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Access Virus TI Snow

Synthesizer Desktop Module

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Access Virus TI Snow
Access Virus TI Snow
600.00 street price

The Access Virus TI Snow is an ultra-compact, affordable modelled analogue synthesizer that brings Access's renowned Total Integration (TI) technology to a more accessible price point. Released in 2008, this sleek, off-white module represents the most affordable entry into the legendary Virus family. With a footprint no larger than a magazine, this incredibly portable synthesizer is designed for musicians on the move while still delivering the signature Virus sound.

Despite its smaller form factor and lower price compared to its siblings (the TI Desktop, Polar, DarkStar and Keyboard), the Snow retains the same powerful synth engine that has made the Virus name synonymous with sophisticated, versatile sound. While it utilizes the identical sound architecture as its larger siblings, the Snow operates at approximately 50% of their voice count, which still provides ample polyphony for most applications.

Design and Build

The TI Snow features an attractive, compact design measuring 28 x 15 x 5cm and weighing approximately 1.5kg. Its sturdy metal chassis is finished in an appealing off-white, grey, and brown color scheme that complements Apple hardware aesthetics. The front panel includes 21 momentary touch buttons, 6 conventional potentiometers, 18 white LEDs, and a 128 x 32 pixel LCD covered by a stylish perspex-like panel. A distinctive wood-effect front-edge panel strip completes the look.

The unit comes standard with an AC power adapter (required at all times, even when connected via USB), a USB cable, a multilingual Quickstart manual, and a Logstoff M4 Messenger shoulder bag large enough to accommodate the Snow and its accessories.

Sound Engine

At its core, the Snow shares the identical synth architecture as the more expensive TI models, delivering the same legendary Virus sound that spans from warm, weighty bass to delicate, expressive pads. The synth excels across multiple genres, particularly in dance music, while offering the versatility to handle ambient textures, experimental sounds, and nearly anything that doesn't require acoustic instrument emulation.

The architecture includes:

  • Three oscillators with eight operation modes (Classic, Hypersaw, Wavetable, Wave PWM, Grain Simple, Grain Complex, Formant Simple, and Formant Complex)
  • Two multi-mode filters including a Moog emulation with variable cutoff steepness
  • Saturation module for various distortion types at the voice level
  • Three LFOs and two envelope generators
  • Flexible modulation matrix for complex sound design
  • Comprehensive effects section with independent reverb, delay, phaser, distortion, chorus, and EQ per part

Total Integration (TI)

The Snow's standout feature is its Total Integration system, which provides seamless incorporation into DAW environments via USB. This technology allows the Snow to function like a virtual instrument plugin while being powered by dedicated hardware DSP. The Virus Control plugin provides an intuitive, extended user interface for sound editing while maintaining tight MIDI timing and full integration with DAW mixing.

Key TI features include:

  • Audio and MIDI transmission over a single USB connection
  • Comprehensive visual parameter editing through the Virus Control plugin
  • Real-time parameter automation within the DAW
  • Total recall of settings when opening saved projects
  • No CPU load on the host computer for synth processing
  • Ability to function as a basic USB audio/MIDI interface

Connectivity

  • Power adapter inlet
  • USB B-type socket for Total Integration
  • Two 1/4" audio inputs with software-controlled variable sensitivity
  • Two 1/4" +4dB audio outputs (with right channel functioning as mono output when used alone)
  • Headphone output via the left channel output
  • MIDI In and Out on 5-pin DIN ports
  • Security anchor slot

Operation Modes

  • Single Mode: Access to one patch at a time via a single MIDI channel
  • Multi Mode: Up to four-part multi-timbral operation with independent MIDI channels
  • Sequencer Mode: Tightly integrated operation with a DAW via Virus Control
  • Atomizer Mode: Real-time audio loop manipulation and beat-slicing tool for live performance

