How do y'all feel about Access as a company?

[dix]

Hello.

I'm considering buying a Virus TI. I'm wondering what the overall feelings of current TI users is about Access as a company. Clearly there are still some issues to be worked out w the TI plugin integration. My question is: is do you (users) think Access up to the challenge?

Hardware is much more of a commitment than software and I don't want to get involved w yet another uncommunicative unresponsive hardware company (ua and motu are more than i can take!). As a Virus B user I always found the rate of their updates more than I needed (a good thing), but the innovative TI concept is a big undertaking.

[dr. orange]

hi dix,
I am very very disappointed about access as a company, especially their support is disappointing. even roland has a better support in my opinion. they don't answer for a long time, sometimes, they don't anwer at all. you don't get any information, and if they tell you dates, you have to add one or two months...

my advice: don't go for it unless you absolutely want a virus ti and nothing else... or if you are happy with your virus b and don't need the wavetables, stay where you are

[dix]

Thanks doc. While it sounds great, my B is collecting dust. I find I no longer have the patients for hardware synths. I'm interested in the TI for it's plugin capability.

Thanks for the input!

[dr. orange]

If you want the virus ti for the ti bit, I have to disappoint you. there are many users having problems with it, for example hanging notes, "drunk" arps and no accurate timing. there are many users here in this forum and in the mailing list using the virus as an ordinary hardware synths, so with MIDI and audio cables.

There are some synthesizers introduced by Roland with a total integration. The virus TI only supports 16 bit audio via USB, so if you do post processing etc. that IS not enough. I don't know whether Roland supports 16 bits as well though...

[dix]

What Roland plugin are you referring to?

[dr. orange]

a roland jp8080 remake and another roland

and hasn't the korg radias a total integration as well?

[Timo]

Everything with Access seemed absolutely great until the great TI debacle. - Whereupon there was nothing but stoney silence for the whole duration of the unreleased TI. Which, imho, stunk like a prehistoric rodent's arse.

Access had a loyal fanbase who wouldn't've minded any length of delays if only Access had been just a touch more communicative and honest with them.

I don't think relations with Access have recovered since then. Certainly in my eyes I don't see them as the same company I knew pre-TI.

I wouldn't say blas?, just stone cold. Not the auxiliaries (ie. people like BenC, he's always diplomatic and helpful despite occasionally being stuck between a rock and a hard place in being auxiliary to the company), but head office.

Hopefully the handling of any TI v2 will restore my faith.

My two cents.

[jasedee]

Access are a small company, with a huge synth... I think they are doing the best they can.

Saying that, I wouldnt go buying a TI just yet. I would hold off for half a year or so, or maybe longer to see if the price will drop. In any case, I am still enjoying my Virus C too much to part with it.

[dix]

a roland jp8080 remake and another roland

and hasn't the korg radias a total integration as well?

Maybe I should have specified I'm on a Mac. I can't any info on a plugin version of either of those.

[Hollowcell]

Dr Orange is talking about the SH201. Hardware with VST intergration.

[Khazul]

a roland jp8080 remake and another roland

and hasn't the korg radias a total integration as well?

You mean the SH-201? - Its a cut down VA engine from a V-Synth - and has TI type functionality.

Dunno what the extent of TI type functionality either have - if full TI - then put it this way - I absolutely would not want all three plugged into the same computer! :)

[dr. orange]

dix: here's an example of access' policy http://www.sunesha.nu/virusforum/viewtopic.php?t=5055

I'd like to advice again that unless you absolutely want want want it and nothing else, don't go for it

[Khazul]

Doc, I understand this is deeply frustrating, but have you actually placed on order with anyone?

[dr. orange]

Doc, I understand this is deeply frustrating, but have you actually placed on order with anyone?
yes, more than three months ago, and I'm gonna cancel it now

[Khazul]

Just had a look at Turnkey in london:

Out of stock on Polar and Keyboard
Have the Desktop in stock
Have a B-Stock Desktop and Keyboard

[dr. orange]

Thanks Kazul,
when I'm back home, I'm gonna have a look at the B Stock, I cannot afford A stock...

[The girl next door]

Access are a small company, with a huge synth... I think they are doing the best they can.


I am happy with the service from Access they answer my E-mails within acouple of days...They are doing there best with the updates,we get them every 3-4 weeks(Can't complain about that).......OK,since 1.08 we had some problems but we went back to 1.07 and my Ti runs quite stable.......Losses timing now and then so we just reload the VC "saved setting" and then it runs OK again,but apart from that everything OK....
Using USB,ain't even plugged any jacks into it....Are there audio jack sockets on it?? :lol: :wink:

[Elektrobolt]

I have ALWAYS received replies from Access (never had even ONE email NOT been replied to) regarding my questions/issues (well, whatever the matter).

As "dr. orange" brought up Roland's support, I'd like to state that for as large a company that Roland is, their support has been "small company" style, which in my opinion is MUCH better than the usual "big company" one, which essentially boils down to "our business is so good, you aren't worth it".

Access Music is just like back in the old days of the Atari ST era, where they would do almost "personal favors" (meaning listening to what the community WANTS) when it came to functionality; this is a VERY RARE ability and policy for a company. Roland is almost to that level; impressive. Access is like I stated, already there! :D (IMHO)

Thanks to the guys at Access Music! (ESPECIALLY you which communicates with us here and in other forums!)

[Khazul]

I would echo that support from Access has allways been very good.

