The Virus - Access Virus Rack XL User Manual

16
CHAPTER 5
Introduction

The Virus

This section provides deliberate, step-by-step
guidelines on operating and handling the Virus
for those of you who are new to the world of
synthesizers and MIDI. The following covers ba-
sics such as how to connect the Virus to an AC
power supply, your MIDI system and your audio
system. Then we will guide you through a series
of experiments designed to demonstrate the
different functional groups, their control fea-
tures and the tasks they execute.
After you have finished reading this section, you
will be able to handle virtually all of the sound
generating and sound shaping functions of the
Virus. All of these are described in context.
Even the majority of less significant functions,
accessible via menus, are discussed here. You
will find a detailed, comprehensive description
of all functions of your new synthesizer in the
section following this introduction.
Please keep in mind that within confines of this
introduction, we are unable to impart all of the
knowledge and skills in acoustics, sound syn-
thesis and MIDI control you might desire or
need to acquire. If you are keen to learn more
about these subjects, you should consider be-
coming a regular reader of one or several of the
leading trade publications in your country. Your
local musical instruments dealer or more expe-
rienced musicians will be able to recommend
the best magazines to you. And of course there
is a wide range of books available on these
subjects.
If you decide to read this section, we recom-
mend you read it in its entirety from the start -
rather than begin with a subsection that is of
particular interest to you. A fitting metaphor for
the basics discussed in this section might be a
house where each bit of information in a sub-
section is a brick that builds on a preceding
brick and interlocks with those next to it. You
want your knowledge base to be a sound struc-
ture so you won't run into problems when you
find one of the "bricks" is missing.
CABLE CONNECTIONS
Before you connect the Virus to an AC outlet
and the rest of your equipment, ensure that all
of the devices are switched OFF. If your Virus
does not have a build-in keyboard, then con-
nect the MIDI OUT of the desired MIDI send de-
vice (keyboard, computer, hardware sequencer,
etc.) with the MIDI IN of the Virus.
Connect the audio outputs of the Virus with the
signal inputs of your audio system. In order to
receive a signal, as a minimum you must con-
nect the output OUT 1 R/MONO. However, we
recommend you also connect the output OUT 1
L so you are able to enjoy the stereo sounds of
the Virus.
Once you have established the desired cable
connections, make sure the main volume con-
trols of all the connected devices are dialed to
the lowest possible setting. Switch the devices
on in the following sequence: the MIDI send de-
vice (computer, master keyboard, etc.) first,
then the sound generators (Virus and the other
signal sources), followed by the mixing console
and finally the amplifier.
POWER UP THE VIRUS RACK XL
Power up the Virus rack XL by pressing the
POWER button. To shut the device down, press
and hold this button for approx. two seconds.
Now while you are sending notes on MIDI
Channel 1 of the Virus, turn the master volumes
of the connected devices up in the same order