The Access Virus B, released in 1999, is the "Goldilocks" of the legendary Virus lineage. It represents the moment Access Music moved from a niche German developer to the absolute king of the Virtual Analog (VA) mountain. Even in 2026, it remains a powerhouse for producers who want a hardware synth that feels alive without the price tag (or the "Total Integration" software headaches) of the TI series.The Technical SoulUnder the hood, the Virus B was a massive leap over the original Virus A. It doubled the polyphony and added the crucial third oscillator that defined the "Virus sound."FeatureSpecificationPolyphony24 Voices (Dynamic allocation)Oscillators3 per voice + Sub-oscillator + NoiseFiltersTwin multi-mode filters (Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, Notch)Multitimbrality16 partsEffects82 simultaneous (Reverb, Delay, Phaser, Chorus, Distortion, etc.)Mod Matrix3 Sources / 6 DestinationsWhy It’s Still a Beast in 20261. That "Dark" CharacterThere is a long-standing debate in the synth community: Does the B sound better than the TI? While later models have more features (Hypersaw, Wavetables), many purists swear the B has a "darker," "grittier" converter sound. It lacks the clinical sheen of modern software, giving it a weight that sits perfectly in a mix without needing ten plugins to "warm it up."2. The Workflow (Knobs vs. Menus)The Virus B is a tactile dream for the most part. About 70% of what you need is right on the front panel. While deep editing of the modulation matrix and the 32-band vocoder requires some menu diving, the layout is logical. It’s a "hands-on" instrument that encourages happy accidents—something often lost in modern VSTs.3. The Effects EngineEven by today's standards, the built-in effects are stellar. The Phaser is legendary (think 90s trance and psytrance), and the Distortion can take a polite pad and turn it into a screaming industrial lead with two twists of a knob.The "Red Flag" Reality CheckBefore you go hunting on the second-hand market, keep these points in mind:No USB: This is an old-school MIDI beast. You’ll need a dedicated MIDI interface and a pair of audio cables. No "Total Integration" here.Maintenance: These units are over 25 years old. Watch out for "jumping" encoders (where the value skips) and check the internal battery—if it dies, you lose your presets.The "Trance" Stigma: Yes, it can do the Supersaw (though the TI does it better with the actual Hypersaw oscillator), but it’s a mistake to pigeonhole it. It’s equally capable of gritty IDM basses, lush ambient pads, and sharp techno stabs.
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