Alchemist - Designed to accomplish

[ AU 32/64 bit | VST 32/64 bit | RTAS 32 bit | AAX Native 32/64 bit ]

Be it a serious problem with the dynamics in a mix, a delicate mastering assignment, or a situation with complicated dynamics, Alchemist provides everything you need in order to accomplish. Designed with professional mastering and re-mastering applications in mind, the intricate design, superior workflow, and sound perfection, makes Alchemist tailored for the high demands of today’s music and pro-audio industry,

Processing 

Alchemist operates as a single broadband processor or as a full-scale multiband processor offering up to five individual bands. Each band presents a complete dynamic processing section including; compressor, expander, de-compressor and de-expander, all working in parallel employing independent Angel’s share and Hysteresis parameters for each section.

Angel's share and Hysteresis are key features of all Flux:: dynamic processors, using the dynamic range content of the signal and not just the signal levels as standard processors do. Angel’s share controls the amount of auto-ratio determined by the signal dynamics and by the manual ratio setting. Hysteresis controls the amount of auto-threshold determined by the signal dynamics and by the manual threshold value.

As all Flux:: processors Alchemist provide up to eight channels of simultaneous processing for multichannel/surround operations

User Interface And Workflow

The user interface in Alchemist is designed for simplicity, and in addition to the five band sections, Alchemist presents a vast range of functions to simplify the workflow and to facilitate the achievement of exceptional results. Some of the key functions are:

Generous -/+ 48 dB input/output gain range
Phase invert of the processed signal
Dry/wet control offering true parallel dynamics processing
Discrete peak-limiter rounding peaks off in a smooth and musically fashion
True bypass control routing the incoming signal direct to the output for a smooth transition between clean and processed signal
Morphing slider for seamless transition between two explicit full parameter-sets

Press Reviews

Sound On Sound

“Flux have managed to put all their knowledge into one plug‑in, creating a very powerful dynamics tool unlike any other on the market. Reshaping and revitalizing both individual instruments and mixes, Alchemist is equally useful for mixing and mastering.”

“Switching to multi‑band processing unleashes the true power of Alchemist, as I discovered when I gave it a run on an orchestral piece intended for a computer game.”

“A normal multi‑band compressor would not have been able to handle the macro‑dynamics of the orchestra playing the intro softly, followed by the main theme at full force, but when I increased the Hysteresis parameter, Alchemist handled both parts without putting the lid on the stronger theme part.”

“Whether Alchemist will turn your mixes into gold still depends on your arranging and recording skills, but it’s a very potent dynamics tool.”

Customer Feedback

Paul Northfield, Producer/Engineer
(Dream Theater, Queensrÿche, Rush and Suicidal Tendencies)

"Immediately it was like ‘Wow', It’s doing something substantial!"

Gaël Nicolas, Sound & Effects Editor
(La môme/La vie en rose, Largo Winch, Crimson Rivers)

"Thanks to Flux & the Pure-series my sound effects are now always well mastered upon delivery to the final mix."

Features

Alchemist Multiband Features 

Up to five bands are available, each of them providing:

Flux:: core dynamics processors all operating in parallel:

Compressor
De-Compressor
Expander
De-Expander

The BitterSweet Transient Designer
MS (mid/side) Control.
Auto Delay (Introduces a delay line in the processed signal allowing zero attack time).
Selectable level detection mode and dynamics detection profile
Dynamics processing envelope control (Attack, Hold, Release with optional Auto mode).
Input / Output gain control.

Signal Processing Features

Input/Output gain controls for adjusting the levels before and after processing.
Phase invert of the processed signal.
Dry Mix control (Dry/Wet with gain compensation) allowing for parallel processing or for blending some of the original "peak" into the processed signal.
Clipper, a discrete peak limiter at the very last stage of the processing chain rounding off the peaks smooth and musically.
Bypass routes the incoming signal direct to the output for a true smooth transition between processed and clean signal.

Preset and Parameter Handling

Preset/Parameter slots

To enhance the workflow the two Preset/Parameter slots, A and B, can be loaded with two full set of parameters at the same time. Apart from saving each preset, a "Global Preset" containing both the A and B settings, and the position of the "Morphing Slider", can be saved.

Parameter Morphing Slider with Automation

The Morphing Slider provides morphing between the parameter settings of slot A/B allowing for really creative and useful real-time tweaking. Enabling the Automation control button exposes the Morphing Slider to the host automation.

Specifications

Availability

Alchemist is available in the following configurations:

Native - AU / VST / RTAS
During May 2014: AAX Native & 32/64 bit

Multiband Crossovers

Alchemist's five bands are divided using carefully fine tuned IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) crossovers with selectable slopes (from 18 dB per octave to 54 dB per octave), and variable corner frequencies.

Processing Specifications

Alchemist, as all Flux:: plug-ins, provide

Up to 8 channels Input/Output.
64-bits internal floating point processing.
Sampling rate up to 384 kHz DXD (Pyramix DSP based).
Sampling rate up to 384 kHz for native (AU/RTAS/VST).

Compatibility

All major native formats are supported

Windows - XP, Vista, 7 all in both 32 and 64 bits (utilizing bridge software).
VST (2.4)
RTAS*

Mac OS X (Intel) - 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8 in 32 bits.
VST (2.4)
AU
RTAS*

*The RTAS version requires ProTools 8 or later.