German English Copyright 2004 Access Music GmbH. All rights reserved. Virus Classic user manual in English and German. This manual, as well as the software and hardware described in it, is furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license. The content of this manual is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice and should not construed as a commitment by Access Music GmbH. Access Music GmbH assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this book. Except as permitted by such license, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of Access Music GmbH. Virus is a trademark of Access Music GmbH. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. All features and specifications subject to change without notice. Visit our website here: www.access-music.de Table of contents > PROLOGUE Important Safety Remarks > INTRODUCTION The Amplifier Envelope The First Filter Filter Modulation The Saturation Stage The Second Filter Filter Routing The First Oscillator The Second Oscillator The Mixer Section The LFOs LFO 1 LFO 2 Volume and Panorama Position Velocity Unison Mode The Chorus/Flanger Effect The Delay Effect More to Come > CONCEPT AND OPERATION Operating Modes The Multi-Single Mode Edit Buffers !9 12 15 18 20 21 23 24 26 28 29 31 32 33 35 36 37 37 38 39 40 41 41 42 43 > HANDLING Parameter Selection and Data Entry Knob Modes Display of values > ALL ABOUT THE MEMORY Store Compare Store To Flash > ABOUT TIME ... Master Clock and Midi-Clock The Mod Matrix and Soft Knob The Virus' Soft Knobs > THE EFFECTS SECTION Audio Inputs Osc Volume and Input Input Level Indicator > INTERNAL AUDIO ROUTING Aux Buses The Audio Outputs > ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS Panic Function Audition function Reset Function 45 45 47 48 49 49 50 51 53 53 54 55 57 57 59 59 61 61 62 63 63 63 64 VIRUS CLASSIC MANUAL Table of Contents 5 > THE PARAMETERS Front Panel Parameters LFO 1 ­ Panel LFO 1 ­ Edit Menu LFO 2 - Panel LFO 2 Edit Menu LFO 3 Edit Menu Oscillator 1- Front Panel Oscillator 2 ­ Front Panel Oscillator 1 Edit Menu Oscillator-2 Edit Menu Oscillator-3 Edit Menu SubOscillator Edit Menu Osc Mixer Edit-Menu Mixer Filters ­ Front Panel Filter Edit Menu Amplifier Main Edit Menu (Common) Key Mode Unison Mode Assign Velocity > WITHIN THE CONFIG-MENU Common Arpeggiator Soft Knob 1/2 Soft Knob Modes Multi Mode Parameters > THE EFFECTS MENU Input Input Mode Input Select Envelope Follower Ring Modulator Vocoder Distortion Analog Boost 65 65 66 67 69 70 70 72 73 74 74 76 77 77 78 80 84 87 88 89 92 93 94 97 97 98 100 101 102 107 107 108 109 110 111 112 112 113 Phaser Chorus Delay And Reverb Delay Specific Parameters Reverb Specific Parameters > GLOBAL AND SYSTEM PARAMETERS System Random Patch Generator Categories > PURE TUNING Pure tuning the Virus Theory > THE VOCODER OF THE VIRUS The Parameters Of The Vocoder Notes About The Vocoder > THE VIRUS AND SEQUENCERS Parameter Control via MIDI Organisational Information Handling MIDI Parameter Control Adaptive Parameter Smoothing Parameter Control Insides DUMP: The Sound in the Song > TIPS AND TRICKS All About Inputs About The Delay/Reverb The Virus as an Effect Device Envelope Follower Oscillators Filters Saturation - Adding Grit and Dirt LFOs Arpeggiator MIDI OS Update Installation Support 114 115 116 119 121 125 130 133 134 137 137 139 141 143 146 149 149 149 151 151 153 154 157 158 159 160 160 161 163 164 165 167 168 169 172 6 > APPENDIX System Exclusive Data Parameters Description Multi Dump Table Classes Mod Matrix Sources Mod Matrix Destinations Soft Knob Knobs Destinations MIDI Implementation Chart Oscillator and LFO waveforms Block Diagram > LEGAL STUFF FCC Information (U.S.A) FCC Information (CANADA) Other Standards (Rest of World) Declaration of Conformity > GARANTIE BESTIMMUNG > WARRANTY 351 351 358 369 371 374 374 375 376 378 381 383 383 384 384 385 387 389 VIRUS CLASSIC MANUAL Table of contents 7 8 Prologue Dear Virus Classic Owner, Congratulations on your choice, the new Virus Classic. You have purchased a cutting-edge synthesizer that comes fully loaded with several revolutionary features. Here are just a few of the highlights: The Virus delivers the sound characteristics and tone of traditional analog synthesizers - for instance the Prophet 5 or Memorymoog to name just two popular examples of the species - in a previously unparalleled level of quality and handling ease. We're not kidding, the Virus Classic actual delivers the authentic response of an analog synth via a digital signal processor chip, although the sound shaping and voicing options out-perform those of it historical predecessors by a considerable margin. The Virus comes with 1024 slots for storing SINGLE sounds. These are organized in eight banks. The first two banks (A and B) are located in the RAM, so you can overwrite them with new sounds. The other two banks are "hard-wired", i.e. they're programmed into the FLASH ROM. The Virus offers a maximum of 24 voices. In Multi Mode, these are allocated dynamically to sixteen simultaneously available sounds. You have no less than three audio oscillators plus one suboscillator, a noise generator, a ring modulator, two Multi Mode filters, two envelopes, a stereo VCA, three LFOs and a saturation stage (SATURATOR) for cascade filtering, tube and distortion effects. The Virus Classic offers a veritable arsenal of effects. You have seven powerful sound-sculpting functions, including chorus, phaser and distortion, at your disposal, with each effect available separately for every sound. Thus, in 16-way MULTI mode, the Virus offers 80 effects, no less!. You also get a global reverb/delay unit that lets you create high-quality reverb effects and rhythmic delay taps. Delay time can be synced up to MIDI clock. VIRUS CLASSIC MANUAL 9 With the benefit of two external audio inputs, the Virus may also serve as an FX device and signal processor that you can use creatively to come up with all kinds of effects. External signals can be processed with filter, gate and lo-fi effects, routed to the Virus effects section and serve as a modulation source for frequency and ring modulation. Beyond that, you can use internal or external signals as sources for the Virus' on-board vocoder serve. The vocoder works with up to 32 filter bands and offers diverse manipulation and modulation