I cant think of many (actually, any!!!) companies who are bouncing support emails back and forth at 11pm on a sunday night (midnight in germany).

Re: roland I heard alot of people saying how crap their support is, similarly with Yamaha. My experiences with Roland have allways been very good, though I have only ever contacted their UK support for information (detailed midi specs that kind of thing) and generally got everything I need the next day.

Yamaha eventually respond in my experience, but dont be suprised if you have to wait a few weeks.

The worst I have come across seem to be behringer. They can be very good, or they can be unbeleivably f****** annoying, timewasting and utterly useless.

[The girl next door]

The worst I have come across seem to be behringer. They can be very good, or they can be unbeleivably f****** annoying, timewasting and utterly useless.
In my opinion,the only thing Behringer do thats any good are those Total recall Midi controllers (BCR2000 etc etc)..
Oh yeah and some fancy stickers to stick on your Music laptop..

[Khazul]

The worst I have come across seem to be behringer. They can be very good, or they can be unbeleivably f****** annoying, timewasting and utterly useless.
In my opinion,the only thing Behringer do thats any good are those Total recall Midi controllers (BCR2000 etc etc)..
Oh yeah and some fancy stickers to stick on your Music laptop..

I bought a BCR2K and a BCF2K ages ago for use with Reason - very good for the money. Later I needed a decent mixer so ended up buying the Yamaha 01x which also serves as a good mackie style DAW controller with a jog wheel etc, so after that I found I didnt end up using the BCR/BCF much. I might flog them to a DJ friend who is just started to get to grips with Reason...

The real headache was I made the mistake of getting a BCA2K - probably the most completely f****** useless heap of junk I have ever come across in my life. Behringer may be able to write embedded software for their signal processors but that sure as hell cant write reliable PC/mac software... Cant even shift the damn thing on Ebay - Grrrrr!

Its a real shame as the hardware is quite well designed and has some really good features for a basic standalone rig - intended to try using it again one day with the newer drivers as an audio interface for a stand-alone Reason hardware rig, but not sure if I can face the frustration of switching the thing one again and ending up in driver hell again...

[jasedee]

The worst I have come across seem to be behringer. They can be very good, or they can be unbeleivably f****** annoying, timewasting and utterly useless.
In my opinion,the only thing Behringer do thats any good are those Total recall Midi controllers (BCR2000 etc etc)..
Oh yeah and some fancy stickers to stick on your Music laptop..
The only other worthwhile thing Behringer does is their cable tester, a great and handy thing to have in a studio. Also, their headphone distribution amps do their job, and are cheap! Patch bays are cool too...

Other than that, Behringer has no place in my studio!

[Khazul]

There is one other contraption that is useful - DEQ2496 - makes for a really useful RTA/Metering box :)

Actually it does all sorts of other stuff, but other than its meters, its main role for me is protecting my speakers and ears from TI death screaches :)


I have actually mastered stuff on it in the past - suprisingly I thought it was better than many plugins I have used (caveat is that I have found most plugins to be crap).

[djbrownie]

Not sure where you all live or how BAD you really need a Virus TI but i work for GUITAR CENTER over here in the US and there are plenty of Virus TI's available, we have 170 stores to choose from, i have 2 regular 61 key TI's and 3 desktops at my location, i have sold all the Polar's but there are plenty elsewhere, let me know if anybody wants one shipping.

$2595.99 61
$2595.99 Polar
1895.99 Desktop
cheers Chris





Doc, I understand this is deeply frustrating, but have you actually placed on order with anyone?
yes, more than three months ago, and I'm gonna cancel it now

[Khazul]

Not sure where you all live or how BAD you really need a Virus TI but i work for GUITAR CENTER over here in the US

Not seen many GCs around here - We're beyond he edge of your known world across the sea :)

[djbrownie]

BTW,
I bought a POLAR myself, and i must say, i was having random arps, and irrattic behavior when running as a plugin but after making a few buffer setting adjustments in Logic and updating to 1.09 i now have this thing running like a charm, this thing is SICK!
CB


Not sure where you all live or how BAD you really need a Virus TI but i work for GUITAR CENTER over here in the US and there are plenty of Virus TI's available, we have 170 stores to choose from, i have 2 regular 61 key TI's and 3 desktops at my location, i have sold all the Polar's but there are plenty elsewhere, let me know if anybody wants one shipping.

$2595.99 61
$2595.99 Polar
1895.99 Desktop
cheers Chris





Doc, I understand this is deeply frustrating, but have you actually placed on order with anyone?
yes, more than three months ago, and I'm gonna cancel it now

[djbrownie]

Like i said, how bad do you really want one, we do have a mail system over here, i mean ups, Fedex,USPS they all ship over seas.



Not seen many GCs around here - We're beyond he edge of your known world across the sea :)[/quote]

[dix]

Hey, thanks everyone for these thoughtful replies. Even though the warm and fuzzy feelings are winning by a wide margin I've decided to wait at least until the DP compatible version is ready and working before I jump in.

It's the "stoney cold silence" factor that makes me think adding Access to my list of must-have hardware companies may not be a good idea. The reason I started looking at the Virus TI in the first place was that, since UA has caught a bad case of the stoney-cold-silences in regards to a uad-1 PCIe card, I was looking for ways to off-load cpu cycles and stretch out the life of my current Mac. The last thing I need is yet another communication-challenged relationship in my life. ....let's see what happens w 1.1.