Vintage Synth Explorer

Access • VIRUS C Series

VIRUS C

A brand new and ever more powerful strain of the Virus was released in 2002 to replace the entire B Series line-up. First up is the flag-ship desktop module, the Virus C. Polyphony is expanded from 24 to 32 voices! Otherwise the synth engine is virtually the same as the B series. Three oscillators, one sub osc., two independent multi-mode filters, two ADSTR envelopes, three LFOs, 16 arpeggiators, 32-band vocoder, five FM synthesis modes and 16 part multitimbrality. The C series offers an expanded mod matrix with 6 source and 9 destination slots, 98 effects, wood side panels, and more! A new 3-band EQ section is available as well as an Undo/Redo function. The operating systems can be easily upgraded via MIDI and there is a free SoundDiver Virus editor/librarian for Windows and MacOS systems available. It has been used by Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, and Max Graham.

VIRUS KC

The Virus KC, pictured above is the classy keyboard version of the Virus C. It features 61 semi-weighted keys responsive to velocity and aftertouch. It is the ultimate hands on Virus synth! There are also individual and assignable Pitch and Mod wheels. Nice wood panels and a layout that remains faithful to the module's intuitive design.

VIRUS Rack XL

The Virus Rack XL (pictured above) packs the entire Virus C into a single-unit rack-module for those of you who don't need built-in hands-on access. Limited in knobs, buttons and LEDs - but that's all. The Rack XL has all the same features and functions of the Virus C and KC versions. It even has front and rear audio inputs to process external audio through its effects, vocoder, filters, etc.

VIRUS Indigo 2

The Indigo 2 packs the same great synth engine found in the Virus C into a 'Roadster' style compact keyboard designed after the original Virus Indigo. The new Indigo 2 comes equipped with a new front-panel, a 3-octave keyboard with Aftertouch, aluminum side panels and even more blue LEDs! The Indigo 2 packs power, portability and the legendary Virus sound into an awesome looking synth! It has been used by Richard Barbieri.

Click here for a PDF comparison chart between all Virus products from 1997 through 2002.

VISITOR COMMENTS (21)

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Mark

Posted 8 days ago

Today I recieved the Virus TI for direct comparison side by side and I'm very disappointed in the sound quality of the TI. I got it cheap so I thought what the hell...The 'C' actually blows it out of the water ! An astounding difference really! The TI has 2 fundamental flaws.The sub oscillator is a joke,very thin,almost laughable!,something went wrong in the software design there....the other flaw is the headphone preamp which is TWICE as weak as the 'C' I kid you not ! ...The Virus C and the Waldorf Q for me are the most rewarding synths out there....The TI just sounds like a softsynth when the 'C' is a 'proper' synth with a monstrous sound!

Mark

Posted 8 days ago

I'm on my third KC now!I have done full circle and now realise that this is the best synth ever!Atmospheric pads to die for.Yes the JX10 is inferior and comes nowhere near as close for evolving textures! The Virus produces sounds that are new and fresh...but can also produce wonderful distorted, fuzzy Oberheim pads with ease.Forget the Matrix 12 (which I have also owned) that is an acident waiting to happen with the impossible to find CEM3374 voice chips! and the dodgy encoders that wear out...along with the vacuum Flourescent display that WILL burn out.

Charles

Posted 37 days ago

Richard is dead right--the Virus is a DEEP machine. Anyone who says it's thin or weedy simply hasn't accessed the full programming potential of this monster synth. I love the sound of both my Mini D and my Odyssey but they're both different machines from an age that has now passed. Why folks always compare analog to VA is beyond me. VA never was intended to replace analog but to broaden its musical scope, increase its variety of expression and improve its reliability. The Virus does all of this without compromising an iota of sound quality.

Richard Bates

Posted 75 days ago

Mark my man, if you think that the JX10 has a better sound than the Virus C , you really need to get your ears checked. Or better yet, learn to program your synths on a deeper level. The Virus C is only as limited as your programming skills.....No it is not a real analog like a Doepfer or older analog synths but it is far better than a JX10 or any other VA out there. It is all up to your ability to program...it is your limitations not the synth.

Mark

Posted 91 days ago

I am on my 6th Virus C. I keep trying to convince myself but up for sale it will go!.It is really just a softsynth in a box and FM8 is capable of better sounds which is free.The bass,clarity and warmth is not there compared with my Roland JX10 ...It also sounds flat and thin, even muffled I would say...Sure the JX10 is not as complex for routings but for me sound quality is more important to me and I don't get fatigued as much as with the Virus.

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