Access Virus

Price Paid: £ (300) used

Ease of Use: 5

I've only just got this synth recently (second hand)

Virus A - OS 2.8

The presets are ok, nothing spectacular but the usual selection of pads, basses, etc.

Patch editing is a bit of a pain, half the parameters are hidden within the hidden edit menus. Selecting then requires you to know which menu (edit or control) and which direction it is from your current menu location.

I haven't found a patch editor program yet.

I don't have a manual.

Features: 5

12 note poly.
There is no keyboard (desktop/rack version).
No expansion capabilities.

Can recieve and send MIDI for all the knobs I believe (which might be cool).

There is a third, hidden LFO deep in the menus.

There is no onboard sequencer, although there is an arpegiator - it would have been nice if this could be edited or at least switched on/off from a dedicated control.

There is a delay setting, I think this is per voice in multitimbral, this can be synced to the MIDI clock.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 5

The sounds are neither realistic or analogue sounding - the problem seems to be the filters, there's lots of choice and settings but the resonance at high levels just makes it sound very thin and not self-oscillating (like in a real analogue instrument) and has that awful digital filter sound quality to it.

The envelope, although others have said is fast I disagree. The kind of music I write has very fast note pulses (fast attack and release) at high tempos and it just doesn't seem to like it.

The effects on board are delay and chorus. The delay is quite nice, although you can't set seperate left/right delay times.

I tend to use velocity to control certain features - although the virus cannot route this to cutoff (which I usually use) it can control the filter envelope (per filter) and also a host of other things simultaniously (including amplitude if you were so inclined =) )

Reliability: 8

The unit itself has a very robust construction, the buttons have a nice solid clunky feel to them too.

Customer Support: 8

I downloaded the OS update from the website - it was fairly painless to install. There are also extra sound banks available on the website.

Overall Rating: 7

If it were lost or stolen? Hmmm - I'd probably not go and get another, sure it's fine - it does quite a few 'virtual analogue' sounds. If you needed a workhorse to fill a few slots in your studio (pad sounds, the odd lead, etc.) but can't afford the old, unreliable analogue stuff then it's probably a good synth but even my 202 kicks it's rear in terms of bass, filters, envelope, controls, etc.

Submitted by Urban pHox at 05/25/2006 06:19

Price Paid: US $430 used

Ease of Use: 9
The presets were more or less useless to me, but it's when you do your own patches the magic is unleashed. More on the sounds later.

At first I thought all the menus were a pain in the butt, but now that I've got to learn the menu structure and how to quickly get to the parameter I seek for I don't think it's a problem anymore. The menus are very laid-out and user friendly when you've got to know them (it takes no more than a day at most).

The manual is a good when you look for a certain parameter, but I don't think it's very beginner-friendly. Maybe I'm wrong, I haven't used it that much since I've had alot of synths before.

Features: 9
2 oscillators + suboscillator, 2 filters (+saturation), 2x ADSTR envelope generators, 2 LFOs (very flexible ones!) and a bunch of effects. Pretty darn impressive...

Polyphony = 12 voices. Pretty good for monotimbral uses, but probably not for multitimbral (I haven't used it as a multitimbral machine yet). I usually try a synth's polyphony by playing Jean-Michel Jarre - Souvenir of China and if voice-stealing appear then the polyphony is weak. The Virus passed the test :D

The built-in effects are unison, chorus, delay & analog boost. They all sound super nice, but I'd like a few more. I know that's why they made the later models.

Expansions? Not that I know of. If you want a better one, just get one of the later Virus models.

...and I've got to mention the arpeggiator: IT'S AMAZING! There's like 40 different patterns in there and they really spice up your sounds! It's really flexible and it sounds very good!

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
There are very few synths which both are flexible and sound good. This synth is one of those. The oscillators may sound very smooth or very harsh, it can be soft and it can be hard etc. The parts of the synth which surprised me the most were the envelope generators. They are very snappy and punchy at low attack and decay rates (perfect for punchy basses), but they also capable of being soft and smooth at high rates (perfect for strings and pads) = very flexible!

