instruments, it's not really designed to emulate them. Velocity reaction of the ketboard is good, but there is no aftetouch.

No problems

no problems, but I am impressed by the updating that access keep doing, so I will give a 10

If it were lost and or stolen I may be tempted to go for a P0lar TI. I also use a Novation KS Rack, A Yamahas VL-70m and a host of soft synths. In summary I like the sounds, I hate having to dig through menus for things. When looking at other similar products I also looked at the Nord Lead3 and the Waldorf Q. I choose the Indigo for price, sound and reputation. I wish it had knobs for OSC-3 and drum arpeggiation that take one part. All in all, a great synth.

Great interface. They really messed up with the Virus 2. The 1 is MUCH faster.

Great synth

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.

Solid

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.

OS 4.55. i'm going to download the new OS version 4.8 from the access-virus website. the manual and synth is laid out perfectly, so its fairly easy to use. editing and writing is a breeze and the sounds are amazing :)

24 voices. the onboard efx are amazing and you really don't need an effects proccessor. the effects are some of the best that you've ever heard on a synth and thats one of the main features that makes the indigo sound so good. the indigo will get better with age because you can update the software every few months. no sequencer, but you can play the arpeggiators in the "hold" pattern and it will loop hands free. i read it has 16 arpegg patterns but mine has about 40. maybe added after the downloads. the main complaint i heard about the indigo is how cheap the key's feel. i dissagree. it feels like the same plastic keys that are on every other synth. MIDI works fine as well.

lets be honest. this synth was made for electro musik. mainly..techno, trance, abstract, and dark jungle bass lines. i can also see it being used for making scores for a feel. you could also use it in a traditional band if you're looking for a thick analog sound. overall, its a german synth that is designed for very aggressive electro musik. the onboard efx are outstanding and trully makes this a great synth. i have no prob's with this synth. everything i Xpected from it ;)

only prob i have with it, is that it crashes on me sometimes. maybe its something that i'm doing. like too many functions at once. i'm sure i can figure it out. i would never bring this synth to a klub. i love it too much for someone to steal it or knock it over. it stays in my studio. you can play it live but i use it for studio use.

never used them. hope i never have to. heard that they are friendly and helpfull though. any customer support is better than roland. those bastards at ROLAND are Xtremely cocky and have never answered my questions or called me back :(

overall, this synth iz badass. it blows away nord, novation, roland, and korg. the ONLY synth that iz better than the indigo iz the waldorf Q. the virus comes in a close 2nd. what do you Xpect. they're made by the same company. if you like german electro, trance, tec, abstract, and jungle..this synth iz for you. if you've made it this far researching the indigo. you know how great it iz. everything i've read about iz true. an amazing synth ;) plus i bought it used for $945.

Mine is v4.03. The presets in the Indigo are the best by far I've ever heard in a synth, and I've heard lots. There's a broad pallette from which to choose: arp basses, synth stabs, trancy leads, as well as some lovely sound effects, etc. Though I love programming my own sounds, the solid presets encourage and stimulate my creative juices. Editing is easy via the plethora of buttons and knobs. A few functions like the arpeggiator take a bit to find, though Access have solved this problem with the Indigo 2, along with others. There's no way to press a button and have the Indigo take you to a particular sound, you have to scroll. The "value" knob is worth mention... beats the hell out of using the buttons, which are better for fine-tuning. I do enjoy editing this synth. The visual feedback from the beautiful blue led's are a great help, fading in and out with the lfo and what-have-you. The backlit blue lcd screen is absolutely gorgeous. I haven't had to dive too farm into the manual but it looks pretty complete and professional.