Technical Specifications

FeatureSpecification
Physical Dimensions28 x 15 x 5cm
Weight1.5kg approx.
Controls21 momentary touch buttons, 6 conventional potentiometers
Display128 x 32 pixel LCD
Indicators18 white LEDs
Oscillators3 per voice with 8 operation modes (Classic, Hypersaw, Wavetable, Wave PWM, Grain Simple, Grain Complex, Formant Simple, Formant Complex)
Filters2 multi-mode filters per voice, including Moog emulation with variable cutoff steepness
EffectsIndependent reverb, delay, phaser, distortion, chorus, and EQ per part
LFOs3 per voice
Envelopes2 per voice
PolyphonyVariable (8-50+ voices depending on patch complexity)
Multitimbral Parts4
Patch Memory1024 single patches (8 ROM banks + 8 RAM banks of 64 patches each)
Multi Memory64 multi presets
D/A Conversion192kHz/24-bit
A/D Conversion24-bit
Audio Inputs2 × 1/4" with software-controlled variable sensitivity
Audio Outputs2 × 1/4" +4dB (right channel functions as mono output, left channel accepts headphones)
MIDIIn and Out on 5-pin DIN ports
USBB-type, handling MIDI and up to 3 stereo audio pairs
PowerExternal AC adapter (required at all times)
Host CompatibilityApple Logic 7.2.3 or higher, Steinberg Cubase SX/SL 3.1 or higher, Pro Tools 7.3 M-Powered/LE/TDM or higher, Ableton Live 5.2.2 or higher, Cakewalk Sonar Producer 7, Image Line FL Studio 5 or higher
OS CompatibilityMac OS 10.4.6 or later, Windows XP Home/Professional with Service Pack 2, Vista 32-bit
Special FeaturesAtomizer Loop Tool for live performance, Section Lock for sound design, Direct Mode for zero-latency recording
Accessories IncludedAC adapter, USB cable, Quickstart manual, Logstoff M4 Messenger shoulder bag

Limitations

Despite its impressive capabilities, the Snow has some limitations compared to more expensive Virus TI models:

  • Four-part multitimbral operation (versus 16 parts in other TI models)
  • Reduced polyphony with complex patches
  • Fewer physical controls for hands-on editing
  • Requires external power even when connected via USB
  • Fewer audio and MIDI connections

Country of origin / production: Germany

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More info
 
Usage area
Synthesizer 
Sound Module/ Tone Generator 
Usage Design/ Form Factor
Without Keys, Desktop 
Archetype
Analog Modeling (AM) 
Polyphony
Voices50
Multi Timbral Capacity4 part(s)
Tone Generator / Sound Synthesis
Synthesis Method Digital Subtractive
Synthesis Method Wavetable
Synthesis Method Frequency Modulation (FM)
Synthesis Method Voice Formant Synthesis
Oscillator Type Digital
Oscillators per voice3
Sub-Oscillators per voice1
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Sine
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Triangle
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Saw
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Super Saw
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) White Noise
Programs/ Voices/ Timbres
Single Voice Preset512
User-defined Single Voice512
Performance/ Multitimbral Parts4
Filter
High-pass Filter (HPF) 
Low-pass Filter (LPF) 
Band-pass Filter (BPF) 
Band-reject Filter (BRF/ BEF) 
2-pole 
4-pole 
6-pole 
6dB 
12dB 
48dB 
Resonance 
Envelope Generator (EG)
FilterADSR
AmpADSR
Modulation
Modulation Matrix6 Slots (6x1 Sources, 6x3 Destinations)
Source count6
Destination count18
LFO: LFO Count3
Effects
Reverb 
Chorus 
Flanger 
Delay 
Phaser 
Distortion 
Vocoder 
Ring Modulation 
Saturation 
Overdrive/ Drive 
Talk Effects 
FX Units192
Effects overall129
Equalizer
Parametric 
Arpegiator/ Portamento
Arpegiator Mode Up
Arpegiator Mode Down
Arpegiator Mode Up+Down
Arpegiator Mode Random
Arpegiator 
Portamento 
MIDI
General MIDI (GM) 
MIDI in/ out
IN 
OUT/THRU 
Display
Display type LCD
Color resolution Monochrome
Built-in controllers
Encoder6
Button21
Programmable 
Audio out
Stereo 
Analogue: 1/4" (6.35mm)2
Analogue: 1/4" (6.35mm) headphones preamplified1
Digital: coaxial1
Audio in
Analog 1/4"2
Digital: Coaxial1
DAC
DAC Frequency 192
Resolution24 bit
ADC
Resolution18 bit
Computer Interfaces
USB USB PC Link
USB MIDI through USB
Power
Voltage 12V
Power Supply External
Dimensions
Height59 mm
Width282 mm
Depth149 mm
Weight1.5 kg
Case/ body
Metal 
Metal&wood 
Color
Black 
Silver 
Production start2008
Production end2009
Production ended

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