Since it's so flexible and sounds so good (almost analog-ish at times), it may fit in most electronic genres. It's built like a dance/trance machine and there's no doubt it fulfils it's purpose, but I use it for basses and leads in electro and synthpop and it does a great job!

As mentioned before, the effects are outstanding. Top notch. I sometimes add a Korg MDE-X when I need additional effects.

Reliability: 10
The case itself is made of sturdy metal and it seems to be very dependable. It would probably survive a few drops leaving nothing but a few dents, but I wouldn't try (I like mine too much). I've never had any problems with digital instruments and I probably won't with this one either.

I would definately gig with it! I couldn't afford a backup and wouldn't get one if I could. This is one reliable machine (looks cool too =D ).

Customer Support: N/A
Haven't dealt with them and I probably won't.

Overall Rating: 10
If mine were stolen, I'd definately get a new one (or get my old one back). It's worth every penny. If you're in to electronic music, get one if you haven't already. I love the sounds, the look of it and the user-inferface. It feels good to have it in my studio and I smile every time I see it. I've had a bunch of other synths before, but now my studio's almost completely software. But the Virus can do alot of things my computer can't, that's one of the reasons I got one in the first place. Then when I got to dig deeper in to its capabilities I found that it was a masterpiece!

Most of my old gear (which I have sold now) were just in the way when I made music since my computer could do the same job or even better, but this machine is beyond that and it stimulates my creativity. I think the most important thing about a synth is how it makes you feel and the Virus make me happy and satisfied.

You have two options now: 1) Get one, or, 2) GET ONE!

=D

Submitted by Krunchie at 02/14/2006 14:57

Price Paid: US $450 used

Ease of Use: 10
If you are fammiliar with subtractive synthesis, then the Access should prove to be a very intuitive and pleasing instrument. I have recently upgraded from 1.4 to 2.8 (i think), with ease! I downloaded the new OS from access for free. The presets are great but they do not reveal the feriocity contained within, after initializing the banks and twisting some knobs, you will discover its true potential. The manuel is very complete and precise, no confusion what so ever. If your a beginer, you'll be thankful for the tips included. Editing patches is easy, as sounds from your mind are easily created in the Virus. After learning its functions, you will form a psychic connection with your Virus!

Features: 10
Not sure about exact specs, I'm sure others have covered this. So far it has shown me no limitations, it does what I expect it to do. The midi capability is great! I have never used a synth that could be controlled with 16 seperate tracks, the Virus has simplified my life. Every parameter can be automated quite smoothly. There is no sequencer, the virus would be all you need if it had one. I use a Yamaha QY70 sequencer which works great! With it, I am in full controll of my Virus. I'd reccomend the QY to anyone who needs an all around midi sequencer that can run on batteries. The effects are not cheesy or thin or crapy by any standards, the delay, arpegiators, ringmod, vocoder, are all great and add alot to the overall feel of your sound.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
It's sounds are the best that I have heard from a synthesizer, granted I have never laid hands on a Moog Voyager, or a Korg Jupiter. I have however, used a microKORG,Juno 60,Reason 2.0,and rebirth. The Virus can do what any of these synths did for me and it can do it better. I am able to create many sounds that I have in my mind quite easily, and am equally able to create sounds never before heard by my ears! I swear you wont be dissapointed!

Reliability: 10
The Access is the definition of fine craftsmenship, it's like a 57 chevy with the mind of a genius.

Customer Support: 10
Access has released new OS' after discontinuing their products, enough said.

Overall Rating: 10
If it were lost or stolen I'd hunt them down like the black mamba! it is such a personal piece of gear to me. my mind is in that machine. I dont hate anything about it, I love its ease. I wish it had a plug that could sync with my brain waves. It definately helps me make music, I was in a slump till I found my Virus.

