Is Access Virus TI2 the Only Synthesizer You'll Ever Need? Find Out Inside!

In this video, I'm reviewing the Access Virus TI2 synthesizer. I'll be taking you inside this powerful synth, explaining its features and how it can help your music career.
If you're looking for the best synth to help you create your music dreams, then you need to check out the Access Virus TI2. This synthesizer is packed with features and is perfect for any music producer or musician. I'll be going over all the important details in this video, so be sure to watch it to find out more about this powerful synth!
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[@EricChurchwell-bl3ce]

Thank the fuck Christ!! I love that you are showing how to use it without the TI. That's what I've been looking for forever!!

[@maryannewinters7430]

THOROUGHLY enjoyed learning this. 😊

[@johnnyposh]

Glad to hear!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Those sounds remind me of a lot of Hans Zimmer soundtracks from the Batman and Interstellar films.

[@LabofmusicRecords]

I have a Access TI Polar (TI 1) for years now. Love the look and the sound. I have no problems with any DAW (If I use it with MIDI only 😅) I have a loot of VST plugins but I always go back and use my Polar in my music :) The synth sounds awesome and the possibilities are great. So, for the most sounds the TI is enough for me.

[@johnnyposh]

Thats awesome, is a powerhouse and so versatile. Midi is the only way to go hehe.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

no plugin sounds as good as a hardware synth

[@laboratorioincognito9420]

Thanks for the walktrough Johnny👍👍👍 I have the Polar TI from 2004. Its a wonderful inspiring machine for all kind of musical genres. I use it on nearly every track. No problems with the computer connection 😊but I experienced in the past that the usb connection becomes buggy when too many USB ports of the computer are connected to other devices at the same time.

[@mynameismynameis666]

that's your USB port getting undercurrent or dropping signals due to there being not enough throughput capacity. you either need a better USB (3.0) hub/connectoin and or a better power supply. Had the same issue, bought a USB hub, worked fine for a while, but those cheap plastic things under 50 bucks also die after a while of heavy use.

[@moe47988]

@@mynameismynameis666 Nothing really solves the issue 100%. They use some strange code to "realign" the virus after it loses sync, and that's problematic. This came out at a time when USB 2 was new, but the hardware is still stuck at 1.1 speeds, and was never upgraded.

[@OKvalosound]

Interesting review, thanks! I'm a Virus user since the first release in 1997. Unfortunately my A was stolen, but I'm still happy with my B for more than 22 years. The Virus is now obviously discontinued and only the desktop is available from the Kemper Store. A remarkable lifecycle for a digital device!

[@meilstone]

You could still buy the TI2 Keyboard version at Thomann until recently but looks like they've discontinued all of them now. May hike up the prices on the used market...

[@markchristopher2signal2]

I still have my Darkstar for bell sounds, synth fx, gloomy pads❤❤❤❤. It's like a sound module 16 part fx synth. It was my sole synth in the early 2010s partnered with my Emulator sampler. I do use the mystery island editor for the matrix modulation and fx. A good hybrid workflow.

[@johnnyposh]

Awesome, love the hybrid setups!

[@ropeburn6684]

For a second I thought you meant the Red Sound Darkstar 😂😂😂

[@kenniferlopez1]

I have always wanted one but now, with as much as they still go for you could build a badass little modular system instead! Great vid by the way man!

[@johnnyposh]

Could defs get a good system for the same price!

[@BattleAngelSound]

Good luck making a polyphonic 16-channel multitimbral modular for that price ;) I have my tiny Eurorack + B2600 but now I'm saving to get Virus TI anyway. It's great to have both :)

[@ultrajayme]

​@@BattleAngelSoundI agree. A true modular nerd would spend $2,000 on 3-4 modules and I'm being pretty generous with that estimate.

[@sillyplug]