The poly is 24 but this doesn't bother me in the least, as I have an E-mu Xtreme Lead for wide chords and organs. The keyboard action is just ok, not as solid as a Roland JP-8000 but kicks the shit out of any Yamaha keyboard. It's fine for me. Man, the built-in effects are beautiful, though they may not be for everyone. The various distortion effects comprise a large piece of the Indigo's effect pie: bit reducer, rectifier, waveshaper, different stages of clipping... reads like an industrial/noise maker's dream. All the effects are very high pro quality, including the chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb. Each also offers no less than four or even five parameters (some have six I think), which will appeal to edit freaks. There are some parameters here where I've never seen anywhere else, like a "delay" and "feedback" for the chorus. The reverb has more options than I know what to do with! The effects section has their own button on the top panel to access them (which, again, the Indigo 2 provides knobs). Clavia's Nord Lead line still doesn't have effects, even with the third incarnation. The distortion could have another parameter like "tone" or something (only "type" and "intensity" for this effect). Which reminds me, this synth doesn't really have eq, which is pretty unusual. You can simulate it with the flexible filters, but it's not the same. However, there's an "analog boost" function in the effects section, which is in essence a low eq boost. Thank Access also for the two definable knobs, which are assignable to just about anything, so I could map one of them to control delay feedback and the other arp speed, for example. The routing capabilites are pretty solid. I can't comment on the midi implementation much, since I record and do everything as audio, though, of course, there are the obligatory in, out, and thru ports. The arp has about seven or so parameters I think, but the number of preset patterns are limited (pretty sure it's under 100) and you can't create your own. I would say arpeggiation is the Indigo's weakest link, but that's not saying much, because it still is pretty good. I love the "hold" function, so you can latch a pattern to play until infinity. I guess this could substitute for a basic sequencer. I've gotten some great KMFDM-like lines. The third oscillator and lfo (both hidden in menus) are great, for added thickness... ring modulator is pretty good at fucking up signals and you gotta have a noise generator. X) Back to the oscillators... in addition to the same ol' analog waveforms, Access offers 62 spectral waves. This is sort of like a wavetable but not really. The lfo's also have pattern capabilities, not just the boring squares, triangles, etc. The two multi-mode filters are flexible and can be set up in two choices of serial, parallel, or split, where you can have either filter panned hard to their respective side. I haven't used it yet, but the vocoder looks like a monster. The whole right side of the synth is dedicated to it's parameters when activated. The external input fucking rocks! You can process anything.

Access provides o.s. upgrades on their site so that's cool, but this is the extent of it's expandability, if you want to call it that. This synth is already very flexible so whatever. If you haven't guessed already, I may spring for the Indigo 2 later.

Man, oh, man. This box sounds dope. This is no pathetic fucking rompler, but a synth capable of some gorgeous drones, static hits, and other industrial-chic mayhem. The filters are powerful and the effects rock. The sound quality is top notch all around, (ironically enough) bit reducer included. There's a whole section for velocity implementation but I haven't used it yet... no aftertouch, but who really cares? I don't play Chopin pieces. The Indigo is pretty flexible: SH-101 bass lines, warm, digital soundscapes (I fucking love saying that), evolving pads, leads, harsh, whatever. Of course, it's not as flexible as a Waldorf Q (additional wavetables) but hey.

I could depend on this tank. Solid build all around: all metal chassis, nice knobs, great pitch and mod wheels, etc. It's very heavy for a synth of it's small size, but that's because it's built so damn well. I would no doubt use one without a backup.

I've never had to deal with Access. Hopefully I won't have to.

I have a fairly sparse but powerful set-up, with the Indigo at the heart next to my laptop... another synth, E-mu ESI sampler, FireworX, some pedals, Electrix Warp Factory, rack delay, etc. Surprise, surprise, I create industrial/experimental/noise/whatever. This synth is great for it. My main competition for the Indigo was a Waldorf Microwave XT. I was looking for a self-contained keyboard and a synth, and a compact one. I had an XT in the past and really liked it... but I just fell in love with the sexy Indigo (looks and sounds alike). It sounded more aggressive and in-your-face than the XT, whose mostly shitty presets really put me off. This synth is probably geared more for dancy stuff like trance but, again, it's flexible so it's in the hands of the programmer. The Nord Lead 3 was very nice, but it was/is much more expensive and less flexible (i.e. no effects)... and Novation really does nothing for me so besides the XTk, I didn't see any competition with the Indigo. The Q is gorgeous but way too much loot. The Micro Qkb could've been an option but, well, I liked the Indigo so whatever. I'd love a Q+ rack or something in the future because I enjoy the Q sound... but this gem is getting to be my signature sound. Still, this synth is pretty pricy but I feel it's very worth it. A three-band eq would've been nice... I really don't have much to complain about besides the semi-limited arp. If anything happened to my baby, I'd probably spring for the Indigo 2, now that it's cheaper. Either way, it's an Indigo. This enthusiasm is coming from a diehard digital aficionado. Backwards from the norm? Yeah, I shirked anything analog, but this box opened my mind to what something with the word "analog" in it can do. :)

im using op sys 4.51..There where so many good sounds when i first switched it on that i didnt even bother to make anything.Editing is so simple and the menu layout is just right for a beginner like me.The manual isnt too bad.More info on certain topics would be better

24 poly.This is the only thing that bothered .The keyboard action is great.Even the keys feel good.Effects are brilliant and varied.The idea of upgrading the op sys and downloading new patches is genius.

