Access Music Virus

Virus b - software ver. 3.0
This machine is brilliant. It is highly intuitive, and very easy to jump into and start creating sounds. The factory presets with the software version 3.0 are very nice. But you aren't going to want to use the presets. With so many knobs in front of you, and such a versatile synth . . .

The entire use of this synth is a snap, it was several days of drooling over it and tweaking before I even bothered to crack the manual. The manual is well-written, and very useful for explanations of the boatload of features on this synth.

Specs for Virus b, 3.0:

24 voice polyphony
6 individual outputs, 2 inputs
3 oscillators, plus 1 sub oscillator
2 independent filters, up to 6 poles per voice
tons of effects, fully midi-controllable, 16 independent arpeggiators, a very nice 32-band vocoder, processing of external signal, frequency modulation, stereo delay, phaser, analog boost, and 32 very nice knobs!

The Virus makes beautiful noises, and with the 3.0 software update, it is the first Virutal Analog synth that really comes close to sounding really analog. Most other VAs that I looked at before buying the Virus sounded great, but they all lacked something. The Virus sounds sit very well in a mix, unlike most other VAs.

If you just sat down and played with a Virus, the presets might lead you to believe that this thing is a Trance-monster, capable of nothing but Techno sounds. But this is just a facade, and you can get this thing to do just about anything with very little trouble.

The Virus does excel at two things that I am very interested in: first, it has the greatest pads I have ever heard. Achingly-beatiful, airy, pads. And second, it makes crazy noises. Aphex Twin has got nothing on this synth. The virus can make noises that will curdle your blood and make you scared to go to sleep at night.

The onboard effects are good, and I love the bit-reduction distortion particularly. However, as with most synths, if you really want a good delay, or distortion, or phaser, you are better off going and getting the real thing. I love running my virus through my Electro-Harmonix Big Muff distortion.

Although my Virus has yet to be road-tested, from all outward appearances it is built like a tank.

I have had no cause to actually need any customer support yet. However, I am very well aware that Access has fantastic support. There is a mailing-list for Virus users, and the designer of the Virus, and several other Access employees take part in the list.

If tragedy struck and my Virus was lost or stolen, I would undoubtedly buy a new one immediately. This above all other gear in my studio I would replace.

The Virus is more than worth what I paid for it, and I do not doubt my decision of this over other VAs even slightly. Even the recent drop in price of the Nord Modular has not affected my opionion at all.

This synth is fantastic. It is very versatile, and the sounds are great. It sounds very analog, but can do great FM sounds as well. It is very easy to use, but still a very "deep" synth. There are a whole lot of great sounds just waiting to be culled from the depths of this beauty, and it is going to be an absolute blast doing it.

Before buying my Virus, I consider the Nord Lead II, the Nord Modular, the Microwave XT, and the Quasimidi Sirius. The Virus is the best-sounding, the most fun, and the most powerful of all of these synths. I am extremely happy with my Virus, and I highly reccomend it to anyone else looking for a versatile Virtual Analog with lots of knobs.

Im running the latest OS for the Virus 'A' that i have, which is
v. 2.52

The presets are actually kinda useable, i like em, but as the Nature of the Virus is, it's just gotta be tweaked, look at all them knobs!!
Since the Virus is a VA, there really is no need for a patch editor..hence there is none..
The manual is nice! Seems that Germans are much better at translating and helping you understanding than Japanese..Namely Roland synths..terrible!!

This is a desktop synth, so no keys..with the 2.52 OS the polyphony is 16, so you get 16 voices over 16 parts, and for common techno/dance/electro this may be a lil more than sufficient for you. Ive not experienced Dropped notes at all, nor do i plan to, i've usually got not much goin at the same time, y'know? Midi capabilities? just top o the line fearures..aftertouch, velocity...you name it, the Virus has it!
There are no expansion slots, i wish there were though!
No Onboard sequencer..dont see the need for one though either!

The most important part of the synth...the sounds!! man oh man, they are fantastic, from booming Moog basses to high Oberheim leads and lush pads, its got it all..Nothing is realistic, go get a ROMpler for that!! This could work well for just about anything, but i do reccomend it for more electronic based music..the guy i got it from used it for Pink Floyd'ish stuff and 80's type stuff..so there you go, one end of the spectrum to another..The onboard EFX are fantastic! Distortion, Delay..everything is good..Does it react to my playing? yes! i got it yesterday afternoon, and by 10 o clock last night i already had a short Drum n' Bass type of tune goin! so quick, so easy to use!!

