I have older Mac and PC to use the TI plugin as building patch presets and learning the Virus is way easier than using the crude user interface. Access Kemper needs to make new version to compete with Waldorf. It still blows away Waldorf sounds but needs an update.
I've bought, sold and obsessed over synthesisers since my first in 1983, (an MS20) until recently when they were all multi sampled and sold to declutter for a more simple setup. The only synth I kept was the Virus Ti2 keyboard. It does the job of so many others, sounds better to me than any I have owned ( 100s ) and the space on the right is perfect for a MacBook and an SP404 sampler. The synth detox is complete :)
Indeed wanted a Virus for a long time and bought one this week. Waldorf does a better job support and update their hardware. Maybe a company can buy out Virus from Kemper and update it? That saved Waldorf.
Sounds better than most commercial VSTs and modern analog synths. Many of the presets sound amazing and are totally usable in tracks, and with very little tweaking you can make one your own. As opposed to presets these days which are more like technical demos showing off everything the synth (or preset designer) can do - which results in an unusable sound covering far too much frequency range. This can deliver really SUTBLE sonic details. All from a ROM that is 512kb in size and a microchip that is 20 years old! Wish I'd found it back in the early 2000s.... instead of buying some horrible rack mount synths with no knobs and sub-par presets...
This synth is the reason I keep my Mac on Mojave. The VST/AU is a wonderful tool to speed up workflow. I can almost use this external synth as easy as a softsynth. But then again, treating the Virus as any other outboard gear is no problem at all. It still sounds great for all kind of sounds, even after all those years!
@@DustinHertzMusic The plugin from Mystery Islands is a nice alternative to Virus Control. Hook up your virus via MIDI and Audio and it controls it just like the TI Control plugin does. Works natively on the latest M1 Macs too!
I have the TI in 61 key and desktop versions. These synths can create most any sound imagineable. Unfortunately, the majority of the presets lean toward trance and that's the reputation it's garnered. I've been able to create many Mini Moog and Memory Moog-like patches with the TIs; an entire bank, in fact. I highly doubt that in a mix anyone would be able to tell that a Mini wasn't used. Even a seasoned Moog user would have a difficult time distinguishing any differences. Perhaps in an isolated "test" the difference in the filters would be noticeable; but in a mix, I doubt it. I've also been able to program some Vangelis-like CS-80 patches that sound like his work on Bladerunner, Spiral and China. And some of my favorite TI patches are the ones I've created to sound like Tony Banks' Prophet 10 and Memory Moog, from the albums And Then There Were Three, Duke and Abacab. The similarities are uncanny. In short, the TI is a VERY powerful synth with superb sound quality and with very few limitations. One of the greatest synths of all-time, analog or digital.
thanks for this... had a TI2 keyboard for over a year and never really taken the time to explore its potential... this has totally whetted my appetite :)
A synth designed and made to sound good. Still untouched. Other more modern digital synths have tried to better it unsuccessfully; they even tried doubling processing and still stopped short 25 years later (quarter of a century!!) There is a reason why it’s stuck around for so long, top quality manufacturing and design. Only draw back is it is so deep and reason why software editor (also 3rd party software available- Mystery Islands) is useful, but guess that’s why it’s so great. You can do so much and it sounds so great! German engineering and design still the best.
even the far more expensive Waldorf Quantum does not sound as good. Wish it had update to be color OLED like the Waldorf wow that would be super awesome. Would be ideal to not need the stupid broken TI software.
Virus has the best arp type sequencer I have ever used. I use a Hapax with it for drum beats that the Virus excels at among many things like bass and pads but the arp for most things non percussion related. It can run many parts at once which is unique.
I use my TI2 Polar mostly for ambient composition. The Virus is also the king of swirling pads & gorgeous drones… but there really is no sonic territory the virus can’t do competently. I have some pretty sweet gear in my studio but nothing touches it.
