AudioKit is back with what might just be their most ambitious iOS instrument yet. The VIRAL Synth T2x is a bold, modern re-imagining of one of the most iconic hardware synths of the last two decades; the Access Virus TI2.
As AudioKit pro’s Matthew Fecher is keen to point out, this is not a one-to-one emulation of the Virus. Instead, VIRAL Synth T2x is very much its own thing. Built from the ground up, it takes the spirit of that legendary VA synth and runs with it in new and exciting directions.
How Does it Work?
At the heart of VIRAL Synth is a 64-voice virtual analog engine. Each of its two oscillators can pull from 48+ Virus-inspired waveforms as well as a batch of exclusive XL multi-samples created by developer Matthew Fecher.
You’re not just locked into static waveforms either. Oscillator morphing, PWM, tuning controls, and even a four-voice unison per oscillator setup give you a huge amount of flexibility. Add in three different unison modes: Regular, Hyper, and the more aggressive Beast and things can get very big, very quickly.
There are also FM pitch drop controls for that wild, digital edge and a gnarly ring modulator. It’s the kind of character you’d expect from vintage VA synths, but with a distinctly modern polish.
VIRAL comes with a multi-FX section that includes tape-style delay, reverb (with a lovely sparkle option), chorus, phaser, distortion, and a bit-crusher. The reverb in particular is lush and spacious which is ideal for big trancey atmospheres or washed-out ambient textures.
For rhythmic ideas, you get a classic hardware-style arpeggiator, a vintage step sequencer, and the big headline feature: a trance gate sequencer that can be routed to oscillators. That trance gate, combined with the dual X/Y touchpads, makes live tweaking genuinely fun and hands-on.
Presets and Sound Design
VIRAL ships with over 500 original presets crafted by a who’s-who of the iOS music community. Analog Matthew, Brice Beasley, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Red Sky Lullaby and more have all contributed.
These patches cover everything from lush pads and hard-hitting leads to evolving textures and aggressive basses. Crucially, every sound is completely original. There are no Virus preset ROMs lurking in here. Instead, VIRAL gives you fresh content that still captures that big, VA-style vibe.
So, how does it sound?
In a word: huge. VIRAL has that same presence and width you’d expect from a serious hardware VA, but in a $4.99 iOS app. The oscillators have weight, the FX polish things nicely, and the modulation system means it never feels static.
No, it’s not a Virus emulation, and it doesn’t claim to be. But it does give you that same energy, the same edge that made the Virus line so beloved, while still carving out its own personality.
The one downside? Like other AudioKit apps, VIRAL is iOS-only with no Mac support. For those who live across both platforms, that’s a shame. But as an AUv3, it slots into GarageBand, Logic Pro for iPad, AUM, Cubasis, and more without issue.
With VIRAL Synth T2x, AudioKit has managed to capture the essence of a legendary instrument and deliver it in an accessible, affordable, and inspiring package.
At its intro price of just $4.99, it feels almost too good to pass up. Even at the full $19.99, it’s a steal.
AudioKit VIRAL Synth T2x is available for iPad and iPhone from the iOS App Store. AudioKit kindly provided access to a beta version of the app for review, but I purchased the full release version of Viral Synth T2x with my own money.