Access Virus TI Keyboard Integrated Modeling Synth

Feature:
I was looking at all the big screens on the other new synths on the market and yes the Ti has a small screen but it has all the information you need. PLUS I use a 19" widescreen in my studio anyways with virus control. Who is actually going to squence a full project on a 7" screen?

Quality:
Very rich looking and sounding. I love the wood... has that retro cool look. I have the Ti 61 Keyboard. The keys play very well.

Value:
It's expensive but it sounds rich. Small boutique keyboard dealers tend to have lower prices for some reason.

Desirability:
Has a hi quality look. Very cool pulsating logo on the back plate. If you're ugly it's not going to get you a date... you're just ugly with a cool synth. A lot of people do want a Virus or the Virus sound. Voted one of the best 20 synths ever. I said ever, on sonicstate.com

Sound:
Awesome sounds! If someone says soft synths can mimic the Ti - they are flat out wrong. Very very unique... even the presets sound great before tweaking. As for acoustic sounds I don't need super "authentic" acoustics. I make Industrial, Gabber, Progressive music, Trip Hop, downtempo, and Leftfield. If I need acoustic sounds I can get them from Reason, Cubase or other sequencing software.

Ease of Use:
You've got to read the owners manual... especially if you don't know syths. If not, your just twisting knobs hoping for a good sound. Even so the layout is good enough that a neophyte can get a good sound from it. But if you're going to lay down this much cash read the book. I don't care who makes it no synth is plug and play they all have their own style.

Support:
If you send these guys an email they get back to you within a day or less. YES initially they had some issues with the OS but they've made updates and killed all the minor issues. ACCESS MAKES RUNNING CHANGES WITH FREE DOWNLOADABLE UPDATES... YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT TYPE OF SUPPORT.

Overall:
I see no need to continually upgrade this board. It will last a long time. Very PC friendly, which is what you want now days.

Feature:
Endless. It has so many features. With Total integration and the controller as well as the modulation matrix, the combo mode, Hypersaw. Great for Acid sounds (techno/trance)... deep lush pads, searing leads. Can use for pop, trance, industrial, mood music.. it's got it all. Not for Rock'n Roll, get a PEK for that.

Quality:
Top notch. German made. Like a bimmer. One note, the OS is not complete, so they are still working on it. Virus will not go out of business. This is one of the hottest selling synths around. Everybody wants this and the PEK. They make an awsome combo.. Also great combo is A6, TI and Evolver Mono. It would be a wicked combo for around $6000 new. I'm looking into an A6 right now a well. But for techno trance stuff... TI is the "go to" instrument... nothing comes close.

Value:
Good value. Much better than Nord or Roland. Those are good, but not this good. Access Virus TI is the now the king of all VA synths and blows doors are soft-synths. The only advantage soft-synths have is workflow and even that is changes once Access gets Total Integratoin working without it's bugs.

Desirability:
I own it. I has some blinking gizmo's in the rear for live use and it looks nice. But better than that the KEYS FEEL soo good. Nice weight. Great response.

Sound:
IMO it's the best sounding VA out there. I own one as well as a Poly Evolver and the compliment each other well. The TI sounds are are big and lush and it's highly programmable. The arp is poweful. It's great for pads, acid (techn/trance), bass and leads. It has good routing and it's very tweekable. Compared to softsynths ... well on bad day it blows away the best soft synth.... there is aboslutely no question about it... I know, I own just about every soft-synth. Turn it up loud and feel the power. Spdif output sounds veyr clear and thick. I don't even use my softsynths anymore (accept for samples).

Ease of Use:
VA synth so you need to know MUSIC and you need to know sound. Instruments like that require a person to play the knobs as much as the keys. It' easy if you understand music and sound. And if you don't, it's great instrument to learn on.

Support:
They respond to my emails within 24 hours.

Overall:
I'll keep this until Virus releases their new synth in about 4 years. Then I'll buy that. Or I'll keep this. Who knows. For now this is the king of making acid/techno/trance music. If you combine it with let's say, a Evolver and a A6 and perhaps a Jomox drum machine, it's all you need. Other stuff I like or own. Elektron Machine Drum PEK Andromeda A6 Future Retro Revolution Jomox (anything from them is top notch) Radikal Technologies Spectralis Waldorf Q/Q+