Since the mod destinations are in alphabetical order, it's not as bad. After a few weeks you pretty much know everything by heart. It's a complex synth made easy to use, never had more fun before! It really makes me forget I have Ableton...
Novation SuperNova - Acces Virus TI2 - Rolland JP8080 in a layer! Onley.. in wich order would you prefere them ? Got the Novation Bass Station on bottom.. of my rack
Mine too sometimes gets overlooked but when I do spend time renewing our relationship I wonder why I've spent all that money on all those other synths, both soft and hard !
The Virus was one of my first synths. Sold it in order to go Analog. Have a room full of analog synths, but just this week got a Virus. I wasted a lot of time and money… the Virus is all you need 😍
I have Adam Szabo Viper and its near identical sounding vst.. And it has so much character and flavor next to the totally sterile transparent sounds of modern digital edm vsts
@@StarskyCarr being able to assign 16 parts and sequence 16 part tutorial video with an external hardware sequencer and record into a DAW like Logic X would be super helpful to new Virus users and owners. That is real power of synth to have 16 parts at same time each with own FX and LFO/envelopes.
@@GuitarsAndSynths yeah I used to use at least 4 voices per track. It causes a lot of latency .. or at least it did on the old PC - but an amazing piece of hardware.
Also....The sub oscillator is not available when certain combinations of oscillator one and oscillator 2 are active. Same thing with frequency modulation amount and the oscillator sync button. In essence, the sub oscillator, frequency modulation amount, and sync buttons all do very different things (or nothing at all) depending upon what mode oscillator one and two are in. I often wish I could have that sub oscillator all the time....oh well...still an awesome synth.
Got Virus C and Ti Polar.Sold them both. A company with the most famous synthesizer is not allowed to have no technical support and the whole system crashes when connected to the Usb (tested with both Windows and Imac million times).I agree it has unique sound and color but maybe 2012 was more impressive. Nowdays Vst's doing everything and much easier and of course there are plenty of options from synths with good prices and very respectable sound. Thanks for the nice review and the video! 😊
I've wanted one since early 2000. Never bought one despite having bought probably 20 others. I never seem to pull the trigger when it turns up in the ads. Maybe it's all the "it's so much menu diving" scare. I like my synths immediate. Now I want a new master synth/keyboard.. The ugly, but great sounding knob-per-function (well, almost) System-8 or the beautiful "menu-diving" Virus TI.. 🤔🤔🤔
@@josephramone5805 Have you had any issues with the mod wheel acting up on the 61 keys...???? I have read ( I am really researching the Virus Ti2 61 ) that several other owners have stated they had problems with the mod wheel, saying it is in the firmware, not the hardware, and since no updates are forthcoming, the problem will be permanent... Please. Your thoughts. Would you suggest this for purchase???
I own a ti2 and would definitely not call it a 3 LFO synth. LFO 1 and 2 have extensive options for destinations, but LFO3 just has two; pitch and if memory serves sync. Lfo3 is completely useless for anything other than a delayed vibrato.
The virus is still an extraordinary synth. The analog emulation is pretty good out of the engine even though it's years old tech. But the factory patches are about as crap as they get. The presets cause the synth sound ugly and brittle. You have to spend alot of time to know it's boundaries. But I have managed to get it to sound like a Minimoog, Taurus pedal, cs80, vcs3, an amazing phazered jarre eminent, not just supersaw it most certainly isn't.
Well said mate. I have just got my TI2 and I do not want to use any of the factory patches, I only want to make my own, do you know of any good online tutorials to help me out? Thanks
@@DMS198526 I am very experienced in synth programming so I just played around with everything. One thing that is hidden is how the eq settings can bring the sound upfront. The chorus also can act as a flanger too. But to get the best I found using the vst programming to be fast. But VC adds a lag so get the mystery Island vst editor and use straight analog outs.