I love Germans!! they build quality synths..The Access Virus and Waldorf line of synthesizers are pretty much the same people, as they share similar DSP chips and the such..The Virus has a metal plated face, and has wooden side panels!! AWESOME! not since my ol Juno 60 have i seen wooden panels on a synth, its great.And of course id gig without backup, ill be doing so shortly, and i have no worries at all

i havent dealt with the company, but from what i've heard Access/Waldorf have the best customer service out there..the people really get to a personal level with you, and they actually listen to your wants and needs, its absolutely awesome! as for upgrading..hopefully there will be one more OS update for the 'A' version of the virus, and hopefully theyll add a few more voices!

If it were lost or stolen, id seriously get depressed. But then id take the insurance money and buy an Access Virus 'B'...which has even more features then the regular Virus 'a'

Ive been playing for quite some time now, and i got into synths when i was 13 so, i have about 3 years experience in programming..I also own another VA which is a Yamaha An1x, and it's awesome as well..What do i love about the Virus? everything...what do i hate? i dont hate anything, i jus wish there were more voices, thats all! Compared to other 3rd or 4th Generation Va's out there, i think this one is high up there, because the sounds is incredible and the features are plenty...Once again i wish it had more voices, but thats all!! This definately helps me make music, and it really pushes me to make music, its that good!!

If you have any questions or just wanna talk bout the virus or any other gear, drop an email, i love to talk!!

this is one of those synth that has alot of knobs as u can tell from the pictures. so it is extremely easy to program sounds. now with the addition of a preview button, programming sounds has never been easier. The new model Virus B has some new buttons and knobs for you to access options that used to be under menus. the manual that came with the thing has a section on basic sound programming, it goes over oscilators, lfos, envelopes, etc.

the new Virus b has 16 voice/ 16 mutlitimbral. 512 singles, 128 mutlis. You dont have to worry about over writting the any of the singles, because in bank c and d the sounds mirrors bank a and b, however u cannot over write them. I am sure you are all aware of the other features. some thing different between this one and the old virus A, is that this one you have 16 indepedent arpeggiator. modulation matrix with 27 sources and 90 destinations
And now with the OS 3.0 upgrade, which is soon to be released, u will get 24 voice, 82 simultaneous effects, 6 stage phaser, new saturation mode, analog boost algorithm, chorus/flanger per part, ring modulator that is not hardwired with osc 1 and 2. 4 oscilators per voice!! plus the 1 sub osc. can u say fat bass? Frequencey modulation, envelope follower. And a whole bunch of new sounds from a professional sound maker, Rob Papen.

come on, with that many features, the only limitation is you.

so far it has been quite reliable. only really crashed on me once, dont know why.

the ppl who make and programs the OS for the virus actually subscribe to the user-mailinglist. they provide help to ppls very often regarding pretty anything about the virus. they are awesome!.. and the users are very friendly.

it is great.. i love my... and u should go buy one, too!..:)

v2.52
The presets sound very good, but if you're a synth programer (a.k.a. knob twirller), this is where the Virus shines. Lots of pads, bass, leads, input/vocoder patches. 512 sounds (256 user/256 factory that can't be overwritten).
Patches can be compared with the original sound before saving, or use this feature to find out what the sound is you're about to cover up, if saving to a new number. Some patch editing requires repetitive trips through the menu, but so do most newer synths.
The manual gets an A+ for a section in the front that describes synthesis for the beginer. All menu and knob/button functions are clearly descibed, but there is only a table of contents - no index.

-12 voices of polyphony/16 part multi-timbral (via dynamic voice allocation) NOTE: only the Waldorf Q matches the multi-timbral ability of the Virus (among the vitual analog synths)!!!
-3 LFOs, 2 oscillators/1 sub osc, 2 filters, filter routing, 1 filter amp evelope, 1 amp evelope, frequency modulation, 64 waveforms for the oscillators or LFOs...
-effects: Delay/flanger/echo; Distortion; Vocoder; Ring modulator etc.
-expansion: well, it doesn't have any hardware expansions, but the OS is always being updated via the internet, and new patches are availible via the net too. Patches and OS can be saved as SysEx data in a midi recorder which alows you to backup your system, and share patches with others.
-MIDI: in, out/thru. Any parameter can be controlled via MIDI, and it sends all MIDI parameters.
-Sequencer: No sequencer, but 6 types of arpeggiators.

-Sound: What do you want? You can make it; Lush pads, raunchy leads, and phat bass! Very good for experimental, retro, techno, ambient, industrial etc. The effects are good, but the ringmodulator only works on the oscillators, not the input sounds. Velocity and aftertouch can modulate any parameter.

Very Dependable. No lockups/crashes. Seems to be very gig worthey.

Small company, with direct contact to the inventors. They are all on the mailing list, which is listed on their webpage.
OS updates frequently on the web.

