Special EFFECTS The Access Virus Ti effects section, explained

This time, we take an in-depth look at the effects section of the Access Virus Synth..........Specifically the Ti versions, but almost all of these are also available on many of the other more recent incarnations of the Virus line.....
0:00 intro
1:19 delays
5:43 reverbs
9:10 other fx
Awesome programmable, digital, stereo, automate-able effects

[@sK3LeTvM1]

OMG, the brush. I think I use it for almost 30 years now. Thumbs up !!

[@willswitchcraft]

Cool to hear..........................(just saw this comment now for some reason)

[@SIAKPHDLIVE]

The virus is the gift that keeps on giving. I’ve been using one in all of music for well over a decade. Thanks for the vids! They’re inspiring and informative.

[@willswitchcraft]

so glad you're enjoying the Virus videos.....yeah, it's still keeping me inspired......

[@wickeddubz]

Yep, i discovered usefulness of brush by myself few years ago. It seemed very logical. Thanks for sharing FX and tips! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@willswitchcraft]

Especially useful for mixing consoles, but they work well on synths too (unless you just have a Yamaha DX7, and mainly have membrane switches)

[@christolacy-hulbert6759]

I love your Virus videos and this is no exception. Thanks Will 👍

[@willswitchcraft]

thanks v much for your comment................FYI - I recently created a playlist of just the Virus videos on my channel, which should make them easier to locate..................

[@marcweiss547]

Never saw you in bright light before. Always shades of purple. Great as always

[@willswitchcraft]

True - if I'm doing an improv synth thing, or even a tutorial, I generally go for a bit of 'mood' lighting. Thanks for the kind comment

[@cYndroid]

Greatly appreciate your insight, thanks.

[@willswitchcraft]

thanks for watching and commenting

[@koalahabits3605]

Love it! Keep em coming

[@willswitchcraft]

Thanks for watching

[@DustonsSounds]

Many thanks and respect for sharing this tutorial.

[@willswitchcraft]

Hope you got something from it

[@barrnycharlton8951]

please keep this series going

[@willswitchcraft]

I probably will, being that people like you take the time to comment......

[@marzacdev]

The reverbs are quite good actually. Thanks for the video 😊

[@willswitchcraft]

Yes - Surprisingly good reverbs, very useful and 'musical'

[@MrBlueHaze]

Great video and insightful

[@willswitchcraft]

Thank you

[@Funkmastabuzz]

Great video. Mines just arrived. Cant believe how tremendous this thing sounds. Intrested in a feature I never even knew about, the "Atomizier". Love to see a video on that.

[@willswitchcraft]

I'm not sure if I'll get around to doing an Atomizer video - not very many users use that, but I know that there are some vidz out there.....

[@dafunkycanuck]

Great vid, I like the King Crimson shirt too!

[@willswitchcraft]

I suspect there are very few people who even recognize that shirt...............thanks for your comment

[@antfactor]

Great stuff. The modulation options on these fantastic effects is just (nuts)-fantastic. This gets hyper-crazy building multi-layered effects chains. Even on the B, I was shocked at what one could do... just using it as an effects processor(!).

[@willswitchcraft]

I agree. I was at my weekly synth jam last Monday, and a friend asked why I wasn't using one of my effects units on my Virus. I let him hear some of the echo and reverb options and he was blown away (and he is a synth collector).

[@dantemusic885]

Excellent video! thank you!

[@willswitchcraft]

Thanks v much for watching!

[@extropy1]

Best synth ever created. It's the only synth I cannot part with. It's a complicated beast xD

[@csrader]

Agree. As far as "VA digital synths" go, through the years I went from Yamahas (ANX1) to Korg (MS2000/RADIAS) to Nord and finally arrived at Virus and said "Oh, OK I found it." ;-)

[@willswitchcraft]

I hear that a lot (that it's the one people hold on to), yeah, they're special.....

[@brutaldeluxe88]

Really useful video, clear and detailed - thank you!

[@willswitchcraft]

Hi - thanks! Glad it's found its' audience.....

[@brutaldeluxe88]

@@willswitchcraft recently purchased one, a lot to learn - shall follow your videos with great interest :-) sub'd!

[@willswitchcraft]

You must be quite excited - great purchase......hope you get some insights from my vidz.......

