"What if thrash metal was chiptune?" A motto that packs a punch and is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Even during his time in the bass music genre, it was clear there was a knack for intense hardness, with the occasional heavy riff sneaking into the gritty dubstep tracks. Frequently interrupted by experimental dives into other genres like ambient, soundtrack, and EDM, the mechanical beats gradually evolved into more traditional heavy metal drum sets over the years. Now, virux is one of the most prominent representatives of the rock-oriented scene on Audiotool and still takes no prisoners. Whether in a festival mosh pit or strengthening your neck muscles at home in front of your laptop, virux definitely hits the nerve of the headbanging crowd.

Interview

About: Jair B. aka virux :

I've lived in Connecticut, USA for pretty much my entire life. Currently I'm in college studying graphic design! (My actual major's a little more complicated than that, it's just easier to say graphic design.) I joined Audiotool back in 8th grade and have been producing for around seven to eight years by now. Unlike a lot of the people who have been featured before me, I enjoy producing music more than I enjoy listening to it, and I'm rather picky about what I like - currently I'm pretty big into thrash metal, but I can be talked into liking a lot of songs if the melody's good. I'm also a big fan of emo & pop-punk music. I know for the longest time I used to hate any music with lyrics, I'm glad I've grown out of that now. My favorite pizza? Obviously, I have to rep my home state and go with New Haven style. As for toppings, I'm pretty basic - just cheese.

Describe the style of music you produce

"What if thrash metal was chiptune?" That's a question I asked myself one fateful day and this admittedly dumb idea has completely changed my view on production. Story time! I've always made the music I wanted to hear, and ever since I fell in love with rock and metal music a few years ago, it changed what I wanted to make. But I couldn't play guitar - at the time I didn't even own one, or have the money to get one. So I started out using synths, to try and replicate the sound of a guitar, but over time I grew to despise what I was producing. It felt cheap to call it rock, and steal charts and attention away from those who had actual talent. So I went back to making the same dubstep music I was growing to hate. Leaving the internet for two months in 2024 was the best thing that's ever happened to my creative output. I came back, determined to make my version of synthrock work, and I think I've finally done so in a way that doesn't detract from rock and metal, but rather highlight what makes it great. I have developed a very riff-oriented workflow, and that's how a lot of my newer songs have been built. It's been really fun.

What is your musical background and when did you start making music?

It's funny, a lot of my extended family are musicians or at least have some form of music education, but I never knew this until long after I started producing. I took a music class in 7th grade and got my first taste of FL Studio and a dinky little website called ButtonBass. I was pushed to make music for Geometry Dash levels. (ironically enough, the second I joined AT, RobTop removed the ability for new people to add their songs into the game, but I stuck with production because I liked doing it.)

How long have you been using Audiotool, and how did you discover it?

I've been here for about seven years now. You guys have RiMi to thank for that. I know him from Geometry Dash, and he inspired me to produce my own stuff, and told me to check out AT. Everyone say Thank You, Rimi! :)

What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?

Waveshaper. The ability to create your own types of distortion is something special.

What is your favourite trick in AT/What technique do you always use?

This was more applicable back when I was making dubstep, but making a still flanger using the PulsarDelay (I don't know or care if that's what it actually is.) Dial all of the sync knobs on the thing all the way to the left, and slowly dial in the millis knob until you get the sound you want. It's some good fun and really easy to set up!

Have you ever had a writer's block? If so, how did you deal with it and what do you recommend to your colleagues

Oh yeah, plenty of times. There are two ways to solve this - the fun way, or the funny way. The fun way is to take a break, listen to some music instead of trying to make it, and just relax. Recharge the batteries. The funny way is to put yourself through hellish challenges to force yourself to make something that you wouldn't normally make. Alternate between these as you see fit, but also remember, music is art, and you cannot force it.

What has helped you the most on Audiotool to improve and widen your musical horizon?

Honestly, I feel like I've made my best music after I stopped caring so much. I tainted my musical output the second I ever put my music up for distribution because now there's money involved. But you want to know how much I've made? $17. In two years. Music is not profitable unless you're willing to sell a part of yourself, so why care? Stop caring. Make what you want. Don't waste hours and hours of your life tweaking knobs to get that perfect, squeaky clean mix. Chances are your listeners will not be people using studio-quality headphones. One of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten was from a random youtube video I was watching: "If the music's good, the audience will put up with a few weird mixing choices." I guess for a less philosphical response, I should thank Naswalt for his awesome drum template which I have since wrecked to better suit my needs, and I thank all of you for putting up with me and showing me the way forward.

