I'm thinking about buying an Access Virus Snow, but I have some questions

[sp33s]

This will be my first synthesizer, but I have some points of concern I would like to ask the pro's around here.


How easy is it to program the Snow without the software interface/purely by knobs? The reason I'm asking is because I'm scared in the future, when Virus has moved along, they maybe won't be updating their software for the TI series, because it will have less priority. So say in 10 years Windows 13 gets released, Access has moved up two generations, what if Access decides that making their software not Windows 13 compatible? (OK horrible example, but just to make a point ;P)

I'm just saying because I had to throw away hardware before because manufacturers were too lazy to update their sofware (screw you M-Audio and HP). So say there is no software, what is your experience in the efficiency of the hardware user interface, and how does it compare to say the rest of the TI series, which do have a lot of dedicated knobs?
As my latest keyboard is just a MIDI controller (Akai MPK49), I need to fire up my DAW to fumble on my keyboard and find some melodies. I've experienced that this somehow results in me not starting the DAW as easily as I would "find melodies" on my previous MIDI keyboard, which had some piano samples in it. I usually would fumble for 5 or 10 minutes of dead time while waiting for something, but when I have to start my DAW and set stuff up it's not happening. This is actually one of the sole reasons why I want a hardware synth. Therefore I'm wondering whether I'm able to play with the Snow via USB (I know it will work via MIDI cables) without my DAW running.


Thanks so much for everyone who took the time to read/answer my questions, and looking forward to hopefully join the family :)

[MarPabl]

I have both the Polar and the Snow so I can compare :)

With Polar there are dedicated knobs so for realtime tweaking, Polar is better. With Snow, you first select which function you'll modify and then you use the 3 soft knobs to make the editing.

I also recommend you to make a custom template for your MPK49 to get more knobs for editing. This is by far your best bet and you won't have any dependency from the Virus Control: Virus TI ReMOTE Templates v0.7 - Now with sysex (http://infekted.org/virus/showthread.php?t=30856)

[sp33s]

Oh wow so I can use my MPK49 and assign knobs to more funcionalities on my Snow? Wouldn't combining the Snow with a large enough controller result in somewhat of a Virus Desktop experience?

It sounds like an amazing idea MarPabl, I never knew this was possible. Thank you so much! Sounds like a great way of not being dependant on the Virus Control software, so I will be able to use my Snow for years to come!

[MarPabl]

Of course with clever programming of your controller, you can get a "Desktop Experience" and maybe even more :)

Indeed I have the Snow because I don't need the extra polyphony and I don't like having a bulky rack with a bulky controller (so uncomfortable, for this I prefer the Polar). The snow is perfect for the small footprint and usually I prefer controlling it just with the controller and keep to a minimum any direct interaction with the Snow. So for me the smaller, the better.

[sp33s]

Thanks for the great answers MarPabl! My second question still stands though, are you able to use the snow with your MIDI controller without having to start your DAW when the snow is connected over USB?

[Rick Boogie]

Yes, it is a hardware synth, and you can edit any parameters you wish, through the menus. You need not even own a computer to make it work.

[sp33s]

My question wasn't whether it was possible or not, but how simple it works. Thanks for taking the time to answer nonetheless :)

[MarPabl]

Yes I can easily use the Snow directly (minimum 3 simultaneous parameters to edit at once) or I can use the Snow with the Novation (more like a "Desktop experience") with several knobs, sliders to edit and little direct usage of the Snow.

Regarding ease of use, with Snow (and no controller) you may need to plan ahead which parameters you wish to edit, and then you set soft knobs to them. You can also enter the "Edit mode" so you can always select the group you want to edit. It's advisable to try "Easy mode" so you get the "most important" parameters. However, I must say that the best bet is to configure a MIDI Controller to map as many parameters as you can (need) because the many menu layers can be too deep to effectively tweak the Programs realtime. With a properly configured MIDI Controller, my usage experience is great and I have no issues to quickly tweak the Programs live, near the same experience I have with Polar. I really like the Novation keybed, and it has several knobs/sliders/buttons to map which work great for me.

There's only one thing you can't edit without the Virus Control: the user defined Arpeggiator patterns. BTW, this limitation is also present with Desktop/Polar/Keyboard versions.

And it's true that this synth and generally speaking the whole Virus models: you can use all of them without the computer and you have every single parameter and feature available, except for the Arpeggiator patterns.

[sp33s]

Luckily for me the MPK49 has a built-in arepeggiator. It all sounds great thusfar, using a controller to fake the desktop experience, just an amazing idea. Thank you so much MarPabl for your great answers. Definitely going to order the Snow now :)

[MarPabl]

Perfect! Another important thing you can so with some controllers is to split those for Multi MIDI Channel transmission. This way, you may be able to play the Multis in a more effective way, compared with the Polar/Keyboard (the keybed will just send on a single MIDI Channel)

[DarkstaR]

Some very relevant questions. I wasn't around at the time, but I think it took a long time before Access got TI working with 64-bit Windows. That left customers stranded with 32-bit Windows unless they were prepared to sacrifice the TI functionality. The good news is that it will be a *long* time before another transition like that will be necessary. While Windows 7 is artificially limited to 192GB of RAM, Windows Server 2008 R2 (basically the same product, using the same drivers as Win7) can handle up to 2TB of RAM. That's 500 times the amount of RAM a typical PC system comes with these days. The amount of RAM has only increased by about 16 times in the last decade (the first XP machines in 2001 had 128 or 256MB of RAM).

There's also the option of virtualization. Running a virtual Windows7-PC, even for realtime audio, shouldn't be a problem 10-15 years from now. Even if the CPU architecture changes radically (ie. ARM replaces x86), even emulation should be fast enough as the Virus has its own DSP processor(s). Then just route the audio into Cubase version 28 running on Windows 15, or use any of the technologies that allow you to transfer audio over a virtual Ethernet adapter or similar to get the audio out of your virtual machine.

Even if Access were to stop development of Virus Control today, there's a big and very dedicated user base. Surely someone would come up with a VST editor, and maybe even manage to reverse-engineer the protocol Virus uses to send sample-accurate audio. Heck, I have a VST editor for my JX-8P (which came out in 1985 I believe), that makes it work almost like the Virus TI (except you need a separate track for the audio).

If all else fails, it's certainly possible to program the Snow directly. It's not quite as easy as the Blofeld (nothing beats the parameter matrix), but you can quickly jump between sections with the buttons and then access three parameters at a time. I think the Snow is a great studio machine. It takes up much less space in the studio (a Desktop TI feels surprisingly big when you're used to the Blofeld, Tetra, MFB stuff etc.). You don't need dozens of knobs on a separate control surface when you're sitting at your computers anyway, and four parts is enough for studio use. Keep in mind that the Snow, just like the "full" TI is limited to three stereo pairs of USB audio. You always have the option to multitrack if that isn't enough for some reason.

[sp33s]

Hmmmm those are options I didn't even think of DarkstaR, especially its large userbase and the fact that probably some talented people will come up with some alternative VSTs and such.

I just received my Snow today by the way. Really overwhelmed by its parameters, coming from a decent understanding of Massive even. It'll take some getting used to but I'm loving it thusfar :)

[sp33s]

I think there was a small misscommunication in this thread. With USB only, am I somehow able to use my MPK49 midi controller to get audio out of the Snow WITHOUT starting a DAW, or am I forced to use MIDI cables for that?

[sp33s]

For those interested, or using search somewhere in the future. Google for VST host. MiniHost (http://www.tobybear.de/p_minihost.html) worked pretty well for me, to run Virus Control without having to fire up your DAW. Access doesn't provide a Virus Control standalone mode itself.