Alchemy: Features, discussion e.t.c

[christianmusicmaker]

For me these two are real Super Synths that offer staggering possibilities. There are many other great synths out there but I think right now these two...

Alchemy and Omnisphere

...bring some new ideas to the table and certainly prove there is yet even more room for creative use of Synths.

It seems Sample based synths like Dimension got the ball rolling (still a really great synth IMO) and now Omni and Alchemy offer sample based synthesis as well. Not an entirely new thing but some really exciting new ideas are definitely on offer here.

I am very interested in user views on both as frankly I think they are more similar than not. I might change that opinion in future but for now...

Features at a glance...

Library: 2GB for Alchemy and 40 odd for Omni. Not everyone wants a large library. I don't mind it as I have the space but a smaller library with huge synthesis options is desirable. I guess Omni may offer a much wider set of sounds though. I guess I would have to demo them side by side to really tell but even so...

Sample import: Alchemy can import Wav, SFZ and AIFF. Omni not yet (but it is a consideration).

This is a big deal though for many. Although with 40GB for Omni it might not matter that much or at all. I personally would certainly like the choice though, it is certainly an interesting inclusion in Alchemy. Requested more than a few times for Omni.

Morphing: Both apps appear to use a variety of methods to morph sounds, too wide a subject to compare without a proper deep review of both. Lets just say you can twist anything in either x100 by the looks of things. Chaos in Omni and Remix pads in Alchemy probably just scratch the surface of both!


Groove sync: Alchemy appears to have a similar feature to Omni's groove lock. Very interesting.

Price : Alchemy is cheaper than Omnisphere

I think there is nothing stopping anyone from having both frankly...but wow the synth market has had two incredble additions in a very short space of time. Both look simply fantastic!

Decisions...decisions!

[pavvel]

How can anyway give you an opinion on which they prefer. Omnisphere isn't even out.

[christianmusicmaker]

Hi Pawel,

How can anyway give you an opinion on which they prefer. Omnisphere isn't even out.

The poll...is based on the info we have so far...people are voting already so they are quite happy to share their views. It's harmless.

[afterwerk]

Neither are out yet, and I can't see how Alchemy could even touch Omnisphere.

[Casar1973]

They both look like fine instruments in their own right. From what I have heard and read up until now I think Omni has the clear upper hand in the quality of the actual sound reproduction and perhaps versatility, except for the sample loading feature, which makes them complementary products. There are demo sounds of Alchemy and I was a bit disappointed with actual sound itself but I would need more hands-on to establish an opinion for certain.

[neverfall]

AFter Omnisphere I don't think I'll be purchasing any more softwear/gear for the rest of the year....

Unless I buy the Dance 3 expansion for Nexus or a future release. I'll see what ReFX has in store for Xmas.

[mungocherry33]

Neither are out yet, and I can't see how Alchemy could even touch Omnisphere.

+1

Alchemy sounds good per the Cam website, and with the Cam5000 sale and the UG price to AL, I think it's a no-brainer, but from what I have gleaned, Omni is in a class unto itself, and there is nothing out or planned, (that I'm aware of), that is even close. I'm guessing Omnisphere will impact the sales of all or most other single synths that are over a certain $ for awhile. BTW, Audio-Midi has them in stock for sale on Monday. Having said that though, I'll probably purchase the AAS Modeling Collection for the same $ before I buy Omnisphere. Actually, I have a whole lot of basic gear to get first, come to think of it:)

MM

[pdxindy]

It is remarkable how much Hype works on people. Omnisphere is not only not out, but there is very little actual information available about it. It is a closed system as you cannot use your own samples. The only reason to not let users do that is to push them to buy new material from the company.

The teaser videos so far released did not overly impress. The one about the arpeggiator showed a whole history of the arp which gives the impression of some next historical step, but then shows what appears to be a basic arpeggiator with one new feature called groove lock. Alchemy also has groove lock and by its listed specs a more sophisticated arp (still not historic though).

[thickwick]

Personally I think all Camel Audio stuff is pure genius. I know for a fact it is used by a lot of electronic music pioneers.

