Infected by The Access Virus TI

What an instrument. I have worked with this synth for some 17 years and think it is finally time for me to make a video showing my appreciation for it. I go over why I like it, the ease of use, hardware and software.
00:00 Intro
03:02 Why The Virus?
08:12 The User Interface!
16:47 The Hardware
18:24 The Software
24:07 Outro

[@GeekGearSynths]

It's my first encounter with your channel. I purchased a secondhand virus. Your video came at the right time. I enjoyed this a lot. Way more than an ordinary tutorial. Now, I have to binge watch your videos.

[@ModIcore]

Grats on the purchase and glad you liked it! Which one did you get? I have tried the B which was nice (more fuzzy sounding?) and always wanted to try the A. Enjoy!

[@GeekGearSynths]

@@ModIcore TI2 - I know that you prefer the original TI.

[@ModIcore]

@@GeekGearSynths TI2 is still cool: no dirt under the screen since it's flush, dedicated analog filter selection (have to menu dive or shift fil 1 on TI 1) and I think they have a dedicated filter bank button too which is great. Let me know of you have any questions about anything and I will try to answer.

[@GeekGearSynths]

@@ModIcore Thanks a lot! Actually, I have a super basic question. Is there an easy way to reload a patch or to create an init patch?

[@ModIcore]

@@GeekGearSynths On the hardware, the fixed init patch is: ROM-A 127 -INIT-. An important one is ROM A 125 INPUT in case you want to use the inputs. To quickly select, hold shift when at patch name and three parameters appear above the soft knob, just crank program to the far right and you'll get to 127.

[@fraso2000]

Great, thank you! I have owned a Virus TI2 for years now, but still struggle with programming it intuitively. Especially when I already have a certain sound in mind. Would you eventually offer educational courses in the Virus? Like “today we build a professional brass sound” or so? There are quite a few companies offering patches for the Virus today, but with patches you don’t get to know your synth.

[@ModIcore]

What kind of music do you make or would like to make? I like happy accidents in my music which makes the Virus very forgiving. I am not sure I am qualified to offer educational courses unfortunately. I will make a note to make a brass video though. I can try to help you out as much as I can just ask, but again i'm not a synth master, more let's go for a ride person!

[@fraso2000]

@@ModIcore ​​⁠Thank you for proposing to help. Maybe it’s not much, but when I see your video, it seems you really know where to turn a knob for achieving a certain sound. My experience with the Virus resembles more something like: I try to reproduce a certain sound, but end in creating a completely different one. For example, how do you remember the different wave types? I’m lost everytime I try to find the one I used last time. The Virus is a quite complex synth! In summary: How do you proceed to create your basic sound, before “polishing it with LFOs or delay? Do you follow some kind of a recipe?

[@ModIcore]

@@fraso2000 I remember a couple of the wavetable ones that are basic shapes as they are the most useful to me: Octavius (saw) and Pulse Checker (square). The others I kind of choose at random. The basic waves I have been using a long time and have an idea of what to expect. I stick to basic type sounds to make sure I don't drift too far from my idea e.g if I want a pad or a string, I use a hyper saw and thicken to my liking or if I want to hallow bass then I'll use a square. Understanding what can be done with the basic waves is important. Have you read the Howard Scarr programming tutorial? I remember that have some good building blocks using classic waveforms. You can download it here: www.virus.info/downloads/2/Manuals%20and%20Tutorials?a=login (search for howard and it'll pop up). I think in the end, I have just learned what I like from the synth and go towards it. I don't have a certain recipe I follow. The best advice I can give is to just try to keep it simple (classic waves and filters). Sorry that I am not of much help!

[@fraso2000]

Many thanks, this is a great help! I think you are absolutely right in staying with a few “standard” oscillator settings in order to get the sound you want. Maybe my problem is that I try to use all the possibilities the Virus offers. But that’s way too much, and quite often the resulting sound is more or less mediocre. Thank you very much! 😊

[@ModIcore]

@@fraso2000 Glad I could help! I hope it goes well.

