Alchemy main filter controls in MainStage

Main filter components are shown only in advanced view. Click the Advanced button to switch to advanced view, then click the Global button.

There are two main filter modules, labeled Filter 1 and Filter 2. The filters can operate in parallel or in series.

The output from all four sources is sent to the main filters at levels determined by independent controls in each source. Both main filter modules provide multi-mode filters with identical controls.

Note: It is possible for each source to completely bypass the main filters, or to send a portion of the source signal to the main filters and another portion directly to the Effects section. Though you can use filters at multiple locations in the signal path, you can often attain the same or similar results by careful use of fewer filters, which helps to reduce CPU load.

Main filter parameters

On/Off buttons: Enable or disable each filter.
Filter type pop-up menus and fields: Choose the filter type. Use the descriptive names: Clean, Edgy, Gritty, Rich, Sharp, and Smooth to make a choice that is right for your sound. You can step through the available filter types with the Previous and Next buttons (the arrows). See Alchemy filter types in MainStage.
Note: The chosen filter type can alter the names and functions of the default Cutoff, Resonance, and Drive knobs.
Cutoff knobs and fields: Set the cutoff frequency for the chosen filter type.
Resonance knobs and fields: Boost or cut frequencies above, below, or surrounding the value set with the Cutoff knob. Resonance behavior changes when different filter types are chosen.
Drive knobs and fields: Overdrive the filter. This can lead to intense distortions and aliasing, depending on filter type.
VU meters: Indicate the current audio level received from all four sources. If the filter input level exceeds 0dB, the VU meters indicate clipping by momentarily turning red. Clipping produces an undesirable digital audio artifact in the output stage. If clipping occurs, reduce the Vol knob of the loudest source or adjust the balance between sources.
Par/Ser knob and field: Set the filter routing configuration. Note that this is pre-effects.
- At 0% position, the total output of Filter 1 is sent to the main outputs of the filter module. This is parallel mode.
- At 100% position, the total output of Filter 1 is sent to the Filter 2 input. This is series mode.
- At 50% position, equal amounts of the Filter 1 output signal are sent to the Filter 2 input and the main outputs of the filter module.
  Note: When the Par/Ser knob is set to 100%, a portion of the Filter 1 signal bypasses Filter 2 whenever the Filter 1 FX Master knob is set above 0%.
FX master knobs: Determine the balance between the filter module output sent to the Effects section and the filter module output sent directly to the Alchemy main output.
- At 0% position, the total filter output is sent to the Alchemy main outputs, and none of it to the Effects section.
- At 100% position, the total filter output is sent to the Effects section, and none of it to the Alchemy main outputs.
- At 50% position, equal amounts of filter output signal are sent to the Effects section and the Alchemy main outputs.
Send destination pop-up menus: Independently send the output of main filter 1 or 2 to the Main effects rack, or to the A/B/C/D effects rack. Choose FX Main, FX A, FX B, FX C, or FX D.
Note: When the FX master knob for filter 1 or 2 is at the full-left position, the total filter 1 or 2 output is sent to the Alchemy main outputs, and none of it to the Effects section.

Create vowel sounds with parallel source filters

Vowel sounds in human speech are the result of formants produced by changing the shape of the vocal cavity. By mimicking these formants, Alchemy can produce speech- or song-like effects, even in VA mode without samples of actual speech.

In Alchemy in MainStage, click the File button in the Name bar and choose Initialize Preset from the pop-up menu to reset all Alchemy parameters to default settings.
Click the source A button, then make the following parameter changes:
- Set Vol to 0 dB.
- Set Coarse Tune to –12 semis.
Click the source A Fine Tune knob.
In the top slot of the modulation rack, choose LFO > LFO 1 from the pop-up menu, then set the Mod Depth knob to a value near 50%.
In the LFO 1 control panel, set Attack to approximately 0.50 sec, turn off Sync, and set Rate to approximately 5 Hz.
Enable filter 1 by clicking the On button next to the filter type pop-up menu. Do the same for filters 2 and 3. Click the Par(allel) button to enable parallel configuration of the source A filters.
Click the Global button to view all sources, then click the source A content field and choose Copy Source from the pop-up menu.
Click the source B content field, and choose Paste Source from the pop-up menu. Repeat for the source C and D content fields.
Click the A button to view source A, then make the following (approximate) parameter changes to create an “ahhh” sound:
- Cutoff 1 = 800 Hz, Res 1 = 87%
- Cutoff 2 = 1200 Hz, Res 2 = 87%
- Cutoff 3 = 2800 Hz, Res 3 = 87%
Click the B button to view source B, then make the following (approximate) parameter changes to create an “eeeh” sound:
- Cutoff 1 = 230 Hz, Res 1 = 87%
- Cutoff 2 = 2600 Hz, Res 2 = 75%
- Cutoff 3 = 3200 Hz, Res 3 = 75%
Click the C button to view source C, then make the following (approximate) parameter changes to create an “oooh” sound:
- Cutoff 1 = 200 Hz, Res 1 = 87%
- Cutoff 2 = 880 Hz, Res 2 = 65%
- Cutoff 3 = 2400 Hz, Res 3 = 50%
Click the D button to view source D, then make the following (approximate) parameter changes to create an “ehh” sound:
- Cutoff 1 = 530 Hz, Res 1 = 65%
- Cutoff 2 = 1850 Hz, Res 2 = 75%
- Cutoff 3 = 2500 Hz, Res 3 = 50%

Control parallel source filters with morphing

The previous task set up a number of vowel sounds with source filters. Follow these steps to morph between these sounds with your keyboard modulation wheel.

In Alchemy in MainStage, click Morph to view morph parameters, then click the Morph Lin button.
Set the X knob to 0%.
In the modulation rack, Morph All X is shown at the top.
Choose Perform > Control7 in the first modulation rack slot. Leave the modulation depth value at 100%.
The modulation wheel is linked by default to performance control 7.
Play your keyboard, and move your modulation wheel to morph between the source filtered sounds.
If the output level seems low, you can boost it by increasing the value of the Vol knob in the Master section or the Volume knob on the Name bar.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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