Software Details
Huge Voice Count
As a result of a complete hardware redesign, the heart of
the new VIRUS TI series features a dual core DSP system with a high-speed local buss. This
combo is capable of cranking out 80+ voices under average conditions. Also thanks to the
new design, we were able to improve the overall system response time (sometimes referred
to as latency) which makes the VIRUS TI Series even snappier, especially for live
musicians.
Delay and Reverb per part...
Each of the 16 parts in multimode can have it’s own,
dedicated delay and reverb. In other words, there are now 16 delays and 16 reverbs.
Wavetable oscillators
In addition to the award winning VIRUS oscillators the
VIRUS TI series introduces Wavetable oscillators. These sophisticated new oscillators put
a completely new array of sounds at your disposal. From gritty, screaming, somewhat LoFi
sounding textures to silky-smooth wave cascades - the sky is the limit. Now imagine
processing the WaveTable with Access’ self-resonating MiniMoog™ Filter...
A mixture between VIRUS oscillators and WaveTable oscillators is also possible.
HyperSaw oscillators
HyperSaw is a multi-sawtooth oscillator. With a single
parameter the user can alter the amount of parallel oscillators from 1-9, smoothly and in
realtime. You can literally add more oscillators to fatten up the sound whilst playing a
chord. The relative tuning and spread can be controlled as well. Using the highly
efficient HyperSaw engine with 9 parallel oscillators per voice (each with it’s own
parallel sub oscillator) the VIRUS TI series can calculate over 1800 oscillators in
realtime!
Programmable Arpeggiator
The VIRUS TI features a user-programmable arpeggiator.
Every single VIRUS TI patch can store it’s own arpeggiator pattern. You can build new
patterns from scratch or use one of the 64 presets as a foundation.
Refined Multi Mode
The multi mode and multi/single mode structures have been
streamlined and refined. The new Multi Mode doesn’t just reference every patch in
each of the 16 parts (as most synthesizers do); it embeds all patch data for every part.
There is no longer any need to be cautious of editing single sounds that might be used by
multi mode patches. Sounds can be tweaked and tailored to build stacks or to compliment
each other without the risk of overwriting a patch which may be used in another song or
MultiMode preset. The second new mode is the Sequencer Mode, which replaces the
Multi/Single mode from the VIRUS A-B-C series. In contrast to the new Multi Mode, it
references the patches in single mode, so you could say that it makes the VIRUS TI Series
feel like a synthesizer with 16 true single modes.
Bigger Modulation Matrix
Mod Matrix is now comprised of 6 slots; each with one
source and three destinations.
PureSemitones
PureSemitones tunes the oscillator’s semitone knob
to pure intervals. The technology, derived from Access’ PureTuning, tunes the
intervals of the semitone parameter to the nearest harmonic and therefore combines a
linear scale with intervals which are perfectly in tune. Sync sounds especially benefit
from PureSemitones.
Knob Quantise
Knob movements can be quantised to create gritty, jagged
controller movements. The parameter changes on continuous parameters will be synchronized
to the internal or external clock. A clock ratio can be selected in SmoothMode just as it
can be for the LFOs. Any parameter change is only updated on the selected beat and held
until the next beat. The result is a stepped parameter movement, as in a step sequencer or
sample and hold modules.
Hardware Details
Dual DSP system
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.
Rack-mounting kit included
Rack mount kit included (user can replace wooden side
panels with rack ears). (VIRUS Desktop only)
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.
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 voilá! - 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 PØLAR (=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.
Total Integration
What is “TI”
Overview?
TI stands for TOTAL INTEGRATION which is our new
technology to create a tight link between the user’s computer and the VIRUS.
TI is scalable to allow maximum flexibility. Everything from a simple USB based operating
system upload, to turning the VIRUS into a combined Sound Engine, VST/AU instrument,
Master Keyboard, Audio Interface and MIDI interface is possible.
From inside a sequencer host, the VIRUS looks like a VST instrument or Audio Unit. The
VIRUS TI transmits up to 4 sub-mixes (2 stereo sub-mixes) right into the VIRUS TI plug-in
which acts as a multi-channel audio instrument.
Connected to a computer, you also may use the audio and MIDI ports on your VIRUS TI to
connect it to an analog desk and MIDI interface or choose a more advanced approach... Once
connected via USB your sequencer can send it’s master output through the VIRUS’
studio grade outputs. The VIRUS input section can be used to record audio as if it were a
well-equipped soundcard. The MIDI ports turn into a MIDI interface which can talk to other
keyboards or effects.
Thanks to Access’ proprietary driver technology the VIRUS becomes the first hardware
synthesizer with sample-accuracy timing with a delay-compensated audio/MIDI connection to
your favourite software sequencer. Forget about sloppy arpeggiators and basses you
can’t decide are playing before or behind the beat.
Sound editing and management has never been easier.
The patches used in a song are stored with the song, which gives you instant total recall
without the need to record a single SysEx dump.
No configuration is needed. The plug-in searches and finds the VIRUS automatically. All
you need to do to play the VIRUS and select the VIRUS TI plug-in within your sequencer
application.
All parameters of the VIRUS show up with their real names in the automation dialogs of
compatible sequencers.
The VirusControl Plug-in
...comes as a Mac/PC VST instrument and Apple Audio Unit.
It is the VIRUS’ hub to your sequencer application. The plug-in manages your sounds
in the VIRUS as well as on the hard disk. It receives audio data from the VIRUS and
streams them into your sequencer application as if you were playing a native audio
instrument. It is a multi-channel instrument plug-in which can split the several sub-mixes
from your VIRUS TI to be independently processed and refined with additional VST plug-ins.
It also handles all relevant information for your sequencer’s automation system.
Remote Templates
Switching the VIRUS TI to Remote Controller mode enables
you to control your favourite synths and virtual instruments using the knobs. Every knob
on the front panel generates a specific MIDI message which changes the equivalent
parameter on the remoted synth. The display shows a user-definable name for every knob.
There are templates available for many soft- and hardware synthesizers. You can even
create your own templates using the VIRUS TI plug-in and store them in any of the 32
memory locations in the VIRUS.
