If you plan on working ITB with the Virus I would recommend a second-hand snow model, you will save alot of money. I bought a used Ti2 and barely use the knobs apart from automating small things, even then I usually assign them to the soft knobs. The Virus is also really good for pads and the benefit of the plug-in intergration is that it makes it very easy to program complex and evolving pad sounds.

Also, the only difference between the Snow and Ti1 models is 25% extra DSP power.

The money saved could also go towards that Sub 37! Then you have a Ti and a Sub 37, best of both worlds!

 

I searched but even with second hand I'd go way over my budget.
(Stupid VAT)

The best I couls get would be a virus c

 

I would definitely go with the virus c. I recently was able to pick one up and it is amazing. I think that it sounds better than the ti and would highly recommend it. I have not been able to compare them side by side. However, all of the comparisons that I have seen the c definitely beats out the ti in every way for my tastes and work flow. I think that the filters sound much better on the c. If you are able to pick one up it would definitely be used but you may be able to talk them down (we did) and have extra cash for whatever else you lust after.

 

I'm going to jump in the Virus C camp (not analogue, I know). I picked one up for $400USD locally (yeah, I know the price was crazy low). It is a phenomenal synthesizer. The lfo can control the contour of the filter and can be used to emulate the sound of Moogs, ARP2600s, etc. They CAN be found for very reasonable prices. With a reliable USB/MIDI interface, they are easy to work with in a studio setting--and reliable. No plugin obviously, but I have had ZERO MIDI sync issues (a commonly reported error with the TI models) with it. The low end is arguably fatter than the low end on the TI's. The amount of options on the synth are crazy. The modulation matrix is routable to anything--which opens up huge doors for sound-design. I personally prefer the sound overall, but that can be subjective. But for price, features, sound quality, reliability, and versatility a used Virus C is probably the best deal you can find. Try to talk the price down when you find a used one and you would be surprised how little you can pay for good equipment. I work on a serious budget and the Virus C was able to fit in my price range. That means pretty much anyone can afford it haha!

*edit*
I was going to buy a Waldorf Blofeld for $500 new, but then I saw a used Virus locally for $750 (managed to talk him down to $400). Saved $100 and gained an enormous boost in capability. The Blofeld doesn't have hardware MIDI ports. So if that is important to you (it is for me) then that is a serious handicap for the Waldorf.

 

The C uses the exact same engine as the Ti's so it can't sound 'better'... You can load patches made on a Ti into a Virus C and vice-versa.

The Ti range has however added new algos, wavetable capability, Hypersaw, more FX options, higher polyphony, granular capabilities, USB connection etc... Don't forget about the portability of the Snow as well, you will be able to travel around with the power of a Virus synth anywhere! The C is obviously still a great synth, though.

If you are dead set on a C you probably wouldn't lose much on it if you were to re-sell it, then you could upgrade to a Ti which i am certain you would not regret...

 

From another forum

"Although the TI has the extra Grain and Formant oscillators and some extra FX and can do a wider range of sounds, when it comes to the classic Virus patches, the C sounds better than the TI to my ears...especially the sub osc on the C...it seems like its thicker/goes louder at max than the sub osc on the TI...also another factor could be that I never recorded anything through the DACs (don't have a great soundcard, Focusrite Saffire) with the TI and bounced everything internally in plug in mode. Who knows, I never bothered to do that test whilst I had the Polar TI."

But I've heard this nearly universally. I don't have a TI, so I can't do a direct comparison. But I've heard this sentiment countless times.

The waveforms are also slightly different on the TI's and the C's.

 

Dude, it's exactly the same engine lol. He was bouncing the C through his interface, which WILL have an effect on the sound. That is not a difference in the synth engine.

 

I found a Ti for a decent price (800 Euros)

And Btw, the difference between the ti and ti2 is only 25% processing power right? No real need to waste the extra money right?

 

Yep, that is the only difference!

 

Same engine doesn't necessarily mean identical sound as the waveforms, OS, etc can still vary within the same engine. There are even different versions of the hypersaw. Again, I can't give a direct comparison as I don't have a TI. But countless Virus collectors and aficionados agree the C slightly has fatter low end. I got that quote from an Access forum. I got mine for a song, and couldn't afford a TI. So the argument doesn't really matter to me as I couldn't switch if I wanted to. Just relaying what I've read a LOT of places. Of course, tone is subjective--and it wouldn't be any fun if there wasn't debate and personal preference involved.

 

You've quoted from an internet forum? It must be true!

 

You don't have to believe me lol. I doesn't really matter to me either way. I'm just saying that nearly all people who own both agree the C has fatter low end. Go to the Access forums and ask around. Control group some experiments. But fact of the matter is: even OS updates on a single synth (C or TI) can change the sound of the synth. They can modify or update the waveforms, and all kinds of other stuff. Since it is one synth, clearly the sound engine itself has not changed. But the algorithmic data in the OS itself sure can. If this is the case, then why is it so hard to believe that the C and TI could possibly sound different. For one, they run different OS's out of the gate. I'm not talking about night and day here. Subtle differences--but differences nonetheless. Just updating a Virus C from OS5 to OS6.5 changes some of the waveforms.

 

Elektron analog four

 

Currently on my Target list are the Waldorf Pulse 2, and Moog Sub 37, although the Waldorf looks awesome, I am unsure about the stepping in the filter when using midi, hate that shit, it should not exist in this day and age. But i really do like the look of the matrix routing on it. Although it will be quite a while before I can afford either of them.

Got a Novation BassStation in synth hospital undergoing surgery, hope it comes back working and well.
I do have a Virus TI desktop (yes not an Analogue synth) and I love it, got it secondhand on flea bay for £500. A good replacement for my EX GF LOL :D ........ Yes what I was saving up for to buy her driving lessons got spent on the TI when she dumped me lol...... :D

 

Oh man sorry to hear that. Anyway Synths>>> Girls anyday of the week!