AudioKit VIRAL Synth T2x is a new AUv3 Synthesizer for iOS (iPhone/iPad) inspired by the popular Virus TI2 synth series.
Exactly one month ago, Matthew Fecher from Audiokit released the Viral Synth T2x, an excellent, easy-to-use iOS Synthesizer dedicated to the popular Access Virus TI2 hardware synth.
Now, update 1.1 is available for download, bringing significant performance improvements, especially for the AUv3 version.
VIRAL Synth T2x 1.1
Viral Synth T2x 1.1 is out now and improves the synth a lot. First, it comes with a complete AUv3 engine overhaul that delivers significant memory improvements per instance.
According to Audiokit, a project with two AUv3 instances loaded took twice as much memory as it does now (~960 MB vs 180 MB). A third reload used to jump to ~1.3 GB; now still ~180 MB.
There is also zero memory creep on reload. Reloading a project now uses less memory than the original load. It’s about 40% memory savings per instance across all AUv3 hosts.
That’s great to hear, as it means you can use multiple Audiokit VIRAL Synth T2X instances on slightly older iPads without performance issues.
Alongside this, it comes with updated GarageBand support, including better session performances, recallability working as it should, and significant memory improvements.
Switching presets while receiving MIDI in Loopy Pro, GB, and other apps is now rock-solid, Audiokit promises. Same for Groove Rider, which loads faster and handles multiple loads without crashing. Older iPads may still see occasional hiccups, but crashes are dramatically reduced.
You can also remove the Ninja logo from the app with a new toggle. There is also a new 3rd hidden icon in the app available as an Easter egg. Plus, many other improvements, including ADSR envelope graphics, now move in real time with MIDI control.
Great update! Thanks, Matthew!
AudioKit VIRAL Synth T2x update 1.1 is a free download for existing users. The app is still available for an intro price of $4,99 instead of $19,99.
More info here: App Store
Article from September 25, 2025
In February 2024, it was announced that production of the Access Virus Ti2 digital Synthesizer had been discontinued. The Virus Ti2 is one of the most popular modern hardware synthesizers of the last decade and beyond.
Even today, it can still be found in many live rigs on stages and in studios. Shortly thereafter, the DSP56300 team released a Virus Ti2 plugin (OsTirus) based on an emulation of the Motorola chip. Now there’s also a bit of Virus charm in iOS. Matthew Fecher of AudioKit dedicates his new synthesizer app VIRAL Synth T2x to the Virus Ti2.
AudioKit VIRAL Synth T2x
AudioKit follows the same path as with the Nerd Synth app (Nord Lead A1). Similarly, the new AudioKit VIRAL Synth T2x app isn’t an accurate emulation of the Virus TI2, nor does it claim to be. It’s a standalone instrument with its own character.
Moreover, Matthew Fecher states that this is not a ROM emulator like the DSP56300 OsTirus, but an entirely new synth.
At the core of the VIRAL Synth T2x app is a 64-voice virtual analog engine featuring two oscillators, each with over 48 Virus TI2-inspired waveforms.
Plus, you can choose from exclusive samples created by the developer. Necessary: it doesn’t include hardware presets and isn’t a TI2 rompler. Once the oscillator waveforms are set, you can work with parameters such as tuning, PWM, oscillator morphing, and more.
Part of the oscillators is also a unison engine that delivers up to 4-voice unison per oscillator and three distinct unison algorithms: regular, hyper, and beast. FM wild pitch drop controls modeled after digital VA-synths and characterful ring mod are also onboard.
Shaping Sounds
Then, it goes into a filter with classic cutoff and resonance controls. On the modulation side, you animate parameters with two envelopes (filter, amp) and three powerful LFOs. The latter has polarity control and advanced routing, including LFO cross-mod.
To refine your sounds, AudioKit VIRAL Synth T2x houses an easy-to-use multi-FX processor.
You can work with analog-style tape delay, distortion, phaser, chorus, and bit-crusher effects. For the perfect ambient dose, it also has a glorious reverb with a sparkle verb option.
An advanced hardware-style arpeggiator and a vintage-style step sequencer with layer routing are tools with which you can quickly create evolving melodic patterns.
An exclusive feature of the VIRAL Synth T2X is the built-in trance gate sequencer, which can be routed to different oscillators. That’s not all; it also includes two touchpads for instant parameter tweaking on the fly that can be freely assigned to parameters.
It comes fully loaded with over 500 original presets by Analog Matthew and the iPad musician community, incl,:Brice Beasley, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Red Sky Lullaby, and more
First Impression
At first glance, it is a beautiful-sounding VA Synthesizer with many great sounds that are instantly inspiring. Even though it’s not a Virus Ti2 emulation, the sounds give me the vibe of those virtual analog synths. One drawback is that AudioKit apps still lack macOS support.
AudioKit VIRAL Synth T2x is available now for an introductory price of $4,99 instead of $19,99 for a limited time. It runs as a standalone app and AUv3 plugin on iPhones and iPads.
More information here: AudioKit Pro / App Store
For 5,99€ now, this is a no brainer. Just installed it👍.
Yes, good vibes. Installed it too.
“One drawback is that AudioKit apps still lack macOS support.”
Totally agree. Why are they so reluctant to offer macOS support is beyond my understanding.
For that reason alone, I wouldn’t download this app even if it was totally free…
In regards to macOS compatibility, here are few steps to make it happen:
To convert an iPad app to a macOS app, the developer can use Mac Catalyst in Xcode, which adds a Mac build target to the project, allowing for customization and optimization for the desktop environment. End-users on an Apple silicon Mac can install “Designed for iPhone/iPad” apps directly from the Mac App Store. For developers, Catalyst enables the app to run on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs, offering a way to build a native macOS experience with Mac-specific features.
For App Developers (Using Mac Catalyst):
Open your Xcode project: and select the iOS target you wish to adapt.
Add a Mac Catalyst destination: to your project’s settings.
Select the Mac checkbox: under the “Deployment Info” section in the General tab.
Run the app: on “My Mac” to test its behavior on the desktop.
Customize for Mac: Use Mac Catalyst APIs to optimize the interface for Mac, add native AppKit controls, and adapt the app for a larger screen and mouse/trackpad input.
So it involves 3 mouse clicks to make it macOS compatible… LoL
I guess way too many for some devs…
lol @ 3 clicks. I’ll literally give you $10,000 right now if you can get our apps to run correctly as AUv3 on desktops. When you see apps from companies like Moog do it, it’s because they have completely separate code bases and a team of several engineers working on it. My email is Matthew @ AudioKitPro dot com if you want to take me up on my offer 😉