Access Virus Indigo 2 Keyboard

New front-panel. Engine of the Virus C. 3-octave keyboard with aftertouch.

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Access Virus Indigo 2 Keyboard reviews

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48 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

2 People wrote reviews

Read all Access Virus Indigo 2 Keyboard reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"OS 6.5 is Excellent - One of the Top analogs available today."

Feature:
I really like the 6.5 OS. It's easy to navigate and if i have a little trouble I can turn to the manual to help explain something. Most useful features for me are the MOD matrix (if you can even call this a feature since most analog synths have a mod matrix), ability to see values stored with a patch (i.e. cutoff orginally at 65, when I modify it's new value is displayed to the right of orginal), and effects section. What I like about the mod matrix is you can practically modulate any parameter on the synth. And you're not limited to just the 4 standard LFO waveforms. The reverb isn't bad, but if you have a Powercore or something similar in your DAW you might want to explore that instead. Almost forgot to mention Muli mode and SoundDiver. Makes it easy to use a sequencer, Logic or Cubase with the Virus C.

Quality:
I have the Redback. No problems here. Very well constructed. I love that signature plate :)

Value:
It's worth the price. There is something very different from tweaking an acutal piece of hardware compared to a soft synth. I just don't feel the same creative feeling. Call me crazy, but I love instant access to the knobs for parameter adjustments.

Desirability:
Redback all the way. Only 500 were made so it might be difficult to find one these days. The Silver Indigo is still very nice.

Sound:
Excellent sound. I have a Motif 6 and I needed an analog synth. I decided this was a good addition to my setup. Now it's not 'true' analog compared to a Moog Voyager per say so dont' come here if that's what you're looking for. But you can still get those fat analog sounds with programming and emulate a wide variety of sounds/instruments.

Support:
Access is very prompt in their responses. I usually get an email response within 24hrs. Combine that with constant OS improvements and a huge user sound library.

Overall:
I'm really happy with this instrument. I will supplement it with other gear. Maybe that Voyager :)

Submitted: 1/31/2004

Style of Music: Ambient, Dance, Electro-instrumental

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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"A Keeper"

Feature:
If you want a modeling synth and you go the HW route you've got to have physical access to the functions from the synth itself - easily. It's what payed you paid for. Access nailed it. Menu functions are well structured, functional layout of synth and effects well-done, and plenty of knobs and bright read-outs in each section to get to what you need. I've used the I2 for a year now. The only features issue I have are niggling (seperate phone level - ouch!) or preferential (more weight on the keys, though velocity and aftertouch are good)

Quality:
1 year, on the road from the US to Europe to the Middle East - no problems, nothing loose, nothing broken. Still as solid as the day I unpacked it. You can't ask for anything more.

Value:
By now you ought to know I feel I got my money's worth. And if you can't afford the 1500-2200 for the Virus C rack to keyboard models buy the SW Virus. I've plugged my I2 into into a friend's home studio and I can hear no difference between stand-alone and mixed sound from my I2 or from his SW VC - believe me, I wanted to :-)

Desirability:
10 on the "I want it" scale. Not from sex appeal but sound appeal. Though it does look awesome in dark club all blue and shiny, I couldn't give it a 10 unless I had the Redback - crankin' sex appeal has to have that dark component of intrigue and the silver & blue of the standard I2 is just a little too angelic and innocent looking to Pump Me Up!

Sound:
I give it a 10 on sound cuz the extreme editing and morphing qualities - it's never failed to give me what I'm looking for or take me to new sound realms. I do techno/electronica and it produces great leads, wide pads and extreme sound bites. I give the presets a 8.5 - good breadth of examples to start with, a little too reverbing in some cases, somewhat weak in the percussion and too many breathy pads. But I bought to build my own unique sounds, not regurgitate presets, and for this its perfect.

Support:
Never needed physical service. I have emailed a couple of times on "how do I" questions related to effects and routing. Each time I got an accurate response within 24 hrs. Upgrades - a BIG positive point for Access. In 1yr I've added 3 OS upgrades, all easy & w/o issue. Each with some great new features. Access is constantly developing and pushing their product. Eg's - Pure Tuning in OS 6 it cool as hell, Flash to ROM in 5.5 gives more me-developed sound storage - none of which could even be done when I bought it. Add to this new presets, arpeggiator patterns, a *real* active user group sharing sound libs... plus I got to commend Access when first reviewers said the manual was too technical, too geared toward Phd's in Synthology and not the average/new user - they get Howard Scarr to write a 130 pg "Programming Analogue Synths" that is a work of love and art that all skill levels can learn from and they just post it for free on the website. That's class. Check it out even if you don't own Access products.

