Hidden Fine Tune Pitch Modulation Trick For The Access Virus TI

If you’re anything like us, you like to make your patches sound as natural and organic as possible. And pitch modulations are an easy way to do that. We like the subtle pitch decay trick, for making patches behave like acoustic instruments, and for synths like the Nord Lead 3, JP-8080, Mininova, and Blofeld, that’s not too hard to do.

The Virus TI2 however, has been a thorn in our side for a decade on this one. Setting up a basic pitch modulation routing for say, a Mod Source of Env 3 or the Filter Env, and the destination as the oscillators, ends in squeaky disaster. The Osc Pitches are all Coarse by default, and if you mess with those even a little, it sends the tuning to hell in a ham sandwich. Unless you use LFO 3 to modulate the fine pitch for vibrato effects.

But if you want more flexibility in your pitch modulations, check out this technique we just learned!

Set up the routings like this (any mod Slot will work, but I chose 1 and 2 for simplicity’s sake), using any Envelope or LFO for the first slot, with the amounts all set to 0. Then set up 1% or 10% constant as the source on the next slot page, and experiment with the Slot 2 Amount numbers to dial it in and get the exactly amount of pitch change you want.

You can use the 1% constant instead of 10%, if you want even more granular control over the pitch.

It’s a little complicated, but it opens up the Virus sonically sooo much more to be able to add subtle pitch changes.

Happy sound designing!

News For Access Virus Users!

Hey Virus C, B, and A users! We have news!

One of our MIDI pack creators is partnering with us to work on an extensive project to port our current and future Virus TI Series soundsets over to the older Virus models! They’re focusing on the sounds the older synths are actually capable of, so some of the crazier wavetable and HyperSaw leads won’t survive the conversion, but a lot of other sounds will, and Ascension is mostly complete, for the Virus C!

After that they’ll start porting sounds over to the B and A, and sometime early next year, you’ll start seeing fresh banks for the entire Access Virus synth family up in our store!

So if you’ve been waiting for us to get off our keister and start making sounds for you, get ready! Because one of our vendors is making it happen! Stay tuned!

📢 Important Update: Price Adjustment Incoming January 1st + Your Exclusive Loyalty Pre-Sale!

Hey everyone, all of us at Kulshan Studios wanted to announce an important update!

Effective January 1st, 2026, our sound bank prices will be adjusted across our entire catalog. This change reflects the increased effort involved in the growing complexity, cross-compatibility, and sheer volume of world-class patches we deliver every month. It’s a lot of work for us to maintain the high standards you’ve come to expect!

Most of our products, particularly the flagship synths like the Sequential Prophet Rev2 and Access Virus TI, and classics like the Nord Lead 3, JP-8080 and Nord Lead 2X, as well as multi-format banks for the boutique JD-08, will officially move to their new tiered pricing then. These changes reflect the synths’ pedigrees, the additional instruments that can load their presets, and the growing number of software plugins (like OsTIrus) that can run their patches.

The Loyalty Pre-Sale: Your Last Chance to Save Big!

As a thank you for your ongoing support, we are offering an exclusive opportunity to purchase any pack at the current, low price, with an added discount.

This Loyalty Pre-Sale runs from now through January 1st, 2026! And here is the best part: All current sales discounts still apply!

This is your absolute last chance to save before the new, permanent price structure takes effect.

So don't wait until the New Year! Secure your sound banks now and write your hits at the best possible price.

Top 10 Desktop Hardware Synths For Trance Producers (Updated 2026)

TOP 10 DESKTOP HARDWARE SYNTHS FOR TRANCE PRODUCERS

If you've been feeling like VSTs aren't quite cutting it for achieving the sounds you want for your Trance productions, or just want a slightly different sound than everyone else, here's a list of the 10 best desktop synths for the genre. This list contains mixed Virtual Analog, Digital, and Analog synths. The ranking is in no particular order, but you can listen to the soundset samples of each by various studios, to decide which sound suits your tracks the best.

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Roland JP-8080

The original Trance synth (along with its sibling, the JP-8000). Made famous for its signature SuperSaw sound, it first came to prominence following the release of Rank 1’s iconic classic “Airwave”. Subsequently used by nearly every major Trance artist for pads, leads, and occasionally, basses. Nearly all the controls are laid out on the front panel, making this a very easy to use, friendly synth for the novice hardware user.

