Everything you need to know about our product install, setup steps, configuration and usage of various features
Custom Added Functions
Our Editor includes a lot of custom added functions as requested by our users.
In this part we will walk you through each of the functions and how they can improve your workflow.
USER INTERFACE SIZE
You can resize the Editor user interface in real time by clicking and dragging the white triangle [1] in the bottom right corner. Double click will revert the scaling level back to 100%. This setting is saved with DAW project data, but Standalone Application always reverts to “zero” resize stage when Application is launched again.
If the user interface is too big for your screen for some reason, single clicking gray triangle [2] in the top left corner resizes the user interface to 50% of its size. Double click sets the view back to 100%.
You can also set “default” scaling level by opening Utilities [3] menu -> User Interface [4] and selecting the size from there.
NOTE: If your display cannot handle HD graphics and / or you have not enabled use of hi-res graphics, scaling results might look unpleasant. Adjust settings to your likings. Loading hi-res graphics takes longer for the Editor view to open.
UI SCHEME
You can choose from a different user interface schemes that suit your setup / workflow. This setting is saved with DAW project data, but Standalone Application always reverts to default “skin” when Application is launched again, unless defaults are saved. UI Scheme can be changed in real time.
- Virus A – Replicates the Virus A color scheme.
- Virus Classic – Virus Classic RED.
- Virus C – Replicates the Virus C color scheme.
- Indigo – Replicates the Virus Indigo color scheme.
- TI mk I – Replicates the 1st generation TI color scheme.
- TI mk II – Replicates the 2nd generation TI color scheme.
- TI Snow – Replicates the Virus TI Whiteout color scheme.
- VirusHC – Our original color scheme.
See section “Utilities Menu” to learn how you can set default User Interface Skin for new Editor instances.
MIDI PANIC BUTTON
If you get stuck notes or if you need to initiate full MIDI reset, click the MIDI Panic [1] button. This function will send all notes off MIDI message to the Virus.
TOTAL RECALL
This is one of the best features we can think about our plug-in, total recall. It does what it says: recalls your saved session data from the plug-in user interface to your synthesizer, without the need of doing it manually! It is all automated, if you have the same MIDI device hooked into your setup as it was when saving the project.
It there are any trouble with the total recall, please check below for further instructions how to Push Data to HW manually. Possible reasons for failure of total recall are:
- Your MIDI interface is no longer in the system, or it is hooked into a different USB port.
- Plug-in update does not fully support the previous version data package. There is a work-around for that as well, so be sure to check out our knowledge base for more details about that.
If you don’t need Total Recall function, click Utilities [1] menu -> Editor Preferences [2] and check Disable Total Recall on Load [3].
DISABLE UNUSED EDITOR PARTS
To make the Editor work a lot faster during session recall and when synchronizing parts data from hardware, you have option to disable unused parts. Each part in MULTIMODE MIXER view has ON / OFF [1] switch to Enable or Disable set part.
When Part is enabled, you get visual indicator outside the MULTIMODE MIXER view with green LED lit [1] up when part is enabled. If you click on part which is disabled, you get notified that the part is disabled. You can then choose to cancel the operation or click YES to enable part.
SYNC DATA FROM VIRUS TO THE EDITOR
Multi data and individual parts
Method #1
If MULTIMODE MIXER [1] view is toggled on, Sync Data from HW [2] button will request multi data [3] and individual parts which are enabled, to the user interface like discussed earlier. This will take some time depending on the selected Virus model. Virus TI requests take a bit longer due to difference in the data package.
NOTE: As seen in image above, part 4 is the last one enabled [4], therefore parts 5-16 will NOT be requested. This saves time in many use cases! Part Enable / Disable function was discussed above.
Method #2
If PATCH LIBRARIAN [1] view is toggled on, Sync Data from HW [2] button will request all multi data andindividual parts [3] to the user interface just like the previous method.
Individual Parts
You can also make a quick request for individual parts when Main View tab [1] is set to any of the highlighted value. Sync Data from HW [2] will request active data to selected part [3] instead of complete data request.
TIP #1: Be patient and do not disturb the data flow with any knob movements or so. This will ensure the data packages are being sent and received as expected and you are not going to receive any SysEx error messages!