Overall:
Not The Best, but Of The Best. There is no The Best. The gear I keep is what add uniqueness and draws me into a creative mindset. I don't expect and don't try to produce a whole set on the I2. Still I sit down at the I2, fiddle around, hear something cool and loose an evening but gain fun and a great sound. Great gear delivers this experience repeatedly. The Indigo 2 is one of the great's.

Submitted: 9/22/2003

Style of Music: techno/electronica/drum&bass

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About This Product!
Description
Docs, Multimedia
If the original Indigo was a Virtual-Analog Roadster, this baby is a stunning Silver Speedster. The new Virus indigo-2 offers everything you need to produce high-octane sonic masterpieces in a compact package that's built for comfort and speed. The original limited edition Indigo revamped an entire industry's concept of supply and demand.

Now, equipped with a new front-panel and the engine of the Virus C, the indigo-2 is ready to do it again. Only this time, it's got a souped-up transmission: a 3-octave keyboard with aftertouch!

Ultra-coolá with aluminum side panels and even more blue LEDs, the indigo-2 packs power, portability and the legendary virus sound into a stunning presentation with the style and substance to take you anywhere and everywhereÖall by itself. And you can't imagine better handling, taking your creativity from zero to infinity in no time flat.

Features:

32-voice polyphony and 16-part multi-timbral capability

1024 programs [256 User / 768 ROM / 128 Multi]

32-voice polyphony with 16-part multi-timbral capability

1024 programs (256 User / 768 ROM / 128 Multi)

Undo/Redo/Random features to defeat 'oops' and "writer's block"

4 oscillators per voice. 3 main plus one sub [when all oscillators are in use, polyphony may decrease, but not by more than 6 voices.]

Sawtooth, variable pulse, sine, triangle + 62 additional spectral waves

FM [Frequency modulation] with or without external Input signals

2 filters selectable as lowpass, highpass, bandpass or bandreject

4 filter configurations (serial/ parallel) for up to 6 poles [36 dB]

3 LFOs with 68 LFO shapes

Loop or Envelope LFO modes with midi clock sync

2 ADSTR envelopes [T=Time]

16 independent arpeggiators with numerous arpeggiator patterns and real time parameter access/modulation including swing & note length.

98 simultaneous DSP effects:
Reverb [w. pre-delay sync to MIDI-clock]
3-Band EQ per program/part [low/hi shelf + parametric mid]
Retro Phaser [6-stage stereo phaser with 24 filter-poles
Multiple independent distortion/saturation/Lo-fi FX per voice, including multiple distortion/shaper characteristics and variable gain.
Chorus/Flanger with rate sync to midi tempo
Simple or "Groove" Delay [preset polyrhythmic patterns]
32-band advanced vocoder
Ring Modulator
Analog Boost for true vintage tonal characteristics

2 Soft Knobs, individually assignable per program

Internal master clock that drives all arpeggiators, LFOs and delay times; automatic sync to external midi clock

Advanced Modulation Matrix with 6 source and 9 destination slots.

Complete control via MIDI (CC/Polypressure/Sysex) with "Adaptive Control
Smoothing" for ultra soft parameter changes and no zippering.

MIDI Tempo sync capabilities for virtually every time-based parameter

Full 24-bit processing; 24 bit D/A, 18 bit A/D

6 individual high quality outputs

2 audio inputs to process your signals through synth filters, envelopes, FX, vocoder, FM, ring modulator, and more

Flexible "auxiliary" model of internal audio routing for processing/reprocessing internal/external signals through the synth engine and and effects of other voices

True Surround sound capabilities

Free SoundDiver Virus editor/librarian for Windows and MacOS

Easy operating system updates via MIDI

Technical Info

High quality, velocity and aftertouch capable, 37-key keyboard

Master-keyboard functions

Pitch bend, mod wheel and 2 jacks for switch/expression pedals

Bright Aluminium side panels

Extremly bright blue LEDs and LCD.

32 knobs

35 buttons

69 BLUE LEDs

Dimensions: 542 x 352 x 110 mm

Weight: 9 kg / 11.5kg w. packaging

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