options. The three main oscillators produce 66 waveshapes, three of which are dynamically mixable so that spectral effects are possible within the confines of a single oscillator. In conventional synthesizers, this type of effect requires several oscillators. Synchronization, frequency modulation and ring modulation between the audio oscillators delivers additional complex spectral effects that you can use for all kinds of sound shaping purposes. The filters can be switched in series or in parallel within the voices via several options. When you switch the filters in series, the saturation stage is embedded between the filters. Consequently, an overdriven filter resonance can be re-filtered within the same voice! A maximum of six filter poles (36 dB slope!) enables radical tonal manipulations. The LFOs feature 68 continuous variable waveshapes each, including a triangle with variable symmetry and infinitely variable aperiodic oscillations for random variation of the controlled parameters. The LFOs are capable of polyphonic as well as monophonic oscillation. In other words, if several voices are active, the LFOs can run independently or in sync. A number of keyboard trigger options enable you start LFO waveshapes with variable phase lengths at the beginning of a note and/or to cycle once only, like an envelope. Next to the numerous "hard-wired" or fixed modulation configurations, you can assign three modulation sources to up to six different modulation destinations via the Modulation Matrix. For your modulation sources, you have LFOs, velocity, the pitch bender, aftertouch, the modulation wheel, numerous MIDI controllers and other sources to chose from. For your modulation destinations, you can select any sound parameter of the Virus Classic that is conducive to being remote controlled. Up to 16 arpeggiators are available in MULTI mode. These give you countless options for creating arpeggios, which can also be synced up to MIDI clock. Sounds and effects are patched out via six audio outputs which of course can also be used to route three stereo signals out. In additional to its killer sounds and tone, the Virus was designed to deliver ultimate handling and control comfort. It is equipped with dedicated knobs and buttons for the crucial synthesizer functions, further parameters are accessible via data entry procedures. We distinguished between these two levels of expertise to enable you to create complex sounds while keeping the user interface as clear and uncluttered as possible. 10 In all modesty, we are especially proud of a feature we developed called Adaptive Parameter Smoothing. For the first time in the history of synthesizers equipped with memories, you can manipulate a knob or control feature without an audible step or increment. In other words, the sound does not change abruptly but SEAMLESSLY. No more zipper noises! The Virus responds just as smoothly as analog synthesizers did prior to the introduction of digital sound storage And users of contemporary software sequencers will appreciate the fact that the Virus sends all sound shaping commands immediately in the form of MIDI Controller or Poly Pressure data (and of course accepts all of the corresponding Controller and SysEx messages). This feature lets you dynamically control the Virus and all its functions via computer. Although far from complete, the features listed above give you some indication that you now own an exceptionally versatile, high-quality musical instrument that will give you plenty of joy for years to come. We certainly hope you can fully exploit the enormous potential of this fine instrument. Have fun and enjoy! Your Virus Development Team VIRUS CLASSIC MANUAL 11 Important Safety Remarks A few fundamental rules on handling electrical devices follow. Please read all notes carefully before you power the device up. SET-UP > Operate and store the device in enclosed rooms only. > Never expose the device to a damp environment. > Never operate or store the device in extremely dusty or dirty environments. > Assure that air can circulate freely on all sides of the device, especially when you mount it to a rack. > Don't set the device in the immediate vicinity of heat sources such as radiators. > Don't expose the device to direct sunlight. > Don't expose the device to strong vibrations and mechanical shocks. CONNECTIONS > Be sure to use exclusively the included mains power supply adapter. > Plug the device only into mains sockets that are properly grounded in compliance with statutory regulations. > Never modify the included power cord. If its plug does not fit the sockets you have available, take it to a qualified electrician. > Always pull the power plug out of the mains socket when you won't be using the device for prolonged periods. > Never touch the mains plug with wet hands. > Always pull the actual plug, never the cord, when you're unplugging the device. OPERATION > Don't set beverages or any other receptacle containing liquids on the device. > Make sure the device is placed on a solid base. Set it on a stable tabletop or mount it o a rack. 12 > Make sure that no foreign objects fall into or somehow end up inside the device's housing. In the event that this should occur, switch the device off and pull the power plug. Then get in touch with an authorized dealer. > Used on its own and in conjunction with amps, loudspeakers or headphones, this device is able to generate levels that can lead to irreversible hearing damage. For this reason, always operate it at a reasonable volume level. MEMORY BATTERY CHANGE The Virus Classic stores its sound programs in a battery-buffered RAM. This battery (general type designation: CR2032) should be replaced every three to four years. The housing has to be opened to change the battery, so take the device to a qualified service technician. Do your part in protecting our environment and take it to a shop that disposes of batteries properly. Before you have the battery changed, save the entire memory content of the RAM by loading it to a sequencer via "Total Dump". Be advised that RAM content is lost when the battery is swapped (see "Midi Dump TX" on page 125). CARE > Do not open the device, it is not equipped with any user-serviceable parts. Repair and maintenance may only be carried out by qualified specialists. > Use only a dry, ...