Anyone understand the Windows version of Alchemy?

[ulrichburke]

Dear Anyone.

Honesty time - I love writing music but my deep understanding of synths/VSTs leaves a LOT to be desired! I'm a preset grabber (ATM - trying to learn) not a programmer (Yet!)

Got an old version of Alchemy for my PC. I understand where all the controls like volume etc. ARE, and how to automate them - but all the presets are so QUIET! I can have Alchemy volume on full, my DAW volume on that channel on full and you can only just about hear the preset. I'm perfectly prepared to admit I'm probably doing something REALLY basically stoopid-noob here. I know Alchemy's got that remixer thing from one to six that looks like Madonna's spare bra, tried that, it helps a BIT but it changes the preset sound from what I want in the process.

Anyone got any ideas what I might be doing wrong? Feel free to think as Captain Obvious as possible cos I'm convinced it's something I should be seeing!

Will try all replies and I've got Asperger's, so I really appreciate people saying things straight out and not hedging to avoid hurting my feelings. You won't, I just want a working answer!

Yours respectfully,

Chris.

[xx JPRacer xx]

Can you post a video? it's been a while I use Alchemy on PC but never had this problem.

[Examigan]

I wonder if it's a setting on your MIDI keyboard that's making it do that? Or is it happening even when just using the DAW to trigger the notes?

[Dirk Diggler]

It's been years, but Alchemy VSTi volume was not an issue back then.

Check that your controller is outputting full range.
Perhaps your DAW is not allowing it?
Also check your monitoring.

It could be as simple as something being mapped to volume control CC.

[Etienne1973]

Got an old version of Alchemy for my PC. ...
... but all the presets are so QUIET!

Is the volume also a problem when you play a different soft synth?

[Chicken Drummy]

that remixer thing from one to six that looks like Madonna's spare bra

[keys_au1]

Wished I still had mine. I did d/l all the stuff when it went "belly-up" but over the years it's all been lost *sigh*

[ulrichburke]

Dear All.

Thankyou very much for your answers. It turned out to be my basic synth ignorance. Synth volume seems to be a two-stage process - there's one knob that feeds volume INTO the main volume control, THEN the main volume control knob to turn the volume up and down. I didn't understand that you needed to feed power into the main volume control knob before you used it, I just thought the power was there - like on a radio, say - and you just turned it up and down! Got it working and it explains the similar probs. I've been having with other synth. VSTs too! (Listens to the sounds of face-palming and head shaking all over the Internet!)

Yours with respect and thanks,

Chris.

P.S. Keys_au1, sorry you lost your Alchemy stuff. Have PM'd you.

[Teezdalien]

Pretty sure I still have all the old tutorials with Dan Worral saved somewhere.. I can probably upload them somewhere if anyone's still interested.

[ulrichburke]

Dear Teezdalien (love the name!)

I'd dearly love the manuals, I'm a proper preset merchant, could do with all the help I can get to understand these things! Tried YouTube tutorials but I don't think I know enough to understand those things, the YouTubers get gorgeous sounds, I get seal farts!

Yours respectfully,

Chris.

[Shabdahbriah]

I would highly recommend to anyone interested... grab these while one still can:

Dan Worrall - Camel Audio Alchemy plugin tutorials

https://archive.org/details/dan-worral-alchemy-tutorial

Original Alchemy Manual

https://web.archive.org/web/20150321010 ... l-1-50.pdf

Then peruse these at your leisure:

Groove3 - Camel Audio Alchemy plugin tutorials





Torley - Camel Audio Alchemy Tutorials









... carry on.