[@musicman2047]

Virus C was my first HW synth back when trance music was huge!!! The unmistakable sound of the Virus, I have a Waldorf kyra too which is very similar, but not quite as ‘special’ sounding as the virus

[@ModIcore]

The Hyper Saw makes it into about 30% of my patches! Not so much trance sounds though. Do you think it sounds different because of the FPGA oscillators?

[@musicman2047]

@@ModIcore the oscillators likely play a part in the difference as to me the Kyra just sounds somewhat thinner, less ‘expensive’ sounding, forgive my technical terminology! The Kyra however still has unique features that I think makes it a decent purchase, virtually no voice count loss when using all of the 8 multi outs so you can multilayer some unique huge sounds! However, One huge drawback is no wave table scanning, what was Waldorf thinking! They have like over 1000 wave tables and you have to use two click buttons to scan through EACH ONE.. Not cool….as far as I know the original virus developer was the one responsible for the Waldorf Kyra design in fact, doesn’t seem like he wanted anything to do with IT after release though, perhaps creative differences with Waldorf? probably explains why Waldorf dropped any Kyra support not long after it’s release….ashame

[@TachyBunker]

I discovered the Access aVirus because of Metroid Prime Hunters, but I love it way beyond that (i use emulations). My favorite is the phaser on it.

[@ModIcore]

The phaser is beautiful sounding. It has a wide range of uses. I particularly like having a slow two stage. I didn't know Metroid incorporated the Virus! Cool.

[@audiolego]

The TI2 Darkstar is my only keyboard. It's a master and my only digital synth. Aura Editor is what I'm using,

[@ModIcore]

I've heard good things about the Aura editor! I'm pleasantly surprised that Virus Control is working well on my new computer. I've never seen the Darkstar in person, but always wanted to see if it complemented the Mk1 model

[@roccsterx]

What version of Windows are you using? I know there are some who are having issues with the Software and Win11.

[@ModIcore]

I am on Windows 10. It is odd as I can install it and it recognizes it, but then Windows says there is a problem with the driver after. When I load the Access software it cannot detect the Virus until I restart in update mode. It then connects and says all is good but has a driver issue again as soon as I close the program.

[@roccsterx]

@@ModIcore Strange issue, and I know you know your computers Things that pop in to my head to try: Use a USB-hub to try and see if the USB works better with something in between Connect something else that use USB 2 and see if that works Try another USB-cable It can be an issue with the motherboard as well, but it is a bit far fetched

[@ModIcore]

@@roccsterx Thanks for the advice! I did not think about a new cable or hub. I have figuring this out on the back burner kinda. I was going to try a different USB port. I don't have access to a hub, but will try your other ideas soon.

[@ModIcore]

@@roccsterx I got Virus Control to work! I tried a USB3.2 port haha So weird! It seem stable, but will be putting it through its paces soon.

[@roccsterx]

@@ModIcore Thats great to hear! :)

[@djvar94]

Oskillator lol. Anyway, love the Virus myself too. And I too have a bit of a love/hate relationship. If only it weren't for Access Music (or as they're known today Kemper Amps) discontinuing them all :'( Long live the Virus!

[@ModIcore]

Ah the Killator, and how I've been saying it wrong for so many years. It's like the whole Moog or MOOG stuff.

[@hardmurakami]

Hope The Best grandpa is still alive?

[@ModIcore]

He is. 81 years old! He has not been doing well health wise, but he is still cutting his lawn. It's impressive what he's been through (some his own fault though haha).

[@bjared]

Of all my gear, I will never, ever sell my Ti2. It's such a great synth.

[@ModIcore]

It really is! I hope they bring it back.

[@user-rv8wb1nl1b]

my backlight goes off occasionally too . . ... .

[@ModIcore]

It going off occasionally would drive me nuts! That would make me replace it. If it's just off, I could live with it.

[@user-rv8wb1nl1b]

@@ModIcore i have opened her up twice and looked for a dry joint or capacitor but it takes AGES to get to the screen from behind , As far as i know there is no other synth that offers all that multitimbrality . . . . ?