The sounds this machine makes are unbelievable.Ive never heard a better demo.Remove the demo and get 1024 sounds.What a beast.Where else would you get a piece of equipment at this price so powerful,and with the return of the vocoder what can i say.

Ive never had any problems and the built in safe guards are handy
I cant foresee any problems gigging with it unless i spill my beer over it

Support is great and very quick,but know the machines limitations.

I sold my r 505 groove box to get this.Its worth every penney.This is coming with me to the grave.Anyone who sells theres must have the brains of a fish.This and cubase vst 32,roland jp8000.What else do you need

Very intuitive strraight out of the box... the internal signal path routings can be a bit more complex- ultimately adds to the flexible nature of the board. Fantastic synth no matter how you use it. Just be sure to READ THE MANUAL CAREFULLY.

OS4.5.1 adds a TON of new preset sounds. FX section is fantastic- a few more reverb/delay algarythms might be nice- 16 indipendant arpegiators- you could write a virtual synthony with all thiese controls. Flawless MIDI implementation. lots of very nice touches all through the synth- extremely well thought out. and a real joy to tweak! Could also use some odd meter timing choices for the arpegiator

Unearthly- i've heard the gamut of sonic textures eminating from this machine. from pure analog madness, and acoustic emulations to cold digital soundscapes The Indigo is capable of adding any texture you can imagine to you sound canvas. But then the sound and versatility of the Virus are why I bought it in the first place.

Built like a tank- solid knobs, buttons and chassis- beautiful and stylish to look at or play. Keyboard is a bit "loose" feeling but so far plays fine. Headphone jack has a noticable hiss. No aftertouch but that's a well known fact of the Indigo. Suprisingly compact yet comfortable to move about on. VERY PORTABLE.

Only suggestions for future features- response was quick and polite.

Very difficult to find cheaply BEWARE SELLERS WHO INSIST OTHERWISE. If you can find them for a good price, than snatch one up. Definitely a bit pricey for some. Lack of availability seems to have led to higher stateside prices as well, which is unfortunate as it only hurts the sale of an otherwise fantastic keyboard. I saved for several months to buy one and it is without a doubt my favorite keyboard in my setup!

4.51 (the double patches rom!)

Some of the presets are very good, but most of them are dedicated to dance/trance/techno stuff.

Editing patches is very easy, especially with the free Sounddiver that comes along.

The manual is good, easy to read.

Maybe a bit more polyphony for the next version, the unison mode really eats em up.

Built in effects are really cool.

And I really just LOVE the arp. And the fact that everything just automaticly syncs to midi.

The soundquality is just a KILLER

I bought the Indigo, because of the 3octave keyboard. Is it for a Studio buy the Keyboard version.

SIMPLY THE BEST SYNTH AT THE MOMENT

It's like my SYRINX Synthon with lot of voices, effects...
I'm not interresting by the presets (sorry !!!)
The manual is a dictionnary-like and i like it like that

allgood except the bad quality keyboard
(when I'm puttin' in a trance, the keyboard sounds like "dzoinng" "dzoinng" (too bad !!!)

my indigo is a versatile kinder surprise !!!

i don't anderstand...

"wanna kissed myself..."

never i'll swap my indigo....

Very easy to use and program. Presets sound good. Patch editing is easy, although there are a few menus. I have to disagree with a previous reviewer about the manual, it stinks, is poorly organized and includes very few instructions on how to find certain parameter pages, etc.

24 voice poly, the keyboard action is acceptable, but not great. Built in effects are good and easy to use. No expansion, although Access comes out with new OS features occasionally. MIDI implementation lacks aftertouch.

This is where the keyboard is really hit or miss. It sounds great, but the indigo I bought came with OS4.07 and the keyboard does not work properly. It seems the white keys will not transmit velocities above 95, the black keys, 85. This is simply unnaceptable for a 3-oct keyboard at this price. There is no velo sensitivity adjustment in the OS.

It is built very sturdily, but time will tell

This is also hit or miss. Access provides new features via OS updates from thier website. However, I email their support staff over a week ago about the velocity problem and have yet to recieve a response other than:

This is an automated response to your support request
Your request is stored in the database and will be processed as soon as possible
The tracking number for your request is: 1005418214
For any further comments about this case, please refer to the tracking number
Please do not send this request again
Regards
access-music support team

Over one week for an email response is unnaceptable. I returned the board and got a Nord Lead 3

I might buy one again once they fix the problems with the keys, but I'd probably be better off with a virus b. The support for this product was way below substandard. I put my reference number in the review in case someone from access cares to respond as to why I got NO support.

