Song Athletics’ latest collaborative release sees the company team up with Montréal-based sound-design team BORO to create a powerful new Kontakt library. Described as a “study in sonic transmutation”, Alchemia blends a range of string, wind and vocal sounds with samples of modular synths and “esoteric sound objects”, all of which have been routed through an assortment of experimental processing chains.
All of the new instrument’s samples were captured at Tiohtià:ke / Montréal’s renowned Hotel2Tango studio, with everything recorded to tape using a selection of characterful microphones. The likes of synths and guitars were also re-amped through an assortment of vintage amplifiers, a grand piano soundboard and a selection of resonant percussion instruments, placing them in the same space as their acoustic companions.
The entire collection of recordings have also be subjected to extensive processing both in the analogue and digital domains, with the team employing everything from tape machines and effects pedals to DSP-based processors. The blend between processed and unprocessed sound is central to the instrument’s sound and character, with users able to seamlessly merge between the two sets of signals using a central macro control. Take a look at the video below to hear Alchemia in action.
Key Features
- 62 Articulations (11 Strings, 12 Reeds, 6 Voices, 15 Coils, 17 Circuits)
- Transmutation control: main macro blends between raw and alchemically processed signals.
- Multiple global controls and effects.
- NKS compatible
- ~27.5GB (uncompressed)
Compatibility
Alchemia runs in Native Instruments’ Kontakt or Kontakt Player versions 8 or above, which are supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 13 and higher. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available, along with standalone applications.
Pricing & Availability
Alchemia is available now, priced at £75 including VAT.