I prefer Camel Audio to Spectrasonics, but this is just my opinion. They are really marketed toward different audiences.

I think it is healthy to start speculating on new products but this might turn into a very touchy subject.

I don't believe either "better" than the other.

But, I do prefer Camel Audio becuase it caters more toward the music I write. So now that their new synth is coming out I'm really excited but only because I believe it will be more useful to me than Omnishpere.

Let it be said that both will be forces to be reckoned to with! Yet until we get our hands on some sort of Demo we will be speculating ourselves into a hole in the ground.

[davidlinn]

I volunteer to test both and put this debate to rest. Please send me one of each to keep forever and I'll get right on it.

David

www.davidlinn.com

[gnu23]

I volunteer to test both and put this debate to rest. Please send me one of each to keep forever and I'll get right on it.

David

www.davidlinn.com

I second that. Got to have at least two testers!

I don't see them as a "one or the other" proposition. I don't see it as a competition. I see them both as potentially ground-breaking advancements in synth design...and I use the word "potentially" only because neither of them is actually available yet. Both come from camps of really good people. It doesn't get a whole lot better than that.

[koalaboy]

This is so easy for me, and has to be both.

Omnisphere, with a 40GB library that has the experience of Eric Persing behind it and seems from all demos to be a superb successor to Atmosphere, would already be a day-1 purchase at the full price, but then there's the upgrade discount, and the amazing technology, which I'm sure will be as all of the spectrasonics products have been a dream to use and really delivered.

Alchemy, by the marvellous Ben who then got some of his good mates along for the ride (so many of my favourite sound designers) with a great mix of tech and for the most amazing price (more so as a Cameleon owner) I could imagine.

Both are companies I'm happy to support, and both are specced to be amazing products. I don't know why I'd even want to compare them against each other...... oh, but I am on KVR

[John-E34]

Thanks for this thread, I was not aware of Alchemy at all.... After checking their website for details, I noticed that the deal on at the moment virtually gives Chameleon FREE.
If anyone purchases Chameleon for $125 today, they can buy Alchemy at a reduced price of $125 later - ie the same price as Alchemy alone!
The use of a personalized keyfile sold it for me.... I will not be a part of dongles, C\R or sillySoft crap.

well done Camel Audio, the money is on it's way

[mungocherry33]

It is remarkable how much Hype works on people. Omnisphere is not only not out, but there is very little actual information available about it. It is a closed system as you cannot use your own samples. The only reason to not let users do that is to push them to buy new material from the company.

The teaser videos so far released did not overly impress. The one about the arpeggiator showed a whole history of the arp which gives the impression of some next historical step, but then shows what appears to be a basic arpeggiator with one new feature called groove lock. Alchemy also has groove lock and by its listed specs a more sophisticated arp (still not historic though).

Neither product us "out". It is my understanding that Eric has been asked about loading user samples and has responded favorably that it is either possible or likely, I don't recall which, in a future update.

I agree with this as stated below "Omnisphere, with a 40GB library that has the experience of Eric Persing behind it and seems from all demos to be a superb successor to Atmosphere, would already be a day-1 purchase at the full price, but then there's the upgrade discount, and the amazing technology, which I'm sure will be as all of the spectrasonics products have been a dream to use and really delivered."

And also this (corrected for spelling): "Personally I think all Camel Audio stuff is pure genius. {sic}...it is used by a lot of electronic music pionneers."

and:

"I prefer Camel Audio to Spectrasonics", in general as a company. I believe both products had hype teasers, and the full story is known on neither. I still plan to buy C5K, and a lot of other SW and HW before I decide if I'll buy either of the other two. ie; A.A.S Modelling collection for the same price as Omni.

I'm too old and wise to succumb to hype. Actually, I haven't since my teens, and that was with a very limber girl:), (and she did.)


MM

__

[iaminsane+]

the alchemy demo sounds BEAUTIFUL. At the moment, I am committed to omnisphere. But I may go back and look at alchemy in the future.