Virus TI2 integration ?

[ejlif]

I am wondering when you use the TI2 integrated do you still use the audio outputs or is the audio routed through the USB?

[meatballfulton]

The audio is routed over USB and the synth literally acts like a VST softsynth inside your DAW.

When I owned a Snow I only used the USB connection...never even connected the audio outs to anything!

[Hybrid88]

As an aside, Is there any truth in what some people say about the USB audio sounding worse than the analog outs?

[meatballfulton]

I never heard any difference when I had my Snow, but I have a budget playback setup...no $2000 monitors and treated room. You avoid the D/A of the Virus and the A/D of your interface so any coloration of those conversions is lost. Since you can still choose to route the audio using the analog outs you're free to decide for yourself.

As I wrote above, with the Snow I used the USB exclusively and loved it. When I later bought a Motif XF which has a similar VSTi option using FW, I started using that as well.

I really, really, really love the convenience and reduction in cabling. I am a firm advocate of using onboard audio interfacing whenever I can, it really makes the hardware and DAW boundary dissolve in my opinion.

[ejlif]

As an aside, Is there any truth in what some people say about the USB audio sounding worse than the analog outs?

We shall find out. I went to a friend's studio today and I am sold on the Virus Ti. Gotta have one. I will try it both ways but I have to say that is a major selling point of the Ti that you can just run a USB cord and be done. USB audio can sound very good. There are some very pricey audiophile DACs that use USB as the preferred method for getting audio out of the computer so I know if implemented correctly audio over USB can be top notch.

[Stab Frenzy]

As an aside, Is there any truth in what some people say about the USB audio sounding worse than the analog outs?

I can't really imagine how that would be the case, seeing the DACs in the analogue outs are seeing the exact same bits as the USB output is sending, unless of course the DAC isn't linear and the patches have been programmed around that fact. In that case if you were programming it with it connected via USB you'd program around that limitation and it shouldn't make a difference to you.

[Hybrid88]

Yeah I can't see how it wouldn't be fine, I think sometimes it can be a case of people hearing things that aren't there (of which I am not immune myself haha)

[boreg]

As an aside, Is there any truth in what some people say about the USB audio sounding worse than the analog outs?

I can't really imagine how that would be the case, seeing the DACs in the analogue outs are seeing the exact same bits as the USB output is sending

It's not the exact same bits, since the audio sent over USB is 16-bit, while Virus' own DACs are 24 bit. So, there is a potential for different sound - now, whether this difference is significant or negligible is up to the user

[rob_lee]

As an aside, Is there any truth in what some people say about the USB audio sounding worse than the analog outs?

My TI2 desktop sounds terrible over usb it's alai sing all over the place but only when using the Hypersaw. I only use the audio outs now. Might work for others but on my mac using Virus Control the sound is a no no.

Rob

[meatballfulton]

Horses for courses...I never had issues, but go to the Access forums and there's endless complaints. I have no idea why.

Computer audio just aint natural

[rob_lee]

Horses for courses...I never had issues, but go to the Access forums and there's endless complaints. I have no idea why.

Computer audio just aint natural

Your right "horses for courses" I'm one of those who asked about this on their forums and got answers that were no good to me. Works for some but not for others. I agree though computer audio just ain't natural. Right now i'm quite happy playing with the Nord lead 4 here. The Virus TI2 has been back in the box for weeks now.

Rob