sequencing the virus

[Innovine]

Hey all,
First post on the forum, and I would just like to say hello. I'm considering buying a virus as my first decent hardware synth and am wondering what you guys use to sequence yours?

One of the main reasons I'm interested in the virus (as opposed to a bunch of software) is to get a very powerful and capable synth with a dedicated hardware interface. I HATE using software, rooting around in menus and popup windows, I like having as much as possible in hardware right in front of me. The whole idea of multitasking makes me feel ill. I figure a bunch of you guys probably share this feeling. However, the Virus itself is only one half of the sound, the sequencer is the other...

I'm assuming some software sequencer would be required to get the most out of this machine. I already have two korg electribes (emx and esx) which are ok sequencers, but monophonic. I could use these but there are limits (hard quantization, recording CCs and pattern/bank switching messages all pretty limited). I'll mostly be making jungle/drum and bass style music, perhaps some ambient and mellow techno aswell, and I require my sequencer to be very hands-on. Any discussion around sequencing would be of huge interest as I will probably start crying if I drop a lot of cash on the virus just to find that I am still staring at my computer using a mouse all the time.

I'm also wondering if there is much of a reason to get a Virus TI over a Virus C if I am mostly going to use a hardware sequencer. Sending audio to a computer via usb sounds ok for adding vsts

[mitchiemasha]

using the virus control combines the power of hardware and software. Now I have this set up I never touvh any of my other hardware. TI all the way.

[Innovine]

and what sequencer are you using?

[NearTao]

If you want to stick with hardware for sequencing, you could always go for an Akai MPC or Roland MV. I'm running an MPC 1000 with JJOS, a Korg Kaoss Pad 2 and a (shortly) Virus TI.

This will get you a great hardware sequencer, a good sampler, an excellent synth and some extra fx that can be patched in and sequenced as necessary.

Personally, if you don't like mucking around with VSTs on the computer with a software sequencer now, I don't think that a software sequencer with a TI is going to make you that much happier.

Good Luck!

[Innovine]

Looks like I can get a hold of an e-mu command station. I've heard very good things about them. This'll hopefully work as my main sequencer. It'd be nice to skip the computer entirely (perhaps just send the audio through it and process with some vsts) so I guess I will not bother with the TI.

[mildheadwound]

~ has done little more then leave a bad taste in my mouth. All the 'best', (most hands on), ones are no longer manufactured, difficult to get hold of or painfully expensive,(Damn you GenoQ!). Currently i'm using a future retro Revolution to sequence. Which is great. But only one midi channel great. The guy above is right, the MPC's are supposed to work well, and have 16 channels midi sequencing, but frankly, they're too big and not the way i like to make music. The yamaha Tenori-oh has 16 channels of midi, and is supposed to be a creative and wicked sequencer, but it lacks pressure options. I like working with the multi mode on the virus, so much more then the VST, (for both sound and dynamics), that i grabbed a midi merger so i could just plug different midi instruments into it at the same time. 'Even synced one port up to my computer so i can trigger from it's usb port. But, in my opinion, nothing beats the sound and feel of hardware. So i keep looking . . . Maybe just 15 more Revolutions?

[kuniklo]

If you want to stick with hardware for sequencing, you could always go for an Akai MPC or Roland MV. I'm running an MPC 1000 with JJOS, a Korg Kaoss Pad 2 and a (shortly) Virus TI.
MPC 1000 with JJOS 2xl and a TI is a great combo.

An E-Mu Command Station is another good option, although I prefer the MPC overall.

[annikk.exe]

The Virus TI is imho aimed at people who very much like their software, but want an external, proper tactile interface to work with rather than using a softsynth.

If you're desperate to avoid using the computer for everything, this maybe isn't the synth for you.. :/

I am about to learn how to use Cubase and I will be sequencing in that. DAW arrives this week, i hope, i hope...


-Annikk

[kuniklo]

The Virus TI is imho aimed at people who very much like their software, but want an external, proper tactile interface to work with rather than using a softsynth.
It makes a great standalone hardware synth too. Having dedicated effects per part and a large voice count means you get a huge amount of sound out of a very compact package, with no need for external effects etc. I consider my MPC+TI combo a pretty complete live/jamming rig.

