Hello tracktion users,
further to my recent post, it appears not many are using the Virus TI with Tracktion. So, perhaps this post will help anyone considering purchasing one.
I use T2, and my existing setup was all software with a Delta 44, on an Athlon 64/nforce4 computer.
It won't seem like it at first, but this is a glowing recommendation!
The plugin loads up with the whole installer package, and it seems to go without a hitch. I downloaded the 1.07 update from the web and used that, I did'nt need the CD-Rom included with the synth [which contained version 1.0]
Load program, plug synth into USB, unplug then reconnect synth when asked, ignore the XP driver signing security warnings, and let the 'found new hardware' wizard find the 'TI synth' and 'TI midi' drivers. Similar to any P'n'P USB device, I suppose. Should have been simple, but the first two times I installed something did'nt work. The file 'VTiaudio.sys' appeared to be missing. I ignored it and carried on....
The program automatically installed the TI's operating system update on the first install attempt [took about 5 minutes from 1.0-1.07]. The synth LCD confirmed the OS update was successful. Then I started Tracktion...
The virus wasn't recognised.. neither as an input or as a VSTi. Uninstalled program, reinstalled. Suffice to say that on the third such attempt [and I cannot recall doing anything different] the virus control plugin was loaded up. On enabling it as a filter for the first time, the synth then takes about 15 minutes to 'sync patches' , which equates the RAM/ROM on the synth with the virus control plugin. I didn't recall this from the SoS review, but I went for a coffee and let it finish.
The virus control then loaded perfectly by dragging the tracktion filter called 'VIRUS Ti' onto a track, but the TI wasn't recognised as a midi input - so the synth engine was working fine but I couldn't play anything! I turned off the computer, went to work, and hit the forums....
I returned the following day full of potential troubleshooting ideas, only to find that Tracktion had found the synth and all worked perfectly! I'm guessing therefore that any problems lay within XP rather than the synth installer. Nothing like turning your computer off for 12 hours to sort out a problem...
So, what you get is a new soundcard called VIRUS TI. you have to set this as your main soundcard/ASIO driver in T2 - I'm not sure if you can use both the delta 44 and the TI side by side. No matter, my monitors are now connected to the synth outputs, and all the computer audio [DAW and windows] is routed via the synth, which is used as my default soundcard now [and for this you have to set it up in windows]. Goodbye Delta 44! [it'll appear for sale here soon....] the only disadvantage is that you have to have your synth on to hear any computer audio.
I suppose if your monitors accept two inputs you could route the Delta and the TI into the back, using the Delta 44 for windows duties only. You could also out the TI into the delta 44 inputs, but that would be a waste of the TI's superb DSP quality. The delta 44 isn't bad, but I feel the motorola DSPs sound better. My opinion only, though...
The synth is playable either without the computer on, in which case it just plays through the monitors, and this doesn't change when windows Xp is running non - DAW tasks. Once the computer is on, the LCD says "USB link established". Load up tracktion, and it falls silent. Load up the virus control plugin as a filter, and after a 2-3 second boot the synth falls into sequencer mode, which you can then play via the "virus midi" input.
Other inputs are "In 0" "In 1" and "Virus synth", which I have not yet used, but I assume are for audio routing to and from the sequencer to external gear.
The synth automatically follows tracktion's master tempo, and the plugin responds graphically to any knob movement. It also makes the effects section and the arpeggiator easy to program using the included preset patterns [or the mouse to make your own].
The sound is excellent, I guess it sounds like a virus... actually my other soft synths also sound warmer and fuller. Perhaps that's purely subjective, but I'm sure it's due to the different DSP chips outputting the sound. One thing I have noticed is that the VSTi's output volume is lower when in sequencer mode than when playing as a standalone synth, though, I'm always quietening down RMX so it doesn't overpower the TI. This may be my inexperience with the plugin setup, though.
In summary, you could see the TI as a USB 2.0 'Powercore-type' soundcard with a dedicated virus control surface and one preloaded virus synth, without the additional PoCo' effects plugins. I'm very impressed, and I'm looking forward to learning more about its inner workings.
The VSTi includes a preset browser, and there is a good selection of aftermarket patches which you load up from your hard drive '..my documents' folder. All in all, a worthy replacement for my Pro88 and my Delta 44, and once Access implement remote control of other vsti's, it'll be superb! The important thing here is that tracktion appears to sit very happily with it, and you won't have to shell out for Cubase or Logic to get it to work.
Hope this helps,
Dan.
Virus Ti and Tracktion - first reports
-
- KVRAF
- 2206 posts since 16 Apr, 2004 from between my ears
good info. thanks for posting.
one question: do you mean that you can't use the TI as a midi controller for other VSTi's? i thought it could handle that.
or did you mean something else?
one question: do you mean that you can't use the TI as a midi controller for other VSTi's? i thought it could handle that.
or did you mean something else?