Polyphony: 10 voices

Oscillators: 2 Roland Analog Modeling DSP oscillators: Saw, Square (PWM), Triangle (PWM), SuperSaw (7 de-tuned Saws), Triangle Mod, Feedback OSC

Filter: Resonant 12/24dB/oct low/band/hi pass, 12-band formant filter bank

Effects: 3 onboard effects: Delay; Multi-FX including Chorus, Flanger, Distortion and Tone control

Memory: 384 preset and 128 user patches; 192 preset and 64 user performance

Arpeg/Seq: Onboard Arpeggiator and real-time Phrase Sequencing (RPS) capability

Keyboard: None

Control: MIDI (2 parts)

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Access Virus TI2

Another legendary Trance synth, as much an icon of the genre as the JP80x0. The TI series expanded on the older Virus models with improved DSPs, higher polyphony, added effects, more complex routing options, and more effects. Useful for virtually any genre, and can be used to produce almost 100% of a track, it’s a true studio workhorse. And with an abundance of knobs and front panel controls, it’s easy to use and fun to sculpt sounds with. The TI2 boasts an additional 25% processing power over the first TI, making it extremely useful for long, complex pads, and sounds no other hardware synth can achieve.

Polyphony: Over 90 voices

Multitimbral: 16 parts

Oscillators: 3 osc + subosc + noise, FM, Sync

Waveforms: Sine / pulse / saw / hypersaw / wavetable / granular / formant

Filter: dual LP/HP/BP/BR with envelopes and addtional multi-pole analog emulations (includes Minimoog 4-pole emulation)

LFO: 3 LFOs, multiple options plus mod matrix 18 slots

Envelope: Amp / Filter / 'LFO as envelope' option

Sequencer: none onboard

Arpeggiator: Up / Down / Random / Chord / Multiple additions, editable in software to any variation

Effects: Reverbs, Delays, EQs with Q and freq control, Tape Delays, Distortions (multiple), Phasers, Flangers, Chorus, Analog EQs, Vocoder.

Memory: 128 patches in each of 30 banks plus USB storage / Librarian with additional free patchbanks provided regularly by Access

Control: MIDI, USB, 16-part multitimbral in Multi or sequencer modes

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 Waldorf Q

Another amazing VA full of character. It’s a classic you hear in abundance in DuMonde and Ace Da Brain records, and its unique Waldorf Sound makes it distinct from the Virus and JP synths most commonly used, and its polyphony and tone make it great for bright pads, sharp leads, and punchy basses.

Polyphony: 16 to 32 voices

Oscillators: 3 per voice (sawtooth, triangle, sine, PWM, new oscillator algorithms, waves and a noise generator)

Memory: 300 single programs, 100 multi programs

Filter: 2 12dB/24dB Filters (Low pass, band pass, hi pass, notch, comb, ring mod and more; FM and distortion)

VCA: 4 envelopes (ADSR with loop and one shot function, bipolar)

Arpeg/Seq: Arpeggiator: Many user patterns (accents, timing, swing, glide, chords and more); Sequencer: 100 user patterns; 32 steps per pattern, polyphonic

Control: MIDI (16 parts), CV

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Access Virus C

The 3rd iteration of the Virus series. Where the TI series has HyperSaws, and higher polyphony, this has (according to users) a slightly fatter and heavier low end, making it ideal for basses, and thick pads demanding more low frequency content. It was commonly used in Psytrance between 2002-2005, and you can hear it in the basslines and acid squelches of the genre during that period.

Polyphony: 32 voices

Oscillators: 3 Osc per voice plus 1 Sub-Osc: Sawtooth, variable pulse, sine, triangle, oscillator sync. 5 FM Modes: 64 digital FM spectral waveforms.

LFO: 3 LFOs with 68 waveforms

Filter: 2 independent resonant filters; lowpass, hipass, bandpass, band reject, parallel, split & 2 serial modes with up to 36dB/voice (6-poles), overdrive/saturation.

VCA: 2 ADSTR envelopes

ModMatrix: 6 Sources, 9 Destinations

Effects: 98 simultaneous effects: 16 Phasers, 16 Choruses, 16 Distortions, 16 Ring Modulators, 16 Parametric EQs, Delay, 32-Band Vocoder, Surround Sound.

