VIROLOGY Access Virus Kontakt library review

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Yo what’s good, back with another library I picked up over the weekend.

This is one of my favorites so far.

It’s from PinkNoise Studio, off of their kontaktbanks.com website.

I went over there and downloaded some demos and ended up purchasing two libraries, today I’m reviewing one of them.

It’s called VIROLOGY and it’s a Kontakt library based off of the Access Virus Indigo2/VirusC synth.

Let’s peep it!

So what is VIROLOGY?

Basically, it’s a sample library based off of the sounds from the Access Virus Indigo2/VirusC synth.  Of course we all know the Virus is a pretty popular synth, and I’ve come across many that have tried to capture the sound, some come close, others don’t.

This library runs in the full version of Kontakt, it’s not a “powered by Kontakt” library, so it doesn’t work in the Kontakt Player. Well, unless you want to use Kontakt in demo mode for 30 minutes or so.

This library takes advantage of the Kontakt scripting engine to give you an instrument, not just a collection of samples. Everything is tweakable from the fx and filters to the arpeggiator and unison settings.

They even have some parameters premapped to various midi cc values.

Quick Specs

  • content: 3.36gb
  • format: Kontakt (also comes in Reason refill format)
  • price: 36 Euro (about $51)

But how does it sound?

This thing sounds SICK….  in a good way! It is very well programmed so it feels like playing an actual instrument and not just static samples.

The way you can tweak the filter and other settings directly in the interface allows you to really capture the sound and vibe you’re after.

The leads are thick and loud, the pads are lush, and there are some deep basses as well.

One of the things I think adds to the feel and sound quality is their custom IR samples for the Kontakt convolution reverb.  It really gives it a space and sound that just feels right.

The way you can quickly tweak the arps or fatten up the sound and adjust the detune from the interface just makes it fun to work with.

The sound itself is impeccable, very high quality samples, no hidden sloppy loop points so you can hold those lush chords as long as you wish!

What’s the bottom line?

Bottom line is I’m now a fan of PinkNoise Studio, after I tried their demo patches I immediately when to purchase two libraries. Their quality and attention to detail is very appreciated and I love the fact that they put these libraries within the reach of anyone’s budget.

It’s definitely one of my favorite synth libraries, and even though it is sample based it really feels like a synth, it’s been programmed so that patches aren’t huge in memory, letting them load almost instantly into Kontakt

I give this library 5 out of 5 subs, it’s just plain SICK! As I go through playing the sounds, they have that “inspiration” factor, meaning, when you come across a sound and it instantly sparks your ability to create something around it.

You get that here.

As you know, I’m also a stickler when it comes to the look and feel of an instrument, I think this interface is very clean, sleek, and intuitive to use.

Definitely go download the demo patches and check them out, I’m sure you’ll love them: http://www.kontaktbanks.com/kb_virology.html

Also, when you register you get the Reason format too, I haven’t tried those yet so I don’t know how they differ, but I would expect nothing less than an amazing library for Reason as well.

leave a comment below, let me know what you think!

 

 

26 Comments

  1. Cool thanks for the review on this. I may just pick it up. I find myself fighting over whether or not I need anymore synth sounds but at such a nice price point and small gb size I may just need to grab it up.

    Reply
    • @Flux302, I feel you bro, but you know me, I’m always looking for sounds that inspire, I like that it’s a kontakt library since I use Kontakt so often. Plus, the character in these sounds are really nice, I find myself going to them often even though I have Omnisphere and Massive, etc. Something about them. And the Dave Smith one is nice too, good stuff. For me it’s all about the sound lol.

      Reply
  2. Yeah man I like this one. I agree, it definitely makes you want to get right in there and create something. Great sounds – Great price. Another no-brainer as far as I’m concerned.

    Reply
  3. Hey SJ what is the upgrade path from the free Kontakt player. I bought maschine
    recently and got Komplete elements and Kontakt but it says upgrade in serivice Center. How much is it to upgrade

    Reply
    • @Tiko, You’re basically buying it brand new, there is no updgrade path from the free version.

      I believe the full version of Kontakt is around $400, I always suggest if someone wants kontakt, just buy complete because for a few more bucks you get all the synths and instruments like massive, fm8, etc, it’s just a better deal than buying kontakt by itself.

      Reply
  4. You know me, going against the grain, 4.5 out of 5 subs. This is definitely nice no doubt, but personally I feel it’s not quite Meagan Good 5 out of 5 but more like Gabrielle Union 4.5 out of 5. Holla back.

    Reply
  5. I was lucky enough to find a virus Ti2 desktop at a pawn shop for $500 ( they labeled it as a drum machine..they just didn’t know ) We all know normally these go for $2,500 and not to many people can just throw that kinda money down…but for around $51 you can buy this and get not only the fat synth sounds but also the ability to modulate everything cause its ran in Kontakt….forget about it..thats a no brainer…great job saintjoe for bringing this to the for front for those producers looking for the virus sound without the virus money…keep up the great work

    Reply
    • @Capt7, man I never come across any deals/steals like that! A ti2 for 500 I would have scooped that up with the quickness just like you lol.

      But yeah, this joint right here is nice for sure.

      Reply
  6. And once again…good lookin’ on the research! I’m liking the bass pads and a few of the leads you previewed on this, not to mention the arpeggiator functionality. It puts me in a “tron-hop” state of mind.
    Peace & Blessings

    Reply
  7. yo man these sounds are dope have to cop it. under 60 bucks is crazy for over 3 gigs of quality synth. What was the other one you copped from kontaktbanks? Is it as dope.

    Reply
  8. Sup Saintjoe, I have a question about the access virtus TI snow. I’ve been interested in it for a while now and was wondering if its my best bet. Im looking for a synth with unique one of a kind strong and nasty synth sounds. I’ve heard alot of people say the basses aren’t that good and its more for pads and leads. Is that true? What is your opinion and are there any other synths that sound better?

    Reply

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