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Average Price: $714

High-end/Boutique

$249

$700+

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Description

Dive into the world of electronic music creation with the Access Virus A, a tabletop synthesizer that has become a staple in the DJ gear category. Recognized for its distinctive sound and versatility, this synthesizer offers a fulfilling experience for both beginners and seasoned musicians. The Virus A is renowned for its powerful sound engine, which provides access to a wide array of lush pads, aggressive leads, and intricate modulations, all housed within an intuitive interface.

What sets the Virus A apart is its robust virtual analog synthesis capabilities, which allow for complex sound design that is both rich and dynamic. With an impressive suite of oscillators, filters, and effects, this synthesizer opens up endless possibilities for creating unique sonic textures. Its seamless integration with MIDI controllers and other gear makes it an excellent choice for live performances and studio setups alike.

The Access Virus A is equipped with a user-friendly interface that facilitates easy tweaking and sound manipulation, encouraging exploration and creativity. Whether you're looking to create ambient soundscapes or high-energy electronic tracks, the Virus A delivers with precision and depth.

Key Features:

  • Virtual analog sound engine for versatile sound design
  • Multiple oscillators and filters for complex sound creation
  • Extensive modulation capabilities
  • Integrated effects including reverb, delay, and distortion
  • MIDI compatibility for seamless integration
  • Suitable for live performances and studio use
  • Intuitive user interface for easy navigation and control

Product specs

Brand Access
Model Virus A Desktop Digital Synthesizer
Finish Black / Red
Year 2000s
Categories Desktop Synths, Digital Synthesizers
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output
Polyphony 12 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Access Virus A use?

The Access Virus A is a virtual analog synthesizer, which means it uses digital processing to emulate the sound and behavior of classic analog synthesizers.

How many voices of polyphony does the Access Virus A offer?

The Access Virus A provides 12 voices of polyphony, allowing you to play multiple notes simultaneously for complex and layered sounds.

What are the main connectivity options for the Access Virus A?

The Access Virus A features MIDI input and output, enabling integration with other MIDI-compatible devices and DAWs for versatile control and sequencing.

Is the Access Virus A suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Access Virus A is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build, intuitive interface, and ability to produce a wide range of sounds that can be easily tweaked in real-time.

Can the Access Virus A be used for creating electronic music genres?

Absolutely, the Access Virus A is highly regarded for its capability to produce a variety of sounds ideal for electronic music genres, including techno, trance, and ambient, thanks to its powerful sound engine and modulation options.

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional build quality, firm and smooth potentiometers

  • 16 multitimbral parts offer vast composition flexibility

  • 12-voice polyphony enriches sound layering

  • Versatile with 3 stereo outputs for complex setups

  • Unique character with crunchy 12bit converters

  • Excellent for analogue emulation; sounds better than many VSTis

  • Quick, intuitive sound design with ample control options

  • Built-in effects, vocoder, and external input expand creative possibilities

  • Factory presets are impressively usable

  • Can create monophonic monsters in unison mode

CONS

  • Only 12 voices may limit polyphonic capabilities

  • Two oscillators might be insufficient for some users

  • Workflow involves menu diving, despite numerous controls

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Access Virus A.

Features and functionality

  • Virus synthesizers offer deep arpeggiator options, which can also be used to trigger external synths like the Juno 106.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Virus TI's new features make it a significant upgrade over the Virus C, particularly in sound design capabilities.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Heat issues can lead to failure in Virus TI and TI2 models, often due to power supply and DSP overload.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Access Virus is revered for its multitimbrality and polyphony, making it popular in live performances across various genres.

    Source

User experience

  • The Virus user guide is praised as a comprehensive book on synth programming, offering valuable insights beyond typical manuals.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Total integration with DAWs like Cubase is a standout feature of the Virus TI2, enhancing its studio application.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jimiuno

Awesome

virtual Analogue module that can emulate all of the classics, semi modular internal routing, 2 oscillators, bult in effects, multi outs, vocoder, external input. This is my weapon of choice for any analogue sounds as it sounds much better and more distinctive than any vsti.

Sound design is quick an intuitive although there are several menus inside the hood even though this has a serious amount of knobs and buttons.

michael_barakat

Highly Versatile and gigable - cheap too.