Submitted by Gregg Uyematsu at 02/23/2005 02:14

Price Paid: 710 (canadian) used

Ease of Use: 9
if you are used to midi gear you will figure it out...if you just wanna plug in a keyboard and play...tweak on dude. i'll give it a 9...its not simple like a boss effects pedal...but its not a korg n364 either...(complicated and wierd)

Features: 9
its got everything you need (virus A) effects are nice...global delay...full midi etc. "B" is better.."C" even better...indigo rules...but if you can get an original VIRUS...you wont be dissapointed.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
sound..ahhh the sounds...i have a bunch of gear..korg n364..roland D2..a superbass 303 clone...a roland jp8080...nothing has even come close to the instantly pro sounds that this sweet beast makes...so sexy my girlfriend is jealous!

Reliability: 8
well it has done some weird thing...sometimes after saving a patch it produces no sound and other weird things..but probably its just a matter of me not knowing exactly what im doing....power adaptor is loose and wiggly...electrical tapes will hold it tight. apparently its built strong.

Customer Support: 10
good maunal. so far so good. you can get upgrades...access made OS upgrades years after it was discontinued!! sweet. im using 2.52 right now...but you can get 2.8

Overall Rating: 10
amazing sounds...one of the best sounding synths ever. get one now!!!

Submitted by Andrew at 05/21/2003 09:28

Price Paid: 1290 (Euro) used

Ease of Use: 10
I think this synth is damn easy to use provided that u know a little about substractive synthesis. All you have to do is to tweak all the knobs until you get the right sound ! Of course every functions are not accessible directly (there are too many!), but its easy to reach them in the menu.
I have never needed to look at the manual.

Features: 9
It has nearly everything you need ! 3 LFO, 2 Adsr, 2OSC, 1 Subosc, 1n oise source, 1 Ringmodulator, Delay+chorus, Matrix mods bla bla.......
I would have liked to get one or two more slot in the matrix mod (there are only 3 available).

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
I think Virus can do awesome thing !!! With the first OS version the bass were not very good, but this has been corrected. The osc are perhaps a little tiner than on a Nordlead. On the other hand its way more flexible. Yes you can do some nice Bass sound as well as some deep pad. It can also sound very agressive thanks to the adsr that have a very short attack.
I think the Fm mod sounds extremly good on that synth. Used with the ringmod, it enables you to make a lot of weird sound.
I definitly loves the sound of that synth!

Reliability: 10
Hmmm. I got mine on second hand market. I have never had any problems!
So yes I guess i can rely on it !

Customer Support: 10
The customer supports of access is AWESOME! They made new OS version after the virus was discontinued! It very easy to reach access through email. Some of access worker are also on the mailing-list. They really listen to the user opinion.

Overall Rating: 10
I really loves that synth!!!! You can get so beautiful sounds! Its not only the sound, but also the fact that editing sound is very very intuitive. I definitly loves patching this synth. Its my main synth and its probably the best thing i have ever bought. It has a lot of possibility, and its very good for experimental music !

Submitted by Laurent Stehly at 11/02/2002 10:08

Price Paid: US $900 used

Ease of Use: 9
Software version: 2.52.
The presets are pretty useful, though I find I usually tweek at least one of the
parameters to get something more interesting out of it.
Editing is simple as can be. The whole front of the unit is covered with knobs which
control more or less all of the functions you want to edit. All you do is dial in the sound you want
and hit "store". If you want to get more in depth and throw in effects and stuff, then you have to edit those
through the LCD display, but even that is very simple.
Can't comment on the manual, I bought this thing used and didn't get a manual with it.

Features: 10
The polyphony is great. I have some other virtual analog synths and after using them all,
over time I've found that the Virus has quickly become one of my favorites. I find it's the first synth I will
turn to quite often.
The thing is capable of just about anything as far as MIDI goes. It has MIDI control fuctions, an arpeggiator,
pressure sensitivity, everything I need at least.

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
The sounds on the Virus are excellent. Very thick and expressive. Some of the presets
take some tweeking to make them interesting, but that doesn't take long.
The onboard effects work very well and sound great. The chorus is nice and thick and smooth.

Reliability: 10
I've had it for over a year and never had one single problem with it.
I never worry about it at all.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
The Virus has gotten me through some period of being stuck many times.
I'll be working on a track and I just can't seem to dial in a sound I hear in my head
on my other synths, then I crank up the Virus and usually within just a few minutes, I've got the sound I want
and my song is that much closer to being done.