[@brutaldeluxe88]

@@willswitchcraft yes, very! only a decade late to the party ;-)

[@willswitchcraft]

If it's any consolation, I just got my first Virus recently as well. I decided to do some videos, as people seemed interested, but it's been a very satisfying purchase.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Virus is still a fantastic machine in 2023 and can do so much. I use mine with the arp on it or Hapax sequencer. Has amazing drums, bass, melody and more.

[@willswitchcraft]

True....it still kicks ass in so many ways

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@willswitchcraft love it. I do dream of a future updated Virus with new OLED screen and features on new synths like in the Waldorf Iridium and Quantum.

[@willswitchcraft]

Sign me up for one - sounds killer!

[@Reg-Edit]

Keeping the virus alive nice stuff will ✋❤️

[@willswitchcraft]

Thanks......Still an awesome synth, so I'm digging it and tying to 'give it some love' on the web........

[@audiolego]

I'm now really enjoying my TI2 because the editor by Mystery Islands made some of that matrix programming as well as the Fx programming very easy. I record the delay and reverb to Logic. Because it 👍 good

[@willswitchcraft]

Yes, happy that MIM is doing their thing...

[@audiolego]

@@willswitchcraft I was watching the ceo of mystery islands demoing the virus Hc and I read how to set up my Renoise daw. Ok I had three different Virus Hc plugin for midi 1 , 2, 3 . I did it wrong. I don’t need to open HC plugin per midi track lol. Now I’m happier with the correct setup. And it’s smoother too. It’s like the TI2 is a new synth again. Do you own the sound sets?

[@willswitchcraft]

I find with all this gear: a massive pain in the ass sometimes to get it set up correctly, but after that, it's a dream. As far as patch banks, I have a few that I've downloaded from the Access site, some I've purchased, and the ones that come with the MIM editor as well.

[@audiolego]

@@willswitchcraft It’s like my studio(humble corner of the room) is new again. I also like the sound set that comes with it . I really treat the TI2 as a sound module but tweak it.

[@MacStoker]

im hiding from the internet today, as i dont want spoilers for wrestlemania (yeah im one of those types) lol, but i shall surely tune in very soon to watch this video mate, have a great weekend..

[@audiolego]

Btw I miss the Honky Tonk Man wrestle

[@willswitchcraft]

I actually don't do any 'tech' on Sundays myself. It's not for religious reasons, my wife and I just find it's amazing how much we get accomplished in our lives taking one day off (from the digital world) a week.

[@m.ericwatson968]

Great thing about virus ti the effects section has it's own engine so it's won't steal too much polyphony from the synth engine, I'm deep diving into mine now and getting to know the control layout which is quite different from Waldorf which I'm a big fan of, some squinty menu diving but has incredible capabilities I'm just learning to utilize.

[@willswitchcraft]

Agreed......I'm a waldorf fan as well, however over the years, I've sold my 2 fave units, because of faulty encoders....a real shame

[@ComposerMichaelDow]

@@willswitchcraft yes I owned two Waldorf Blofeld's. Loved them but both had faulty encoders and also wouldn't sync up. A real shame and very disappointing

[@willswitchcraft]

I guess those awesome little Blofelds, with those sounds, for that price, ........just too good to be true......

[@skylifedreamsent]

Thanks for the great work that your doing for all of us Virus users! How do you save patches to favorites. Also how do you recall the patches that's in your favorites without using the software?

[@willswitchcraft]

I'm not aware of anything like Favorites in the Virus Patch options, not like there are with the Hydrasynth.......You just use RAM banks A, B, C, D for sounds you can easily edit and move around (unlike the ROM banks)

[@skylifedreamsent]

@@willswitchcraft ok thank you

[@byzvondoom8205]

lol. i have had the same make up brush for almost 15 yrs ..it lives amongst my gear within reach always..lol

[@willswitchcraft]

Awesome - glad to see we're in sync

[@yourdrummer2034]

Love your channel, Will. Edit: Willl.?😁

[@willswitchcraft]

Will actually, but thanks so much for your support Scott, ...and for commenting

[@yourdrummer2034]

@@willswitchcraft apologies, Will. You have a post office box someone might send something to you?

[@willswitchcraft]

Who would send something, and what do you think they'd be sending???????