I just bought this synth yesterday and have spent about 10 hours with it, so here are some initial thoughts. It is a Virus Indigo, SW version 4.03, and serial number in the 600's.

The Indigo has the same editing interface as the Virus b/kb versions except for larger knobs and cosmetic changes (color). Quite complex patches can be built without diving into the menus, and the menu structure seems pretty straight forward once you take the time to familiarize with it. Using Soundiver allows for editing all parameters from a single surface which can help to provide a better visual overview of the synth settings. The manual is OK, it's just not in my style. I would prefer some simple diagrams especially a block diagram of the editing menu structure. There are 3 knob modes to choose from for synth reaction characteristics. Several of the knobs are multi-use either by themselves or in combination with other knobs. Among other things this allows for stepless transformation between waveforms, and filter balance.

The presets are very impressive for the most part with only a few fillers. Most are very useable and many are just stellar. A very simple example is patch a95 which is a dead-on emulation of the lead synth on Pink floyd's "Wish you were Here" album. Other more complex patches and multi-patches can get downright trippy.

The features of the Virus are well known, so I'll comment on a couple of things specific to the Indigo. First, the keyboard. As should be obvious, this keyboard is not intended to be used for playing Chopin or Mozart piano compositions standalone. I like the size and will use another keyboard for playing when appropriate. In my opinion, the action is fine for what it is intended. I actually like it quite a bit, but am not an accomplished keyboardist. I compared the action of this keyboard to several other similar sized VA's including the Nord II, Korg MS2000, and OB-12 and preferred the Indigo. I do wish it reacted to aftertouch, although it does remotely of course.

Another issue that has shown up in some magazines is the keyboard Transpose buttons. Contrary to those reviews, the transpose buttons do send midi and the Indigo works perfectly when controlling external hardware and software synths via the keyboard transpose buttons.

The Headphone Jack is another item that has received some negative press for being noisy, with the admission from Access that they were going to upgrade the components. Well I can state that my Indigo headphone outputs are completely noisefree at maximum volume with Sennheiser HD-600's. I guess that problem has been repaired -:)

Even after only 24 hours It is easy to state that for sound quality, expressiveness, and analog emulation, the Indigo is my favorite synths of the ones that I own. This includes a Nord Modular Rack, Waldorf Pulse, and softsynths Reaktor and Pro-52.

OK, I'm old enough to have lusted after an ARP-2600 when they first came out when I was a teenager, and if I were still that young now, I would have to say that the Indigo "rox da haus". The filters are so damn versatile and excellent sounding. There are so many combinations of filters possible ranging from a 12db to a 36db slope additional saturation options available between filter 1 and 2. The resonance and cutoff characteristics are somewhere between a Waldorf and a Sherman filterbank in my opinion.

One of the features that sets the new Virus range apart from other VA's is ACS (adaptive control smoothing). You can twiddle any knob at any frequency range with no zipper noise or other digital artifacts. As an example, try sweeping the delay range on other VA's in real-time while playing and then try a Virus. You would think you are using an old tape echo or something.

Seems to be built very solidly with the aluminium side panels and all. The weight is quite substantial and as heavy as many other full size keyboards. The power supply is a welcome autosensing dual voltage for those of us who are world travelers.

I don't know yet but seeing that I received a German manual I will find out as I try to get an English one.

I've been playing music since I was about 8 years old so I guess that's 32 years. I own lots a few other hardware synths (Nord Modular, Sherman Filterbank, Waldorf Pulse, Pulsar II) and record in LAW Platinum.

My initial impressions of this synth are very high indeed. I considered and tried many other VA's before buying this including the Waldorf Q, NL-3, and Supernova II. I chose the Indigo for it's sound, portability, features, and of course all of those beautiful flashing blue lights!!

Check this synth out and I am sure you will be interested. Give the keyboard a try and decide if YOU think it plays well for your style/capability. I think that it does the most realistic job of sounding analog of any VA out there. All else being equal, it sure is one damn fine looking piece of gear!

Layout fairly simple and easy to learn. The major functions are accessable from the front panel.
Using O.S. version 4.0.

