Excellent sound. I have a Motif 6 and I needed an analog synth. I decided this was a good addition to my setup. Now it's not 'true' analog compared to a Moog Voyager per say so dont' come here if that's what you're looking for. But you can still get those fat analog sounds with programming and emulate a wide variety of sounds/instruments.

I really like the 6.5 OS. It's easy to navigate and if i have a little trouble I can turn to the manual to help explain something. Most useful features for me are the MOD matrix (if you can even call this a feature since most analog synths have a mod matrix), ability to see values stored with a patch (i.e. cutoff orginally at 65, when I modify it's new value is displayed to the right of orginal), and effects section. What I like about the mod matrix is you can practically modulate any parameter on the synth. And you're not limited to just the 4 standard LFO waveforms. The reverb isn't bad, but if you have a Powercore or something similar in your DAW you might want to explore that instead. Almost forgot to mention Muli mode and SoundDiver. Makes it easy to use a sequencer, Logic or Cubase with the Virus C.

I have the Redback. No problems here. Very well constructed. I love that signature plate :)

It's worth the price. There is something very different from tweaking an acutal piece of hardware compared to a soft synth. I just don't feel the same creative feeling. Call me crazy, but I love instant access to the knobs for parameter adjustments.

Access is very prompt in their responses. I usually get an email response within 24hrs. Combine that with constant OS improvements and a huge user sound library.

Redback all the way. Only 500 were made so it might be difficult to find one these days. The Silver Indigo is still very nice.

Ambient, Dance, Electro-instrumental

I give it a 10 on sound cuz the extreme editing and morphing qualities - it's never failed to give me what I'm looking for or take me to new sound realms. I do techno/electronica and it produces great leads, wide pads and extreme sound bites. I give the presets a 8.5 - good breadth of examples to start with, a little too reverbing in some cases, somewhat weak in the percussion and too many breathy pads. But I bought to build my own unique sounds, not regurgitate presets, and for this its perfect.

If you want a modeling synth and you go the HW route you've got to have physical access to the functions from the synth itself - easily. It's what payed you paid for. Access nailed it. Menu functions are well structured, functional layout of synth and effects well-done, and plenty of knobs and bright read-outs in each section to get to what you need. I've used the I2 for a year now. The only features issue I have are niggling (seperate phone level - ouch!) or preferential (more weight on the keys, though velocity and aftertouch are good)

1 year, on the road from the US to Europe to the Middle East - no problems, nothing loose, nothing broken. Still as solid as the day I unpacked it. You can't ask for anything more.

By now you ought to know I feel I got my money's worth. And if you can't afford the 1500-2200 for the Virus C rack to keyboard models buy the SW Virus. I've plugged my I2 into into a friend's home studio and I can hear no difference between stand-alone and mixed sound from my I2 or from his SW VC - believe me, I wanted to :-)

Never needed physical service. I have emailed a couple of times on "how do I" questions related to effects and routing. Each time I got an accurate response within 24 hrs. Upgrades - a BIG positive point for Access. In 1yr I've added 3 OS upgrades, all easy & w/o issue. Each with some great new features. Access is constantly developing and pushing their product. Eg's - Pure Tuning in OS 6 it cool as hell, Flash to ROM in 5.5 gives more me-developed sound storage - none of which could even be done when I bought it. Add to this new presets, arpeggiator patterns, a *real* active user group sharing sound libs... plus I got to commend Access when first reviewers said the manual was too technical, too geared toward Phd's in Synthology and not the average/new user - they get Howard Scarr to write a 130 pg "Programming Analogue Synths" that is a work of love and art that all skill levels can learn from and they just post it for free on the website. That's class. Check it out even if you don't own Access products.

10 on the "I want it" scale. Not from sex appeal but sound appeal. Though it does look awesome in dark club all blue and shiny, I couldn't give it a 10 unless I had the Redback - crankin' sex appeal has to have that dark component of intrigue and the silver & blue of the standard I2 is just a little too angelic and innocent looking to Pump Me Up!

techno/electronica/drum&bass