[@ModIcore]

@@user-rv8wb1nl1b Getting the screen off is a pain like you're saying. I've opened my Virus up to change the battery, but never needed to separate the PCB from the case. Never want to do that! The Waldorf Blofeld is 16 part (though CPU really makes it like four) and some workstations I think.

[@jeffc1753]

I’ve owned a lot of digital synths - Quantum, Hydrasynth, 3rd Wave, Summit, Microwave XT, Nord Lead, etc, and the TI2 is my fav. No real issues with it - you must have had a bad unit.

[@ModIcore]

Wow even the 3rd wave! That looks like a beautifully designed synth. Thanks for your feedback. You are probably right that it was that unit and is why the person was selling it.

[@jeffc1753]

@@ModIcore 3rd Wave is a very close second 🙂 Somehow the Virus just works.

[@antoniorusso5149]

3rd Wave good but not a Virus. I just picked up a Melbourne Nina and soundwise the Nina is right up there with the Virus but does not have the incredible flexibility of the Virus. So I just keep all 3.

[@silly8395]

....and then they discontinued it...

[@ModIcore]

yeah it's sad. apparently parts are harder to come by. i don't see him making a new version but we'll see!

[@SchleimKeim77]

​@@ModIcorenot only harder to get. The DSP chips in the Virus are no longer manufactured.

[@NoelKoutlis]

@@SchleimKeim77 there is a free vst TI emulator called OsTIrus. I haven't tried it yet.

[@masterofreality230]

@@SchleimKeim77 Glad they made a plugin.

[@AA-ge4uj]

That's why your unit is immaculate like that, new/old stock. It's never been on the road. Don't sell, don't sell. Purchase something else cool in Desktop form to fill that empty void to the right of the controls.

[@ModIcore]

I won't! I will learn how to re-solder SMD devices if I have to damn it! I had a Wldord pulse 2 that fit nicely there, but most other things are too big. Not sure what would go well there.

[@AA-ge4uj]

The blower is the way to go with that as older boards need a reflow of the solder here & there if you get dry joins. And there's also Soldering Iron Bits with like a nick taken out of the center so you can slide it either side of the component & heat both pads at the same time & tweezer off. Then you need something to see with, MagicLamps are the standard but I use a Binocular Microscope that I scored when I used to repair cellfones & other micro crap for a living. And last, an old Motherboard to practice & get it right before you go anywhere near the Virus's PCBs with your choice of weapon. What's wrong with another Pulse 2, they work good. A sheet of cut glass or clear perspex double sided onto the Virus deck could also give you an extra inch or two up the back & off the side. That empty real estate is begging for something.

[@LouisSerieusement]

@@ModIcore jokes aside, don't try to re-solder SMD devices yourself. I succeed to solder things on SMD circuit boards a couple of time, then I burnt a transistor in the VCF section of a machine (this machine is dead now, because no scematics are available). I swear I did not notice I burnt it, I thought I was doing everything carefully, but I did lool. Just ask someone if needed, or even email the brand, they usually reply and sometimes they can help. Manfred from MFB fixed a machine for me after I used the wrong PSU on it, when he was still alive. cost me 50bucks plus shipping

[@ModIcore]

@@AA-ge4uj That sounds quite involved with plenty room for error. My friend waaay back in the day tried to bake his GPU in the oven to reconnect the solder joints. I sold a laptop to a guy who said, "I buy and fix these all the time - it's just resoldering the discrete gpu". Valuable skill to know. Thanks for the tips. Waldorf releases a special edition light blue pulse 2 (they discontinued it but probably wanted to cash in), but only available at Thomann and won't sell to US. Not as nice as the green/black though. I will think about what to put there. A SEM unit would be cool. I should've purchased when they were at a reasonable price.

[@ModIcore]

@@LouisSerieusement Ooof I'm sorry that happened to you on a rare piece like that. I struggle with basic soldering and would need to practice a lot before even attempting. Sounds like it's better to just have someone else do it. MFB has some cool gear and seems like he was a genuinely good person. We lost a good one...