Access is excited to announce the new Virus Total Integration (TI) line of synthesizers, leading the world in a completely new direction with musical instrument and pro-audio convergence. Total integration uses innovative technology to greatly expand the Virus Synthesizer, resulting in an advanced stage/standalone instrument, while simultaneously extending the product capabilities with a suite of compelling studio integration features. Learn More...
Call for 4 payments!









8 out of 10








9 out of 10








8 out of 10








7 out of 10








8 out of 10








8 out of 10








8 out of 10








8 out of 10








1 out of 10








5 out of 10








1 out of 10








1 out of 10








1 out of 10








1 out of 10








7 out of 10








1 out of 10Feature:
It had a decent feature set but does not really compare to a software synth. The fact that my instrument is now no longer working I wish I would have purchased a software synth.
Quality:
It is now un-repairable and there is no support from Access. It lasted a few years. Was in the shop (the North American authorized repair shop) for just under a year. The repair bill was approx. 500 US dollars and I receieved back a bunch of parts I did not need and a broken synth. Wish I would have bought a software synth a laptop and a midi controller for the same amount. At least two of the three would still work. I still have a Juno 106 in the basement from the 80's and it works like a charm. These products are supposed to last beyond a couple of years.
Value:
These products are supposed to last beyond a couple of years.
Desirability:
I will never purchase an Access product again. I have had great experiences with Fender, Roland, Native Instruments, Emagic/Apple, Fatar and Digidesign in the past. This is the first sour experience I have had with gear.
Sound:
Sounded great when it worked. It is now un-repairable and there is no support from Access.
Ease of Use:
It has a good quality when it worked. All of the controls are on the surface but most soft synths have surpassed this by now. I would prefer to buy a power book and a suite on Native Instruments software synths and a high quality midi controller.
Support:
Horrible. This is the single worst consumer experience that I have ever had, bar none. The authorized repair shop was horrible I would have to call them once a month to get status and they would always have nothing for me. Until I finally pulled the plug and received a bill for 400-. Wow.
Overall:
I was pretty psyched when I first purchased this product. The feel of the instrument was impressive and I enjoyed having the freedom that a multitimberal synth can give you. Now my laptop can handle tons of software synths and it is a pain bouncing the midi tracks.
But most importantly, the instrument is now un-repairable and there is no support from Access. It lasted a few years. Was in the shop (the North American authorized repair shop) for just under a year. The repair bill was approx. 500 US dollars and I receieved back a bunch of parts I did not need and a broken synth. Wish I would have bought a software synth a laptop and a midi controller for the same amount.
yes
no









10 out of 10








10 out of 10








9 out of 10








9 out of 10








10 out of 10








10 out of 10








9 out of 10








10 out of 10Feature:
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.
yes
no









10 out of 10








10 out of 10








10 out of 10








10 out of 10








10 out of 10








10 out of 10








8 out of 10








9 out of 10Feature:
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+
yes
no









10 out of 10








9 out of 10








10 out of 10








9 out of 10








10 out of 10








10 out of 10








10 out of 10Feature:
...except a sequencer. But marry this to any computer, DAW ready or not, and any sequencer [lets face it, if you're buying one of these, you probably already own a sequencer of some sort]and it integrates perfectly. Drops a point for the lack of sequencer, regains a point for the presently unique computer integration.
Quality:
Made of stone. Substantial, feels like an item of quality.
Value:
You get your money's worth. If you can afford the high asking price, then it's probably the best example of its type available today. No other synth offers the TI integration or the amazing polyphony.
Desirability:
If I had a dollar for every time a forum post mentioned wanting a Virus, then I could afford .. a Virus!
Sound:
Whichever synth you buy, it will at some point be compared to this by someone. Not just useful for uptempo dance music, capable of the full palette of sounds. Subtractive, aftertouch, 2 filters, 4 oscs, wavetable, FM, PWM, effects, envelopes. The full featureset except..
Support:
Frequent updates [monthly at the moment!] each with improving featuresets and resolved bug issues. Historically, a company with good support and very active forum members.
Overall:
Not quite perfect, but then near enough for me.
yes
no