This will be quite a long comment, but you’ve inspired me to write it. I definitely agree with a lot of this. I also have a TI2 and it really is versatile; however, if you’re looking for actual instrument recreations, e.g. piano or string, it will only get you so far. If you need an electronic sound though, it’s armed to the teeth with capabilities and functionality. The software component, Virus Control, is indeed a bit bug-laden but this is normally solved by unplugging the USB and turning it off and on again. I like what you said about losing the playability with the software, but what you gain is a better editing screen so you don’t have to menu dive, as well as easier patch adjustment. The effects are very good, and again, I agree with what you’re saying about them. The distortions don’t blow you away, but they will offer some subtle colouration, as is the case with the character options. You know about it when you’ve applied the right distortion to the right patch though because it will sound like it’s meant to be. The modulations, delay and reverb are exceptionally good, particularly the latter, to the point where it can sometimes feel as if the sound is in the room with you. The filters and LFOs also sound great and give you a lot of options. I’d say that the envelopes are standard. You get more of them in VC mode though, where you get two more that you can assign to things via the mod matrix, bringing the envelope total up to four (not including the LFO envelope modes). Speaking of the mod matrix, it’s quite in-depth with six slots, and you can use it to modulate other modulations. The oscillators, like you say, have extensive wavetables, as well as FM capabilities. You will get rich sounds quickly with one, let alone all four. The input function is really fun. It’s satisfying to manipulate audio from other sources in various ways. This way, the Virus becomes an effects unit, a vocoder, or using Atomizer, a looper and stutter/glitch effect. Via bus and aux channels, using Virus Control, the TI2 can even become an effects plugin within you DAW. I didn’t know you could import your own sequences into the arp - I’ll keep an eye out for that. I know you can randomise it’s patterns though, which offers you different rhythmic capabilities. Again, like you pointed out, multi mode is very handy for live work and playability. I haven’t experimented much with sending different patches through different channels, but I do know that if you spend time setting up performances, you can be ready for ANY live setting. You can split sounds across the keynoard, set modulations and effects up for quick access, and flick through a selection of sounds with ease. In sum, if you’re looking for a well-rounded package that boasts functionality, consider a Virus. It’s a synth that’s great if you’re looking for a big bank of sounds to take inspiration from, and you might find yourself growing into, especially if you sit down with it for an afternoon or evening, and explore it in depth. You’ll be glad you did this - I know I was. Again, look elsewhere if you want faithful recreations of actual instruments because the Virus is digital and electronic at heart. And it accounts for the past, present, and future of those kinds of sounds. It’s the gift that keeps on giving if you give it time.

[@johnnyposh]

Agree with everything here! To get your own sequences you have to load a certain file type into the “virus control centre” and load them from there. You need an old vst/plugin that had a certain sequencer file type cant remember which one it was but it can be done.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

thats how I use it to explore then craft my tracks. Nothing beats the Virus for industrial, techno or house or trance. It stay blows almost all synths out of the water. Even new Waldorf Quantum has few voices and less multi timbral capabilities than Virus.

[@sillyplug]

Oh wow! The Quantum was on my shopping list at one point - before they brought out the Iridium. I was beginning to think that the Virus was about to be beaten but Access must have truly future-proofed it if it has capabilities that the Quantum doesn’t.

[@braggaboutit1233]

Interesting point you make about sitting it in a mix, it can get quite difficult to place without required EQ taking a fair amount of the body/ depth out of the sounds. That being said I’ve found running any sound from it through analog filters on either an analog4 or a Sherman filterbank with just a subtle level of saturation from those machines makes the resulting sound so much more malleable in a mix. That being said analog filters/ saturation doesn’t come cheap as an addition to an already expensive synth, but if you have any at your disposal definitely recommend trying it out

[@johnnyposh]

Great suggestion!

[@meilstone]

Yeah, there are several ways to add analog distortion/saturation. I use a cheaper method running it through a bus in my digital console which has a tape emulation built in and sometimes I run it through the FX track of a Syntakt.

[@GuidoGautsch]

Thanks for the walkthrough, Johnny! I picked up a Ti2 Polar a few months ago and it's just such a beast. Multi-mode is what i got it for primarily, as im using a Deluge as the master brain to sequence in notes. The Polar also has an amazing keybed and build quality - its just a gorgeous instrument that i feel will last for decades. Scoring it down on the VST/USB functionality is almost a bit cheeky...which other synth has that feature? The Minifreak is the only one I can think of and that only came out this year. I do agree on the sound, it's not as creamy as some others, but hey, nothing some processing cant fix or at least hide. One feature that's super cool with multimode is layering patches. So you can have patch 1, 2, 3 and 4 (or up to 16 if you really want!) play on one MIDI channel, so if you like the mids of one patch, the highs of another and the rhythmic elements of a third, you can put them all on the same channel and play them simultaneously - it's incredible for sound design, especially with the per-patch EQ.

[@johnnyposh]

Thats a cool pairing with the Deluge, glad to hear another Virus user exceptionally happy with their synth! Quite a few synths have 3rd party vst’s via midi that work solid, always wondered why the virus went with usb instead of midi for the vst.

[@kierenmoore3236]

The Modals have the VST feature too - just 2 more I know of …

[@MySynthDungeon]

Well said ..i'm looking ,,T12 ,ya! Subbed!Cheers!;-)!

