Access Music is excited to announce the new VIRUS (TI)

[dj vorny]

This is the transcript taken from the virus mailing list (quite a few members saw this go up so we assume it's a real spec list....)

Looking at the stats this thing is phat. It goes far beyond anything we've seen before (9 parallel saws in the Hypersaw mode!!! feck me... just when we thoguht big trance leeds were dead... ) and the fact that the synth's interface intrgrates into your sequencer like a vst (you can snap shot within cubase for instance) and the way it works as a I/O box for your p.c....

It's a whole new beast....

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Access Music is excited to announce the new VIRUS Total Integration (TI) Line of synthesizers, leading the world in a completely new direction with musical instrument and pro-audio convergence. TOTAL INTEGRATION uses innovative technology to greatly expand the VIRUS Synthesizer, resulting in an advanced stage/standalone instrument, while simultaneously extending the product capabilities with a suite of compelling studio integration features.
Product tools

Extended information
New synth features include greatly increased polyphony, 2 new oscillator types, a per-patch programmable arpeggiator, 16?2 delay/reverb fx, embedded singles in multi mode, and much more. The new TI products link to your computer with VIRUSControl?, a companion software product which ports the hardware synth into a host sequencer for use as a sample-accurate VST/AU instrument, simultaneously offering 2-way audio and MIDI connectivity, control surface functionality, editor and librarian functions, and more.

> THE FIRST TOTALLY INTEGRATED SYNTHESIZER


A scalable USB link connects the VIRUS to a Mac or PC for total integration of synth and studio. The VIRUSControl? plug-in automatically detects and connects the synth, ensuring a hassle-free configuration every time.

> From inside a host application, the plug-in enables the new VIRUS hardware

to appear as a multi-channel VST/AU soft-synth with up to 4 sub-mixes (or 2 ? stereo). Access? proprietary driver technology makes VIRUS TI the world?s first hardware synthesizer with sample-accuracy timing and a delay-compensated audio/MIDI connection.

Seamless interconnectivity also provides a real benefit in the software sequencer environment. All multi-timbral sounds and settings used for a project are stored within it with the plug-in, for snapshot ??total recall?? plus editor and librarian functions with no SysEx or 3rd party software hassles.

The new VIRUS hardware is also well-equipped to capitalize on the power of Total Integration. With 24-bit 192KHz balanced analog, S/PDIF I/O and MIDI in and out ports, the new VIRUS is well-suited for use as the main audio and MIDI I/O center for your entire rig. These functions are especially practical for the laptop studio, offering an unmatched range of features and capabilities from one product.

Additionally, a new ??Remote Mode?? allows the VIRUS hardware to become a control surface for any MIDI-capable device or software, mapping each of the 33 knobs to a specific MIDI message. TI ships with a great selection of templates and includes 32-user memories for custom controller maps. It?s a powerful addition that greatly increases the value of the synth?s studio footprint.

THE LEGENDARY SOUND OF ACCESS: EVOLVED

Of course, TI is still a VIRUS, with all the soul of its legendary predecessors, but for Total Integration, the power and performance of the synth engine have been taken to new extremes, thanks to a newly optimized core which delivers unprecedented performance. For starters, polyphony is more than doubled, to 80 voices under average conditions.

And the sound? Phenomenal! Alongside the award-winning VIRUS oscillator models, two completely new types have been added. First is the real Wavetable oscillator model. This unique algorithm can blend waves to create evolving motion or switch between them to create gritty lo-fi textures.

Also new is HyperSaw?. It taps up to 9 parallel sawtooth oscillators (plus 9 optional subs!) for colossal classic layers. The number of voices can be changed smoothly in realtime. Surprisingly, HyperSaw doesn?t require additional power or reduce your polyphony! With 9 main plus subs per voice, the VIRUS TI can play over 1800 oscillators in realtime! Now imagine Access? award winning filters, including MiniMoog cascade emulation, on raw, pulsating WaveTables or insanely fat HyperSaws. With these new features, the Virus has never sounded better!

The Mod Matrix has also been expanded to 6 sources with three destinations each (18 routings total) for greater real-time control and patch programming freedom. The new ??Knob Quantize Mode?? syncs the effect of real-time or sequenced parameter changes to a pre-selected clock interval. Changes are updated on the selected pulse and held until the next, resulting in staggered parameter movements like those produced by a step sequencer.

New and existing Virus owners will love the addition of a programmable arpeggiator! Users can create and store their own rhythmic pattern in every patch.

Enhanced with new power and resources, Multi Mode now embeds 16 patches for self-contained sounds you can tweak and transform without overwriting your singles or affecting other Multi programs. Use it to build impressive layers, splits, or poly-arps for performance or recording. A mode for use with sequencers is also provided, emulating the classic Multi which loads sounds from within the single banks.

In either case, the complete sound engine is always available to each Multi part, including dedicated delay and separate reverb fx for all 16 sounds. In effect, the full VIRUS TI single modes is replicated 16 times!

> OPTIMIZATION FROM THE GROUND UP


Besides adding great convergence and synth engine features, Total Integration is built around a major hardware platform upgrade, sporting a complete redesign inside and out.

A large white graphic display shows multiple parameters at the same time which can be edited using three Soft Knobs. Keyboard models feature an illuminated logo on the I/O panel (it looks great, and even pulses in sync with the tempo for other musicians or the audience to enjoy).

Also new in the hardware, a Tap Tempo button helps live VIRUS musicians stay in sync with drummers and turntablists using a sophisticated algorithm based on Access? SyncXtreme technology.

HOW IS IT ALL POSSIBLE?

