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Alchemy spectral element effects in MainStage

Source components are shown only in advanced view. Click the Advanced button to switch to advanced view, then click the A/B/C/D button to select the source you want to edit.

Alchemy spectral element effects provide a number of creative options in the spectral synthesis engine. Two effects units are available in the lower half of the spectral parameters shown in the source subpage. See Alchemy spectral element controls in MainStage for information on other spectral element parameters.

Note: You must first perform a sample import with a spectral analysis or draw in the Spectral edit window before you can use any of the spectral engine parameters. See Alchemy Import browser in MainStage and Alchemy spectral edit window in MainStage.

Figure. Spectral element parameters, showing spectral element effects units.

Spectral effect parameters

Spectral effect on/off buttons: Enable or disable the spectral effect unit.
Spectral effect pop-up menus and fields: Choose a spectral effect type. See spectral effect descriptions below.
Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound. This parameter is common to all spectral effect types.
Parameter knob 1: Set the value for the parameter assigned to the chosen spectral effect. The parameter name and function vary with each effect type.
Parameter knob 2: Set the value for the parameter assigned to the chosen spectral effect. The parameter name and function vary with each effect type.
Parameter knob 3: Set the value for the parameter assigned to the chosen spectral effect. The parameter name and function vary with each effect type.

Bloom

Bloom produces a burst of frequencies based on the source sound. Note that this effect requires a small amount of calculation time to collect and release a group of frequencies. As a result, there may be a gap between playing a note and hearing the effect.

Tip: Try single note samples with a strong initial attack, such as a piano, and set Mix to a value that introduces the effect as part of the tail of the sound.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Threshold knob: Set the amount of lower amplitude frequencies heard in the effect.
Attack knob: Set the time it takes for effect-generated frequencies to fade in.
Shift knob: Move the emphasis of the effect from lower harmonics (negative values) to higher harmonics (positive values). When centered (0), the original frequency balance is used.

Blur

Blur produces a frequency blurring effect.

Tip: Try a melodic loop with pitch variations to best hear the impact of this effect.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Length knob: Set the time period that frequencies are sustained (blurred over time).
Variance knob: Set the degree of variation for frequency selection (frequencies that are blurred).
Gate knob: Determine the impact of the source sound envelope on the effect and the number of audible frequencies. For example, when used on a loop, higher settings produce a simplified sound with more frequent gaps in the effect output.

Cloud

Cloud produces what might best be described as a cloud of frequency grains, resulting in a textured chorus effect.

Tip: Try this effect on vocal samples.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Threshold knob: Set a sustained emphasis on the highest amplitude harmonics.
Attack knob: Set the time it takes for frequencies emphasized by the Threshold setting to fade in.
Simplify knob: Reduce lower amplitude frequencies to enhance prominent frequencies, lessening detail in favor of an increasingly pure tone.

Gate

Gate is best described as a combination of a square wave LFO and envelope follower modulation for frequencies in the spectrum. Depending on your settings and source material, this can either produce a choppy sound or a smoother one.

Tip: Drum loops are an ideal starting point when learning uses for this effect.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Threshold knob: Set the amount of lower amplitude frequencies that are allowed to pass through the gate. This reduces detail and enhances prominent frequencies in the source.
Attack knob: Set the time it takes for effect-controlled frequencies to fade in.
Decay knob: Set the time it takes for effect-controlled frequencies to fade out.

Glide

Glide creates adjustable, repeating upward filter sweeps that are based on the source content. Note that this effect requires a small amount of calculation time before the results of your adjustments are heard.

Tip: Sources with wide frequency ranges produce a more pronounced filter sweep sound, whereas sources with limited frequencies can result in unique melodic drones as narrow filters sweep across their ranges.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Freq knob: Set the starting frequency for the sweep.
Width knob: Set the width of the filter (the frequency range, or band, affected by the filter).
Shift knob: Set the height of the sweep.

Freq Shift

Freq(uency) Shift moves the spectral bins higher or lower in the spectrum, reducing the level of (or entirely dropping) some frequencies while emphasizing others. This is a powerful sound design tool that can dramatically alter the sound and can introduce inharmonic overtones.

Tip: Try single note samples with a strong initial attack, such as a piano, and blend the mix level so that the effect comes in as part of the tail of the sound.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Shift knob: Move bins up (positive) or down (negative) the frequency spectrum. Start with small adjustments because this parameter has a wide range.
Feedback knob: Set the intensity of selected frequencies.
LP Cutoff knob: Set the cutoff frequency. Higher frequencies are attenuated.

Freq Stretch

Freq(uency) Stretch is an unusual and powerful effect in that spectral peaks are shifted based on a combination of the Alpha and Beta knobs, resulting in a series of inharmonic stretches and randomizations.

Tip: This effect is highly dependent on the available frequency range in the imported sample. For example, the Alpha and Beta knobs are useful across the entire range with drum loops, whereas the most useful Alpha and Beta ranges are small positive or negative deviations from the center position when used with spoken vocals.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Alpha knob: Shift harmonics to produce an effect reminiscent of a formant filter. A setting of 1 (centered) is closest to the source sound.
Beta knob: Set the frequency range of the effect. A setting of 1 (centered) is closest to the source sound.
Variance knob: Introduce randomization to frequency shifts. Depending on source material and Alpha/Beta settings, these can range from “underwater” sounds to powerful noise clouds.

Metallize

Metallize produces classic comb filter style effects.

Tip: Experiment with drum loops to clearly hear the impact of the controls.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Interval knob: Set the effect frequency.
Simplify knob: Reduce the number of effect-generated frequencies, resulting in a simplified sound.
Feedback knob: Set the intensity of the effect. Higher settings emphasize harmonics, creating metallic resonances.

Shimmer

Shimmer sweeps the frequencies to varying degrees and speeds, imparting either slow frequency shifts or fast shimmering sounds.

Tip: Try pure organ samples to clearly see the results of the effect in the realtime spectrogram display, particularly at moderate rate settings.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Rate knob: Set the sweep speed.
Shimmer knob: Set the intensity of the frequency sweep.
Feedback knob: Adjust to introduce resonant, metallic harmonics that are reminiscent of sounds that can be attained with comb filters.

Shuffle

Shuffle randomly rearranges blocks of bins, resulting in an increasingly abstract and scattered sound.

Tip: Import a bell sample, and start with very low settings to see and hear the impact of controls on the sound.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Factor knob: Set the number of blocks (of bins) that you want to shuffle.
Range knob: Set the distance (number of bins) that you want to move each block.
Bins knob: Set the number of bins contained in each block. Note that bins are numbered (and selected) sequentially.

Smear

Smear averages between blocks of frequencies to create a smoother, more consistent sound. It delivers different results to the Blur effect.

Tip: Try melodic loops that have pitch variations to showcase this effect.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the original signal and the processed sound.
Smooth knob: Set the number of frequency blocks to smooth between. Higher settings have less sonic variation, so make small changes.
Bright knob: Emphasize higher frequencies.
Phase On: Enable to preserve the original phases of the source sound. This natural variation in the sound provides a more organic cloud-like effect. Disable to lock the phases of the source, resulting in a tight, metallic sound.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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