My Virus C sounds much better than Virus TI, need help

[msx]

Hi everybody,

i got a virus ti desktop and a virus c desktop.
love both synth, but comparing some of the same patches with 100% exactly the same configuration on both synth and mixing desk, was a litle bit dissapointing, because the virus ti sounds less powerfull.
i had to put the volume on my mixing desk to +5db to get the same volume on the virus ti (patch volume on both synths were exactly the same). on some patches even almost +10db volume to get the same volume as on virus c.
also some patches do sound much better on the virus c. the virus c sounds much 'clearer and harder and more agressive' on several patches. the virus ti sounds a bit 'blunt (much less clear)' on many patches.

i thought the virus c patches will sound the same on the virus ti, without tweaking every single patch again.
does anyone else have both synths and has made the same experience?

thanks for helping!
msx

[Timo]

Are you running the analog outputs as unbalanced (-10dB) as opposed to balanced (+4dB), or the like? And the correct cabling to suit the connection (TRS as balanced, twin core for unbalanced)? And the correct input seletion on the mixer channels?

[msx]

Hi Timo,
thanks very much for your help. well, i have to say, that virus ti is quite new to me.
unfortunately i don't really understand your questions, sorry!
how can i find out if i got unbalanced or balanced connection? didn't find anything inside the virus ti or virus control to change the outputs. do i need a special cable to the mixing desk? there's nothing written inside the manual.

i'm using analog outputs, since i don't use usb with my synths, midi connections only.

as every other hardware synth i got, i'm using the same kind of jack cables (probably unbalanced) and didn't have had any problems yet, except that differents between virus c and virus ti.
i have tested both synths with the same cable and mixer inputs and virus c is still much better.

i'm using a yamaha O2r mixing desk.

can you explain, where i do have to change anything to get my TI sounding
as good as the virus c does?

sorry for my stupid questions. thought i know much about synths, but TI seems to be quite different and complicated.

thanks in advance!
msx

[Timo]

All the previous Viruses use domestic 'unbalanced' analog outputs (-10dB), whereas the TI uses the more professional 'balanced' analog outputs (+4dB).

I don't actually have a TI (I only have an Indigo) so am not sure what the new balanced connections are like (if they are software switchable between -10dB and +4dB, like many soundcards are for example).

To make the best connection between the Virus and mixer you'd need a TRS, balanced connection for each analog output of the Virus to the mixer.

TRS = Tip Ring Sleeve. It's just a fancy way of using a cable with three wires (like what you'd normally use for a stereo connection) to transmit a balanced signal that's less prone to picking up interference/noise/hum along the way.

TS = Tip Sleeve. These are standard two-wire cables (like what you'd normally use for a mono connection) to transmit an unbalanced signal.

Usually if you use an unbalanced (TS) connection/cable on a balanced input/output the volume difference will be marked. So long as cable runs are short, and you don't have excess interference, using unbalanced should be OK, the only difference is that you'll have to boost the signal on your mixer to account for the lower signal level.

[AlexHall74]

Damn Timo, you are one smart S.O.B. I had no idea the TI outputs were balanced as compared to the legacy Virus synths. Good catch!

[msx]

hi timo,
wow, thanks so much for your detailed and helpfull explanation!
just to make sure i did understand everything fine. i can replace my current mono jack multicore cable with a stereo connection jack multicore cable and my TI will be as good (or even better as my virus c?
thanks again for your help!
Happy 2008 everybody!
cheers
msx