I've never been able to get the TI plugin to run with stable timing so I don't even use it for anything except backups.

[Doc Jones]

Ableton Live

[synthfiend]

i was having troubles with VC and timing until i started to use my brand new laptop.
I think you need quite a powerfull PC with a clean install of XP and no antivirus etc for things to work nicely with VC.

[glenn303]

You can probably get a good deal on a used Yamaha RM1X.
Always worked great for me.`

[trance gate]

Hi!,
I'm thinking about the mpc+virus ti duo too. Currently I've got 6midi channels from the monomachine but no hardware sampling so the mpc1000 would be a great addon.

It's a pity all the mpc demos at youtube etc are about making beatz, bling bling, bang bang and so on.

Whatever, after paying the money for the ti|2 desktop, I'd have to wait for a couple of months to save for the mpc.

Cheers!

[Prime NL]

Right now i use a genoQs Nemo for sequencing with my TI Snow....but i used a MPC 2000XL before that and this worked great even though i don't create HipHop BlingBlang music... :D

[trance gate]

Hi Prime,
Do you like the genoQ? I knew about its bigger brother but not this one. It looks very intuitive and attractive (bling bling! hahaha). Can you sequence chords on it? Don't you miss any kind of screen on it?


Nice looking machine!

Cheers!!!

edit: I see:
Polyphonic steps, of up to 7 notes (chords or multi-trigger)

[Prime NL]

I really like the Nemo...it is quite an intuitive machine.

Within no time i was creating great sequences even though the Nemo doesn't have any display to work with.

Before I bought it, I was concerned about the lack of this LCD display,
but oddly the machine forced me to be more creative because of this.

The clever arrangement of the tactile ball bearing buttons combined with the multi-color LED chase lights and the 4 track page setup brings out a natural workflow in my music arrangement.

All in all a great machine and a joy to play with...hopefully i can create a Tube movie soon to show it how it works.

[trance gate]

Thanks for the answer.
I'd have a GAS attack if it not measured 500mm long!

I'll have to save for the square shaped mpc :P

[Joey]

The virus works great by itself... I use viruscontrol really as a patch librarian and for nothing else, as I don't really like using VST stuff.

I also dont make use of multitimbrality in any of my gear, so that could probably be why its not an issue for me

[trance gate]

Hi Joey!
I completely understand people like you who feel ok working with a DAW and some kind of hardware or without it.
But then there are people like me who spend 9 hours a day in front of a screen (two in my case) and just don't want to spend any more with them when we arrive home.
So... We all agree that it's impossible to be as flexible as a DAW on the hardware side, but sometimes hardware wins the match.
Have you tried korg emx1, elektron monomachine or spectralis?
I'll never feel the same feeling putting notes on one of those three machines than doing the same on live, reason, pro tools or whatever.
Believe me, I've tried and tried but it just don't work for me. And I'm not alone ;)

Cheers!

[Ceri JC]

Have you tried korg emx1, elektron monomachine or spectralis?
I'll never feel the same feeling putting notes on one of those three machines than doing the same on live, reason, pro tools or whatever.
Believe me, I've tried and tried but it just don't work for me. And I'm not alone ;)

Cheers!

I agree with you about the importance of the interface. Personally, I'd be happiest doing patch design/management in VC and then actually writing/playing the Virus tracks on another bit of gear.

I have the ESX-1 and happily accept its limitations (compared to a software equivalent) for the ease of use and tactile quality of it (as well as ease/speed of doing "live" improvisation on it). I've tried using it to sequence the Virus, but you're limited to single notes and can't sequence chords (or only two notes, if you use both keyboard parts). I understand the EMX-1 has more (5?) keyboard, parts so presumably if you weren't using them for sounds, you could use them to sequence up to five note chords on the Virus. Other than doing this, is there a way of getting it to sequence chords?

Thanks.

[trance gate]

Ceri,
Sorry but it's the only way to do it.
That's why I asked about the mpc...