@@pauljeavons8878 thanks Paul. Yes I’ve seen mystery island VST and will be getting it. At the monument I am currently sitting with the Ti2 on my couch loosing hours of my life diving into the rabbit hole haha it’s absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to get good with this, 6 to 8 months I think, it’s so detailed. Coming from a JP8000 it’s mind bending haha
@@DMS198526 yes I know what you mean I had the sh201 but gave it away to a family member. That synth sounds good but does not carry the level of weight. Rather like MP3 sounds with something missing in the content. There's also a hidden sound processor effect that allows incoming audio to be chopped up rather like sample slicing.
@@DMS198526 that is the real fun and power of this synth. Create blank patch and explore then save for future use. I run an older Mac OS X and plugin works fine and helps speed workflow a great deal.
The best synth I've owned and the only one I would never sell Virus Ti2. Not once hooked it up to a computer.
Me too. It's always connected via Midi
I have older Mac and PC to use the TI plugin as building patch presets and learning the Virus is way easier than using the crude user interface. Access Kemper needs to make new version to compete with Waldorf. It still blows away Waldorf sounds but needs an update.
It's the gist of my hardware ONLY setup
Your comment is exactly what I wanted to write.. and I only have the TI (mk1) keyboard version.
I've bought, sold and obsessed over synthesisers since my first in 1983, (an MS20) until recently when they were all multi sampled and sold to declutter for a more simple setup.
The only synth I kept was the Virus Ti2 keyboard. It does the job of so many others, sounds better to me than any I have owned ( 100s ) and the space on the right is perfect for a MacBook and an SP404 sampler.
The synth detox is complete :)
Indeed wanted a Virus for a long time and bought one this week. Waldorf does a better job support and update their hardware. Maybe a company can buy out Virus from Kemper and update it? That saved Waldorf.
Sounds better than most commercial VSTs and modern analog synths. Many of the presets sound amazing and are totally usable in tracks, and with very little tweaking you can make one your own. As opposed to presets these days which are more like technical demos showing off everything the synth (or preset designer) can do - which results in an unusable sound covering far too much frequency range. This can deliver really SUTBLE sonic details.
All from a ROM that is 512kb in size and a microchip that is 20 years old!
Wish I'd found it back in the early 2000s.... instead of buying some horrible rack mount synths with no knobs and sub-par presets...
This synth is the reason I keep my Mac on Mojave. The VST/AU is a wonderful tool to speed up workflow. I can almost use this external synth as easy as a softsynth. But then again, treating the Virus as any other outboard gear is no problem at all. It still sounds great for all kind of sounds, even after all those years!
They dont update for big sur, etc.??
@@joshmo9797 no, the company seems to have abandoned development.
@@DustinHertzMusic The plugin from Mystery Islands is a nice alternative to Virus Control. Hook up your virus via MIDI and Audio and it controls it just like the TI Control plugin does. Works natively on the latest M1 Macs too!
What does the software allow you to do that the hardware can't?
@@itslukebond thanks! In the meanwhile I got a new mac. The MI software runs like a charm now 💪🏻
Bought one to make EDM tracks and with the Elektron Rytm an unbeatable combo..
I have the TI in 61 key and desktop versions. These synths can create most any sound imagineable. Unfortunately, the majority of the presets lean toward trance and that's the reputation it's garnered.
I've been able to create many Mini Moog and Memory Moog-like patches with the TIs; an entire bank, in fact. I highly doubt that in a mix anyone would be able to tell that a Mini wasn't used. Even a seasoned Moog user would have a difficult time distinguishing any differences. Perhaps in an isolated "test" the difference in the filters would be noticeable; but in a mix, I doubt it.
I've also been able to program some Vangelis-like CS-80 patches that sound like his work on Bladerunner, Spiral and China.
And some of my favorite TI patches are the ones I've created to sound like Tony Banks' Prophet 10 and Memory Moog, from the albums And Then There Were Three, Duke and Abacab. The similarities are uncanny.