[@yourdrummer2034]

@@willswitchcraft you never know! Thats why you would use a P.O. Box though. Actually I have an actual dust brush I would send. Your brush works fine. Just figured you could use a smaller one. No biggie. Keep up the Videos!

[@willswitchcraft]

Box 97, Gray Creek, British Columbia, Canada, V0B1S0 (the middle of NowHere) thanks so much for thinking of that Scott

[@raven-jz6cv]

Ferrari of all synths

[@willswitchcraft]

Well put..........I just wish they'd keep it alive, or at least sell Virus to someone else, who could keep the company viable....

[@willswitchcraft]

thanks so much.......glad you found these videos.....

[@Born2WinBIg77]

Thanks for this video! Quick Questions: 1. How is the midi implementation of the Virus with your daw? Is it steady or are there latency issues. 2. I’m considering investing money into purchasing a Virus but I’m concerned that it won’t be very well implemented in my Ableton set up. Do you think that purchasing a Virus Ti2 is a sound investment in 2021 with all of the VSTs that are out now?

[@willswitchcraft]

Very difficult questions, and frankly, I don't think I'm the best person to ask. I rarely use my Virus in a DAW, however I suspect that you'll find lots of relevant info online from other users, especially on the Access Virus forum. Most people who've contacted me, who use the Mystery Islands Music editor (I have a video to watch on that) seem quite satisfied with it's performance using any DAW/MIDI. As far as being a sound investment, I'd have to say that it totally depends on how you use a synth. For live, I hate to rely on computers/plug ins, but for recording, I think Omnisphere, Vital, Serum, etc. are unbeatable, and wouldn't want to live without them. I guess the upside to hardware, is - if you bought a Virus - used, you'd probably be able to sell it in the future, for a great price, if you decided it's not the best solution for you.....

[@lstlvls2521]

Any latency is due to user error and/or hardware limitations. The Virus will not impose latency. I think a Virus (any of them) will make you rethink the way you use VSTs.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@willswitchcraft it works fine sent to an audio interface. I use mine with Zoom L12 mixer recorder audio interface and can have up to 12 parts easy for the Virus. I need to test with the Aura MI plugin in DAW.

[@willswitchcraft]

It can take a while to get the Aura plug in set up and working, but after that first hurdle, it's quite a breeze.......

[@damienwebb3689]

so how are the FX ordered? is this configurable or fixed? Or are they all send based and not inserts?

[@willswitchcraft]

Excellent question. Send based, but coming from an engineering background, I agree - if you could determine where they occur in the signal chain, or the order, that would be amazing. I guess that type of feature is likely to be available on Softsynths though...

[@gertumlauf5471]

Be carefull with the chainsaws... I want to see a lot more virus videos comming

[@willswitchcraft]

Thanks.....Yeah, I'd prefer to keep most of my appendages...but it is nice to have a full life outdoors too.

[@douglasdunbar8193]

@@willswitchcraft Careful with that motorized axe Eugene

[@willswitchcraft]

My wife always quotes that Ummagumma line as well........so cool that you commented with that!

[@douglasdunbar8193]

@@willswitchcraft Your wife and I can then agree that "great minds think alike" (or is it "fools never disagree"?) Just hope she doesn't start quotin side one track one from Meddle, which is "One of These Days" !!!!

[@willswitchcraft]

Yeah - 'Fools Seldom Differ'.......Sad but true. My wife and I are both huge PF fans, still. Incase you haven't checked this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXzCc5avgLR0qpY

[@airtonnunes513]

I have a question: Can you use the effect knobs to change the chorus mix without use the Edit button? To apply chorus, I need to press the Edit button and change the mix using soft knobs not the knob in the FX section. I'm trying to figure it out if this is a common behavior. Also, nice videos about Access Virus. You helped me to buy this monster! thks

[@willswitchcraft]

you can assign that, or almost anything else into the 'Soft Knobs', which can be set per patch, or to operate Globally (same function for every patch)

[@tontonkeke9972]

i have a question when i want to save a patch he ask me memory protected i use in hardware maybe its because de battery is dead? tks a lot for this video

[@willswitchcraft]

I think this is the reality: You can ONLY save patches to the 4 - RAM (random access memory) banks, if you're working on the (hardware) synthesizer. To save into the ROM (read only memory) banks, you have to use a computer/software editor - like the Mystery Islands Music editor, or the Access Control software.