If you feel like your MIDI device can do faster requests than what we have set, you can try to play around with the Request Interval multiplier. Open Utilities [1] menu, select Editor Preferences [2] and select first value from the options [3] available. Editor will automatically increase the value if it experiences drop-outs during request process.
PUSH EDITOR DATA TO VIRUS
Another great feature we added is the ability to force data being sent to your synthesizer if needed. This could happen for couple of reasons:
- MIDI interface ports are no longer available, and you have assigned new MIDI ports manually.
- You open your session in a studio, where the studio Virus is connected to a different port.
- Failure of Total Recall function.
Open Patch Librarian [1] view and click PUSH DATA TO HW [2]. This will send current MULTISINGLE or SEQUENCE data and each individual part data to your Virus.
NOTE: Data sending takes time depending which model you have in question. Let the Editor do its thing and don’t tweak any parameters during this time. It could potentially disturb the SysEx data sending process and you need to start again.
NOTE: Editor will only push Enabled parts to hardware!
ABORT PROCESS
Cancel current request / writing task by clicking ABORT PROCESS button, if process is taking too long, or if you get constant Device ID checks while any data request is active.
This same button appears next to the Editor control display when Patch Librarian tab is not open.Abort Process button will disappear after Editor has scanned Device IDs and/or if the request process has timed out.
REQUEST DATA ON PROGRAM CHANGE
REQUEST DATA ON PROGRAM CHANGE means that if the Editor receives program and/or bank change message from MIDI input, our Editor will initiate Patch request from the Virus to the Editor user interface.
Inputs valid for this function:
- MIDI In port (Plug-in).
- DAW gateway (Plug-in).
- Remote Keyboard MIDI In port (Standalone Application) (*1).
- Editor Program Change buttons (per part) (*2).
- Editor Program Number display (per part) (*3).
- Editor Bank Number display (per part) (*4).
If this switch is toggled off, our Editor will only send the program change messages to the hardware but won’t be requesting any data back. This is good in some cases where you might want to quick browse hardware patches.
(*1 See previous page for Remote Keyboard MIDI Input).
(*2 See below for Program Change Buttons).
(*3 See below for Program Number Display).
(*4 See below for Bank Number Display).
TIP: Turn off Request Data On Program Change and Library Control On Prog Change to quickly browse through the hardware presets. Once you hit a sound you want to work on, click Sync Data from HW button to request the data to the Editor user interface and work it from there!
LIBRARY CONTROL ON PROGRAM CHANGE
Library Control On Prog Change switch allows you to take control of your library patches with incoming program changes via MIDI or with the Editor user interface DEC / INC buttons and Bank Number Display / Program Number Display menus.
Note #1: Patches are sent to the hardware on currently selected part when menu is used to change programs.
Note #2: If the program change message is received from MIDI channel 4 and none of your parts are set to channel 4, no action will be taken.
Note #3: If the program change message is received from MIDI channel 1 and two or more parts are set to channel 1, no action will be taken. Change the MIDI channel temporarily to different channel.
PROGRAM CHANGE BUTTONS
– [1] button will change to previous program.
+ [2] button will change to next program.
This will trigger MIDI Out message with appropriate program number based on the Program Number Display (*3) value. Each part has its own set of Program Change buttons.
See above how it will behave when Request Data on Program Change is toggled on / off.
PROGRAM NUMBER DISPLAY / SELECTION MENU (*3)
Program Number Display [1] acts as a menu as well as a display to show the current Part Parch program number depending on the currently set mode. You can quickly navigate to different banks of programs without having to click Program Change buttons like crazy.
In default status (REQUEST DATA ON PROGRAM CHANGE), this popup menu will display program numbers in different banks of programs. See image below.
But things get exciting when you toggle on LIBRARY CONTROL ON PROG CHANGE [1] switch:
You can now view currently active Librarian Bank patches on the menu and browse them directly from the main user interface!
Check above for further details about the Library Control function.
BANK NUMBER DISPLAY / SELECTION MENU (*4)
Bank Number Display [1] acts as a menu as well as a display to show the active Part Patch bank number. You can navigate to different banks based on your selected Virus model.
