|
|  | | Access |
Model Options:
Access Virus Ti Snow Virtual Analog Synthesizer Module
The Access Virus TI Snow Synthesizer Module delivers the same sound engine as its big brothers in a compact size.
The intuitive design makes selecting and editing more than 6000 patches from well-known sound designers a breeze. The Virus TI Snow also lets you experience the best of both the hardware and the software worlds by incorporating the award winning Total Integration technology to seamlessly link the Snow with your sequencer. The Snow comes with a fashionable carrying bag for easy transport to your gigs. You get all this at a price unheard of for a synth of this quality - It's like getting a sports car for the price of a scooter.
Oscillators
Three main oscillators and one sub oscillator per voice. A main oscillator can comprise of various oscillator types including the classic virtual analog oscillators (saw, variable pulse, sine, triangle, 62 spectral waves with several FM modes) and hypersaw (a multi saw-tooth oscillator with up to 9 stacked oscillators, 9 sub oscillators and sync oscillator at the same time). Wavetable oscillators with 100 multi-index wavetables, feature variable resolution and optional pulse-width modulation. Graintable oscillators apply granular synthesis techniques for independent control of pitch and formants to warp a waveform beyond recognition. Formant oscillators sound like running a signal through a massive, modulatable filterband with hundreds of resonant bands being morphed by the wavetable index.
Filters
Two fully independent filters (lowpass, highpass, bandpass, bandstop) with an optional saturation module located in between both filter blocks. The saturation module can add one of several distortions and lo-fi effects or an additional low/high-pass filter. Optional self-resonating Moog cascade filter with circuit overloads simulation and 1-4 poles.
Modulation
Two-dimensional modulation matrix with six slots (1 source and 3 modulation targets each). Every feasible parameter can be modulated in real time. Three LFOs with additional hardwired destinations along with one user-definable slot. Two lightning-fast, multi-stage envelopes (ADSTR) - LFOs can be used as ramp generators as well.
Effects
The FX section has independent delay and reverb per patch (even in multi mode), along with multiple distortion/lo-fi algorithms, phaser, chorus/flanger, analog boost, ring modulator, 3-band EQ plus a global vocoder. There is no difference between single and multi modes - patches sound exactly the same.
Arpeggiator
Each patch contains it's own arpeggiator pattern featuring 32 programmable steps (length and velocity can be adjusted per step) along with a global control for swing/shuffle timing and one for note lengths. Pretty much every parameter including the pattern itself, the amount of octaves and many more can be controlled using the modulation matrix. In addition, there are 64 preset patterns as a starting point.
I/O
2 outputs (at +4dB), backed by 192 Khz/24-bit D/A converters, with optional soft-limiting. Two inputs with 24-bit A/D. MIDI in and out. USB is used for MIDI and audio transmission (adding 3 additional stereo audio outputs) AND WORKS AT 12 Mb/s.
Surround Sound Output
Every part can be panned dynamically between two stereo outputs for quadraphonic effects.
Enclosure
Winter-white finish, white LED display, wood rail beneath the front panel.
Hardware Controls
6 knobs, 21 buttons, 18 LEDs.
Polyphony
Between 10 to 50 voices, depending on the complexity of the patch.
Multi Mode
Multi programs can have fully independent embedded singles, without the links to single banks required by most synths. This provides freedom from breaking other programs.
Memory
512 RAM and 512 ROM patches, 64 embedded multi patches, 4 part in multi mode.
Smooth parameter changes
Adaptive control smoothing provides parameter changes with no zippering artifacts. With knob quantize, a clock ratio is selected and parameter changes are updated at specified intervals only. The result is sample-and-hold parameter movements, evocative of step sequencer sounds.
Total Integration
Total Integration is Access' proprietary technology, which seamlessly links any Virus TI model and a computer to create a unified system consisting of a powerful hardware synth and a virtual instrument plugin, which not only controls the Virus TI but also receives audio from it, in order to allow post-processing right inside your computer. This way you get the best of both worlds: Your Virus TI will calculate all the voices and effects and therefore makes the CPU of your computer available for other tasks. Since it is driven by the Virus Control plugin, the timing (unlike normal MIDI and USB-MIDI timing) will be sample-accurate, and all sound data will be saved within the song or project. Virus Control also offers sophisticated editing capabilities, along with an easy-to-use librarian page to keep track of all your Virus TI patches. The Virus TI's analogue input and outputs can double as an audio interface, the MIDI sockets can double as a MIDI interface.
Total Integration is certified for the following hosts: Apple Logic 8, Steinberg Cubase 4, Ableton Live 7, Digidesign Pro Tools 7.4, Cakewalk Sonar 7, ImageLine FL Studio 7.
|
|
Rate and Review this Product:
 2 people rated this item  | Ryan from Boston, MA | | Overall Ranking: | | Quality:
|   | | Value:
| | | Action:
| | | Ease of Use:
| | | Features:
| | | Sound:
| | | Subject: | Quality product with a few quirks | | Quality:
| Great quality. It's well made and it really shows. The resistance of the knobs is consistent, and the buttons have a firm push. My until is a little wobbly, but I'll just put a coaster underneath... | | Features:
| The biggest feature is obviously the TI - Total Integration. Being able to edit parameters on the unit or in the software makes things very simple and makes the Snow very versatile, both for stage and studio use.
I will say, however, having 4 separate voices and only 3 USB outputs is a total drag. There are ways around this (which Access will inform you about) but it does make things a little complicated when using all 4 with a sequencer. This also presents a problem when sending MIDI messages. It's annoying, yes, but I can live with it. | | Ease of Use:
| Once you figure out the navigation of the snow, deep editing of parameters is not too complicated. Of course, you can always edit them through the software which makes it a total breeze.
There's also Easy Edit mode which puts commonly used parameters on the forefront so you don't have to dig through pages and pages to get what you want. This is very helpful, and switched from that to the advanced mode is no problem at all. | | Sound:
| Amazing! What else do you expect from Access? The pads are rich, the basses are fat, and the leads are crisp. With so many options for effects, too, you can customize these sounds all you want. | | Action:
| Action? KARATE! | | Value:
| A great value. Being the cheapest of the Virus line (but not really THAT cheap), it definitely doesn't not lack features, just knobs, which doesn't really diminish the functionality of the unit. It just saves space. | | Do you own this product?:
| Yes | | Date submitted:
| 04/22/09 | |
| | Snorting Audio from Washington | | psyaudio@gmail.com | | Overall Ranking: | | Quality:
| | | Value:
| | | Action:
| | | Ease of Use:
| | | Features:
| | | Sound:
| | | Subject: | It's a beast! | | Quality:
| Don't drop it and you'll do fine. It feels very sturdy and well made. | | Features:
| My favorite feature is the size it self. I am a fan of VST operated Synthesizers so this sucker is a perfect addition to my Desktop. | | Ease of Use:
| The hardest part was getting it to sync properly in the sequencer but running the Virus as the main sound card fixes all that. If you know Synthesizers then you will have no problems warming up to this bad boy. | | Sound:
| The sound couldn't be better, crisp, smooth, fully professional. I honestly couldn't ask for a better Synthesizer. | | Action:
| Plug and play! | | Value:
| Don't let anybody fool you in to believing you are losing functionality just because of it's compact size. This Virus is the real deal, and if you're worried that you don't have enough Hardware controls to work with, buy a Midi controller and problem solved. Buy your self a TI Snow and save thousands! | | Do you own this product?:
| Yes | | Date submitted:
| 01/26/09 |
|