![]() ![]() There are MIDI In and Out sockets but no Thru (the MIDI Out can function as a soft Thru, but surely we deserve a hardware Thru on all but budget instruments?). The rear panel features no less than six audio outputs (in three stereo pairs) plus stereo external inputs. They can also transmit the MIDI controller of your choice. They can control almost any Virus parameter, which effectively means that if there's something hidden away behind the LCD that you'd like to be able to reach instantly, this is how you'd do it. Access virus patches Patch#These latter two knobs are fully user‑definable and can either be assigned individually for each Virus patch or have a global setting for use in all patches. A Volume knob, Transpose switches and two freely assignable knobs make up the rest of the controls. From left to right, there are two LFO sections, two Oscillators, a Mixer, the Filter section (with a dedicated envelope), and the output envelope. The panel is laid out logically in the manner of a traditional analogue synthesizer. To edit values for which no dedicated knob is available, two value switches and a value knob are positioned to the right of the display. The switches (27 in all) are positive, the 52 LEDs a cheery bright yellow, and the 2‑line x 16‑character backlit display clear and sharp. The 32 knobs are smooth and even, and as you turn them the results feel convincingly 'analogue'. Framed by wooden end‑panels, it's beautifully put together. It's designed as a tabletop instrument (though distributors Turnkey can supply a rack adaptor kit) and measures a neat 18.5 x 7 x 2.5 (inches). The first thing you notice about the Virus is its size - or, rather, lack of it. Now that the Virus is finally up and running, the time has come to take our long‑promised tour. But it was only a couple of weeks ago that I got hold of a major softwareupdate - version 1.51 - which awakened many slumbering features and implemented several welcome new ones. ![]() Access virus patches software#I was impressed with it at the time, despite the fact that its operating software was at an early stage, and I've been using it on a regular basis ever since. ![]() If you can cast your mind back as far as November last year, you may recall a preview of a red Virtual Analogue Synthesizer from German company Access. Offering more multitimbrality than its virtual analogue rivals, plus a combination of knobs for instant gratification and an LCD for accessing more advanced features, will the Virus leave the competition feeling a little sick? Paul Nagle finds out. ![]()
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