Wow the virus really isn't that special after all.

[Robmobius]

[
Is Hive not generally considered to be a Virus replacement?

By who?

[4damind]

But there is also the unison implementation or Hypersaw stuff, the filters, envelopes and all this things.

Is Hive not generally considered to be a Virus replacement? I thought that's what Urs was going for. I mention it now because I think it does all these things, no?

Eric, I don't know a lot about the idea behind Hive... I think more it's the idea to have a easy to use EDM synth and something with more features/modern design compared to Sylenth.
Sylenth has a very big user base on the other side there is not so much development the last time (ok, there is no development ) Spire plays a bit in this ballpark but there is always place for something new/different but with a focus to EDM/Trance and similar styles and so the wish for a more modern sounding and easy to use synth.

[Robmobius]

VA stuff is for kids.

And some of those kids include (I only picked a few there's loads more on the Access site):

The Prodigy, Gary Numan, Depech Mode, Chemical Brothers, Eric Persing, Massive Attack, Pet Shop Boys (ugh!), Nine Inch Nails (also ugh!), Crystal Method, Dr. Dre, Jean Michel Jarre, Skinny Puppy, Optical, Matrix.

Two more kids who never made it to the top at all.
Danny Elfman, Hanz Zimmer.

But I'm sure you'd be able to explain to them, just how bad the Virus is, and that how it's done absolutely nothing for their careers.

[goldenanalog]

Access was always going for "modern" when they designed the Virus.

True! Back when the Virus A came out, a virtual analog that had 12 voices polyphony and 16 voices multimbral was unheard of. People were completely blown away that we could finally make music with nothing more than a Virus and a sampler. I think the Access succeeded more because of this than because of its actual sound, and then everyone using it caused its signature sound to eventually become something that people sought out.

Not exactly -

I believe that the original Virus (now referred to as the: Virus 'A' -a moniker that was attached after the fact) was indeed marketed as a virtual emulation of specifically SCI's Prophet - like Nord's Lead - but: Virus A's original spec was 8-note polyphony, not 12 - that came with an updated OS -

Virus B: 24 voice w/a 3rd osc -
Virus C: 32 voice
Virus TI: 80-100 (which is a garbage spec IMHO - in practice: sometimes a lot less)
Virus TI2: 100-120 (ditto)

The reason why it has a unique sound is really because of the engine's depth - the platform has been through many revisions at this point - there's a lot to play with in the TI -

[zeusweiler]

I was the same when I first got my TI. I agree with an earlier comment in the thread,give it time and you will see it's quite special.
I've even contemplated selling mine a while back and replacing it with spire. Which is in my opinion the best sounding Softsynth in existence at the moment, in regards to oscillators, filters, envelopes and effects in a full package sense and how everything interacts with each other. It's quite complete for its intended edm style purposes.
Hive is good, but it can't compete with spire, or virus in my personal opinion on effects. The phaser in spire sounds very close to the virus one which is stunning. it's my fav thing in it. And the distortion in spire are also on a similar note very nice.
If spire wasn't released I wouldn't even consider letting the virus go. I actually prefer some sounds in spire. envelopes are snappier in spire than virus. and the eq is really nice in spire along with the compressor, it's quick to dial in and sounds great.There are more design options in spire with the stepper etc. I'm starting to realise it's a great compliment to a similar style synth like the virus for producing not a replacement. The filters sound good also.
To me diva sounds analog, on the other hand spire and virus sound digital and sometimes I need digital.

I agree the reverb is good also on the virus and the eq is fantastic. and very musical, even when maxed out.
Diva has the best supersaw in my opinion I love how it detunes. But it lacks decent effects and eq if you want to use it for a virus alternative, they sound nothing alike though. I haven't found individual plugins to replace fx on the virus.
I love the combination of diva's digital oscillators, and those amazing analog envelopes, and how they react with the filters.
Spire is really sharp,and crisp, large even,sounding.

The thing I'm starting to love about the virus is it kind of forces you to render which in my opinion makes you produce better sounding tracks, and try stuff you wouldn't normally with plugins. although they are easier to manage in a project, I get lazy and uninspired with plugins and reach for presets rather than trying to program.
I've ditched 90% of my software to concentrate on using mainly the virus. I'm programming all my bass, pad and lead presets from plugins in it, which is teaching me allot about it and programming in general.
I'm glad I've bought it now, and don't feel ill get rid of it anytime soon.I agree I was underwhelmed by the presets of it when I first got it which was a bit off putting. but I guess you buy a synth like that to program not surf libraries.
Admittedly depending on what your doing you need a soft synth like massive (one of the synths I ditched although I quite liked it I never completely gelled with it), or serum which is my next purchase for certain basses etc.
I feel lighter now I've cleared out and more inspired to produce again.
Just my absolute personal opinions and preference. Allot of softsynths to me sound bloated and have something missing filter or fx wise for me.The virus and spire have allot of sweet spots in allot of areas and I don't find myself doubting my patch design so much. I am starting to love it. The digital distortion in the virus is fantastic. Diva's chorus sounds special also its the one effect i love on Diva. Just my thoughts in a producing sense not playing live.