In short, the TI is a VERY powerful synth with superb sound quality and with very few limitations. One of the greatest synths of all-time, analog or digital.
thanks for this... had a TI2 keyboard for over a year and never really taken the time to explore its potential... this has totally whetted my appetite :)
Such a good breakdown of this synth. Definitely in my future
A synth designed and made to sound good. Still untouched. Other more modern digital synths have tried to better it unsuccessfully; they even tried doubling processing and still stopped short 25 years later (quarter of a century!!) There is a reason why it’s stuck around for so long, top quality manufacturing and design.
Only draw back is it is so deep and reason why software editor (also 3rd party software available- Mystery Islands) is useful, but guess that’s why it’s so great. You can do so much and it sounds so great!
German engineering and design still the best.
even the far more expensive Waldorf Quantum does not sound as good. Wish it had update to be color OLED like the Waldorf wow that would be super awesome. Would be ideal to not need the stupid broken TI software.
Access Virus Ti & Hans Zimmer = Many big scores made on it for Hollywood
Really?
@@sambritt2672 Yep. He's also a big fan of U/He Zebra
I thought for a moment I was transported to the Island on LOST :) very cool as always :)
Haha thanks.
Virus has the best arp type sequencer I have ever used. I use a Hapax with it for drum beats that the Virus excels at among many things like bass and pads but the arp for most things non percussion related. It can run many parts at once which is unique.
Just got the TI1 the sound just blows me away.
Yayyyy I've been waiting for this
Nice one.
@@StarskyCarr it's the synth that really stayed with me since 2011. I can never let go of the 16 part multi.
Super Nice Video Mate!
I use my TI2 Polar mostly for ambient composition. The Virus is also the king of swirling pads & gorgeous drones… but there really is no sonic territory the virus can’t do competently. I have some pretty sweet gear in my studio but nothing touches it.
Still have mine...and My Virus C. Looking to pair w/a Moog and a Prophet this year but not sure which. Leaning towards an OB6. Change my mind 🥴🥴
Best video about ti
Since the mod destinations are in alphabetical order, it's not as bad. After a few weeks you pretty much know everything by heart. It's a complex synth made easy to use, never had more fun before! It really makes me forget I have Ableton...
The virus, my prefered synth , in a layer with jp8080 its just wonderful
You just can't go wrong with the Virus.. it does so much.
Novation SuperNova - Acces Virus TI2 - Rolland JP8080 in a layer!
Onley.. in wich order would you prefere them ?
Got the Novation Bass Station on bottom.. of my rack
Mine too sometimes gets overlooked but when I do spend time renewing our relationship I wonder why I've spent all that money on all those other synths, both soft and hard !
The Virus was one of my first synths. Sold it in order to go Analog. Have a room full of analog synths, but just this week got a Virus. I wasted a lot of time and money… the Virus is all you need 😍
I have Adam Szabo Viper and its near identical sounding vst.. And it has so much character and flavor next to the totally sterile transparent sounds of modern digital edm vsts
I also have the Viper and I thought the same thing until I actually bought one. DSP Emulator is the way.
Great filter demo at 7:55
Thanks.
the best synth I own so far eventhough it only run on mojave ;(
A yea......I own a TI2 desktop and it's the best synth I ever owned. The hard part is multi-mode, maybe a video/tutorial about this?
Nice idea. Maybe... I've only ever used it with the TI interface tbh.
@@StarskyCarr being able to assign 16 parts and sequence 16 part tutorial video with an external hardware sequencer and record into a DAW like Logic X would be super helpful to new Virus users and owners. That is real power of synth to have 16 parts at same time each with own FX and LFO/envelopes.
@@GuitarsAndSynths yeah I used to use at least 4 voices per track. It causes a lot of latency .. or at least it did on the old PC - but an amazing piece of hardware.
