Access Virus TI

[Omega Monkey]

Ok, so I got to check this thing out at GC the other day. It sounds pretty cool, but what the hell causes it to cost $2850?!?! For a VA, that is insane in this day and age. And the "Polar" costs the same amount even with barely-enough-keys-for-all-your-fingers keybed. Meanwhile, the new P8 is only like 2K.

Anyway, I wouldn't mind having one, but no way in hell would I buy it new at those kind of prices.

Anyone else have any thoughts or comments on the TI or Access in general?

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Well, it is a very flexible VA, but very expensive indeed...

If I would buy one, than certainly not the keyboard version (which is 800 euro more expensive than tabletop).

And I don't like Snow at all, because it has 4 times less parts, and no real time control, what so ever. > still has a huge price tag - 1000 euro :rolleyes:

I think I'll hunt down second hand Virus classic/B/C tabletop, for the future (end this year, probably)
B or Classic - 450 euro max, which is very reasonable.

I think the main improvement of TI is power/improved interface - not sound quality or sound design possibilities...

[Omega Monkey]

Yeah, I just looked up the TI listing on MF.com. It does seem fairly powerful (ie 80 voice poly, etc...), and theres a lot of computer oriented stuff apparently as well. Plus you dont get a lot of 8 part multitimbral VA's.

But still, I think I would probably go with a Nord Wave if I was going to spend that much (dammit GC, you need to get a Nord Wave!).

[-=AnatomiC=-]

What's so cool about Nord Wave anyway? (+ Ti is 16 part multi timbral, I think)

P.S.: I don't really need much timbres on a VA. I think 2-4 is more than enough.

[Gustavo]

Yeah, I just looked up the TI listing on MF.com. It does seem fairly powerful (ie 80 voice poly, etc...), and theres a lot of computer oriented stuff apparently as well. Plus you dont get a lot of 8 part multitimbral VA's.

But still, I think I would probably go with a Nord Wave if I was going to spend that much (dammit GC, you need to get a Nord Wave!).

+1, I think the wave is better, and sexier. I mean... its red, its probably worth more cuz o that lol.

What's so cool about Nord Wave anyway? (+ Ti is 16 part multi timbral, I think)

P.S.: I don't really need much timbres on a VA. I think 2-4 is more than enough.

Well for starters, the synth is very, very flexibel indeed. On top of that, you may download some sounds into it and tweak them in real time. And last but not least, It has mellotron sounds included, which were modeled (I think, or perhaps sampled) after real mellotron tapes. Those are the main things it has... Oh and its red, which makes it much better aethestically.
Dont get me wrong, the TI is still a great synth, but looking at some competition, I would rather take the blofeld for a mere 800-900 usd (thats united states dollars, not used, but new). or for bout the same price, the nord wave. But i would probably get the blofeld, just cuz its real good and very cheap compared to those lol.

Just my thoughts.
Gus

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Well for starters, the synth is very, very flexibel indeed. On top of that, you may download some sounds into it and tweak them in real time.

So is virus TI

It has mellotron sounds included, which were modeled (I think, or perhaps sampled) after real mellotron tapes.

Memotron would be better anyway I think.
Besides, I only like VA's - had enough with this overcomplicated sample synthsis :confused:

Oh and its red, which makes it much better aethestically.

Subjective... I prefer black or silver.

[Grey Loki]

So is virus TI

I'm not so sure about that - listed on the TI webpage, it mentions the modulation matrix, which is basically six slots with one source and three destinations, which is hardly as flexible as a Wave (and nowhere near as flexible as the Lead).

I've always found the Virus series to be slightly lacklustre - I mean, they're technically very good (I see the TI can supposedly play 1800 oscillators in realtime, if you believe Access' hype), but I don't get hit by bolts of creativity when playing around with them, like I do for many other synths. Plus I just can't see what actually makes up that HUGE price tag - OK, it's white....and?

You're looking at almost US$3000 for a Virus (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VirusTIKey), which is pretty much just a VA synth. With that $3000, it would be quite possible to build a better-sounding, more flexible rig, and still have enough left over for a couple of decent amps. Heck - you could build a HUGE true analogue rig with US$3000 - one that would leave the TI in the dust.

I think Access have been very clever in carving themselves out a niche market in the hiphop/dance/harsher electronic genres - Virus synths are renowned for their aggressive sound, even though there are many other (cheaper) synths that have more balls, and 90% of the people I know who work in the aforementioned genres will automatically go for a Virus, totally ignoring more impressive and expressive synths. Obviously this means that Access can charge a great deal for a very small synth and get away with it, because their customer base doesn't really know any better.


Very sneaky :D

EDIT: Fixed link.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Yes, modulation matrix seems to be very weak...
My radias, which is much cheaper, has 6 virtual patches and basically every source and destination is possible. But TI does run much more deeply in synthesis.

Well, I'm not saying that Virus should be that expensive... I will buy an earlier version sooner or later, but not for 3000, no way! (450 euro max...)

[Foranamo]

It's true the TI is very expensive, but that didn't stop me from getting a TI Desktop. Of course it's a matter of opinion, but I love the sound of the Virus TI. There's nothing else that can do the sounds the TI can.
I preordered it when it wasn't out yet, haven't regretted it one moment.

At home I make ambient/chillout with the TI as a VSTi, but I also use it live with my prog and metal bands.

I had never even tried a Virus before, so it wasn't about "automatically going for a Virus, totally ignoring more impressive and expressive synths". I'm probably going to get a fight started, but IMO there aren't many more impressive and expressive synths, atleast ones that I could afford.

I think it's all a matter of opinion, though I agree the TI is _really_ expensive. I just ordered a new Kurzweil PC3x for the same price I'd have to pay for a new Virus TI Keyboard :o

[aibohphobia]

It is on my list of "if I had a lot of money I want it". The Access Virus line has always been unique and, in my opinion, awesome, as well as generally pricey. I've loved the times I've used it in the store.

Bottom line is that it's pricey because people will pay that much for it. There's gotta be something good in it. Yay supply and demand!

[Syrinx]

IMHO, the Virus sound (whatever the heck it is) has a lot of followers, it's like a cult. I am one who does not find it good enough to spend $2000 or even half of that.
There are several (too many to list) softsynths, at a fraction of the price, that will surpass the Virus TI in synthesis power and quality (e.g. Zebra 2.2, Massive).

But then again, the key point I guess is that if you are after this particular sound, nothing will sound like a Virus but the real thing.

[HammondToby]

Well, a huge difference between soft synths and hardware synths is the cost of developement, 'cause you have to do it all in real, where you can redesign the look of the soft synth very easy compared to the hardware surface. Furthermore, Access produces in Germany, not the cheapest possibility to screw together hardware instruments and the strong Euro does his job on the price too.

Personally, I like the sound of the Virus too, but I don't want to pay the whole price for the current line. For me and my needs (playing live, without laptop, so: no soft synths for me), the Virus B is enough and this one isn't THAT expencive.

Best regards
HammondToby

[Syrinx]

I totally understand the where the price difference between software and hardware synths is coming from. But at the end of the day, and since I'm not a gigging musician, I just have to pause and think forever before buying anything at that price.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

If I have money, I give it away without thinking :confused:

But then again, I don't have a wife and kids and I think life is just too short.