KVR Audio

ghostwhistler · Post by **ghostwhistler** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 4:03 pm

I'm aware that there is a vst emulation of sorts, but you have to own the firmware for the hardware synth. That is not freely nor legitimately available.

Is there anything comparable?

Tendou · Post by **Tendou** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 4:24 pm

spire

vanerio · Post by **vanerio** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 4:42 pm

Adam Szabo Viper is really close. It is win only though.

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 4:54 pm

Honestly, I think most modern plugins sound a lot better, so just look at the big wavetable plugins and pick the ones that you like best. Massive X, Dune 3, Icarus, Spire, etc. they’re all great.

Gam456 · Post by **Gam456** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:00 pm

ghostwhistler wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 4:03 pm I'm aware that there is a vst emulation of sorts, but you have to own the firmware for the hardware synth. That is not freely nor legitimately available.

Is there anything comparable?

It's an emualtion of the DSP not the Virus.
If you find the Virus TI Installer 5.1.7, you will find the firmware.

zerocrossing wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 4:54 pm Honestly, I think most modern plugins sound a lot better, so just look at the big wavetable plugins and pick the ones that you like best. Massive X, Dune 3, Icarus, Spire, etc. they’re all great.

Virus Ti still have some aliasing in certains circumstances. But it remain unique.
I have Ostirus, Spire, Rapid, Pigment, Spire, Dune, Omnisphere, Falcon,Halion and many others...
You know what? I keep the hardware.

jens · Post by **jens** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:31 pm

Gam456 wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:00 pm If you find the Virus TI Installer 5.1.7, you will find the firmware..

Well actually it's two parts - first is the DSP emulation, but the second one - OsTIrus - is an actually emulation of the instrument (and OsTIrus includes the DSP emulation).

Gam456 wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:00 pm If you find the Virus TI Installer 5.1.7, you will find the firmware..

Which can be downloaded completely legally from the offcicial source.

El°HYM · Post by **El°HYM** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 6:28 pm

Kind of bold claim that virtual analog or vintage digital is generally outplayed by 'modern' vst(i). So the Blofeld is outplayed by its software 'version' - some might agree to this and some might say the exact opposite. Maybe more a matter of taste than generalization.

Anyway, closest (like mentioned) is the DSP - emulation. Viper is surely a beautiful 'modern' take on the Virus and also goes beyond that, can highly recommend to check that one out.

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:02 pm

Not to play "devil's advocate" BUT......a hardware synth is more than just a cpu chip running DSP. Things like DA converters can play a role in the actual sound. Even in hardware synths from the same company that can share sysex patches. For instance, to my ears, A Yamaha DX21 sounds a bit smoother than a TX81Z which, (again to my ears), sounds a bit more raw and gritty. I prefer the TX81Z for that reason. I also find the same holds true for VSTi's like FM8 DiscoDSP phantom which can import those same 4op FM sysex patches. And it's why I still own a TX81Z.

But hey, that's just me......YMMV.

El°HYM · Post by **El°HYM** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:09 pm

Normally the first generation is mostly considered the smoothest, warmest. This goes from the DX - series to the Virus and funnily enough even back to the Juno 6. Which is a bold claim (of course)

Yet, there is also a bit of truth and evidence to it.

Stokely · Post by **Stokely** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:23 pm

As an aside, since I can't really answer the question, the used Virus kb (2nd gen) I had in my live rig was a dream to play. Best action and aftertouch ever. I shouldn't have sold it honestly. The sound was great too, but it's hard for me to compare all these years later to some vsts I have.

ghostwhistler · Post by **ghostwhistler** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:37 pm

jens wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:31 pm

Which can be downloaded completely legally from the offcicial source.

how? I can't see a link for firmware and signing up seems to require I provide a serial number. I don't own the hardware

ghostwhistler · Post by **ghostwhistler** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:45 pm

vanerio wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 4:42 pm Adam Szabo Viper is really close. It is win only though.

Looks reasonably priced, I will check it out thanks

jens · Post by **jens** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 8:38 pm

ghostwhistler wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:37 pm
jens wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:31 pm

Which can be downloaded completely legally from the offcicial source.
how? I can't see a link for firmware and signing up seems to require I provide a serial number. I don't own the hardware

Just click on "I don't own any Access-hardware" (or something along these lines).

Gam456 · Post by **Gam456** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 8:43 pm

ghostwhistler wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:37 pm
jens wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:31 pm

Which can be downloaded completely legally from the offcicial source.
how? I can't see a link for firmware and signing up seems to require I provide a serial number. I don't own the hardware

I don't know if they change.
Years ago only members with registered hardware was able to download the Virus isntaller.

ghostwhistler · Post by **ghostwhistler** » Sat Feb 15, 2025 8:50 pm

jens wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 8:38 pm
ghostwhistler wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:37 pm
jens wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:31 pm

Which can be downloaded completely legally from the offcicial source.
how? I can't see a link for firmware and signing up seems to require I provide a serial number. I don't own the hardware
Just click on "I don't own any Access-hardware" (or something along these lines).

Do you have a link? I can't find that

What vst sounds closest to the Virus TI?