24 voice polyphony. The keys are not the best but the rest of the synth
is very well made. Metal frame, not plastic. The effects are the best you'll
find on a VA synth. Lots of character in the sounds and effects. Plenty of memory
with 4 banks of 127 presents. Banks C & D are user writable. Excellent Midi
specs. Can do anything you ask it to do. No sequencer, but has an arpegiator.

No realistic sounds. All synth. Different sounding from the other VA boards
out there. A lot more character and wide sonic range.

I can depend on the unit I have. Very well built. New O.S. version on there
web site.

Excellent. Got back to me quickly and very helpful.

If lost or stolen I would buy it again. The best synth and my favorite
in my setup. I have a dozen different boards which includes a Juno106, Korg MS2000,
Quasimidi Sirius, MC505, Nord Lead, Prophet VS, Fizmo, a few Ensoniqs, and few other Boards.
The Indigo sounds unique. Very lush and fat sounding. I can't think of anything else this
synth could have and there is nothing I hate or dislike about it. Great for
any type of electronic music. The bad thing I just thought of is that because Access is such
a small company they are having problems keeping production up with the current demand. Hopefully
they will expand do to the great demand for this synth.

Os 4.02 operating. I found this synth not too difficoult in use, the presets are real killers, especially in my opinion pads and noises. The manual is in example for its clarity.

Keyboard is only three octave, non the best in action. Good midi implementations.

OSv4.01 is installed on the machine. The presets are fine, some are real killers. Try the demo button to check the best sounds. Tweaking sounds is no big deal with this fantastic layout. Nothing to moan about. Simply flawless and perfect.

Read the brochure for techy details. The keyboard feels a little bit cheap compared to the awesome design, unfortunately no aftertouch. The effect section sounds great. They have basic parameters. Everything is controllable via MIDI. There is no sequencer. The manual seems to be reference on the market - I have never seen a better one. Step by step introduction and easy understandable, even for rookies.

The sounds are very 'natural' analog. Warm sounds. AMAZING phat pads! Punchy and crispy distorted sounds. A must have for every techno and dance artist and it can also perfectly can add fancy sounds to rock arrangements. I do not like the thin drum sounds but that's a question of personal taste.

The housing looks very stable - pure aluminium. Perfect for live performance. Only the keyboard appears a little bit cheap (that's why I only gave "8") but anyway seem to be reliable.

I got just got it so I do not have experience. The internet site is OK but I would wish to find *more* presets/sounds offered there.

Would buy it again immediately. This says it all. The most beautiful synth with amazing sounds. Nothing to add. It may be a little bit expensive for some.

Got this baby a few days ago. Os v4.01 installed, lots of lovely presets (some REALLY phat), great manual (very thorough and well written with a great step by step introductory tutorial). The knobs are well laid out (even for those with chunky hands) and the keyboard is quite responsive. There are lots of parameters, effects and options and I was using most of them within minutes.

24 voice polyphony, 2 inputs, 3 outs, pedals, phones. Good reverb, very funky groove delay (great on a drum loop fed through), masses of lofi effects, analog boost, two filters per voice, up to 16 voices on multis, large modulation matrix, 4 oscillators per voice (incl. sub osc), inbuilt 32 band vocoder, fantastic parameter smoothing (no zipping), a couple of definiable knobs (and a modulation wheel of course) - you get the idea! All parameters are midi controllable (and it transmits everything) and its 3 lfos are all syncable to midi clock... and of course its probably the best looking synth out there (gotta love those blue leds and silver finish - stylin')

For a VA synth, its hard to beat... about 90% of the time you'll think you bought a moog, arp, etc. The pads are lush, the basses stomach wobbling and the lead synths absolutely cutting. If you're into techno, trance, house you'll be well chuffed with one of these babys. The effects are quite nice, perhaps a bit digital but perhaps you like that. The reverb is quite good (probably not excellent) as is the vocoder and groove delay... The keyboard reacts to velocity but alas no aftertouch. (I don't really care that much, as via midi it does)

Hehe, It seems stable enough (quite chunky and reasonably heavy) - but I've only had it a few days...

Haven't dealt with them yet - I think they're pretty swamped at the moment getting these babys out!

My god its great... I'd replace it in a second if it was stolen. Worth every cent. After comparing it with the nord lead 2, supernova 2 and the waldorf q it easily takes the cake for the best price / features ratio. Very musical and I haven't been put in the poor house.

It goes great with my a3000, rm1x, airbase99 and effects rack (great through the electrix filter factory). Couldn't ask for more.