Memory: 1024 programs (256 User / 768 ROM / 128 Multi)

Control: MIDI (16 multitimbral parts)

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Moog Slim Phatty

When it comes to Trance, Analog Monosynths rarely take center stage. The lack of polyphony, and the tone drift can make using them difficult, and when they have Mono out instead of Stereo out, that makes using them for wide leads nearly impossible.
That said, the Slim Phatty, being compact AND the last synthesizer the founder Bob Moog designed, has that classic, magic Moog sound, and its true analog oscillators and filters make it fantastic for super fat, intense basses with just enough unpredictability to make it endlessly useful for unique, distinctive basses that cut through in a mix and add more character than any sterile vst or sample. Almost no one in the Trance world is using them, either, which gives you an extra reason to pick one up.

Polyphony: Monophonic

Multitimbral: No

Oscillators: 2 VCOs, both 16', 8', 4', 2'

Waveforms: Continuously variable: triangle through saw and square to narrow pulse.

LFO: LFO with triangle, square, sawtooth, ramp

Modulation: Mod Source: LFO, Filt. EGR or Sample and Hold, and Osc. 2 or Noise. Mod Destination: Pitch, Osc. 2, Filter, Wave.

Filter: 1 Low Pass VCF: 24dB/Oct Moog Ladder with overload and ADSR.

Envelope: 1 Volume amp with ASDR

Effects: None

Sequencer: None

Arpeggiator: Up, down, ordered. MIDI-syncable

Keyboard: None

Memory: 100 presets, all can be overwritten by user

Control: MIDI In/Out/Thru; USB; and CV: Pitch CV In (1 V/Oct) Filter CV In Volume CV In Keyboard Gate In

Weight: 5.75 Lbs (2.6 kg)

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WALDORF IRIDIUM CORE

The relative new kid on the block, the Iridium Core, the stripped down descendant of the Iridium and Quantum synths, is a pint-sized powerhouse of a synth. It has the ability to turn all 3 Waveform oscillators into Super-Anything waves (3 layer SuperSaws!) before Unison is even turned on, and it has a super deep mod matrix and 6 LFOs to play around with, giving you granularity and depth of control hard to find outside the Virus line. Plus, it has some best-in-class FX that really make it an underutilized Trance super synth. And thanks to a couple recent beta OS updates, it has 16 voices and Shimmer reverb available, giving you access to even more polyphony, and FX that the legends of the early 2000s could have only dreamed of.

Polyphony: 12 voices (16 with 4.1.0 beta OS update)

Oscillators: 3 oscillators capable of 5 synthesis modes incl Wavetable, Waveform (VA), Particle, Resonator, Kernel

Filters: Multiple Model filters incl SVF, Raiser, Largo, Nave, PPG, and Quantum, in 12/24dB/octave with LP/BP/HP types available

Envelope Generator (EG): 6 LFO, 6 ADSR

Included presets: 1,700 factory patches

Audio outputs: 2 x 1/4" TS jacks Audio inputs: 2 x 1/4" TS jacks

MIDI connectivity: In/Out/USB

USB connectivity: Yes

CV/Gate: Yes

Headphone Output: Yes

Sequencer: 64-step Arpeggiator

Advanced Effects: Reverb (incl Shimmer Mode with 4.1.0 beta 2 OS update), delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, drive, EQ, compressor, tremolo

Display: High-resolution touch screen

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Clavia Nord Lead 2X

An icon of Trance, the Nord Lead 2X (and the 2) really stands alone. The unique Nord Sound made it a feature in countless tunes throughout the 90s and early 2000s, featuring in tracks by San van Doorn and Protonica, and other Nord synths appeared in E-Type’s, Armin van Buuren’s, The Thrillseekers, and numerous other big artist’s songs.