[@seanthomson9301]

@@willswitchcraft Mystery Islands does not save to ROM only the Virus software will do this as long as you use the older OS before Catalina. Mystery Island is great for making patches then use Virus software to burn them onto ROM. Random is a good friend. ;-) Keep up your great work!

[@willswitchcraft]

I hadn't realized that (RAM/ROM accessibility) because I always keep my 'current' patches in RAM. Thanks for the education.

[@benarp3921]

Hey how r you? can help to program a midi keyboard m-audio keystation 61 a virus desktop. I would like to know what I needed to do on both devices.

[@willswitchcraft]

I wouldn't be much help with that. I'm sure you may find some info on the Access Virus Users Forum - free to join.....

[@VPROXE-HELLRAISER]

1:02 best advice.....or use a cover if you can

[@willswitchcraft]

absolutely! I guess I'm just 'old school', but I totally hear you

[@ProfessorSynth]

Court of The Crimson King 😀

[@willswitchcraft]

Exactly - 1969. So glad to connect with someone who knows it!

[@ProfessorSynth]

First band I saw live at 13

[@willswitchcraft]

Wow. That has to be an amazing memory. A friend of mine caught their last tour in Vancouver Canada a few years back, and sent me the audio from the tour cd. Just excellent versions of so much of their back calendar - and they had 3 drummers for some songs - incredible.......

[@douglasdunbar8193]

@@willswitchcraft Your friend was lucky, as was I. Three drummers, Tony Levin on bass and (of course) the accountant/bank director/professor emeritus on guitar. I catch them every time they come to town (Copenhagen). On a side note, Fripp's wife is hot. Check out their "Robert and Toyah's Sunday Lockdown Lunch" KZbin channel. Will put a smile on your face for sure.

[@willswitchcraft]

Cool douglas. I'll check that YT video out for sure.

[@coskunone]

can you edit the comb filter without opening up the vst?

[@willswitchcraft]

Good question. I'd have to scratch my head and try to remember......................

[@coskunone]

@@willswitchcraft let me know if you figure it out, still struggling to find it haha

[@pauljeavons8878]

You missed the extra section that came out after a few versions.. I believe it's double press of edit. But good simple video. You can get flanger effects too out of it. It still amazes me that the virus can still keep up with modern VA synths. The eq is important to get the upfront sound. Unfortunately there is alot of gross presets in the ROM which sound disgusting that have aliasing issues. I love mine now it's not having to send it's audio via usb and it just goes into the mix in the good ol' fashioned mixer channel way.

[@willswitchcraft]

frankly, I left a LOT of stuff out......I've covered a few different things within my many Virus videos, but I figure that people will do a deeper dive into whatever area of the programming that interests them most....(I can't get into it all....too vast....)

[@meilstone]

Haha, from chainsaw to Virus, you MUST be Canadian 😅

[@willswitchcraft]

so true......................trying to keep it all going............

[@meilstone]

@@willswitchcraft I'm on vacation in the Canadian Great Lakes area right now! Beautiful place... definitely an inspiration to come up with new Virus patches 😉

[@willswitchcraft]

Hope Canada is treating you well......(not too many wildfires near you I hope)

[@meilstone]

@@willswitchcraft Heard and read about them but there are none in our vicinity... looking fwd to the Lake Erie shore tomorrow!

[@willswitchcraft]

glad that you're not surrounded by smoke.......enjoy the lake......eh?!

[@Simbor-rh1dj]

Man that brush is rough. I only will use a micro fiber.

[@willswitchcraft]

Good for you....I guess for me, it comes from being on tour, and trying to spend as little time as possible keeping gear clean at soundcheck, etc.

[@Simbor-rh1dj]

@@willswitchcraft which acts did you play for?

[@willswitchcraft]

I worked with Randy Bachman (B.T.O.) for about 9 years, including a whole year on tour with VH, did a couple of videos with Neil Young......a few other acts as well......it's a long time ago.....

[@Philippe44]

I don't know what that shirt is, but it reminds me of myself: a 21st century schizoid man

[@willswitchcraft]

Awesome! You're the first person to even mention the shirt in response to my comment..........I actually listened to that album the other day.......still some truly amazing tracks on it.........................thanks for taking the time.....

[@michaelwilde2209]

forget the paint brush ,,,The wifes Blusher brush is the best

[@willswitchcraft]

Word!