Alchemy filter effects in MainStage

Effect modules are shown only in browse or advanced view. Click the Browse or Advanced button to switch to either view, then click the Effect button in the Perform/Arp/Effects section.

Effects in this group change the frequency content of the signal.

Alchemy Bandpass Filter effect parameters

An adjustable width bandpass filter. The rejected portion of the signal can be recovered at a later point in the signal path by using the Band Reject effect.

Low Cut/High Cut knobs: Set the lower and upper boundaries of the passband.
Low Res/High Res knobs: Add resonant emphasis to the passband boundaries.

Alchemy Band Reject Filter effect parameters

Available only when the Bandpass Filter1/2 is inserted earlier in the signal path. Lets you mix in the portion of the signal that was rejected by the bandpass filter. A classic application of this feature is for multi-band distortion.

Mix knob: Set the amount of band-rejected signal mixed back into the signal path, bypassing effects between the BP Filter and the Band Reject mix point.

Alchemy Bass Enhancer effect parameters

Bass-boosting EQ, recommended for use with bass and low frequency percussion sounds.

Amount knob: Set the intensity of the bass enhancement.
Tune knob: Determine the frequency band to which the boost is applied.
Phat button: Add a saturation effect, for a different color to the bass enhancement. For more neutral/transparent results, leave phat mode off.

Alchemy Distortion effect parameters

Distortion effect with multiple algorithms that can be used simultaneously.

Bitcrush knob: Use for a lo-fi digital distortion.
Mech knob: Use to produce a nastier, more intense distortion.
Tube knob: Use to simulate the warm distortion effect of an overdriven tube amp.
XCite knob: Use to create distortions with an enhanced high-frequency range.
Pre Gain knob: Set the amount of input gain applied before the distortion effect. This enables you to produce heavily saturated distortions with some distortion types, especially Tube.
Post Gain knob: Set the output level to compensate for significant signal boosts caused by distortions such as Tube and Mech.

Alchemy MultiMode Filter effect parameters

Provides multiple filter types that process all voices routed through the Effects section.

Type pop-up menu: Choose from dozens of different filter types. Each has a unique characteristic. See Alchemy filter types in MainStage.

Note: The knobs described are common to most filter types but not all.

Cutoff knob: Set the filter cutoff frequency.
Resonance knob: Set the filter resonance or emphasis. Higher settings boost frequencies in the immediate vicinity of the cutoff frequency.
Drive knob: Overdrive the filter. The precise effect varies with each filter design.
Mix knob: Determine the wet/dry balance (0% = dry only; 50% = equal mix; 100% = wet only). Typically this is left at 100%.

Alchemy Three Band EQ parameters

Offers three bands of parametric EQ. Each band, shown as F1/F2/F3 (where F denotes frequency), has identical controls.

Gain knobs: Set the amount of boost or cut to the three frequency bands.
Freq knobs: Set the center frequency for the three frequency bands.
Note: The three frequency bands can each be set to values from 16 Hz through to 20 kHz, so it isn’t necessary (although it may be useful) to tune F2 above F1, or F3 above F2.
Q knobs: Set the bandwidth of the three frequency bands.

Alchemy Waveshaper parameters

An EQ unit that applies a predefined filter shape. Two sets of identical controls can be used to modify the pre-shaped and post-shaped signal.

Mix knob: Set the balance between the dry input signal and the wet effect signal.
Gain knobs: Set the amount of boost or cut to the pre- or post-filtered signal.
Shape knobs: Set the pre- or post-filter shape toward a lowpass or highpass type. The center position has a balance of low and high filtering.
Freq knobs: Set the center frequency for the pre- or post-filtered bands.
Display: View and edit the predefined filter curve. Drag the white handles to set the shape start, mid, and end points. Drag the line between points to create convex or concave curves. Option-click the line to reset it to a linear shape.
Bipolar button: Turn on to use a bipolar filter curve. Turn off to use a unipolar filter curve.
File button: Open a pop-up menu with several useful commands.
- Presets: Choose a preset from the submenu.
- Save: Open a dialog where you can name and save the current settings to a new preset. The saved preset name is shown at the bottom of the Presets submenu list.
- Copy/Paste: Copy the current settings to the Clipboard and paste the Clipboard contents.
- Clear: Reset all parameter settings to default values.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: PDF

MainStage Instruments: PDF

MainStage Effects: PDF

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