quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley Eric you can set up midi tracks and configure them as Virus 1, Virus 2, Virus 3. However, the instant you try to insert an audio FX, the track wipes and goes audio. I have no problem setting up the MIDI track, I actually prefer it that way, but when I try to add audio FX it wipes the track. It's weird. The MIDI track behaves as though there is nothing there (it sends back to the VirusControl track) so in reality, there really is nothing there except midi CC. No true VST loaded on the track, just a basic midi track with routing on it. I'm guessing because of this, Ableton automatically turns it from a MIDI tracks to an Audio track.

Yes that is strange.

As far as the MIDI tracks. Wouldn't you set up the MIDI track to send to the proper port and channel, but then have some type of audio return track that captures the Virus output where you would place the effects? Thats how most other sequencers do it.

It makes sense that if you have a MIDI track and try to place an audio effect on it, that Live is going to turn it to an audio track. But I would think you should have an audio track setup that has its input set to the audio channel on your interface where the Virus is plugged in. It seems like that is where you should be placing your effects. Obviously you are going to need the Virus analog outputs plugged into your audio interface for this to work.

Honestly, you shouldn't have to do this, as essentially you are working with the Virus just like any other outboard synth and bypassing the Virus Control for the purposes of sending and returning audio. The VC becomes just a fancy controller at that point.

Last edited by Eric J on May-12-2010 at 21:41

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J Yes that is strange. As far as the MIDI tracks. Wouldn't you set up the MIDI track to send to the proper port and channel, but then have some type of audio return track that captures the Virus output where you would place the effects? Thats how most other sequencers do it.

Yes, that's exactly how you need to do it. The Virus can receive 16 MIDI channels and you can assign sounds to each one of them (left-hand side of the VC window). But, it can only return audio on 3 USB outputs. So you need to set up three audio tracks in Live to receive the audio (see the Live manual - should be the same as setting up any other multi-timbral synth) and insert your effects on the return audio tracks, NOT the MIDI tracks. In VC, you can assign each of the 16 sounds to any of the 3 outputs on the "Common" page. If you are using more than 3 Virus sounds/channels simultaneously, then you'll have to group some to the same output, meaning that all those sounds will have the same effects that you insert on their return audio channel in Live.

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Stephen you're doing it wrong. i'm at work otherwise i'd take a pic. here's how i set up MY VIRUS in ableton. I put track names next to each so you can understand.


Track name: VIRUS MAIN Midi 1 (drop the virus plug on this). Set volume to 0. You ONLY use this track for automation (as all automation lanes for all patches go in here).

make a new midi track
Midi 2 - Input normal / output VIRUS MAIN sub output Virus 1
make a new audio track
Audio 1 - Input VIRUS MAIN sub input VIRUS PRE FX / output : master (normal)

make a new midi track
Midi 3 - Input normal / output VIRUS MAIN sub output Virus 2
make a new audio track
Audio 2 - input VIRUS MAIN sub input VIRUS 2 / output : master


etc for output 3

now IN THE VIRUS CONTROL. On the left hand side where it lists the 1-16 your patches you have loaded this is where it gets kinda tricky. You need to RIGHT CLICK next to or on the number that coresponds to that track in the virus control. i know stay with me, i'm having a tough time putting this into words. You see here:

http://www.access-music.de/page/ren...au_plug_in.html

where in the picture the 3rd patch loaded is highlighted? right around that area. You will see a drop down box, these are the OUTPUTS you can assign each sound to. So for the second patch set the output to USB 3+4 and the 3rd patch to USB 5+6 (i'm drawing a blank it might be different but you want USB stereo out).

Now ableton will receive signal separate from the other 2 patches you have loaded that way you can have your own FX on each. make sense? try it

thanks guys

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Sell it. Get rid of it. I sold my virus no regrets at all. At the end of the day its a 40 dollar dsp synth. A dsp card and a bunch of knobs. Forget the matrix too. I owned one. Sold it. You can get some pads from it but this ain't the synth to upgrade to from a virus.

Get: Juno 106 pick one rompler. I say the 2080 because it takes 8 expansion cards giving you 3000 sounds fully expanded. The old expansions sound better because they were made by the spectrasonics guy. Great stuff. Or you can use the motif that is good too. I owned the triton rack and it has some good sounds in there. In some ways I miss having that around. Alternatively to the romplers you csn use something like a jp8000. That is a trance classic. They can be bought for peanuts and are still very usefull for pads and stuff like that. If I had to pick one I would pick the juno over the jp8000 though because it is real analog and costs alot more to make. If you can stretch your budget to include something like a se-1 you will have a good mono a good poly and a rompler. That covers a lot of ground. just an idea here

quote:

Originally posted by Existo22 Sell it. Get rid of it. I sold my virus no regrets at all. At the end of the day its a 40 dollar dsp synth. A dsp card and a bunch of knobs. Forget the matrix too. I owned one. Sold it. You can get some pads from it but this ain't the synth to upgrade to from a virus. Get: Juno 106 pick one rompler. I say the 2080 because it takes 8 expansion cards giving you 3000 sounds fully expanded. The old expansions sound better because they were made by the spectrasonics guy. Great stuff. Or you can use the motif that is good too. I owned the triton rack and it has some good sounds in there. In some ways I miss having that around. Alternatively to the romplers you csn use something like a jp8000. That is a trance classic. They can be bought for peanuts and are still very usefull for pads and stuff like that. If I had to pick one I would pick the juno over the jp8000 though because it is real analog and costs alot more to make. If you can stretch your budget to include something like a se-1 you will have a good mono a good poly and a rompler. That covers a lot of ground. just an idea here

couldn't disagree more. you're comparing an absolute work horse of a synth (virus) and saying a juno 106 can replace it?