[@johnnyposh]

Thanks for the sub!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Nord Lead and Waldorf for brighter wave table stuff but Virus great for that darker sound

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Regarding using the Virus in a DAW, I had so many issues as well even using a Windows PC or older Mac. It would constantly drop out and was painful even using Aura software or the ipad Virus software tools. So like yourself, I gave up on that and use stand alone and much happier now. I send output to a mixer recorder to capture on USB drive then import the stems to my DAW. It solves the software snafu that plague the synth and lets me enjoy using it to make music.

[@romanx3267]

I feel that you can stack a bunch of sound with the virus and you don’t get problems on the mix. It does sound incredible I also like the fx a lo because they create a lot of depth. It’s a masterpiece. The basses are not my favorite part but all the low mid, midrange sounds have a texture that I really love.

[@johnnyposh]

I find when a sound off the virus dosent fit in a mix just adding some other sort of color just makes it come alive. Also totally agree about the bass and low end!

[@adev8565]

I'd like to note that not only is the Virus extremely versatile, it also has superb built-in FX. There are producers that bought it just to use it as an FX processor. I love mine and use it all the time. The only thing that makes me sad about the Virus line is how Mr. Kemper decided to completely shit on the huge legacy he created in 1997. I really wish he had handed that part of the business over to someone who cares instead of mostly abandoning all his Virus customers.

[@johnnyposh]

Virus ti3 if we spam it enough it will happen!

[@asms_music3417]

I agree 99%! I also have the virus plugged into my mixer’s fx send so I can use its fx. I’m not that into the verb though, I think it works for the virus but not great for general use IMO. But I love running my eurorack through its filters and distortions

[@TheBroDotTV]

Seems very capable. I wonder if they're going to put out a new version.

[@johnnyposh]

Synth can do everything literally! I doubt he will make another one hes on to bigger and i guess better things hehe

[@TheBroDotTV]

@@johnnyposh I'd like to get one but I don't think I'd pay more than £500 lol.

[@djkurtstudio]

I purchased the original TI (exactly the same OS as TI2 but slightly less polyphony and looks a bit different) over 12 months in advance back in Dec 2004 ( I think) they strung us on for over 12 months on a release date, it really drove me insane as I had sold my Virus C so I could get it. After a very looong wait, finally got it and I still use the unit all the time. VST's are good now but the Virus has a certain sound and tone that still hasn't really been replicated. As far as I'm aware, because of of it being powered by the Motorola chips, I read the way it was programmed to work with the chip is far different to C+ or what ever it's called (I'm not a programmer).

[@johnnyposh]

Thats a really cool story, thanks for sharing. Also didnt know about the motorola chips i gotta research this now.

[@Simbor-rh1dj]

Why the creator abandoned it I have no idea. He is having hit profiler guitar pedal but dude, you only have 2 products. Jeez. Korg, Roland, Yamaha have a lot more (sure they are bigger companies). Do what Dave smith did…hire more people.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

probably not enough dedicated staff to create or update the hardware and software or pure folly@@Simbor-rh1dj

[@meilstone]

The creator says there was no need to improve something that's perfect 😂

[@bangmateo7481]

​@@meilstoneA true German.

[@truthfilter]

i have zero experience with hardware, so what would you do with this say create a pad that you like or a beat loop then export the loop to your PC and then build a track OR do you have to build the whole track in Virus ?

[@johnnyposh]

You can do either really, but I usually go part by part then record it into the daw.

[@chiragpatel4638]

Its a beautiful machine, I really cant think of any feature that it lacks except for note hold. Mac users be warned though, the vst does not work on the newer OS. I use it standalone in multimode as well hooked up to my Deluge Rytm mk2 and Analog 4 mk2. It just such a fun synth!

[@johnnyposh]

Awesome selection to pair up with the virus!

[@draneol4685]

I use the plugin from Aura, it is not free but it works great on a 2019 macbook.

[@NSW-ye3xw]

I have the same synth. The best synth ever. Extremely powerful and does it all. I would never sell it.

[@johnnyposh]

Simply amazing machine!

[@the_tux]

Still have a Virus B. Have to replace the save button because the contacts starts to bounce but above all else the synth is perfect. I hate the fact that many modern synths tend to have too many submenus. On the virus, I have access to almost everything with a knob.

[@johnnyposh]

Thats awesome, those B’s sound so good!

