KVR Audio

princeofroles · Post by **princeofroles** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 11:58 pm

How does Pro communicate with PC? MIDI? if so, does it work with Alesis iodock? Seems like a great solution, just haven't found specifics on communication method.
Thanks! John

ZenPunkHippy · Post by **ZenPunkHippy** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:12 am

We're using a customised implementation of OSC messaging for communication between app and desktop, as this allows the greatest flexibility for performance gestures. Internally the app supports Core MIDI, which we've tested with the Alesis ioDock and other devices such as iConnectMIDI and the Camera Connection Kit.

Basically any device that provides Core MIDI to your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch will work with the app and an external controller. All MIDI messages are passed through to the desktop version when connected, which means MIDI learn is still possible on the desktop when playing "through" the app.

Peace,
Andy.

six one cynic · Post by **six one cynic** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:55 am

WHAT I THINK NOW: This is a first-class preset rompler with the proven potential to generate incredibly expressive sound, the fruit of much experimentation with sequencing and sampling is sweet indeed.

WHAT I THINK A MONTH FROM NOW: This really could do with the ability to create and save presets, the ability to customize the effects for an individual morph pad rather than just tweak the factory ones, and for the arpeggiator to have its own controllable and totally malleable interface.

michael2 · Post by **michael2** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:45 am

downloading now, thanks a bunch.

here's my question: I typically only use Ios apps for sketches, and learning things. I have Alchemy on my main computer, and sadly am not as facile with it as I would like. does the Pro app share enough in common with the real version of Alchemy where I could actually teach myself more about the synth (only on my phone)? if so it could be a great tool.

I also think that if more of the soundbanks come out for Ios, I would be willing to drop $5 to see how they sound. cash is tight at the moment, so while I am often intrigued by certain soundbanks, I can't always afford to drop $60 at the Camel store in hopes of liking a soundbank (although I don't know that I have ever been disappointed).

des · Post by **des** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:03 am

ZenPunkHippy wrote:@des - Ben posted about virtual MIDI earlier in the thread. .......

So we'll certainly consider it although it might be too much for the current generation of devices to handle.

Also worth mentioning that (AFAIK) this development of virtual MIDI cables happened right near the end of the our development efforts, so we haven't really had time to investigate. Other new developments I'd like to see us make use of is the new multi-device sync from Korg.

Peace,
Andy.

I understand. I can certainly see issues if running something intense at the same time as Alchemy. But if something relatively 'light-weight' could be run, it would be very nice if Alchemy could run in the background and also connect to virtual ports.

BTW I cannot get Cinematic soundpack to completely download. It gets to about 1/8" of the end and says the download failed and try later. It is taking a VERY long time to download as well...

Wisp seems cool....but having only one iPad 2, it isn't for me. I would have much preferred Korg having their aps - like iMS20 and iElectribe sync together on the same machine.

IncarnateX · Post by **IncarnateX** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:36 am

Ben [Camel Audio] wrote:We have implemented Core MIDI - so you can plug in external MIDI devices, but we haven't implimented virtual MIDI ports or made it run in the background. We'll certainly considert that for future versions

I have played with this thing half the night and I must say, I am stunned. I own a great deal of softsynts and apps but the sound quality of this one takes the price so far.

However, while I like playing arps, it would really be nice with some note control, if not virtual midi, then at least some modest control over the arp/seq notes. Some of the sounds take character of one-note melodies and using them as is will make me feel like "sampling" them instead of "making" them.

I could also need some more unarped "bread and butter sounds" to play with. The Big tone lib has some goodies of which I could use more.

But that is just wishes for the future, for now playing the arp and morphing the sounds will keep me going for a long time.

BTW: Thanks for releasing this with copy/paste from the start and enhancing it with a loop player. There are still a lot of new app contributers who don't get the importance of this feature and therefore leave it out in their initial releases.

Cheers

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:31 am

The loop player is really cool as you can paste stuff from other app, making it a breeze to record a take in sync. Given the limitations of the ipad this is really something that should be part of every synth.