Almost the best, just depends on what you want. I think it outweighs all but the Waldorf Q as far as hardware virtual analog synths go (the Nord Modular is basically unlimited, but it needs a PC). It has many modulation routings inside. Almost anything can control anything else. Many internal patch routings availible (internal outputs to internal inputs), can even route it's external outputs to the external inputs. Very analog - even has some noise on some input patches because of certain filter settings (hey you wanted analog, right?). One of the best pieces of gear I have bought, would do it again. Even if you aren't a professional musician, it's just fun to play around with - seeing what kinds of sounds and contolling you can get. GET ONE!

If I had one complaint about the Virus it is: EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY! AIIIIGGGGHHH!
Comparing the virus to other offerings in the 'knobby modeling' category, the virus offered average ease of use. The absence of front panel controls for arpeggiator, effects (delay in particular) and noise level was disappointing. There are three knob editing 'modes' depending on your editing preference each with a particular drawback. There is an absolute mode which 'jumps' the parameter to the physical location of the knob, a 'latch' mode which does nothing until you 'grab' the parameter value with the knob and a 'trim' mode which moves the value relative to the knobs current value. All of this would not be necessary if they used endless rotary encoders.
(v2 software)

Polyphony is consistent with this class of synth (12) In multi mode, the first four instruments can have their own chorus, flanger, etc... but all parts must share a single delay which can be accessed via an internal send bus. The three output pairs are handy and the stereo inputs are a major selling point.
Multi mode is a bit clumsy on a synth of this type, but this is no fault of the Virus. I'd like to see page buttons in addition to the cursor and value edit. Perhaps a pair of part buttons would be a good addition when editing in multi mode. You could keep your parameter on the same page and edit every part sequentially without having to page back to the beginning.
I was a bit surprised that this unit is not designed to be rack mounted. The wood sides do not come off to reveal rack ears and even if you did get it in a rack, all the jacks come straight out of the back which would force you to leave another space or two above the unit. I suspect you could mount it on a sliding rack shelf which might work better anyway.
You can clock the LFOs and delay off MIDI beat clock. THANK YOU!

In general, the virus does a good job at emulating a Prophet V or Memorymoog or other polyphonic vintage synths except in the low range where it sounds less like an analog device and more like digital slowed down. An exception here would be the sine waves which sound as expected in the low end. Any modeled sounds seem to get digital grunge in the lower registers.

The virus seems well constructed.

OS is upgradeable via MIDI. This is a nice touch that is becoming less of a luxury and more of an expected feature.

Not a bad unit for the price for a multitimberal modeling synth. A bit more capable than the Nord Lead and more mutli options than something like the Roland JP8080. Put in a built in power supply and the rest of my negative comments are nit-picking.(Take a look at the half rack MOTU micro express interface for an example of a built in international power supply in a compact, inexpensive device)

Amazingly easy to use, a zillion knobs to tweak and good easy to follow screens.

Access is a company that keeps on giving. The OS has been updated 1029371 times since i've owned my virus (almost a year). Since then, a vocoder has been added, a mod matrix.. countless items.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
one word.

locked up on me once in my whole year of using it. other then that it's super. So, i'll give it a 9. :)

have any question at all? Access will get back to you asap, very helpfull and friendly people. I love them :)

If it were stolen, i'd buy two of em. I use this red devil on all my tracks, it's always a source of insiration. As for a wish list? They've already taken care of it. Everything people want, they get!
join the Access-List for more info.

This is THE synth to do everything. Looking for 303-like sounds, phat pad sounds, deep bass sounds, neverheard tweaking sounds, bad effect sounds or MOOGY- like leadsounds? Check an ACCESS VIRUS and you are happy like I am. It`s so easy to use because for every parameter you`ll find a knob or a button. MADE IN GERMANY!!!!!

I immediately fell in love with this beautiful synthesizer, after spending a weekend getting to know it. Compared to the Roland JP-800/8080 or the Nord Lead 1/2, the VIRUS is superior! Im using software version 1.54 (but will soon upgrade to 2.01). The most common parameters are available via the nobs, and beeing able to tweak these parameters in real time while playing and recording, is great. Some parameters you have to dig a little deeper to find, but you will easily get used to the menus in the two line display.

Polyhony is enough to satisfy me, 12 voices (singles). MIDI is fast like hell, and the glitchfree parameter buttons makes it possible to adjust the sounds without any unwanted noice. You can play a Single voice, a Multi (combining several voices) or Single Multi (multitimbral action). The latest OS (2.0) has ring modulation, and it looks like the OS will be improved and developed further.

Expressiveness is very good, and you can go really crazy with this beast - coming up with the most weird sounds, long sweeps, real punchy noices, or beautiful tones with personality. Like with other digital synths, the bass sounds usually get too thin (the Prophecy and Z-1 are exeptions). The built in effects (chorus and delay) are great, and because there is no reverb fx, you will not get tempted to bury your sound in the fog (like with most other synths). The arpeggio feature is very flexible, too.