[@Beautyoutofruin]

As far as the sound critiques never had that issue on both fronts. The usb issue, totally agree 👍 I honestly regret selling my C

[@johnnyposh]

The virus c, the one that got away 😢

[@uhoh007]

The keyboard version often costs about the same, TI1 or 2, but it does have the famous fatar TP8s action, which many regard as the best synth action ever made....before the Osmose anyway. Makes a very good controller. Easy to use W/O computer. Nice to plug guitars into, as it has "pedals" in the effects. Not light, about 30lbs, but not "heavy" either. Great interface.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

yup love my keyboard Virus TI2 Polar such a nice keybed

[@djdarksidejungle559]

i was goign to buy one when i sold all me studio anmd had a few quid my problem was everyone had some kind of issue and not really up to spending a grand on what may well turn out to be duff and its costing a small fortune in a repair and the kind of repairs that never stop either and in end it does get to the point of where ya spent more on repairs than what you paid for it and when it starts getting like that time to let go so whats why i never bought one and instead i bought a korg wavestate and do i regret the wavestate over the access no cause the wavestate does everything i wanted a synth to do and i wasnt sure the access did twhat i wanted or not and it was just an acid synth and why take a chance

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

A good MIDI sequencer is the only thing really needed with the almighty Virus! Such a powerhouse of. synth. I use a Squarp Hapax with mine. The huge number of voices, effects and multi-timbral parts let you run drums, bass, melody and stabs easily. Few synths in 2023 can touch it. Wish Kemper would come out with a new Virus.

[@johnnyposh]

Yes new virus is a must!

[@SoundMediaVibes]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@rihgdb]

I have mine for around two years. While I’m not so into sound design I love the variety of patches and playing around with it a lot. I mainly use it for live playing and I find the sounds very balanced. They have just the right amount of FX without standing out to much and fitting very well within a track. It’s build quality is awesome and everything is build like a tank. It’s definitely an investment (I bought it for around 2K € factory new) but it is truely a powerhouse for all sort of different gernes and I never reget buying it. It’s hard to describe but the sounds have some unique touch to it similar like Waldorf synths and if you go through some patches you will find yourself in a lot of memorizing moments.

[@johnnyposh]

Can totally understand the unique sound the synth has, very different from anything else out there. Now we just need a good update for the synth!

[@dansmithdks]

used to write tech house and break beat with one of these bad boys, way back in the day. Incredible synth!! 👌

[@johnnyposh]

Awesome, defs a great synth for those styles!

[@AdamsOlympia]

I'd love to try one ..Just hate that TI is so expensive (over 2 grand now) -- Hard for me to justify when Iridium Core is $600 less for a new one, and if I spend that much on a synth, I'd love to have the largest sound pallet possible. I've never had any experience with any Virus other than the plugin that emulates the Virus A/B using original DSP code, so maybe I'd feel differently if I got some hands on time with a real one.

[@johnnyposh]

The train defs has left the station on TI pricing unfortunately, for a while lots of good deals were to be had on one. Hope you get to try one out one day it is a fantastic unit!

[@cnovasalmanhussain751]

Have you tried the dash berlin trance sounds with your virus... Dash berlin-going it alone Dash berlin-better half off me Dash berlin-When the world falls apart

[@johnnyposh]

I have not is that a preset pack somewhere?

[@savoirfaire8979]

I have wanted a Virus ever since Tool used one on the Lateralus album. They are so damn expensive though!

[@johnnyposh]

Not too expensive these days well worth the investment!

[@Stadsjaap]

Man, I wish there were a proper tutorial on front panel programming this synth. There are a bunch showing work in the plugin but on the TI2 itself... nada! 😮

[@johnnyposh]

I will add this to my list of things to record!

[@OneofuuuuS]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5W6moGartukatU 👊🏼

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Forgot to add the Virus has the best arpgeggiator of any synth ever made with so many types and options can work like a sequencer too!

[@johnnyposh]

When it works properly its great!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

so far it works well and can do drums, bass, synth lines in one synth is amazing and the filters and effects fun too!@@johnnyposh

[@SIAKPHDLIVE]

I haven’t watched the vid yet but the answer is yes

[@johnnyposh]

🤣

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

I see you have up there Waldorf Blofeld which has Motorola DSP: DSPB56371AF180 (181 MHz, 192 kB memory, 84 kB RAM) and the Virus Ti has two older Motorola DSPs: DSPB56367PV150 (150 MHz, 120 kB memory, 69 kB RAM).