i own both currently, i LOVE my 106 but it has only a single osc (virus has 3 osc), juno only has saw or pulse (virus must have atleast 50+ osc waveforms), 1 sub osc that only does square (virus has sub osc w/ a multitude of choices). You have only a LPF & HPF on the juno and about 12 different filter options on the virus. The juno only has 6 voices, virus 100+, you catch where this is going?

also the juno 106 isn't entirely analog, hate to burst that bubble but the osc are actually DCO's and the filter is a step ladder analog which isn't the same as the original moog/ms-20 etc.

look the virus is by far the most versatile synth on the market, does it sound the best in ever application? no, but it has the potential to do A LOT and the end result is typically something musically relevant (i don't want the reaktor heads to start blowing this thread up), there should be no one questioning that.

GAAASSSSSSS

I sold my Virus a while ago. I wouldn't say it was a bad decision, it got me to think out of the box a lot, realizing that there is more to trance music than the Virus, but I kinda of maybe want one back. Someday.

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quote:

Originally posted by Zombie0729 couldn't disagree more. you're comparing an absolute work horse of a synth (virus) and saying a juno 106 can replace it? i own both currently, i LOVE my 106 but it has only a single osc (virus has 3 osc), juno only has saw or pulse (virus must have atleast 50+ osc waveforms), 1 sub osc that only does square (virus has sub osc w/ a multitude of choices). You have only a LPF & HPF on the juno and about 12 different filter options on the virus. The juno only has 6 voices, virus 100+, you catch where this is going? also the juno 106 isn't entirely analog, hate to burst that bubble but the osc are actually DCO's and the filter is a step ladder analog which isn't the same as the original moog/ms-20 etc. look the virus is by far the most versatile synth on the market, does it sound the best in ever application? no, but it has the potential to do A LOT and the end result is typically something musically relevant (i don't want the reaktor heads to start blowing this thread up), there should be no one questioning that.

The Virus is a 40 dollar dsp synth that sells for over 1000 close to 2000 if you start adding keys. Not exactly bang for the buck. If you take out the ping pong delay and the hall verb at two oclock and all the millions of dollars in product placement and advertisement it is really nothing to write home about sonically either. Just some cleverly programed trantz sounds washed with fx at 2 o'clock recycled on countless trance records dating back to the mid 90s. A skilled producer can get these sounds from softsynths like for example a novation and if he can't most of the good sounds have been multisamled into nexus by the vengeance mofo using samplit banking on the synth factory presets gaming the noobs stackin up mad cash.
Oops... Did I day Factory presets I meant to say ''custom creations'' and did I say samplit? Shhhh...
Samplit? What is samplit? I am a noob I have never heard about that and I swear never even used an old emu sampler before to sample a patch of a synthesizer.

Finally who would want to keep a virus when you can sell it to a noob on ebay and on a good day you can score a 2080 a se1 and a juno 106 for about the same cash?



Don't get me wrong the virus has worked for some people. The thrillseakers producer fuk with the virus heavy and his music is very nice. Creamer & K fuk with the virus synth. Really there are countless good tracks that feature that synth. It is just not what I would do If I had 1000-1500 to spend on hardware. But horses for courses and all that.

I would suggest learn how to do sound design and learn how to use your virus.

Keep the virus and just get to know it inside out.

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quote:

Originally posted by Existo22 The Virus is a 40 dollar dsp synth that sells for over 1000 close to 2000 if you start adding keys. Not exactly bang for the buck. If you take out the ping pong delay and the hall verb at two oclock and all the millions of dollars in product placement and advertisement it is really nothing to write home about sonically either. Just some cleverly programed trantz sounds washed with fx at 2 o'clock recycled on countless trance records dating back to the mid 90s. A skilled producer can get these sounds from softsynths like for example a novation and if he can't most of the good sounds have been multisamled into nexus by the vengeance mofo using samplit banking on the synth factory presets gaming the noobs stackin up mad cash. Oops... Did I day Factory presets I meant to say ''custom creations'' and did I say samplit? Shhhh... Samplit? What is samplit? I am a noob I have never heard about that and I swear never even used an old emu sampler before to sample a patch of a synthesizer. Finally who would want to keep a virus when you can sell it to a noob on ebay and on a good day you can score a 2080 a se1 and a juno 106 for about the same cash? Don't get me wrong the virus has worked for some people. The thrillseakers producer fuk with the virus heavy and his music is very nice. Creamer & K fuk with the virus synth. Really there are countless good tracks that feature that synth. It is just not what I would do If I had 1000-1500 to spend on hardware. But horses for courses and all that.

i really hope no one reads that and think it's valid.

/\ I'm starting to think he's drunk or high or something is just not right with him mentally. atxbigballer can actually make more sense than him sometimes. And I almost never understand him.

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Main Synth Bass GTs - Pro-53, V-Station, Sytrus, Subtractor, Trilian, Blue, Sylenth & Z3ta.
Main Synth Lead/Pad GTs - Z3ta, Sytrus, Sylenth, Vangard, Albino & Nexus.
Main FXs GTs - Waves Plugins, Soundtoys, Volcano, FL Native FX.
Hardware - Truths, Echo Audiofire, Virus Snow, & Novation Xio Midi-Synth.

quote:

Originally posted by alanzo it got me to think out of the box a lot, realizing that there is more to trance music than the Virus,

The opposite is also true. Theres more to the Virus than just trance. Alot more.