The Access Virus C represents the third generation of the popular Virus synthesizer line, following the A and B models. This modelled analogue synthesizer brings significant upgrades both in its physical design and operating system. With its sleek black appearance adorned with 69 red status LEDs and a backlit display, the Virus C offers a striking visual presence while delivering powerful sound-shaping capabilities. The C generation included 4 instruments overall: Virus C, Virus KC, Indigo 2, Virus Rack XL.

Design and Construction

The Virus C features a compact yet robust design with rubberized wooden end-cheeks and a reassuringly heavy build that suggests tank-like construction. The predominantly black chassis is complemented by red LEDs and display lighting that create an impressive visual aesthetic. The only minor construction concern involves the rear jack connections which are soldered to the circuit board rather than bolted to the chassis, potentially making them vulnerable to lateral pressure.

Sound Engine

At its core, the Virus C maintains the synthesis engine that made previous models so popular while expanding capabilities in key areas. The instrument excels at reproducing classic analogue synthesizer sounds with conviction while providing tools that extend beyond standard oscillator/filter/envelope architectures. The dual filters can be configured in series or parallel with independent envelopes and stereo panning, effectively creating two sounds in one. The comprehensive modulation routing system allows almost every parameter to be modulated, with even the modulators themselves subject to modulation, resulting in complex and animated timbral possibilities.

Key Improvements and Features

The Virus C increases polyphony from 24 to 32 voices (subject to certain conditions) and offers access to a 1024-patch optional soundset. The front panel has been redesigned with improved functionality, including a dense cluster of LEDs in the LFO/MOD section to clarify active modulation routings, dedicated hardware controls for effects, and a dedicated On/Off button for Oscillator 3.

Additional front-panel improvements include repositioned user-definable soft knobs with display-adjacent placement, an Arpeggiator On/Off switch, and a dedicated Random function button. The unit also features a clever Undo/Redo function that can revert to the last edited sound even after program changes, as long as the newly selected program hasn't been edited.

Effects Section

The effects processing has been enhanced with dedicated hardware controls. The phaser effect is particularly noteworthy for its authentic sound. The Analogue Boost function, while curiously located in the Effects section, serves as a useful extension to the filters, allowing frequency band highlighting and intensity adjustment. The EQ effect offers three freely sweepable bands with variable Q for the mid-range, and its parameters can be modulated to create moving, filter-like effects.

Vocoder

The Virus C includes a 32-band vocoder that repurposes the filter section controls when active, offering control over band count, center frequency, and frequency spread for both carrier and modulator signals. While capable of creating interesting effects and alien soundscapes, the vocoder can sometimes produce a grittier, less intelligible result compared to some competitors.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared to instruments like the Novation Supernova, the Virus C focuses more on detailed sound-mangling possibilities with more waveforms and modulation options. The Supernova, while still capable of complex sounds, emphasizes hardware control and multitimbral performance flexibility with more outputs and multitimbral effects.

Conclusions

The Access Virus C delivers powerful virtual analog synthesis with an impressive sonic palette ranging from classic polysynth sounds to cutting-edge trance and ambient textures. It works well both as a standalone synthesizer and as a processor for external signals. While it has minor limitations, such as a global reverb/delay in Multi Mode and no dedicated drum parts, its sonic capabilities and feature set make it a worthy centerpiece for any studio setup.

Technical Specifications

General

• Type: Virtual Analogue (Modelled Analogue) Synthesizer
• Operating System: Version 5.0
• Construction: Solid build with wooden end-cheeks (rubberized finish)
• Display: Backlit LCD
• Status Indicators: 69 LEDs (red illumination)

Voice Architecture

• Maximum Polyphony: 32 voices (conditions apply)
  • Reduced by up to 6 voices if Oscillator 3 is used in Multi Mode
  • In Single Mode, Oscillator 3 uses approximately 1/3 extra voice per note
  • Vocoder reduces polyphony by up to 4 voices (only while input signal is present)
• Oscillators: 3 per voice
  • Dedicated On/Off button for Oscillator 3
• Filters: Dual filters configurable in series or parallel
  • Independent envelope control
  • Stereo panning capability

Memory

• Patch Memory:
  • 256 User patches
  • 768 ROM patches
  • 128 Multi patches
• Optional downloadable soundset: 1024 patches (including 6 banks of new ROM patches, Banks C to H)

Modulation

• Modulation Matrix:
  • 6 sources and 9 destinations (increased from 3 sources and 6 destinations)
  • Source Assigns 1, 4, 5, and 6: one destination each
  • Source Assign 2: two destinations
  • Source Assign 3: three destinations
• LFO/MOD section: Enhanced with LED indicators for active modulation routings

Effects

• Dedicated front-panel controls for:
  • Distortion, Phaser and Chorus (shared controls for Type/Mix and Intensity)
  • Reverb/Delay (controls for Send, Delay/Reverb Time, and Feedback/Damping)
• Analogue Boost function: Frequency band highlighting and boost intensity
• EQ: Three freely sweepable bands with variable Q for mid-range
• Phaser: High-quality analog-style phasing effects

Vocoder

• 32-band implementation
• Configurable parameters:
  • Number of bands (1-32)
  • Center frequency
  • Frequency spread (for both carrier and modulator)
  • Modulator frequency offset
  • Q-Factor

Arpeggiator

• Dedicated On/Off front-panel switch
• 40 preset patterns
• Adjustable parameters:
  • Modes
  • Octave range
  • Swing
  • Hold
  • Clock divisions
  • Note length

Additional Features

• Unison Twin Mode for stereo layering
• Random function with dedicated button
• Undo/Redo function that works even after program changes
• Compare function for comparing edited sounds to originals
• Tempo indicator LED
• Two user-definable soft knobs with assignable parameter names per patch
• Category search function for patches

Compatibility

• OS v5.0 compatible across the entire new range (Virus C, Virus KC, Indigo 2, Virus Rack XL)
• SoundDiver editor/librarian support via updater

Limitations

• Global (not multitimbral) reverb/delay in Multi Mode
• No dedicated drum part(s)
• Non-user-programmable arpeggiator
• No separate headphone socket