[@johnnyposh]

Motorola defs had a hand in everything back in the day didnt know they had these chips in there

[@gegenbrezel6734]

Selling my Virus C was not one of the biggest mistakes I´ve ever made because after some years regretting it I bought a Polar. And this thing will stay until I die. Or the TI3 comes out. Guess, dying is the realistic option...

[@johnnyposh]

Never give up a 3 will come one day!

[@barbosa8498]

What is the patch name at 9:34?

[@johnnyposh]

Cant remember unfortunately was just scrolling through em.

[@barbosa8498]

@@johnnyposh no worries mate. Thank you for replying

[@lsouzabr]

0:38 it’s a problem that i have too. Crashing so many times in a session.

[@johnnyposh]

Maybe one day it will get an update that works

[@jeffc1753]

Doesn’t this synth have a constant pitch drift on one of the oscillators? I had a TI2 briefly a few years ago and couldn’t stand it…otherwise it’s a great synth.

[@johnnyposh]

Never had that issue before personally. Guessing you had a bad unit 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@meilstone]

No, it's just so good at recreating that vintage sound. 😂

[@jeffc1753]

@@meilstoneNo, when I had it, the pitch would go in and out badly. Take two saw waves and hold a note - does it go in and out of pitch back and forth?

[@meilstone]

The thing is that there is a detune by default in the init patch, you can manually set it to 0 and it should be fine.

[@jeffc1753]

@@meilstone It’s not detune…something must have been wrong with the unit I had.

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

Such a great synth, just use it in standalone and all your troubles disappear

[@johnnyposh]

Agreed

[@olafsigursons]

if you want to synch your Virus TI, it's super easy. Create a MIDI track, with a note every on every beats. Send it to channel 16 of your TI and mute it. Et voila! Even in Ableton the Virus stay synched.

[@johnnyposh]

Does that keep the sequencer/arp from glitching out too?

[@happylittlesynth]

I must be very lucky with mine as I've yet to encounter any usb issues (Windows 10, Ableton 11). Anyone who does, that's gotta be very frustrating! :( Make sure its using it gets is own USB header with nothing else when in use (I've got two usb3 ports on the front of my pc, and the virus gets that header to itself when it's in use)

[@johnnyposh]

Ive tried everything, since like two years ago and a certain either windows update or some update it just bugs out. You must have some special virus hehe.

[@ComposerMichaelDow]

Also virus ti can't use usb3 connections so it really must be a special unit!

[@johnnyposh]

@@ComposerMichaelDow maybe this is the secret to make it work

[@WackyJackyTracky]

maybe try a seperate PCIe USB-card?

[@eddy_sonik]

👍I LOVE ! 💙⚪❤

[@quantumeseboy]

I am yet to find a better modeling digital synth.

[@johnnyposh]

It certainly is in a league of its own!

[@MaxFury_Official]

I hated Access Virus cause i bought "ti 1" without knowing it was "1" months later? 2 comes out, same price! But the sound is nice!

[@johnnyposh]

Thats unlucky!

[@MaxFury_Official]

@@johnnyposh It is, but i still can't deny. I have not yet found a VST that sounds as good. Virus Ti sounds more organic most of the time then VST synths. It sucks tho when it comes to layering, cause you have to think about not using as many grueling effects or unison width or else your notes gets cancelled or "weird" sounding, which they probably released hence TI 2 got released. More processing power, etc.

[@rhinoskin7550]

The ti and TI@ aren't too much different from each other... Maybe more preset but who uses those? lol

[@kierenmoore3236]

Ti 1 looks so much sexier … but Ti 2, for the extra horsepower …

[@gabriels538]

Unless you are used to the workflow, Virus is kind of irrelevant these days.

[@johnnyposh]

Kind of is but if you like an outboard setup its so versatile

[@gabriels538]

@@johnnyposh Agree!

[@meilstone]

It's become essential in my dawless setup!

[@gabriels538]

@@meilstone Never understood the point of an dawless setup. It seems like you lose a lot of control. Additionally, I've always questioned the use of digital outboard gear, especially when it's designed to mimic analog equipment. If you're going through all that trouble, why not just use actual analog gear? It tends to deliver a more authentic and realistic sound.

[@meilstone]

@@gabriels538 Been there, done that. Ableton just kills my creativity after a while. I like the limitations of my digital mixer. But I still have Ableton plus about 1000 VST plugins to be on the safe side... ;-)

[@radurobert1]

"trying to justify the huge money spend" - syndrome . No it is a trash synth that can run out of poliphony with a single sound.....

[@johnnyposh]

if you manage to run out of polyphony on a single sound its probably because your using something stupid like 32 voices per key. Just get one 😃