Inside, a new Dual-DSP core delivers stellar performance with super-low latency. TI also employs studio-grade converters with 192 Khz/24-bit D/A. These are paired with +4 dB balanced inputs and outputs and a switchable ??soft limiting?? algorithm, and accompanied by S/PDIF digital stereo output and input as well. The onboard USB port is compatible with USB 2 specifications and works with USB and Hi-Speed USB devices and peripherals. For easy access to all these new jacks, the entire I/O panel of the TI desktop model can be rotated 90 degrees so the interface is on the rear panel. The 4U Rack mounting kit is also included with the desktop model.

Last but certainly not least, the onboard memory has been drastically expanded: 512 RAM patches and 2048 (rewritable) ROM patches plus space for 16 ??self-contained?? Multi Mode programs described above. All these new numbers add up to one hell of a synthesizer. Well three actually!
Technical specifications
The VIRUS TI DSPs are not only faster, they
come in pairs now. A highly effective local buss
in between the processors boosts performance
even further.

> Bigger Display

In fact, a much bigger Liquid Crystal Display,
which can show graphics (128x32 pixels). The
display shows up to 4 rows of text and graphics.
In most cases three parameters are being
displayed at the same time. As a result, there
are only 1/3 of the menu pages in comparison
to the previous VIRUS series.

> Extended Memory

512 RAM patches and 2048 ROM sounds +
16 Multi Mode slots which embed all patches
used.

> Studio Grade D/A Converters

192 Khz studio grade D/A converters (+4dB
balanced output), with optional soft limiting
algorithm. 24 bit A/D converters.

> Quicker Editing

3 edit knobs underneath the display which can
edit three parameters at the same time. The 3
soft knobs can also act as programmable and
nameable knobs for every individual patch.

> Tap Tempo

There is a dedicated Tap tempo button. The tap
tempo algorithm used is based on SyncXtreme,
Access? acclaimed tempo sync algorithm introduced
last year for the VIRUS C series.

> Digital I/O and USB

The VIRUS TI comes with SP/DIF (44.1khz/
48khz) digital I/O as standard. The USB port is
compatible with the USB 2.0 Specification and
works with USB and Hi-Speed USB systems,
peripherals and cables. Read more about the
USB Audio/MIDI integration on the next page.

> Better Overview

New front panel layout with redesigned sections
and SHIFT button for easy access to even
more parameters through the front panel.

> Simplified User Interface

EXIT button for easier navigation (EXIT gets out
of a menu back on the play page)

> Quicker Mod Matrix Navigation

Dedicated buttons to scroll through the Mod
matrix slots and destinations

> Painless rack mounting

The entire I/O board can be rotated by 90
degrees which makes rack-mounting the
VIRUS much more fun. Instead of having to
find special jack plugs or waste loads of rack
space, simply turn the whole I/O section and
voil?! - all the sockets are at the back of the
rack mounted VIRUS TI Desktop. (VIRUS TI
Desktop only)

> Illuminated Logo

Illuminated Access Logo on the rear of the
VIRUS TI Keyboard and VIRUS TI P?LAR
(=VIRUS Indigo successor). The logo pulsates
in standby mode, and can be statically on
during normal operation or pulsate to the
tempo (like the tempo LED) which is especially
nice for those drummers used to playing to a
visual tempo source.

> Rack-mounting kit included

Rack mount kit included (user can replace
wooden side panels with rack ears). (VIRUS
Desktop only)
I/O CONFIGURATION
All connections to the outer world have been
drastically improved
? 6 Symmetrical outs with +4dB studio level
? Optional Soft Limiting for every output
? 192 Khz/24bit D/A converters
? 2 Inputs with 24-bit A/D converters
? 4 different input sensitivities
? USB for audio, midi and data connection
? S/PDIF In/Out for Digital I/O.
? Dedicated headphone out.
For more information, please visit this products webpage.

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Suggested retail price: ?2,349.99

[MARKEG]

oh lord

i have the virus b but this just looks breathless. of most interest to me was the hypersaw (oobviously), the quick usb connection (woooooooo no more feckin midi box) and this:

'Changes are updated on the selected pulse and held until the next, resulting in staggered parameter movements like those produced by a step sequencer.'

holy cow this sounds interesting. TOOOOOOOO exciting for me on a sunday morning :) :)

[cascade]

ohh gawd, ive just bought a virus c.
the new ones look immmence, mostly interrested in the usb connection making life easier for computer audio users like dance producers. cuts lots of hassel out of the recoridng stages.

im guessing these new synths are gonna be ****ing expensive then.
:roll:
anyone got prices ?

[dj vorny]

this is a pic of the T.I. indigo replacement "Polar" :clap: :clap:

[EmotionComplex]

good god :love:

(gets credit card at the ready)

[Chazbloke]

i was soooo close to buying a Virus C last month, really glad i held back now!
think i read else where it will be out for Christmas :)

[EmotionComplex]

Access have updated now http://www.accessmusic.de/products.php4

i am genuinely very excited :lol:, might treat myself to the desktop if its here by chrimbo

[djTequila]

:love: :clap:

No no no! Not another major purchase to lust over!

:dontevengothere:

Heh - probably too rich for my blood - after getting the Powercore (with a Virus on it... :roll: )

Who knows, maybe the hardware version wouldn't be incompatible with my favourite sequencer, require a new sound card (or two or three) to work and put me through seven levels of computer tweaking hell.

Still, too late now, eh?

[Dj Sanders]

Hehe but you will have the wicked Powercore virus and the new TI :)

So basicly endless virus's running :P

Aus hardware prices are sooooooo expencive :(

Virus Keyboard Ti $4,290.00
Virus Polar Ti $5,299.00
Virus Ti Desktop $3,110.00

OUCH! :)

But still worth it!