-
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1185 posts since 2 Jan, 2004 from England
At the moment the virus 'remote mode' isn't enabled. When this feature comes online, then it'll have assignable templates similar to the novation x-station. At the moment I'm just using the modwheel as an automatable control.
Eventually the idea is that you could USB this into any old computer and have a soundcard, control surface, keyboard [model dependent] and audio preamp/vocoder/interface [1/4" TRS inputs] with no external cabling other than the USB and the power cords.
I really like the idea of naming knob assignments though, so the LCD screen tells me what I'm changing on the computer screen. So perhaps my LCD screen could say "Albino Cream Filter Cutoff" or something along those lines.
BTW, I forgot to mention the quality of the synth itself. Access must have thought something along these lines... "I know, we're asking £1500 quid for this, we'd better make sure that the synth is built like a brick outhouse with the best damn synth key action available, so that no user ever feels they were shortchanged by shoddy build quality"...
Really well made.
Eventually the idea is that you could USB this into any old computer and have a soundcard, control surface, keyboard [model dependent] and audio preamp/vocoder/interface [1/4" TRS inputs] with no external cabling other than the USB and the power cords.
I really like the idea of naming knob assignments though, so the LCD screen tells me what I'm changing on the computer screen. So perhaps my LCD screen could say "Albino Cream Filter Cutoff" or something along those lines.
BTW, I forgot to mention the quality of the synth itself. Access must have thought something along these lines... "I know, we're asking £1500 quid for this, we'd better make sure that the synth is built like a brick outhouse with the best damn synth key action available, so that no user ever feels they were shortchanged by shoddy build quality"...
Really well made.
11, 418th in line to the KVR throne
-
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1185 posts since 2 Jan, 2004 from England
The 'virus midi' input is just a normal Tracktion midi input. It shows up as would any midi controller, and you can play note data to any soft synth you like. You just enable it in the 'midi' settings page just as you would a Pro88 or a Radium61 or any midi controller. It's only the more involved automation parameters that aren't yet sorted.
-
- KVRAF
- 2206 posts since 16 Apr, 2004 from between my ears
ok. thanks.
how is the latency?
how is the latency?
-
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1185 posts since 2 Jan, 2004 from England
According to the ASIO control panel in Tracktion, at 48000 it's 1ms! On the virus ASIO interface, it's set at "fastest" which is 3-4ms. Anyway, when playing TI midi input to TI Virus VSTi, the latency is too little for me to notice, even on really fast note runs. I'd believe 3-4ms. I haven't yet tried it with audio in running down the USB cable aswell, though. Whatever it is I'm sure it will get even better with OS updates. Certainly USB 2.0 and the DSP chips run fast enough to shame my Delta 44, which I never bettered 5ms on...
11, 418th in line to the KVR throne
-
- KVRAF
- 2206 posts since 16 Apr, 2004 from between my ears
danbroad wrote:According to the ASIO control panel in Tracktion, at 48000 it's 1ms! On the virus ASIO interface, it's set at "fastest" which is 3-4ms. Anyway, when playing TI midi input to TI Virus VSTi, the latency is too little for me to notice, even on really fast note runs. I'd believe 3-4ms. I haven't yet tried it with audio in running down the USB cable aswell, though. Whatever it is I'm sure it will get even better with OS updates. Certainly USB 2.0 and the DSP chips run fast enough to shame my Delta 44, which I never bettered 5ms on...
thanks again. sounds good.
but i thought the TI used USB 1.1. no?
-
- KVRian
- 500 posts since 27 Nov, 2003 from Oslo, Norway
yup..JamminFool wrote: but i thought the TI used USB 1.1. no?
-
- KVRAF
- 10815 posts since 26 Nov, 2004 from UK
delta 44 will let you send a input straight to a output 
so no need to sell the delta 44 just plug it in to the input of the delta 44 & direct moniter it
if you wish
Subz
so no need to sell the delta 44 just plug it in to the input of the delta 44 & direct moniter it
if you wish
Subz
-
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1185 posts since 2 Jan, 2004 from England
Thanks, I never thought of that...
Anyway, though, all seems well with the monitors connected to the TI. The computer audio is offered through the synth, but as my synth never leaves the computer it works well. I'll be selling the delta 44 soon... [open to offers]....!
And Yes, USB 1.1, my mistake. Still, it interfaces with no appreciable latency. Then again, like I said, I tend to work monotimbrally and 1 track at a time, bouncing down as I go [a habit from when I had a slow computer], so perhaps in this way I'll never push the USB cable too hard.
