Virus TI|2 keyboard - intro, 1st impression, and question

[davidvector]

I guess I've been spoiled by Yamaha and Roland keybeds, even K5000s used Yamaha - Fatars just seem to be a hit or miss.

Are you referring to the Kawai K5000? I remember reading more than once that the K5000 used a Fatar-made keybed similar to (if not the same as) the keybeds in the Novation Supernova II, Emu E-Synth/E4K and Virus KC (I don't know if the TI uses the same keybed model as the KC). I have a Fatar keybed in my main non-hammer-action controller and love it - it has a light touch that doesn't require major force (I hate overly stiff-feeling keys like the CME UF5/6/7) but the keys still spring back quickly enough for fast repeated notes and soloing. Aftertouch is great too - much easier to press through gradations of aftertouch than on some other keybeds which seem to be virtually an on/off proposition. Obviously these things are down to individual tastes, though.

[shenme shenme]

I relatively recently purchased a TI-kb and I think the keyboard is glorious. I used to be a purist who wouldn't touch ANYthing non-hammer-weighted but after a few hours of playing with the Virus aftertouch I bought it that day and haven't looked back. Plus, it's quite fast and yet very predictable once you get used to it! The TI keys is now my go-to controller... which brings me a little more on-topic:

I love my TI, but I'm definitely not touching the TI2. It's just far, far too incremental of an upgrade. Reduced weight and increased polyphony sounds great, but how did everyone's primary complaints get overlooked? The SHIFT key must die! And why on Earth is the Virus so ROM-heavy!? Does anyone actually use all those ROM presets? Doesn't everyone else want to be able to construct more than one User ARP pattern per patch? Is there really an excuse, at this point, to have so many features software-only? How hard would it be to display the contours on the LCD? The Lock feature would be a really brilliant live tool if it didn't (afaik) require a PC...

...anyway. I'm not disappointed, because I've got a TI that I'm already really VERY happy with. I've been one of the lucky ones, and the software side is just aces for me. You guys are slaying the competition there. I'd love to see more features but I can't complain when you're the top of the VA game. I'm just confused. Did this really seem like the best way to spend R&D dollars? Maybe you guys are just working so hard on the software side you don't see the room for the hardware improvements, or maybe the price point is too challenging? Seems unlikely tho... plenty of synths compete at this price point as far as knobs and LCDs.

PS: 1st post!

[marc]

Originally Posted by shenme shenme

And why on Earth is the Virus so ROM-heavy!? Does anyone actually use all those ROM presets? Doesn't everyone else want to be able to construct more than one User ARP pattern per patch?

if you don't like the ROM banks, you can always replace the sounds with ones you like or just ignore those banks entirely

just my .02%

marc

[shenme shenme]

Originally Posted by marc

if you don't like the ROM banks, you can always replace the sounds with ones you like or just ignore those banks entirely

lol... I can? ^^;; oh snap! I have so much to do tonight! =D

[DJVoyetra]

I've just bought a TI2 Polar on Tuesday and I love it except for one thing...the keyboard!

I really do wish that Access would put the keys from the 61-note TI keyboard into the Polar (with maybe a slightly reduced weight for those who want it to be more synth-like). It would make for a far better instrument, as (if you look closely enough on any new Polar), you will see that the majority of the black keys are scratched and marked. If I hadn't opened the unit as brand new, I would have thought it may have been on display, but the staples had never been removed from the box and it came from an online warehouse, not a shop. I don't expect to pay £2,099.00 for an instrument of this class and be subjected to such an awful keyboard.

The matte finish of the TI keyboard eliminates this issue and also keeps the keyboard looking like new as well as being a better playing experience. I'd love to know if it's the same keybed, as I'd happily pay to get my keys refitted with TI keys to replace the cheaper Polar ones.

Other than that, it's a first-class synth in every respect. I love the new case design way more than my original Polar that I bought back in 2006.

[marc]

Originally Posted by DJVoyetra

I've just bought a TI2 Polar on Tuesday and I love it except for one thing...the keyboard!

I really do wish that Access would put the keys from the 61-note TI keyboard into the Polar (with maybe a slightly reduced weight for those who want it to be more synth-like). It would make for a far better instrument, as (if you look closely enough on any new Polar), you will see that the majority of the black keys are scratched and marked. If I hadn't opened the unit as brand new, I would have thought it may have been on display, but the staples had never been removed from the box and it came from an online warehouse, not a shop. I don't expect to pay £2,099.00 for an instrument of this class and be subjected to such an awful keyboard.

The matte finish of the TI keyboard eliminates this issue and also keeps the keyboard looking like new as well as being a better playing experience. I'd love to know if it's the same keybed, as I'd happily pay to get my keys refitted with TI keys to replace the cheaper Polar ones.

Other than that, it's a first-class synth in every respect. I love the new case design way more than my original Polar that I bought back in 2006.

if the keyboard doesn't appear new, you should give it back to the dealer and complain. we don't build products out of used components.

the TIP and the TIK have different keyboards for multiple reasons. one is, that we want people who prefer a lighter keyboard action a choice. another is that the 61-keys keyboard is not available in a 37-keys version.

best, marc
access music

[DJVoyetra]

Originally Posted by marc

if the keyboard doesn't appear new, you should give it back to the dealer and complain. we don't build products out of used components.

the TIP and the TIK have different keyboards for multiple reasons. one is, that we want people who prefer a lighter keyboard action a choice. another is that the 61-keys keyboard is not available in a 37-keys version.

best, marc
access music

Hi Marc,

Thanks for the reply.

I in no way intended to imply that Access uses used components. I believe it's a common production flaw as far as I can tell from other products I have seen that share this problem. As I stated, the item was from a warehouse and the box had never been opened, the Polar was factory sealed in a clear bag with all it's tape in place and the display had it's protective film as well as all the accessories being unopened too.

I also fully understand that it's about giving people a choice, it's just that IMHO, the TI has a much better keyboard and it's a shame Polar users can't have a better choice. In every other respect, I love it!