No, it's not truly analogue, but it sounds really spectacular. Lots of filtering, modulation and effects options. The most versatile synth for the money. Build quality is excellent - potentiometers are firm and smooth. Lots of knobs for easy on the fly augmentation of sounds. The factory presets are quite usable. It's a two oscillator synth, which might not be enough beef for some people, but I rarely use a three oscillator sound accept for leads. Oh right... if that's a problem try it in unison mode and stack 3 or four layers on top of one another... boom you've got monophonic monster. The only downside is it's only got 16 voices. So, if you're planning on using it for more than a couple of polyphonic instruments you may have some problems.

O

The beast that started it all.

I just can't get enough of the Virus and it's workflow, the 12bits convertors are a +1 for a crunchy sound ;) 24+ yo instrument and still can get killer sounds out of it.

shok
shok

1493

Prototype model of the A

One of the first people to have one. Experimental Beta software onboard.

alpha

My first virus. A classic.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Armin Van Buuren uses Access Virus A

Armin Van Buuren

Music Producer

Major League

...
Verified via Twitter

"with a virus A, jx8p, jv2080 and S3000. long story short, some tunes just 'happen' the best ones usually in two or three hours"

See how Adam Jones uses Access Virus A

Adam Jones

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Tool

...
Verified via YouTube

There is a close up shot of Adam Jones' Access Virus Synthesizer at 2:26 used with his Roland PK5

See how Richard Zven Kruspe uses Access Virus A

Richard Zven Kruspe

Guitarist

Rammstein

...
Verified via reverb.com

Exclusive gear from the private collection of Richard Z. Kruspe. Has been played live or in the studio with Rammstein and Emigrate. Every item comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by Richard himself.

See how Underworld uses Access Virus A

Underworld

Music Producer

Freur

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Underworld's Karl Hyde incorporates the Access Virus A Synthesizer Module in his studio setup, as detailed in the Sound On Sound article, "UNDERWORLD: The Making Of Everything, Everything."

See how Klaus Schulze uses Access Virus A

Klaus Schulze

Guitarist, Bassist

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via Klaus-schulze

Klaus Schulze uses five Access Virus A Synthesizer Modules, as detailed on his official instruments list on klaus-schulze.com.

See how Christian Lorenz uses Access Virus A

Christian Lorenz

Keyboardist

Rammstein

...
Verified via Photo

This picture was taken during the studio recording of Mutter. You can spot the Access Virus on the left of the picture. It was used in the lead of Ich Will and Feuer Frei, and later used in Moskau, for example.

See how Scooter uses Access Virus A

Scooter

Music Producer

Dance United

...
Verified via Facebook

Scooter utilizes the Access Virus A Synthesizer Module, as shown in their official Facebook photos.

See how Flight Facilities uses Access Virus A

Flight Facilities

Music Producer, DJ

Flight Facilities

...
Verified via Instagram

If you can stop fast enough you can see a red Access Virus A in this video :)

See how :wumpscut: uses Access Virus A

:wumpscut:

Music Producer

...
Verified via Sonic-boom

In this interview conducted in 1997, Rudy provides a current gear list.

Note: Rudy only says "Access Virus" but as this was in 1997. The Access Virus A was the only model in existence at the time.

See how Nhato uses Access Virus A

Nhato

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In this Instagram photo Nhato shows his Access Virus A synth module.

See how Rick J. Jordan uses Access Virus A

Rick J. Jordan

Keyboardist, Composer

Scooter

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video at 3:12 Rick shows Virus A in racks

See how Tinman uses Access Virus A

Tinman

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the Resident Advisor session titled "Nonneo," Tinman uses the Access Virus A Synthesizer Module.

Album Usage

The Access Virus A has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Access Virus A, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Apple Powerbook G4 Computers & Peripherals
2
Roland JD-990
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2
Yamaha DX7
Yamaha DX7 Synthesizers
2
Access Virus B
Access Virus B Tabletop Synthesizers
2
Apple Logic Pro
Apple Logic Pro DAW Software
2
Steinberg Cubase
Steinberg Cubase Music Software
2

Community setups

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