Original
Message 1/6
Date: 06-Jun-03 @ 04:08 PM Edit: 06-Jun-03 | 04:09 PM -
IT'S HERE!!!!
OS6 IS HERE AT BLOODY LAST!
"OS6 for the Virus C, KC, Indigo2 and rack XL is the next landmark in our unique software update policy. Featuring more Arpeggiator patterns and even better real time control provided by an extensive set of panel shortcuts, OS6 underlines the Virus’ OS reputation as the most sought after synthesizer operating system available.
OS6 also introduces PureTuning, Access adaptive tuning technology. PureTuning analysis and corrects chords in real time and retunes the individual notes so a perfect pure tuning is being achieved. Christoph Kemper, CEO of Access Music says: “Especially distorted sounds with such energy and clarity are simply out of reach for equal temperament instruments.”
Additional Arpeggiator patterns
In addition to the existing 40 arpeggiator patterns there will be 24 new ones raising the count to 64 in total. The new patterns contain more unusual types such as Reggae grooves along with 16th note sequences with make extensive use of the dynamic information within the patterns. Get prepared for these pulsating 303 style bass lines and more...
Pure Tuning
For centuries we have been playing musical instruments that are out of tune...
Ever since the emergence of polyphonic instruments, including all keyboards as well as fretted instruments such as the lute and guitar, tuning has always been a compromise. Several attempts from the 16th-18th centuries to standardise the temperament (tuning) of church organs and virginals helped a little, but they were battling against the mighty laws of physics.
First suggested in 1636, our modern “Equal Temperament” was only in common use from the late 18th century onwards because it was considered much too much of a compromise at the time. Despite it’s one advantage (the freedom to play in any key), Equal Temperament simply dilutes the fundamental problem, spreading it across all the notes in the octave.
Experienced singers and string players use “just” intonation – they adapt to any keys and modulations (key changes) because they have infinitely variable control over pitch. Within certain limits, the pitch of wind instruments can also be varied by adjusting embouchure (lip position/tension). A group of musicians instinctively approaches a common overtone structure, minimizing the “friction” between all the voices in a chord. This results in the wonderfully rich but compact sound of symphony orchestras or gospel choirs.
Unfortunately, real time intonation was not a feasible proposition for makers of keyboard instrument. Finding a usable method of performing fine adjustments to each and every note seemed physically impossible, especially when playing polyphonically.
These days, digital musical instruments can automate this process. The Pure Tuning (aka. Hermode) algorithm analyses chords and immediately adjusts the pitch of each note so that the prominent harmonics line up. Especially for normal synthesizer sounds, the difference between Equal Temperament and Pure Tuning may appear to be rather subtle at first (though this difference can be accentuated – see below):
Select the factory preset C126 (-Init-) on your Virus. Turn the Detune value down to 7 to make the phasing between the two oscillators nice and slow. Play a few simple major chords, or just a C-major triad if you prefer, and vary the PureTuning Intensity parameter.
At 127, PureTuning is fully on: The chord is well intonated (like a choir) and does not exhibit any beating between notes. This may seem a little unusual at first, but it sounds perfectly “straight” and correct after you have familiarized yourself with the effect. Setting PureTuning back to zero (“Equal”) switches it off again: The chord is beating and, after comparing the two extremes, this original setting sound equally unusual. The chord now appears to be tuned rather oddly, not quite pure enough, slightly spoiled compared with the maximum setting.
Astonishingly, this is the very same Equal Temperament we have been hearing all our lives...
Control Panel Shortcuts
Did you ever want to access the mid band of the fully parametric Virus C Series equalizer directly, change the Filter Keyfollow or send a Single Buffer Bulk Dump without stepping through a menu? With OS6 you can. The new Virus operating system provides you with loads of little time saving shortcuts to improve the user's experience of it's redesigned control panel even further... Wanna tweak the Amplifier Envelope Time? Easy: Hold any Edit button and use the AmpEnvelope Sustain knob."