Access Virus TI2

Reviews | Access Virus TI2
96
O
ver the past few years, I’ve
been lucky enough to see
various incarnations of the
Virus TI pass through my
door. Having had the original TI module
on review back in 2005 and the
wonderful Snow model about this time
last year, I’ve been able to watch over
the Virus range as it has developed and
grown. So, it’s with great interest that
I’m now able to bring you news of TI2,
which somewhat predictably manifests
as Version 2 of the TI family.
This update is both hardware and
software oriented and mostly affects the
keyboard, desktop and Polar models of
the TI range, though there are benefi ts
for Snow users too. A touch confusingly,
version 2 of the TI hardware coincides
with the release of version 3.0 of
Access’ own Virus Control software
editor. So what’s new?
Hard knocks
Dealing with the hardware fi rst, this is
the fi rst revision which sees an update
to the physical structure of the TI range
itself. The new Virus range is built from
tougher yet lighter materials, so that
both the Polar and keyboard versions of
the TI range drop in weight. The
front-panel layout is unchanged, but the
housing update means the new Viruses
are better looking and ‘cleaner’ in
appearance. They stand out a little more
and despite the fi rst TI incarnations
being built like tanks, these are even
tougher, despite their weight-loss.
Perhaps more signifi cant is the physical
transformation inside the units, as TI2
sees an update to the Virus’
motherboard, offering a 25% increase
in processing power. Rejoice, as this
means that polyphony is now increased,
which should go some way to pacifying
Virus enthusiasts’ top update request.
The printed spec suggests that up to
110 voices are now simultaneously
playable, though this is of course
reduced depending on the number of
oscillators and effects running in any
given patch.
OS3 revealed
Alongside the physical benefi ts of the
new TI range, Virus Control OS 3 has
arrived too and there are benefi ts here
for Snow and TI users. First and
foremost, upon download, you’ll be
faced with installing the software and
updating the fi rmware on your Virus if
you’re an existing user (though TI2s
will, of course, ship with OS3 installed),
the latter process taking about 15
minutes on the keyboard model I
reviewed. The principal sound-making
benefi ts of the new OS come in the
Access Virus
TI2 | £1,894
Featuring a new engine and added software features,
version 2 of the Virus’ TI range promises more thrills.
Jono Buchanan gains Access…
WHAT IS IT?
A hardware and software
update to the TI range
CONTACT
Who: Access
Tel: [phone]
Web: access-music.de
HIGHLIGHTS
1 More notes!
2 New FX sound great and
open new worlds of sonic
possibility
3 Lighter-weight keyboard
of benefi t for live users
PRICING
Virus TI2
Keyboard
£1,894
Rack
£1,427
Polar
£1,956
OS3 update:
Free
ON THE DVD
Virus fans have often
raved about their onboard
distortion effects but far
from resting on their
laurels, Access have
overhauled this section for
OS3. There are now eight
separate distortion types,
namely – Wide Distortion,
Soft Bounce, Hard
Bounce, Sine Fold,
Triangle Fold, Sawtooth
Fold, Bit Reducer and
Rate Reducer.
Additionally, Treble
Booster and High Cut
options are available to
allow for guitar-lead type
effects, or softer, less
screamy distortions
respectively. Apparently,
one of the top fi ve Virus
user requests has been
that the Virus software be
confi gured to allow for
sidechain inputs from
within a host sequencer.
OS3 delivers this, which
means that you can assign
an audio input to act as
an in-DAW feed to the
Virus itself. So, any stereo
source can be processed
through the Virus’ effects,
used as a vocoder input
signal, or shaped using
the Virus envelopes. Is
that the sound of
whooping I hear?
Distort Me Good
FMU212.rev_virus 96 3/3/09 6:41:3 pm