For quick fun it would be nice to have a merge command, mixing the current loop with the current recording and use it automatically as the new loop for the player.

mpreed · Post by **mpreed** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:18 pm

+1 for having purchased the Pro option on my iPad but my iPhone asking me to stump up to go Pro on it.

Have logged out, stopped and restarted the app, etc.

Edited cos re-reading the above I sound dour and a moaner. Fab app and great fun to use. Hopefully Steamworx is on it's way for it ... !

CT · Post by CT » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:51 pm

This is really nice. I really like the sound quality.

But, I would really like to see some more programmability in the pro version in future updates. The current version is very similar to Alchemy Player, and calling it a 'synth' doesnt do the Alchemy name justice, imho.
I hope having a similar strategy to the desktop product is part of your plan i.e. offering a free version with very limited tweakability, and a pro version which is much more programmable.
I dont really see myself buying this unless that happens, or maybe some other killer feature, like third party soundpack import, is added.

des · Post by **des** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:37 pm

Ok - finally got Cinimatic downloaded and installed. VERY nice! So, inspired I went to download the other two sound packs. Ran into similar issues with the download stopping and telling me to try later. I eventually did get them downloaded - and they sound awesome as well. Took close to 45 minutes though..

Something needs to be looked at with regards to the downloading issue. My Wifi connection is solid - plus I've downloaded quite a few apps that have large sample sets and have never run into this problem before.

With regards to Pro - the extra sounds would be nice to have but since I don't have Alchemy or A-Player, it doesn't really do much for me at this time, so I won't be downloading it. Want to sell more of the Pro version? Background operation and Virtual midi! ( he says smiling shaking the coin purse at the developer...

)

Grain Bastard · Post by **Grain Bastard** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:01 pm

Sweet, thank you.

I reckon I can definitely find use for something like this.

Making it free means I'll get my app-fix for free this week, so I'm gonna chuck a few quid to charity. Any in particular you want to get it? I usually go animal based, PDSA etc.

Thanks again.

Ben [Camel Audio] · Post by **Ben [Camel Audio]** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:18 pm

Firstly thanks very much to all of you who've checked out the free version or purchased the Pro Upgrade or Sound Libraries. Thanks also for all the positive comments and suggestions

It's pretty astounding to me that you guys squeezed most of the engine into the iOS app and that it sounds so good - congratulations on that.

Thanks

Hoped for something a bit less traditional, like the SynthX' XY-keyboardlike cHoped for something a bit less traditional, like the SynthX' XY-keyboardlike controller, for playing this thing…ontroller, for playing this thing…

We have lots of ideas for ways to extend the keyboard to do things in ways impossible with conventional keyboard and also utilise other input methods. Its probably not exactly what you're after but if you're having trouble forming chords on a small iPhone screen, do try the Min/Maj feature in the mid left of the screen which makes it easy to play chords.

And there is no way of importing your own presets/third-party provider presets, or making presets with your own samples. I guess designing sounds with your own samples, like in the desktop version, would make this app stand out a bit more. At least the pro version, but I realize it is no easy to just put these features on iOS.

If you own the Pro Upgrade of Alchemy Mobile, it is possible to transfer presets from the desktop. However, it's currently very cumbersome, so we advise you to enjoy all the included sounds for now and wait for an update to Alchemy desktop and Alchemy Mobile which will make the process much easier. We will be adding instructions in the following FAQ in the next few days - but I really do recommend waiting for an update which will make this easier:
http://www.camelaudio.com/faqs/Alchemy_ ... emy_Mobile

There may be few reasons to upgrade to the pro version if I already got some midiapps to mimic the controller behaviour of the app. Also I am most fond of my third-party banks so not much need for the pro version, but maybe I'm missing something?

You can control Alchemy with apps like Touch OSC and certainly I'd recommend that for Android users. But Alchemy Mobile with the Pro Upgrade is a far slicker way of doing things. For a start you can select presets with forward/back or from a list. Also all controls are labelled according to the preset so you know what you are controlling without looking at the computer - and the remix pad is much better than such generic XY. In general its a much smoother experience. Also, the Pro Upgrade will allow you to load your own presets and thus also third-party presets too - see above for details.

does the Pro app share enough in common with the real version of Alchemy where I could actually teach myself more about the synth (only on my phone)? if so it could be a great tool.