[goldenanalog]

...spire, which is in my opinion the best sounding Softsynth in existence at the moment in regards to oscillators, filters, envelopes and effects.

Agreed.

[Robmobius]

...spire, which is in my opinion the best sounding Softsynth in existence at the moment in regards to oscillators, filters, envelopes and effects.

Agreed.

Don't think I agree with that...

Although Spire is a great vst for sure and it's definitely in my top ten. Very nice distortion algos in the FX section. Actually, the FX section is one of the best I've seen in a Soft Synth.

[zeusweiler]

i honestly think, as the virus and the jp before it, defined dance music in general or at least had a massive influence in its sound. and massive has also had a similar impact on a certain wobbly genre. spire will shape the sound of future dance music. its quite special sounding to me. never liked sylenth personally or bought it.

[zeusweiler]

...spire, which is in my opinion the best sounding Softsynth in existence at the moment in regards to oscillators, filters, envelopes and effects.

Agreed.

Don't think I agree with that...

Although Spire is a great vst for sure and it's definitely in my top ten. Very nice distortion algos in the FX section. Actually, the FX section is one of the best I've seen in a Soft Synth.

i would say it is deffo the best effect section I've heard on a soft synth, i meant to me personally its my fav vst,and IMPO sound wise theres very little missing when you combine everything and how they interact and the amount of sweet spots. but its a very genre in - spire - d sound and opinion. excuse the pun
cheers

[goldenanalog]

I think that a blanket statement could be made about all instruments, both real and synthetic: If you don't connect with it/don't draw inspiration from it, for whatever the reason, just move on - simple as that. My objective these days is simple: don't waste time.

OK: What about Novation's Ultranova instead? it comes off as both deep and capable, is quite a bit cheaper, but the trade-off is that it doesn't seem to have anywhere near the build quality and ergonomics of any of the Virus's (I really like how the A & B desktops are built -)

[Robmobius]

...spire, which is in my opinion the best sounding Softsynth in existence at the moment in regards to oscillators, filters, envelopes and effects.

Agreed.

Don't think I agree with that...

Although Spire is a great vst for sure and it's definitely in my top ten. Very nice distortion algos in the FX section. Actually, the FX section is one of the best I've seen in a Soft Synth.

i would say it is deffo the best effect section I've heard on a soft synth, i meant to me personally its my fav vst
cheers

It's definitely one of mine too... It's a very well thought out synth, and can handle a huge range of sounds. Personally, I'd prefer it to Sylenth overall. Spire is a 'next gen' synth for me anyway.

It has some very cool filters as well - Which I forgot to mention.

[zeusweiler]

I think that a blanket statement could be made about all instruments, both real and synthetic: If you don't connect with it/don't draw inspiration from it, for whatever the reason, just move on - simple as that. My objective these days is simple: don't waste time.

OK: What about Novation's Ultranova instead? it comes off as both deep and capable, is quite a bit cheaper, but the trade-off is that it doesn't seem to have anywhere near the build quality and ergonomics of any of the Virus's (I really like how the A & B desktops are built -)

i totally agree mate, I've wasted to much time on every different synth, we've all been there. they are too readily available and cheap enough to buy a ton of them. but spire for me has a great quick GUI i just click with it and the sound.

the virus, even the snow is quite a package for the money now they dropped price. using it as an effect unit for softsynths I'm not selling mine. like you say they are built like tanks .

[zeusweiler]

...spire, which is in my opinion the best sounding Softsynth in existence at the moment in regards to oscillators, filters, envelopes and effects.

Agreed.

Don't think I agree with that...

Although Spire is a great vst for sure and it's definitely in my top ten. Very nice distortion algos in the FX section. Actually, the FX section is one of the best I've seen in a Soft Synth.

i would say it is deffo the best effect section I've heard on a soft synth, i meant to me personally its my fav vst
cheers

It's definitely one of mine too... It's a very well thought out synth, and can handle a huge range of sounds. Personally, I'd prefer it to Sylenth overall. Spire is a 'next gen' synth for me anyway.

It has some very cool filters as well - Which I forgot to mention.

i agree also mate

[chk071]

Just accidentally while searching found another topic on soft synths and the Virus on KVR: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=342934 Listening to the Vengeance-Sound Virus demo in the 2nd post, i find a lot of that character, oscillators and envelope wise in Spire's sound really. At least much more than in the other sound demo posted there.

[murnau]

I have a VirusTI and compared to the latest VST instruments the Virus doing pretty well (soundwise) and the "Total Integration" is awesome anyway. I didn't regret i bought it and will have good use for it for the next years.