It looks beautiful and strong built, and the pots and switches are solid.

Don't know yet, but at least they are updating their web site and has good info, the latest OS etc. there.

I have allready become dependent on this synth, and it makes it possible for me to create original, fresh sounds that have never been heard before! I makes a nice addition to my other instruments (Kort Z-1, Kurzweil K2000R, Korg TR-Rack, SampleCell, MetaSynth and of course my Fender Strat!).

Access Virus v1.51
If you're looking for a virtual analog synth, you absolute HAVE to check this baby out! As a former Nord Rack 2 owner, a first look at the Access Virus is very familiar. Upon closer examination, it is obvious that the Virus is far superior.
Though the preset sounds are fairly mainstream classic Analog sounds, they can be tweaked with amazing ease to produce nearly any sound imaginable from an analog synthesizer and more.
All standard editing features you would expect from an analog-type synth are available from knobs and buttons on the front panel. The wilder sound parameters (and the system setup parameters) are accessed via a 16x2 LCD display. Two user-definable knobs on the left-hand side can be assigned to directly access almost any of the parameters (including those in the menus). The interface is completely brilliant, the more I use it, the more I like it.
The manual is concise and appears to be accurate. There is no fluff in this manual, it is very direct and to the point. Which I LOVE. I have way too many synth manuals that for some reason feel they have to explain what MIDI is. :)

The Virus offers a maximum of 12 voices. In Multi (or so-called Single-Multi) mode these can be assigned to sixteen simultaneously available sounds which each operate off their own MIDI channel.
You can put 4 of the 16 sounds through the built in effects modules. Each module has a delay section and a chorus/flanger section and you can also route all sounds through an effects module if you want.
One thing my Nord Rack 2 had that the Virus doesn't is a PCMCIA slot on the back for memory cards. The internal memory has two banks (A/B) of 128 sounds each and they can (of course) be SysEx'd to a sequencer/computer, hence I never found use for the PCMCIA on my Nord anyway.
The MIDI capabilities are truely astounding! In addition to being able to setting ANY parameter of your sound via MIDI controller data, it allows you to assign three incoming MIDI controllers to up to three internal MIDI controllers. This is awesome when you want to rotate a set of parameters simultaneously because you can seriously cut back on the amount of MIDI bandwidth being used. You may be saying, how can they use controllers for all sound parameters? There are only 128 controllers? What they did is put all of the commonly used sound parameters on MIDI controllers. (Basically, all knobs and buttons on the front panel). The rest of the sound parameters (menu-accessable ones) are accessed through poly-pressure data which has the same small, efficient data packet size of controller data. System parameters can only be changed via SysEx commands.

This device is perfect for anything you could possibly want an analog synthesizer for, even if the onboard effects leave a bit to be desired. (When do they not?) The sound can be as beautifully smooth or as gritty/saturated/filtered as you want. The response is VERY VERY snappy. In otherwords, I'm sure it HAS a response time but it's so short that I don't notice or hear it, either when real-time editing sounds or playing them.
Here are the vital stats:
Connectors: MIDI: IN, OUT/THRU OUT: Six outputs grouped by default in stereo pairs (splittable to monos also) IN: Two sound inputs which can each be subsituted for an oscillator in one of the voices.
LFOs (2): (nice fading indicator lights) Assignments: (in any combination) Lfo1: OSC1, OSC2, OSC 1+2, PW 1+2, RESO 1+2, Filter Gain Lfo2: Shape 1+2, FM Amt, Filt 1, Filt 2, Filt 1+2, Pan Both: Key Triggerable and/or/nor Envelope Mode, 5 Shapes (Tri, Saw, Squ, S&H, S&G),
Oscillators (2+sub): Wave shaping w/Pulse Width or use one of the 64 predefined waveshapes Syncable, FM, Filter Envelope Mod, Semitone/detune for seperation Balance for Osc 1/2 and seperate level for Sub
Or you can use an external audio signal as an oscillator (or internally route a patch output to an oscillator) for some very cool effects.
Filters (2): 4 types: Lowpass, Highpass, Band pass, Band stop (notch) Routable 4 ways: Serial 4 (12db-sat-24db), Serial 6 (24db-sat-12db), Parallel, or Stereo split Saturation: 5 types One for each: Cutoff, Resonance, Env amount, Key Follow (select 1, 2, or 1+2) One for both: Envelope (ADSR)

I have had no problems with it and it feels very solid. Haven't had it long enough to really know.

Never talked to them.

This synth was a great value. I love everything about it. The only one thing that I think would have been nice is a sound "preview" button. (But hey, that's what a MIDI keybaord is for). It also does not do patch morphing like the Nord Rack 2 does. Personally, I found that to be a very "neat" but nearly useless function.