Access Virus B

The Access Virus B is the second generation of the iconic Virus virtual analog synthesizer line, released in 2000 as a significant upgrade over the original Virus A. Built by German manufacturer Access, the Virus B doubled the polyphony and added a third oscillator, more effects, and a vocoder, cementing its place as one of the most popular hardware synths in electronic music production. It became a studio staple for genres ranging from trance and techno to pop and film scoring.

The Virus B bumps polyphony from 12 to 24 voices and adds a third oscillator per voice, giving you far more room for complex layered patches. Oscillators offer classic waveforms (sine, triangle, saw, variable pulse) along with FM synthesis modes for metallic and bell-like tones. The dual multimode filter section carries over from the Virus A with lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and band-reject modes, configurable in parallel, split, or serial routing with slopes up to 36dB/oct. The built-in saturation still gives the Virus its signature aggressive bite.

Effects processing is where the Virus B really steps ahead of its predecessor. You get up to 82 simultaneous effects including a 6-stage stereo retro phaser, chorus/flanger, ring modulator, multiple distortion types, an analog boost algorithm, and an envelope follower. The OS 4.0 update brought a 32-band vocoder, advanced distortion with lo-fi and filter DSP effects, 16 independent arpeggiators with real-time parameter access, and the ability to use the Virus as a dedicated effects processor while maintaining full polyphony. That is a massive amount of sound-shaping power in a single desktop unit.

The patch memory holds 768 ROM presets and 256 user patches across 16 multitimbral parts, and the hands-on control surface with its knobs and buttons makes live tweaking intuitive. MIDI In, Out, and Thru connections plus six audio outputs keep it well-connected in any studio setup.

Who Is This For?

• Electronic producers who want the classic Virus sound with more polyphony and effects than the Virus A
• Sound designers looking for FM synthesis, vocoding, and extensive modulation in a single hardware unit
• Live performers who need a reliable, knob-heavy synth with 16 independent arpeggiators
• Studio musicians who want a versatile multitimbral workhorse for layered arrangements

The Virus B hits a sweet spot in the Virus lineup: more capable than the A, often cheaper than the C, and still packed with that unmistakable Virus character. Prices on the used market have climbed in recent years, but it remains one of the best values in virtual analog hardware if you can find one in good condition.