Camel Audio has announced that, after four years of development, Alchemy has been released, together with two accompanying soundbanks.

Camel Audio describes Alchemy as the "ultimate sample manipulation synthesizer". It's a synth powerhouse and yet is very easy to use thanks to its performance controls and remix pads. Just tweak the library of presets from many of the world's top sound designers or dive in and analyse your own samples - it's up to you.

Alchemy features additive, spectral and granular synthesis and resynthesis, sampling, and a very capable virtual analog engine with unison and PWM. You can morph or crossfade between sources. You can import your own samples from SFZ, WAV or AIFF files. A wide range of analog modelled filters are included, in addition to a flexible rack of effects which includes all those from CamelPhat and CamelSpace as well as many new effects such as a high quality reverb. The innovative modulation system is extremely flexible, yet easy to use. Alchemy also features a powerful arpeggiator with the ability to import the groove from any MIDI file for immediate synchronization to a beat.

Alchemy ships with over 2GB of samples and analysed content from in-house designers Tim Conrardy and Biomechanoid, as well as designers such as Ian Boddy, Robert Rich, Scott Solida and Nucleus SoundLab. A library of over 300 presets from many of the world's top sound designers is included, arranged into categories for rapid access to the sound you require.

Camel Audio has also released two Alchemy add-on soundbanks:

• Atmospheric Alchemy is a collection of over 150 presets including beautiful pads, musical soundscapes, strings, vocals and sound effects.
• Electronic Alchemy consists of over 150 sounds covering arps, fat basses, soaring leads, synths and loops.

Each preset has fully programmed perform assignments which make them fun and easy to tweak, and comes with 8 remix pad variations for a total of over 1200 sounds per soundbank.

Pricing & Availability

Alchemy is priced at $249 / €199 / £179. The soundbanks cost $59 / €49 / £39. It is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU instrument plug-in formats.

Cameleon owners will be able to crossgrade for half price - just $125 / €99 / £89. Owners of other Camel Audio products will be eligible for a reduced price of $199 / €159 / £143. Customers should log in on the support page of the website to buy at these discount prices.

Visit the Camel Audio website to watch the introductory videos, listen to demo MP3s or buy Alchemy.