I'll let you know if I encounter any problems.
Dan
Anyway, though, all seems well with the monitors connected to the TI. The computer audio is offered through the synth, but as my synth never leaves the computer it works well. I'll be selling the delta 44 soon... [open to offers]....!
And Yes, USB 1.1, my mistake. Still, it interfaces with no appreciable latency. Then again, like I said, I tend to work monotimbrally and 1 track at a time, bouncing down as I go [a habit from when I had a slow computer], so perhaps in this way I'll never push the USB cable too hard.
I'll let you know if I encounter any problems.
Dan
-
- KVRian
- 646 posts since 3 Mar, 2005 from Oslo, No(r)way
My god, dude, all those words. If I had a brand new Virus standing in my livingroom the keys I would hit isn't the pc105, u now what I mean?;)
Great info though, enjoy your virus in a hopefully blasting christmas:) And, please, just to make me even more envious, let me know how it sounds with a couple of sawtooths yanked a couple of cents each way:) Lovely, just lovely. Nothing beats a Virus.
Great info though, enjoy your virus in a hopefully blasting christmas:) And, please, just to make me even more envious, let me know how it sounds with a couple of sawtooths yanked a couple of cents each way:) Lovely, just lovely. Nothing beats a Virus.
Say YES to OpenSource Software!!
-
- KVRer
- 24 posts since 1 Apr, 2005
The Access Virus gives me serious GAS. I'm scared to go into a shop and play with a TI - my bank account would collapse into a black hole singularity. Anyway great right up.
-
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1185 posts since 2 Jan, 2004 from England
It is such a good thing, and I'm actually really enjoying playing music without the computer turned on! I'd forgotten how creative it can be just playing, not feeling the need to finish [or even start] a track.
The saws [especially ultra-thick and unison detuned] are as superb as you'd believe, but for me the really interesting bit is the wavetable oscillator and the ability to mix them with PWM and FM sources! I'm not really into tarnce, more black dog/ninja, and the TI can create some really otherworldly sounds. The delicacy of the aftertouch and the gazillion ways you can keep the sound moving using the LFO's and the filters means you can play a tune with no two notes exactly the same, just like an old analog!
I've bought this synth to complement, not compete, with my VSTi's, but the interface just invites the sort of hands-on tweaking that used to take time with the mouse. I never felt such an involvement with assignable controllers. I'm hoping that I'll spend the next 10 years learning the deepest clockwork of the synth. Earlier I spent about an hour with one preset and an RMX loop, just tweaking the sound this way and that as I went...
I actually see the TI as the ultimate piece of software, wrapped in its own interface, so for me this doesn't influence the old hard vs. soft debate. It fits into my software world very well.
By the way z0ap, I'm at work.... if I can't play it, I'll write about it!!
The saws [especially ultra-thick and unison detuned] are as superb as you'd believe, but for me the really interesting bit is the wavetable oscillator and the ability to mix them with PWM and FM sources! I'm not really into tarnce, more black dog/ninja, and the TI can create some really otherworldly sounds. The delicacy of the aftertouch and the gazillion ways you can keep the sound moving using the LFO's and the filters means you can play a tune with no two notes exactly the same, just like an old analog!
I've bought this synth to complement, not compete, with my VSTi's, but the interface just invites the sort of hands-on tweaking that used to take time with the mouse. I never felt such an involvement with assignable controllers. I'm hoping that I'll spend the next 10 years learning the deepest clockwork of the synth. Earlier I spent about an hour with one preset and an RMX loop, just tweaking the sound this way and that as I went...
I actually see the TI as the ultimate piece of software, wrapped in its own interface, so for me this doesn't influence the old hard vs. soft debate. It fits into my software world very well.
By the way z0ap, I'm at work.... if I can't play it, I'll write about it!!
-
- KVRist
- 415 posts since 14 Dec, 2004
Just got a used Virus B myself, very nice sound and audio convertors very imaculate sounding if not a touch dull, not bright. Im gonna be rockin' it ove r the new year,,,Save my self some serious $$$ too which I spent on Camel Plugs well, compared to a Ti I coulda bought a Car!!
-
- KVRian
- 500 posts since 27 Nov, 2003 from Oslo, Norway
Hello danbroad!
I got myself the same combo. May I ask how you work with it multitimbraly in Tracktion?
I cant seem to figure it out!
I mean seperate sounds on seperate tracks. You can have 16 in all from Ti in sequencer mode.
I got myself the same combo. May I ask how you work with it multitimbraly in Tracktion?
I cant seem to figure it out!
I mean seperate sounds on seperate tracks. You can have 16 in all from Ti in sequencer mode.