If your model is set to Virus A, Rack, C or Rack XL, bank menu does not have as many options as when Virus TI-range or TI Snow is set as a current model. This is because Virus TI-range has a lot bigger memory capacity than Legacy models. When REQUEST DATA ON PROGRAM CHANGE is toggled on, this popup menu will display bank numbers available to browse. See image below.
Like with Program Number Display, Bank Number Display [1] will behave completely different when LIBRARY CONTROL ON PROG CHANGE [2] is toggled on. You can now view all available Patch Banks located in Patches folder.
MIDI LEARN
MIDI LEARN [1] allows you to map incoming MIDI CC control message to certain controls of the Editor.
To activate MIDI LEARN, toggle on the button and follow instructions given in the Editor display.
- Move knob, slider or button on the Editor user interface.
- Move your remote controller slider, knob or button to assign CC.
- Toggle off MIDI LEARN [1] once completed.
Use Clear MIDI [3] button to remove assignments, see details below.
Editor has an Assigned CC [3] display in the bottom bar to help you see what controller has been assigned to a selected parameter.
CLEAR MIDI (mappings)
CLEAR MIDI [1] opens a popup menu, where you can choose to Clear All Assignments at once, or Clear Active Parameter to remove assignment for set parameter. Active parameter is the knob / button / menu you have last clicked from the Editor user interface.
Both options are greyed out in the sample, because there are no assignments for set parameter.
UTILITIES MENU
UTILITIES [1] menu can be found from the bottom bar of the Editor. Once you click the UTILITIES button, a popup menu will appear giving you a lot of different utilities. We will go through these one by one.
Utilities menu items
- Initialize Active Part
Initializes currently active SINGLE part data from the Editor to “initial” state. - Initialize Active Multi
Initializes currently active MULTI data from the Editor to “initial” state. This does not initialize individual parts. - Initialize Arrangement
Initializes MULTI data and ALL SINGLE parts data from the Editor to “initial” state. - Copy Part Data… (see menu items below)
- Paste Part Data
Paste copied data from the Editor clipboard to active Editor part. - Load MIDI CC Map
Loads custom MIDI CC Mapping data to the Editor. - Save MIDI CC Map
Save custom MIDI CC Mapping data to HDD. - Manuals (see menu items below)
- Editor Preferences (see menu items below)
- User Interface (see menu items below)
- Librarian Preferences (see menu items below)
- Randomizer Preferences (see menu items below)
- MIDI Preferences (see menu items below)
- Important Links (see menu items below)
- Version Status
If new update is available, “Update Available” will be shown to user. This will open recent changes dialog in the Editor and option to download updater.
Copy Part Data… menu items
- Currently Selected Patch
Copies currently active Editor part data to Editor clipboard. - Patch + Multi Part Data
Copies currently active Editor part data and associated multi part settings to the Editor clipboard.
Manuals menu items (all items are links to our support site)
- Setting MIDI Devices
User guide how to setup MIDI Devices in Windows and macOS. - Hardware Config Guide
Hardware Configuration Guide to get your hardware settings input properly. - Editor User Manual
Opens this User Manual. - Librarian User Manual
Librarian User Manual. Content copied from this User Manual to keep it focused on Librarian only. - View DAW Guides
Open url containing all the manuals relevant to our products.
Editor Preferences menu items
- Use active Model as Default
If you have only one Virus in your setup and you want the Editor to load a specific model during launch, select your model first and then check this option. - Enable LOG (CPU hungry)
Enable LOG only if our staff asks to do so. We will give you detailed instructions to LOG data from the Editor to the text file. This feature is going to slow down your computer and cause clicks & cracks. - Force MIDI Data to Active Part
When this option is enabled, all incoming MIDI data from DAW bridge is assigned to currently active part. This only applies when DAW playback is not running so you can audition part patches without changing your MIDI channels. - Snap Slider to Mouse Position
When this option is enabled, sliders will snap to clicked mouse position. - Disable Total Recall on Load
When this option is enabled, Total Recall function is bypassed. This means that the data from the Editor is not sent to your Virus. - Enable Hardware Auto-connect
This function attempts to connect with your Virus once the MIDI ports are assigned and request currently active Arrangement data to the user interface. This only works if the Editor defaults are not saved. - Enable DeviceID Scanning
Enabling this option will allow the Editor to scan through different Device IDs if Virus is not replying to initial requests. - Req Interval * 0.6 -> * 1.0
If you feel that the Editor is making request too slow, you can experiment with setting a Request Interval multiplier manually. If you start with *0.6 and Editor does not get reply from hardware in time, our Editor will automatically adjust the request interval to higher value and attempt again. - Save all settings as Defaults
When this option is selected, all current settings from the Editor interface are stored as defaults for new instances. - Check available MIDI Ports
This option will trigger MIDI port probing to check if there are any changes in the MIDI ports available. Sometimes if new devices are added to the setup, MIDI ports change their order. Click this to keep your hardware connected if ports are changed. - Default HW Mode: MULTI
When the Editor is loaded, Virus is set to MULTI mode. - Default HW Mode: MULTISINGLE
When the Editor is loaded, Virus is set to MULTISINGLE mode which basically changes the display content compared to MULTI mode.
