There are also 18 white LEDs, but no illuminated Access logo, which might disappoint long-standing Virus lovers. Construction quality is reassuring, with a metal chassis and good-quality controls amounting to 21 momentary touch buttons and six conventional pots. The Snow is a cute little module, measuring 28 x 15 x 5cm and weighing about 1.5kg. But even the keyboard-less Desktop typically costs ВЈ1300, which would make almost anyone think twice as their mouse pointer hovers nervously over that web site 'Buy' button - heaven knows, mine has more than once. Value for money is not in question these are phenomenal synths by any standard, and well worth their asking price. One drawback of the Virus TI models available up until now - the KB, Indigo and Desktop - has undoubtedly been cost. In case you don't have it handy, there's a recap in the 'Totally Integrated' box. SOS previewed them back in December 2004, and Mark Wherry's excellent review from the December 2005 issue is still a great introduction to the TI (Total Integration) concept and the three 'premium' Virus TIs - the Desktop, Polar and Keyboard. While each revision of the Virus keyboards and modules has added more features, polyphony and raw DSP power to the basic recipe, Access (the German company that makes the Virus) took quite a bold step a few years back in replacing the successful revision C models with the TI range. They've always combined great usability with a sophisticated sound that suits many different genres - and not just dance music, although they absolutely excel in that area. The various incarnations of the Virus have pretty much reached legendary status amongst synth aficionados, and not without good reason. There's a brief mention of track freezing later on, but otherwise that's an end to it, if you catch my drift. After careful consideration, I decided to put the flurry of snow-related gags I'd originally planned for this review on ice - otherwise I might have got a frosty reception for making SOS readers plough through them. I'm going to have to start with an apology. The new Virus is one of the most affordable ever and currently the cheapest way to get a slice of Access' Total Integration technology - but does cheaper mean compromised?

Access virus vs blofeld