34Audiovisuals AlchemDie is an unofficial emulation of the Make Noise Strega synth and FX for macOS, Windows, and iOS.
Over the past two months, developer Diego Capoccitti, aka 34Audiovisuals, has begun porting his plugins to iOS.
Following SwarmaDie 2, DroneDie, and JenDie, the next plugin is now available to explore on your iOS device. 34Audiovisuals has today released AlchemDie, a new Synthesizer and FX processor for macOS, Windows, and iOS.
34Audiovisuals AlchemDie
Alchemy is a new Synthesizer plugin for macOS, Linux and Windows that is heavily inspired by the Make Noise Strega. Diego Capoccitti of 34Audiovisuals clearly states that it’s not an official emulation, but rather that AlchemDie is inspired by it.
However, the fact that it’s intended as an “emulation” is evident in the interface, which is very reminiscent of the hardware.
As a reminder: the Make Noise Strega is a fascinating experimental synth developed in collaboration with Alessandro Cortini (NIN…)
Like the hardware, the AlchemDie is a Synthesizer that you learn through experimentation. It can function as both a Synthesizer and an FX processor.
It features a tonic oscillator with MIDI-controllable pitch, a sub-harmonic generator, and waveform morphing. Like the hardware, the plugin doesn’t feature a traditional filter but uses a Vactrol-style activation VCA with an asymmetric slew response.
Also onboard is a unique modulation consisting of an agitation function generator with continuous trapezoidal modulation. If you prefer wilder, more experimental sounds, try combining the tonic oscillator with the associated buttons (activation interface).
Deep feedback self-modulation fun will await you. Don’t forget: many parameters are internally interconnected, which also leads to unpredictable and bizarre behaviors.
A Feedback Delay Experiment
Much of the Strega hardware’s magic comes from its built-in FX processor, which transforms everything into a large, dense soundscape. This has also been replicated here.
34 Audiovisuals AlchemDie features a time/filter delay loop described as a feedback delay experiment that includes a BBD emulation and a dynamic lowpass filter. It transforms any signal into an unpredictable, evolving sound.
Also onboard is an analog-style character section with tape companding and stereo width, adding extra density and life.
Strega hardware’s momentary pads, which allow you to trigger parameters like modulation, make it very hands-on and expressive. AlchemDie has six of these momentary gesture pads, which make particular sense on iOS because of touch operation
They house six distinct sound shapers: crumble, surge, freeze, void, flutter, and burn. Further, it includes an external substance input for processing sidechain audio. It ships with 25 factory presets.
First Impression
Strega has been on my wish list for a long time, as I really like the results. Perhaps the AlchemDie app/plugin is able to reduce this desire. We’ll see.
What I have heard from the demos so far sounds very good. It has a very dense yet alive sound that makes you want more. How close to the original it is, I have no idea.
34Audiovisuals AlchemDie is available now for 9,99€ on the official website. It runs as a VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows. A 15-day demo is available.
The iOS version with AUv3 support for iOS and macOS is now available on the Apple App Store for $5,99.
More information here: 34Audiovisuals / App Store
Make Noise Strega is available from my partners
Thomann
Thanks for your reviews!