User Interface menu items
- Use active Skin as Default
Loads currently selected User Interface scheme as default when new instance of the Editor is loaded. Select skin scheme first, then check this option. If the Editor defaults is used, then this option is not needed. - Use Hi-Res Graphics (4/5/8K)
Loads high resolution graphics on the Editor load. This consumes a lot more RAM but the user interface looks better. - Size: Auto (default)
Loads user interface with standard settings. - Size: 50% – 175%
Loads user interface with manual size definition. Useful if your display resolution can’t quite handle the Editor default size. - Follow Hardware Select
When this option is toggled on, the Editor user interface will follow if you click Hardware Select buttons, like Effects, Oscillators, Filters or LFOs. - Enable Bubble Control by Default
When this option is toggled on, the Editor will show floating value above the parameter you are adjusting. - Disable LEDs by Default
Disables LED actions from the Editor if that is to distract your focus. - Enable Tooltips by Default
When enabled, control assigned tooltips will be shown in the user interface while hovering mouse over the control.
Librarian Preferences menu items
- Limit Search to Active Bank
When this option is selected, search will only be performed on the currently active bank. This is great if you get a lot of unwanted results from various banks. - Search results Containing…
When this option is enabled, search is checking the patch names containing the search term, instead of starting the search from 1st Again, when this option is enabled, you get a lot more results. - Limit Categories to Active Bank
When this option is enabled, Category filter is limited to currently active bank. - Enable AutoSave by Default
When this option is toggled on, Librarian will attempt to write the bank on each change your make to it. Being it renaming, requesting to organizing bank content. There is no UNDO in our Librarian, so keep that in mind!
Randomizer Preferences menu items
- Focus on Active TAB content
When this option is enabled, only active TAB content is targeted for Randomizer process. Say you are viewing tab “LFO / Mod Matrix”, then Randomizer only affects this layer. - Exclude Osc Pitch
When this option is enabled, Randomizer is ignoring Oscillator 1, 2 and 3 Semitone settings, Oscillator 1 and 2 Keyfollow settings and Portamento setting. - Exclude LFO Assign Slots
When this option is enabled, Randomizer is ignoring LFO 1, 2 and 3 Assign slots. - Exclude Mod Matrix Sources
When this option is enabled, Randomizer is ignoring all Mod Matrix Sources from randomization process. - Exclude Mod Matrix Destinations
When this option is enabled, Randomizer is ignoring all Mod Matrix Destination Slots from randomization process.
MIDI Preferences menu items
- Enable KBD Local by Default
Determines if a message is sent to Virus for disabling local keyboard while using the Editor. - Advanced MIDI Settings default overwrites
Adjust how Advanced MIDI Settings is loaded up on editor load.
Important Links menu items
- Open Request / Bug Report
If you found a bug or if you want to request a new feature, this is the place! - View Working board Status
See where we are at handling ongoing issues and / or feature requests. - Join our User Community
Join our amazing Discord community, hang out and ask help or share your tips with other community folks. - View Change Log
Check what we’ve done to make this product better. Contains important information about previous version compatibility issues, if any. - Virus Editor Downloads
Download updater or license when you are logged in. - Appreciate our work
This will open your Browser and redirect you to our official ko-fi.com page where you can support our work with a cup of coffee, or more if you feel we deserved it!
