Access Virus TI Snow Quickstart Manual (PDF)
Though technically not a Eurorack module, the Access Virus TI Snow is an immensely flexible and deep standalone digital synthesizer/sound module that integrates beautifully with Eurorack and other modular setups, given the right interfacing modules. By routing audio and MIDI/CV signals between the Virus TI Snow and your rack, you can take full advantage of its multi-timbral sound engine, effects, and Total Integration features. Below are creative patching and integration ideas for using the Virus TI Snow as part of your wider Eurorack ecosystem.
Patch Idea:
Send Eurorack audio into the Virus TI Snow’s audio inputs for processing with Virus filters, envelopes, and effects.
How:
- Use a Eurorack Output/Attenuator module (e.g., ALM HPO, Intellijel Audio Interface II, or Befaco Out v3) to bring your modular-level signals down to line level.
- Route the attenuated signal to the Virus’s L/R input.
- On the Virus TI, tweak filter types, envelopes, and effects (chorus, phaser, reverb, delay).
- Use “Input Thru” for dry/wet blending.
- Return the Virus’s output back into your Eurorack system with an Input/Preamp module (e.g., Intellijel Audio Interface II, or Befaco Inamp).
Creative Uses:
- Use Virus’ lush filters and effects to create "hybrid" analog/digital textures.
- Animate Virus effect parameters with internal LFOs synced to modular clock sources by sending clock via MIDI or USB from your modular system.
Patch Idea:
Use the Virus’s 4-part multi-timbrality as four independent synth voices triggered/sequenced via your modular.
How:
- Convert Eurorack pitch/gate signals to MIDI using a MIDI-to-CV interface (e.g., Expert Sleepers FH-2, Mutable Instruments Yarns, or Endorphin.es Shuttle Control).
- Configure each part of the Virus TI Snow on different MIDI channels.
- Use multiple CV/Gate tracks from modular sequencers (e.g., Intellijel Metropolix, Make Noise René) through your MIDI-CV converter to play the different Virus voices in parallel.
Creative Uses:
- Address each Virus part from separate modular sequencers for live polyphony, layered patches, or key splits.
- Use the Virus' internal arpeggiator and layer patterns over modular percussion.
Patch Idea:
Cross-modulate: Use Virus TI’s LFOs/envelopes to modulate parameters on modular gear, and use Eurorack LFOs to modulate Virus params.
How:
- Use a MIDI CC-to-CV module (e.g., Endorphin.es Shuttle Control, Polyend Poly 2, or Expert Sleepers FH-2) to convert Virus' MIDI LFO/Envelope CC messages to analog CV.
- Patch modular LFOs or random CV sources (e.g., Make Noise Maths, Mutable Instruments Marbles, Intellijel Quadrax) through CV-to-MIDI modules (e.g., Expert Sleepers FH-2) to sweep Virus parameters via MIDI CC.
Creative Uses:
- Animate the Virus TI’s filter cutoff or FX mix using modular LFOs or stepped random voltages.
- Use Virus envelopes/LFOs to influence modular parameters (e.g., VCA levels, filter resonance).
Patch Idea:
Use the Virus as a digital percussion source to complement analog percussive modules.
How:
- Sequence fast-envelope Virus patches via a modular gate sequencer (e.g., Tiptop Audio Circadian Rhythms, Malekko Varigate 8+) with clock and gate converted to MIDI.
- Mix Virus drum sounds with modular drum modules (e.g., Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter, ALM Akemie’s Taiko).
- Process all percussion through Virus’s multi-FX and / or return Virus processed signal into Eurorack for further mangling.
Creative Uses:
- Use Virus percussion as "glue" for modular drum kits; route selected channels through Virus for digital enhancement or stereo imaging.
Patch Idea:
Use the Virus as a multi-oscillator drone source, layered with modular drones (e.g., via Mutable Instruments Rings/Plaits).
How:
- Hold/latch notes or chords on the Virus, and use slow modular LFOs or sample-and-hold modules to modulate Virus parameters via MIDI-CC (filter, wavetable index, FX depth).
- Layer Virus audio with modular drone voices, sum and apply shared reverbs/delays in either system.
Creative Uses:
- Slowly morph the digital texture using Virus' internal modulation system, while cross-fading with evolving analog modular textures.
- Use Virus’ arpeggiator as a gated rhythmic element inside a cloud of modular drones.
Patch Idea:
Use the TI Snow as a dedicated multi-FX processor for modular synth voices or even an external drum machine.
How:
- Patch the output of a Eurorack mixer or voice through a Eurorack output module into the Virus' inputs.
- Bypass Virus' oscillators, and set up effects chains (chorus, phaser, delay, reverb, distortion).
- Bring the processed line-level signal back up via an input module to further patch into your rack (e.g., send into a Make Noise Morphagene, or granular/sample modules for more mangling).
Advanced Twist:
- Use Virus’ MIDI learn to control FX parameters with modular CV signals converted to MIDI CC.
Patch Idea:
Create generative melody/sequence data in the modular using modules like Mutable Instruments Marbles, Intellijel Scales, or Tiptop Audio Z8000, and convert to MIDI for Virus TI control.
How: - Output quantized CV and gate from random/sequencer modules into MIDI conversion. - Assign different random sources to the Virus’ different synth parts or patch parameters (e.g., assign one Marbles output to Virus pitch, another to Virus filter cutoff). - Let Virus internal effects smooth and enhance the generative textures.
Creative Uses: - Hybrid digital/analog randomness, controlled from one domain, morphing into the other.
Patch Idea:
Sample lush Virus pad chords into granular/sample Eurorack modules for further textural processing (e.g., 4MS Stereo Triggered Sampler, Make Noise Morphagene, or 1010music Bitbox).
How:
- Play, sequence, or chord-stab pads on Virus, record short or long samples into your modular sampler.
- Re-trigger, slice, or granulate the samples for rhythmic, glitchy, or evolving ambient results, blending Virus timbral quality with modular audio processing.