Alchemy VSTi Synth

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:48:53 +0000

Alchemy is the new and hugely powerful VSTi synth and sample manipulator from Camel Audio.

Alchemy is very easy to use and ships with a large collection of amazing presets from many of the worlds top sound designers. The presets range from ultra-fat bass-lines to original morphing soundscapes which you can quicky and easily manipulate to make your own sounds using the performance controls and remix pads. Additionally Alchemy comes with 3GB of samples which you can import and re-shape using the vast array of manipulation controls.

Alchemy features a powerful resynthesis and additive synthesis engine allowing you to create a wide range of unique sounds.

Additionally Alchemy has the ability to utilize spectral and granular synthesis techniques and has a sampling and virtual analog engine. You can morph or crossfade between each of these sources including vector mixing.

You can import your own samples of various formats such as SFZ, WAV or AIFF files.

The synth features a wide range of analog modelled filters and effects and features a high quality reverb unit.

The modulation routing is innovative, flexible and easy to use and has a powerful buit-in arpeggiator.

You can import and use MIDI files for synchronization and to create a groove template

Some other useful points include the easy-to-read manual and relatively minimal CPU overheads which allows you to run many instances of Alchemy, assuming your computer has a reasonable specification.

Gladiator VSTi synth

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:52:08 +0000

The Gladiator VSTi synth is an award winning synth from Tone 2.

Tone 2 have claimed that it is “one of the most powerful synthesizers ever created.”
Gladiator 2 features Harmonic Content Morphing (HCM) - a new synthesis method which involves taking snapshots of harmonic content created by real acoustic instruments and using these snapshots as oscillation sources to create a wide variety of sonically interesting sounds.

Gladiator 2 comes with all of the typical features available in most modern vsti synths such as Frequency Modulation (FM), Amplitude Modulation (AM), Phase Distortion (PD), Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), Phase Modulation (PM) etc.

Gladiator 2 utilizes IQM (Intelligent Microtuning) which allows you to fatten up sounds by slightly detuning the oscillators. Additionally there is a phase modulator module in osc section which makes a digital spectrum sound warm, silky and analogue.

There are a total 110 different oscillator types with 36,000 different spectra that can be modified in real time. There are 41 different filter types including: Lowpass (6-40dB), Analog, Moog, Vocal, Phaser, Comb, EQ, FM, AM, Resample, Elliptic etc. There 37 effects including: Reverb, Delay, Pingpong, Flanger, Phaser, Chorus, Rotary, Surround pan, Super strings, Tube amp, Bitcrush, Waveshape, Talkbox etc.

The Gladiator 2 provides a powerful and flexible modulation section with 22 different LFO waveforms which can be synced to bpm. There is also a step LFO which can be used to create rhythmic sequences or can be used as a trancegate.

“Finally, a company that makes a synthesizer that offers a new synthesis technique. HCM is not just some meaningless “buzzword”...” (Recording magazine 10/08)

Below is a summary of the features:

True high-end quality: Analog, warm, crystal clear, rich sound
New synthesis method (HCM)
New unique sounds which no other synthesizer can create
Huge sonic range
Boundless possibilities
Psychoacoustic processing
IQM for clean and fat chords (Intelligent Microtuning)
Different synthesis methods can be combined freely
Flexibility, expandability
Easy to use
Low CPU and high reliability
1070 professional preset sounds included
Gladiator can replace a room full of hardware
Excellent value for the money

System requirements
PC: Windows 95/98/ME/2000/NT/XP/Vista, Processor with at least 800 Mhz, 256 MB RAM, 80 MB hard disc space, VST 2.4 compatible host software (available for free)
MAC: Mac OS X 10.3 or higher, Intel MAC or Power PC, 256 MB RAM, 80 MB hard disc space, processor with at least 700 MHz, AU or VST compatible host software (available for free)
Supported sample rates: 22,44,48,96,192 kHz; 32 Bit or 64 Bit accuracy