Also....The sub oscillator is not available when certain combinations of oscillator one and oscillator 2 are active. Same thing with frequency modulation amount and the oscillator sync button. In essence, the sub oscillator, frequency modulation amount, and sync buttons all do very different things (or nothing at all) depending upon what mode oscillator one and two are in. I often wish I could have that sub oscillator all the time....oh well...still an awesome synth.
Got Virus C and Ti Polar.Sold them both. A company with the most famous synthesizer is not allowed to have no technical support and the whole system crashes when connected to the Usb (tested with both Windows and Imac million times).I agree it has unique sound and color but maybe 2012 was more impressive. Nowdays Vst's doing everything and much easier and of course there are plenty of options from synths with good prices and very respectable sound. Thanks for the nice review and the video! 😊
How to Microkey Air into Virus TI rack?
I've wanted one since early 2000. Never bought one despite having bought probably 20 others. I never seem to pull the trigger when it turns up in the ads.
Maybe it's all the "it's so much menu diving" scare. I like my synths immediate. Now I want a new master synth/keyboard.. The ugly, but great sounding knob-per-function (well, almost) System-8 or the beautiful "menu-diving" Virus TI.. 🤔🤔🤔
It still destroys most garbage on the market :-)
Its just a shame it's been undeveloped for the past few years.
@@StarskyCarr So frustrating but they just reworked their website and Kemper has said..."maybe in the future" 🤞🏽🤞🏽
Just got a Ti2 keyboard and totally Im in love! A remake with a new look and more modern UI would be the only reason to buy a synth again :)
Desert island synth
Can you do everything on the hardware without having to use the vst? As i know these no longer work with older OS on mac.
Yes. Nothing is hidden in the software. I own two TIs, the 61 keys and the desktop, and I never use the software.
@@josephramone5805
Have you had any issues with the mod wheel acting up on the 61 keys...???? I have read ( I am really researching the Virus Ti2 61 ) that several other owners have stated they had problems with the mod wheel, saying it is in the firmware, not the hardware, and since no updates are forthcoming, the problem will be permanent... Please. Your thoughts. Would you suggest this for purchase???
I own a ti2 and would definitely not call it a 3 LFO synth. LFO 1 and 2 have extensive options for destinations, but LFO3 just has two; pitch and if memory serves sync. Lfo3 is completely useless for anything other than a delayed vibrato.
Is this the Ti or Ti2?
The virus is still an extraordinary synth. The analog emulation is pretty good out of the engine even though it's years old tech. But the factory patches are about as crap as they get. The presets cause the synth sound ugly and brittle. You have to spend alot of time to know it's boundaries. But I have managed to get it to sound like a Minimoog, Taurus pedal, cs80, vcs3, an amazing phazered jarre eminent, not just supersaw it most certainly isn't.
Well said mate. I have just got my TI2 and I do not want to use any of the factory patches, I only want to make my own, do you know of any good online tutorials to help me out? Thanks
@@DMS198526 I am very experienced in synth programming so I just played around with everything. One thing that is hidden is how the eq settings can bring the sound upfront. The chorus also can act as a flanger too. But to get the best I found using the vst programming to be fast. But VC adds a lag so get the mystery Island vst editor and use straight analog outs.
@@pauljeavons8878 thanks Paul. Yes I’ve seen mystery island VST and will be getting it. At the monument I am currently sitting with the Ti2 on my couch loosing hours of my life diving into the rabbit hole haha it’s absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to get good with this, 6 to 8 months I think, it’s so detailed. Coming from a JP8000 it’s mind bending haha
@@DMS198526 yes I know what you mean I had the sh201 but gave it away to a family member. That synth sounds good but does not carry the level of weight. Rather like MP3 sounds with something missing in the content. There's also a hidden sound processor effect that allows incoming audio to be chopped up rather like sample slicing.
@@DMS198526 that is the real fun and power of this synth. Create blank patch and explore then save for future use. I run an older Mac OS X and plugin works fine and helps speed workflow a great deal.