Polyphony: 20 Voices

Oscillators: 2 VSM oscillators: sine, triangle, sawtooth, pulse and noise

LFO: 2 LFO's (triangle, sawtooth, random) control OSC 1 or 2, filter, pulse-width, ADSR envelope

Filter: 12 dB/oct 2-pole lowpass, 24dB/oct 4-pole lowpass / bandpass / highpass (both with cutoff, resonance, env amount, env velocity, key tracking, ADSR envelope)

VCA: ADSR envelope and Amplifier Gain control

Keyboard: 49 keys (velocity sensitive)

Memory: 99 patches (59 preset, 40 user), 99 performances, 10 drum kits

Control: MIDI (4 parts), and all knobs and controls are MIDI

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Waldorf Blofeld

Perhaps one of the rare synths deserving of the title Most Obscure Modern Classic. Well-beloved in sound designer circles for ambient and drone sounds, it’s a descendant of the Waldorf Q, Micro Q, XT, and Microwave series (and includes a number of their wavetables and filters), it is easily one of the most versatile synths on the market. What it lacks in user-friendliness and front panel accessibility, it makes up for in creating clean, fat plucks, basses, evolving pads and soundscapes, and gnarly basses. Users can upload their own wavetables into the synth, and with 25 voices of polyphony (not fixed, though), it works well in Trance. And hardly anyone in the Trance world is using it, so it’s perfect for creating sounds no one else is making.

Polyphony: 25 voices maximum (Poly, Mono, Dual or Unison modes)

Multitimbral: 16 parts

Sampler: 44.1kHz mono with 60 Mb RAM

Oscillators: 3 oscillators per voice (128' to 1/2') plus noise, frequency modulation, ring modulation

Waveforms: All Q Oscillator models: sine, saw, triangle, square with PWM; 68 digital 16-bit wavetables from Microwave II/XT/XTK

LFO: 3 LFOs per voice with square, sine, saw, triangle, S&H, random with delay and fade in/out

Modulation: Modulation Matrix with 16 Slots, freely programmable

Filter: 2 independent Multi Mode Filters per voice: Low pass, High pass, Band pass, Notch, Comb; 12 or 24 dB/oct modes

Envelope: 4 Envelopes per voice, ADSR, AD1S1D2S2R, One Shot, Loopable

Effects: 2 Effect units with Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Overdrive, Decimator, Delay, Reverb

Vocoder: None

Sequencer: None

Arpeggiator: Programmable, 16 steps, Up, Down, Alt Up, Alt Down, Random

Memory: 1024 sounds, 128 multi sets

Control: MIDI IN (plus OUT on Keyboard), USB

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Novation Supernova

Another piece of Trance history, the Supernova is one of those synths you hear everywhere, but might not immediately recognize. It’s versatile, flexible, and lacks a singular character just enough that when you use it, people in the know won’t groan and go “Guuh, they used a _”. You CAN hear it in tracks by ATB, and Ace Da Brain.

Polyphony: SuperNova: 20 voices, expandable to 32

SuperNova II: 24-, 36-, 48-voice models plus additional 12- or 24-voice expansion boards

Oscillators: 3 (square, saw, variable width pulse) and noise

LFO: 2 with control of VCA, VCF & pitch; saw, square, tri, sample/hold

Filter: Hi/Low/Band pass, 12/18/24 dB/oct ranges, resonant self-oscillating filter with overdrive

Effects: Distortion, reverb, chorus, flange, phaser, delay, pan, tremolo, 2-band EQ, comb filtering

Memory: 512 expandable to 1,024 patches; 256 performances

Control: MIDI (8 parts)

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 Clavia Nord Lead 3

Another classic, that you can’t pass up. It sounds different from other Nords, which you may or may not like, but it has higher polyphony and an expanded oscillator section relative to the others, which makes it even more useful for fat leads and wide pads.

Polyphony: 24 voices

Oscillators: 2 oscillator groups each with Six waveforms: sine, saw, triangle, square (pulse with width modulation), noise, synced noise, dual sine; 2- and 4-op FM and differential FM; osc-sync; ring-modulation; variable unison.

LFO: 2 per voice, syncable to MIDI. Triangle, saw, square, smooth and stepped random, and triple-peak sine waveforms. Separate vibrato effect.

Filter: 2 multi-mode filters (series or parallel). Lowpass, Bandpass, Highpass, LP-HP, LP-LP and Classic mode. 1-, 2-, or 4-pole.

VCA: ADSR envelopes for amplitude and filter; Amplifier Gain control

Memory: 1024 patches, 256 performances

Control: MIDI IN/OUT/THRU (4-parts)

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Dawnchaser is a Pacific Northwest-based electronic music producer, mountaineer, documenter of all things adventure, mountain, and travel-related, and manager of Kulshan Recordings. If he’s not in the studio writing music about adventures, he’s out on one.

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