SAVE & LOAD UI DATA
Save and Load UI Data as you go. This is the best option to back up and recall your favorite settings per project and it gives you portability to share your settings with someone else.
Save UI Data saves all the Editor settings in single file, including global, multi and individual part settings. Great for saving all settings in one file and sharing it someone else!
Load UI Data will load all the Editor settings from a single file back to the user interface. Once UI DATA file is loaded, data will be sent to the hardware on MIDI Output port, just like with Total Recall.
AUTOSAVE (LIBRARIAN CHANGES)
When AutoSave is toggled on, any changes made in the librarian upper bank view will be automatically saved. This is a dangerous function, but as per request, we included this feature.
Be aware that there is no UNDO function, so you cannot revert to the previous state if you make a mistake. Defaults to off state. We would advise to make a copy of the original bank (if needed) before making changes to the bank with autosave on.
SHOW BUBBLE
Show Bubble [1] does what it says, when parameter is adjusted with mouse, a bubble [2] will pop up above the parameter displaying the parameter value as you change it. You can also see the parameter name and value in the Editor control display [3].
LEDS OFF
If you don’t like or need to see the LEDs [2] blinking, you can toggle LEDs Off [1] with once click.
NOTE: When you have a lot of active parts, this could potentially start taxing your CPU.
TIP: Open ADVANCED MIDI SETTINGS page you can define if LEDs will blink when MIDI is being received or when it is being transmitted. Default value is set to follow incoming MIDI data.
TOOLTIPS
When Tooltips [1] is toggled on, tooltip text [2] will appear if you hold your mouse cursor steadily over the parameter. You also get parameter info displayed in the Editor control display [3] while hovering over parameters, like CC number assigned by default, parameter name and the current value.
Tooltips are courtesy of Access Music and more details can be found from Virus User Manual.
RANDOMIZE
With RANDOMIZE [1] button, you can trigger randomization on currently active part. Different Sections [2] can be locked individually to prevent changes during randomize / patch change process. More about Section Locks further below.
Open Advanced MIDI Settings [1] view to further adjust Randomizer settings. You can set MIDI CC [2] from the menu which will be used trigger the randomization, and the randomizer amount [3] in percentages to get more subtle randomization or turn it all the way for maximum effect.
SHOW KEYBOARD
Toggle on SHOW KEYBOARD [1] to display “on-screen” keyboard, Pitch Wheel [2] and Modulation wheel [3]. You can play individual keys with mouse click or you can use your computer “QWERTY”-keyboard, in other words: normal typing keyboard to play in notes.
Keyboard also features velocity sensitivity when played with mouse.
- If you click closer to the “root” [4] of the key, the lower velocity input is given.
- If you click closer to the “end” [5] of the key, the higher velocity input is given.
Use keys A, W, S, E, F, T, G, Y, H, U, J, K, O, L to play the keyboard.
Use keys Z and X to adjust the octave range.
SHOW KEYBOARD & PART FOCUS
When SHOW KEYBOARD [1] is toggled on, the Editor will focus all incoming MIDI data to currently selected Part. Now when Part 4 is selected you see a DIN indicator [2] in set part warning that all MIDI is routed to part 4. You can also see a text entry [3] indicating that part focus is on!
NOTE: If DAW playback is on, then MIDI data is treated normally per part.
HELP
Get quick tips of the bottom bar functions when you click the ? [1] mark in the bottom bar.
Use the same button to close the quick tips view.
SECTION LOCKS
We added Section Lock function to lock certain sections of the Editor to prevent changes up on part program changes or when randomizer is triggered. This is great when you find a perfectly adjusted filter or LFO modulation: lock the section to keep those settings locked in.
You can lock any of the sections which has the LOCK [1] symbol in it – There are more locks available in the other tabs too!
When LOCK [1] is toggled on at any section, RELEASE ALL LOCKS [2] button will allow you to release all locks with one click. This is ideal if you have overlooked your layers and data is being transmitted back and forth even if you don’t want that.
LOCK [3] on the “MINI MIXER” view locks or unlocks the entire part at once. There are individual locks for each part right below the MUTE and SOLO buttons.
NOTE: When you have sections locked, there will double the amount of SysEx traffic in the MIDI stream due to the fact that the Editor has to send the ”locked” info back to the hardware after the patch is changed. If you scroll patches from librarian, then the data stream is normal.
