Virus ti snow or desktop

[ark]

Either one of those is pretty expensive for a temporary anything.

[arturio]

don't forget that it a good VA synth also))) i mean temporary untill i get an interface. i don't want to sell it after

[DeathDub]

The Snow has the same sounds as the TI desktop. Difference is editing and number of simultaneous sounds. For the type of music I play was able to get two monophonic patches and one poly patch pretty easily. Worked well with my Macbook running Cubase as an audio interface.

I don't like to edit with my computer though and this is where I had problems with the Snow. Didn't enjoy editing the Snow through the hardware interface. Really tedious. Not bad for playing live once the patches are right. Four freely assignable knobs and filter freq and res available at all times.

If you like to edit with your computer and don't mind dumping to audio now and then I'd get the Snow. I'm more of a real time knob tweaker so I sold my Snow. Planning on getting a TI keyboard in the future to replace it.

[Hi PHi]

I think it depends on your workflow; if you mainly use the plug-in and bounce to audio frequently, then the Snow should be fine. If you really like to tweak and program on the hardware and need more than 4-channels simultaneously, then the TI is much better to work with.

In terms of using it as an audio interface; the TI has 3 pairs of analog outs (and one digital out), versus just one pair on the snow.

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by Hi PHi

I think it depends on your workflow; if you mainly use the plug-in and bounce to audio frequently, then the Snow should be fine. If you really like to tweak and program on the hardware and need more than 4-channels simultaneously, then the TI is much better to work with.

In terms of using it as an audio interface; the TI has 3 pairs of analog outs (and one digital out), versus just one pair on the snow.

Well said.

From a former Snow owner. Get a used desktop, version 1 or 2.
The lack of control can be hard to deal with on the Snow and all those knobs and sliders is just more fun.
When you get another interface you can go out the digital outs to track. The audio interface is USB 1 and can have some syncing issues when tracking the synth via USB. Even the manual says to not track with thru USB (at least it did on the Snow).

I say used because there are a ton of good deals to be had right now for that synth. I thought about getting a desktop today, but i am saving for a car right now. Plus if version 3, TI plus, TI with lemon or whatever they call it comes out you can sell it for the same or slightly less and upgrade if you see fit.

[PaPi61]

Consider that the TI's audio interface is a pitiful USB 1.1, which means a $300 M-Audio Fast Track Ultra --or any other USB 2.0 unit-- is about 20x faster. It's really not meant to be a DAW interface.

As for Snow vs bigger brother, I agree with what others said, if you use it in your studio, you don't need live knob-tweaking and you can live with the reduced multi-timbrality (4 parts vs 16) and polyphony (still about 50 voices, not too shabby for 4 parts), then it makes a lot more sense to save money and get the Snow. Consider that sound-wise there's absolutely no difference.

[WalKingMacheen]

can you get all the same presets that are on the TI2 desktop for the snow?

[PaPi61]

Originally Posted by WalKingMacheen

can you get all the same presets that are on the TI2 desktop for the snow?

Yes. On the Access web page.

[TNM]

Sorry to bump this but i have wanted to ask that exact question and just wanted to clarify.. i noticed there are 1024 patches on the snow and 3,000+ on the desktop and upper models.

I presume this is because of the ram etc.

Of course 1024 patches is MORE than plenty to have in memory at one time, but i am wondering if the other remaining 2,000 factory patches can at least be downloaded and loaded into snow.. i don't mean the extra free banks, i mean what you would get when you turned the virus ti2 on for the first time from the factory.

Anyone?
cheers! I can live with the snow reduced polyphony, can get a brand spanking new one delivered from USA for a grand to OZ when they still sell more than that here. I can score a ti2 desktop for 1800 delivered brand new from jrr (his 15% sales and $110 delivery fee), so there's basically $800 difference but the thing is my limited desktop space.... i also tend to be bed ridden alot these days still with my back problem so the snow would be more friendly to have on the laptop table when i am writing music in bed... oh, for when i DO make it to the studio though the unbalanced outs of the snow kind of poo me off a bit, even though i'll bounce within logic through usb, i'll be monitoring through my balanced audio interface with zero latency monitoring.

[synthoid]

Originally Posted by TNM

Of course 1024 patches is MORE than plenty to have in memory at one time, but i am wondering if the other remaining 2,000 factory patches can at least be downloaded and loaded into snow.. i don't mean the extra free banks, i mean what you would get when you turned the virus ti2 on for the first time from the factory.

Yes, the patch formats are identical and you can load anything into one that you can load into the other, at the level of individual patches.

I've never used a Snow, but I think that a single bank of 128 patches for the Desktop/Polar/KB corresponds to two banks of 64 patches each for the Snow. But I'm not sure about the details. In any event, all the factory patches are available on the Access website and you can load the up on any of the TI models AFAIK.

-synthoid

[Kamurah]

The number of patches on the Snow is only a limitation if you plan to exclusively use the device away from a computer.

IF that is the case, then you probably shouldn't be looking at a Snow anyway...you are going to want the additional editing surface of a desktop or the KB.

You can save as many banks of patches as you want on your computer, and pull up any bank at will when using the Snow in TI mode with your favorite DAW.

I browse through banks all the time when searching for sounds. AFAIK, when used with the plugin...there is no difference between internal banks and the external ones....they each load instantly.


Does that make sense? In other words, part of the way the plugin works is as a giant sound library...as well as an editor.

Cheers

[Luke44]

The patch limitations I dont even notice after having the Snow for two years, and I have become pretty good at programming it on the screen. . and recently I have bought new synths and have been running them through the Virus for FX, its an awesome unit that becomes more useful with time...

the other patches can easily be loaded... I make and buy sounds and use the software to load my favourites onto the unit

the only thing I wish I had was more knobs! menu diving is no fun

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by PaPi61

Consider that the TI's audio interface is a pitiful USB 1.1, which means a $300 M-Audio Fast Track Ultra --or any other USB 2.0 unit-- is about 20x faster. It's really not meant to be a DAW interface.

I have no problems using the Desktop TI with my PC setup. I have zero latency equiped with its standard USB through Ableton Suite 8.2. I second a used Desktop TI. More patches, more multi-timbral capability, etc, it's worth it for such a great machine.

[enossified]

Popbott is right, the USB carries a max of of 8 audio channels (6 outs, 1 in) plus MIDI. USB1.1 is capable of handling that. It is meant to be usable as a DAW interface.

I'd suggest used either way, you can easily find used Snows for $800 ($500 savings over new).