You can learn how the remix pad and performance controls work - but not about the rest of the synth. If you want to teach yourself about other aspects of the synth when you're on the go, I recommend downloading the tutorial vids onto your phone and watching those: http://www.camelaudio.com/tutorials.php?tID=14

I also think that if more of the soundbanks come out for Ios, I would be willing to drop $5 to see how they sound. cash is tight at the moment, so while I am often intrigued by certain soundbanks, I can't always afford to drop $60 at the Camel store in hopes of liking a soundbank (although I don't know that I have ever been disappointed).

We'll def be bringing more libs out on iOS - let us know which ones you'd like to see first. Its true it offers a way to preview sounds for just $4.99 - but remember that sounds won't sound quite as good on iOS. Still that means if you like em on iOS, you'll love on your Mac/PC.

I understand. I can certainly see issues if running something intense at the same time as Alchemy. But if something relatively 'light-weight' could be run, it would be very nice if Alchemy could run in the background and also connect to virtual ports.

We've looked a bit more into virtual MIDI and it does look like something we may well do. The main issue would be that you might have to manually turn down polyphony on app to avoid glitching, and I see this working best with iPad2 and incoming iPhone 5 are to be believed.

BTW I cannot get Cinematic soundpack to completely download. It gets to about 1/8" of the end and says the download failed and try later. It is taking a VERY long time to download as well...

I'm really sorry for the problems you've experienced downloading. We've been unable to recreate it on any of our devices/locations - its worked fine. Please send in an email to support at camelaudio.com with details of your device, network and exact behaviour and we will do our best to diagnose and fix the problem.

I have played with this thing half the night and I must say, I am stunned. I own a great deal of softsynts and apps but the sound quality of this one takes the price so far.

That's great to hear

For quick fun it would be nice to have a merge command, mixing the current loop with the current recording and use it automatically as the new loop for the player.

That will be in update coming out soon.

+1 for having purchased the Pro option on my iPad but my iPhone asking me to stump up to go Pro on it.

I'm really sorry about this difficulty. If one of your devices is Jailbroken, its possible this is the cause in which case we can't do much about it. If not, I recommend going ahead with the process anyway - you should only pay once per iTunes account regardless of how many iPhones/iPads you install on. If it turns out Apple charges you twice, we will of course refund - email support with your receipts and we will help you get refund.

Check out the FAQs which I've just updated if you have questions:
http://www.camelaudio.com/faqs/Alchemy_Mobile/

Thanks again for all comments and for downloading free app or buying one of the in app purchases. Don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions.

Cheers
Ben

srcodling · Post by **srcodling** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:18 pm

First off, thanks to Andy for getting me sorted on the ProUpgrade on two devices. Basically it worked to just press on the $19.99 and give my itunes password and pray that I wouldn't get charged, and then up came the message "You have already purchased this content". So it worked, just wasn't obvious that it would.

After my time on it last night, my biggest request would also be control over the arps. There's some sounds I'd like to turn the arp on for, and others to turn it off. Others I'd like to get rid of the swing timing, and quite a few where I don't like the note sequence and would want to change it or just make it a standard 1, 2 or 3 octave arpeggio.

So, I don't know how much control we can get out of Alchemy on a phone or an iPad, but that would be the first place I'd want to see some more options.

The sound is great!

leggie · Post by **leggie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:29 pm

Hey where is all the performance pad floaty visuals for us ole timers using the vst

Congrats on showing the rest how to transition to a new platform and retain Alchemy at it's best with dignity.

hyperborea · Post by **hyperborea** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:36 pm

srcodling wrote: After my time on it last night, my biggest request would also be control over the arps. There's some sounds I'd like to turn the arp on for, and others to turn it off. Others I'd like to get rid of the swing timing, and quite a few where I don't like the note sequence and would want to change it or just make it a standard 1, 2 or 3 octave arpeggio.

+1

M

Alchemy Mobile v1.1 Update Now Available