Submitted by Anonymous at 04/04/2001 12:17

Price Paid: US $800.00

Ease of Use: 9
the virus looks like a beast, but it's surprisingly easy to use! i am currently using the 2.52 operating system, and according to access, there will be one more update to the OS. the presets sound EXCELLENT. i have never heard a synth with better presets (for dance music). editing patches is a breeze, all you do is turn knobs...press "store," and press "store" again and your through. more complex editing can be "access"-ed with two buttons and again...it's so easy! the manual is great. you have to download the addendum for 2.0 operating systems and above, but the manual really gives novices a great understanding of synthesis!

Features: 7
the polyphony is 12 voices on my OS. rumor has it that the new OS will have 16. there are built in delays, choruses, noice generators, vocoders and ring modulators. expansion is also easy...just go to the access website, download OS s.52 and load it into the virus via midi. the virus is so easy to use, and so tweakable...

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
the virus sounds...BEAUTIFUL! there is hardly a better synth for producing electronica. the virus is great for producing trance, breakbeat, house, dance, and other subgenres of electronica. i was immediately inspired to write three new tunes right after i got the virus...and the inspiration keeps coming! the virus is velocity sensitive (if your controller is), and it responds to aftertouch as well (again, if your controller does).

Reliability: 10
so far no prolems in reliability...i've owned it for a few months, but the previous owner had it for almost two years with no problems in a smoke FILLED studio.

Customer Support: 10
great support from access. if you e-mail these guys...they get back to you in a day or less...and in english no less!

Overall Rating: 9
if this virus was stolen...i'd be depressed for a few months, and then i would buy it again, and again, and again. i have been producing music for years now and i also own a yamaha cs2x, a yamaha dx7, and a roland jp8000. the virus beats them all...no problem. if you are a producer...the ideas will flow once you own a virus. it's the best investment i've made since my cs2x. if you want to hear what a virus sounds like...go to: http://www.mp3.com/hypnotik to download my free trance. listen to "metaphase," or "gravitate," where i use the virus for everything except drums!

Submitted by HypnotiK at 10/25/2000 12:13

Price Paid: US $1300

Ease of Use: 9
this machine has THEE BEST, im stressing this again, THEEEEEEE BEST operators maual i have EVER read, it is so easy to read, nothing technical unless you read deeper into it, but it gives you PLAIN ENGLISH explanation of all functions, then it elaborates into technical stuff. once you read the manual, this machine is EXTREMELY easy to use. It took me ONE FREAKING WEEK to figure out how to run everything, which is VERY fast for someone like me.

Features: 9
2 independent lfo's do all the sound morphing AUTOMATICALLY, once you figure out how to set them to where you want them, an excellent feature for tweaking the living crap out of all 16 parts at once!
AND IT SOUNDS EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL. nothing cheesey about this synth AT ALL>

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
VERY CRISP LIQUIDY SOUNDS. you can assign up to four functions to one midi controller, whether its on a different machine, or right on you keboards mod wheel. you can also assign each independently, whereever you want, very easily.

Reliability: 10
toughest box in existence, VERY SOLID KNOBS AND BUTTONS.

Customer Support: N/A
Im sure it is excellent, access is a responsible, trustworthy company.

Overall Rating: 10
I LOVE THIS MACHINE MORE THAN MY MOTHER!!!!

YOU WILL TOO, NO DOUBT

blows the nord lead, and novation away, in my opinion.

Submitted by nick englund at 09/23/2000 18:29

Price Paid: US $1250

Ease of Use: 10
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.

Features: 10
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!

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
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.

Reliability: 10
Although my Virus has yet to be road-tested, from all outward appearances it is built like a tank.

Customer Support: 10
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.

Overall Rating: 10
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.

Submitted by adam at 03/14/2000 17:35

Price Paid: US $800 used

Ease of Use: 10
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!!

Features: 10
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!

Expressiveness/Sounds: 10
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!!

Reliability: 10
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

Customer Support: 10
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!

Overall Rating: 10
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!!

Submitted by Jimmy at 12/27/1999 10:14