What do you like most about Audiotool? Is there anything you would like to suggest?

I admire its history. I've been here for a while now, and though I've never been super super interactive in the community (thanks social anxiety), I have been a keen observer of the changes in community dynamics, music promotion, charts, and even tracks themselves over time. Say what you will about the "new" audiotool community, it's very different than it was when I first joined - and that's a good thing. To be able to visually see the change, and for a lot of the site's history to still be documented and available to anyone willing to look - that's something really special. As for something I'd suggest, batch uploading of samples. I get that my usage for it is pretty niche, I upload a lot of guitar stems for my tracks, and it's incredibly slow and painful to do so as it currently stands. Being able to export MIDI of individual machines would also be pretty nice.

Your message to the community:

For experienced users: fear stagnation. The worst kind of producer is one who's become stale, and is producing just for the sake of it. For new users: embrace the suck. You WILL be bad. Just like nobody starts off being able to run, you will not be producing the next number 1 single chart smash hit if you've never opened a DAW before. I'd suggest the manuals the AT team has put together, but also watch any music production tutorials you can find for the genres you want to make - even if it's for a totally different DAW, the techniques taught are what's important.

Social/Music Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/v_irux/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwmayZAOxXcDnYyMwF3N6Q

Hyperfollow: https://hyperfollow.com/v1rux (this link may break as hyperfollow is kind of weird.)

Edition Audiotool: virux

Track #1:

VII by Nova and bonka

I've always been a big fan of boss music, and this is some of the best on the site. Shame that it's ridiculously hard to find this track now.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/nv94ioyhs6/]]

Track #2:

Delta Phi by looks

One of the best sounding songs I've ever heard on & off AT, and it was made in 2014. Insane. Don't let the cover fool you.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/delta_phi/]]

Track #3:

Small rush by Amp7070

I don't think Amp7070 really knows how important this track is to my musical journey. I wholeheartedly believe this is an example of a perfect track.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/hftla1k16t/]]

Track #4:

Project Epsilon - Neuron by relative mAJOR

Maybe not the most modern-sounding track here, but Project Epsilon's music is what inspired me to switch from chiptune to dubstep back when I was just starting out.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/vdluc0g3j/]]

Track #5:

alibi(improv) by anodyne

I can't forget about anodyne, this man is INSANELY talented and has been one of my biggest supporters and most trusted music friends on this site. I probably wouldn't be making music anymore if it weren't for him.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/60tciwin/]]

Track #6:

Fear & Forgiveness by virux

This is a track that takes what I tried to do on The Weight of Unseen Eyes and polishes it further. The track itself was born from my struggles with social anxiety, the frustration that comes with it, and the idea of forgiving myself for my weaknesses. It's a very personal track for me, and I believe it is also one of my best compositions.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/6xzgxz3j03/]]

Full Album

Edition Audiotool: virux

• a-records

6

2 days ago

1		VII bonka Nova	bonka Nova	553
2		Delta Phi looks	looks	34352
3		Small rush Amp7070	Amp7070	356
4		Project Epsilon - Neuron relative mAJOR	relative mAJOR	696
5		alibi(improv) anodyne	anodyne	2986
6		Fear & Forgiveness virux	virux	391

The wait is over! The vinyl EP for the Audiotool Day competition 2024 has arrived, showcasing the top 6 tracks from 1trillionMPH , Head Trauma Romance , Jetdarc , Client , sim and kiari & mxcii . This fully mastered collection, pressed on vinyl, comes with stunning artwork based on po9t's original AT Day designs, making it an absolute must-have.

The test pressing exceeded all expectations, and copies are now being sent to the winners. If you too want to own a copy of this vinyl, it’s available for purchase on elasticstage.com under this link. https://elasticstage.com/a-records/releases/atd-24-top-6-album.

Thanks for keeping this great tradition alive!

The Winning Tracks

1. 1

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/bgyevp558atn/]]

1. 2

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/5j5bp9a4kk9v/]]

1. 3

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/ke527mwnss2/]]

1. 4

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/rhvati4uxqxh/]]

1. 5

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/krv9z8xckee/]]

1. 6

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/vgnwo0jxk3/]]