SECTION MENUS
We added Section Menu function to aid with creating sounds, recalling favorite section setting or saving your own as you go. You can even Randomize single section to create exciting new textures! Section Menu opens when you click any of the “gears” [1] icon in the user interface. There are menus in all 5 edit tabs, including Arp!
Section Menu Items
- Copy Data
Copy Section Data to clipboard. - Paste Data
Paste Section Data from clipboard. - Randomize
Randomize Section Data with Randomizer settings applied from Utilities Menu & Advance MIDI Settings page. - Presets
Load a preset saved for set Section. First item on the list is always “Set to Default” which loads Section default settings. - Save As…
You have a great Filter setup you want to use in later sound design? No problem, just save your Filter or any other section data to HDD for later use.
Data is stored in /Music/AURA Plugins/Access Virus Editor/UI DATA/Section Presets/(section name)
PART SELECT
Part Select [1] is standard feature of the Virus, which will change the current MULTI Part of the synthesizer. Data from the Editor user interface will be sent to currently selected part. i.e., if you move Filter Cutoff 1 from the UI while Part 1 is selected, then Filter Cutoff in the Part 1 of the synth will change.
Now, as we have mentioned earlier, single mode is not supported with the Editor and the reason is: with MULTI-mode you can have 16 individual parts playing from the Virus. In other words: you get 16 SINGLE-mode Viruses.
Each part has its own set of Parameters [3] – These parameters are spread across five different tabs [3]. Also, Patch Librarian can handle each part individually meaning, you have full access to all patches per part.
Active Part quick actions menu
With right mouse click, you can open Part Quick actions menu for active part [1]. Most of these are utilities menu items but they are faster to reach right after selecting part.
PATCH NAME DISPLAY
Patch Name [1] is individual per part. Rename part by clicking the patch name.
NOTE: Renaming single patch from the “Mini Mixer” does not change the name in the librarian. If you want to rename librarian items, check further down the manual for librarian functions.
MULTI NAME DISPLAY
Multi Name [2] can be viewed and changed when Multimode Mixer [1] view is toggled on.
NOTE: Renaming multi from the “Global & Multi Settings” window does not change the name in the librarian. If you want to rename librarian items, check further down the manual for librarian functions.
GLOBAL SETTINGS / MULTI SETTINGS
When MULTIMODE MIXER [1] tab is open, you can view Global / Multi Settings from this view. You can view additional Global Settings when clicking through the horizontal buttons [2]. Settings within tabs vary based on the selected model!
EXTENDED MIXER VIEW
When extended mixer view [1] is activated, you get to control some extra parameters for each part from this view. View changes if selected model is set to “Virus TI-range” or “Virus TI Snow”.
ADDITIONAL VIRUS TI MENUS, BUTTONS AND FUNCTIONS
When you have Virus TI or Virus TI Snow synth in use, there are extra menus, buttons and features shown in the user interface. Select Virus TI-range [1] OR Virus TI Snow as your model and new items [2-4] will be drawn to the user interface. More features are shown to the user on LFO / Mod Matrix, FX / Settings #1, #2 and Arpeggiator tabs.
Loading patches between different models?
You can load legacy patches to Virus TI-family synthesizer as you wish. They work just like they’ve designed in the previous model.
We made a little function to our Editor which allows user to load TI-formatted patches to legacy model.
Keep in mind that TI-enabled functions like
- oscillator 1 & 2 modes are disabled.
- extra envelopes are disabled.
- extra modulation destinations are disabled.
- new character, new distortion, new chorus and new delay modes are disabled.
- individual reverb per part is disabled.
- filter bank modes are disabled.
- arpeggiator pattern editor is disabled.
User Manual contents
Chapter 1
Introduction to our Editor, what it can and can not do
Chapter 2
Checking wiring diagrams, Hardware and MIDI settings + registration guide
Chapter 3
Successfully establish the connection to your Hardware
Chapter 4
Hardware functions and our custom functions explained in great detail
Chapter 5
Basic layout and guide how to use the Patch Librarian
Chapter 6
Deeper analysis of the Patch Librarian Menu functions
Troubleshooting
Why there is no sound? Why no connection? Time to troubleshoot!