Access Virus

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Access Virus is the name of a line of virtual-analog synthesizers manufactured by Access Music Electronics since 1997 . It started with virus A, is now in its fourth generation and is constantly being developed further. The Virus product line is divided into the A, B, C and TI (Total Integration) series. These are devices in which the user interface suggests an analog sound generation, but which actually work with DSPs .

Access Virus A - Desktop 1997
Access Virus B Desktop 1999
Access Virus C - Desktop 2002
Access Virus Ti - Desktop

history

When the Nord Lead came onto the market in 1995 , Christoph Kemper decided to also build a virtual synthesizer. Since its introduction in 1997, the virus has developed into a frequently used instrument in the electrical scene with a large fan base. Its sounds can be heard in countless contemporary productions.

Technical details

The Access Virus supports various synthesis forms , including subtractive synthesis , phase distortion synthesis , FM synthesis and, from the TI series, wavetable synthesis .

All Virus models work on the basis of a digital sound processor and emulate classic analog oscillators whose basic waveform can be changed continuously from a pure sine - via a sawtooth - to a square wave by means of morphing . Furthermore, 63 spectral, completely synthetic waveforms are available. The waveforms of the oscillators can be influenced in many ways: Among other things, ring modulation , phase distortion or frequency modulation .

The Virus also has an extensive modulation matrix and, since the TI series, the new waveform Hypersaw .

The filter section offers many setting options with two independent resonance filters that can be combined and modulated in various ways . Here, too, the modulation matrix enables the creation of complex and detailed sounds. The Virus also has an oscillator saturation level as well as various operating modes for analog and digital distortion of the sound.

Virus A used the 56303PV66 from Motorola as its DSP . Virus B works with a 56311 and virus C with a 56362PV120. These models also have a SAB515 or SAB535 microcontroller .

The Virus TI models (except Virus Snow) each use two DSPs.

description

As a rule, these are available as a desktop / 19-inch rack version, as a 3-octave and 5-octave keyboard version with a Fatar keyboard. There are also versions for Protools TDM ("Virus TDM") and TC Powercore ("Virus Powercore").

The sounds are usually divided into eight banks of 128 sounds each, with the TI series there are 26 banks. The user can change the sounds through the numerous potentiometers on the surface. The most important parameters include attack, decay, sustain, release, cutoff and resonance; In addition, numerous effects and equalizers are available. The Virus is controlled via the keyboard or via the MIDI protocol , depending on the version . All controllers can be remotely controlled or recorded in a sequencer program via MIDI controller commands.

A currently unique feature can be found in the TI series (“Total Integration”): The synthesizer can be integrated into existing sequencer environments as a VST, AU or RTAS plug-in using driver software. This enables sample-accurate control, and all settings are saved with the respective song. Almost all parameters are also available via the automation.

According to the manufacturer, the Virus TI 2 series offers 25% more DSP performance than the TI 1 variant. In addition, the design has been "rounded off" a little.

New sounds are regularly available for free download on the Access homepage. Updates of the operating system are also available there, because the operating system can be updated using a sequencer program and bulk dump; With the TI series, the update is carried out using the attached programs. The Ti is now being built in version 3.

The programming of the soundsets is often done by music producers who have developed the sounds mainly for their own productions and then make them available for sale or download.

The virus is sold worldwide through an extensive network of dealers.

Versions

  • Virus A
  • Virus TDM
  • Virus B series (Desktop, Virus Indigo, Virus KB, Virus Rack, Virus Classic)
  • Virus Powercore
  • Virus C series (Desktop, Virus Indigo 2, Virus KC, Virus Rack XL)
  • Virus TI (desktop, polar, keyboard)
  • Virus TI Snow
  • Virus TI 2 (Desktop, Polar, Darkstar, Keyboard)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ by Bernhard Lösener: Love The Machines: Access Virus Virtual-Analog Synthesizer. May 21, 2020, accessed on July 20, 2020 (German).
  2. ↑ Test: Access Virus TI2 V3 - Desktop, Keyboard & Snow. In: AMAZONA.de. June 10, 2009, accessed on July 20, 2020 (German).

Web links