In case you didn't already know, Camel Audio has a 2-for-1 sale going for all Alchemy expansions through the end of the month. I've still got my $15 credit, which is also good for the sale, and I'm looking for some advice on which ones to pick up. I've already got:

Dream Voices
Arp Dimensions
Electronic Bass
Planet Earth
Himilaya Pads
Viral Outbreak
Luftrum: Ambient
Dance & Trance
Junkie XL
Big Tone
Atmospheric

Looking for something that's versatile enough for a wide variety of music ranging from EDM to downtempo/ambient. I could get Cinematic Amospheres and Impacts for $20, but I'm also considering the original Cinematic pack, Guitar Mutations, Steamworx, Ian Boddy: Analogica, or the Biolabs expansions (Light/Dark Space). Any of you guys have any of these? Thoughts/suggestions?

Tehlord, I'm looking at you, especially - I think you probably have a bunch of the ones I'm considering???

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I bought Dark and Light spaces last week and I'm very happy with that choice.

I'm not sure what use they'd have outside the cinematic or ambient genres, but they're excellent in terms of sound design and variety.

They just happen to be the cheapest choices as well

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I'd suggest the original Biolabs bank from Biomechanoid hands down. It's probably my favourite alchemy expansion and it's one of the most versatile imo. Col's work is stunning.

Steamworx and Guitar Mutations are also both very good too.

I'd suggest Patchpool's Alchemistry banks but they're 3rd party and no good for this deal.

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I was kinda thinking that the Biolabs might be pretty niche-y, so that's good to know.

quote:

Originally posted by tehlord They just happen to be the cheapest choices as well

The two newer Cinematic expansions (Atmospheres and Impacts) are the same price at $35 each ($20 total with my $15 credit), but I'm thinking that they may be too niche-y as well These cheaper ones are about half the size of the other $59 expansions, so you get what you pay for. Guitar mutations sounds cool, but seems like it might be one that I toy with, but never actually use.

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quote:

Originally posted by Teezdalien I'd suggest the original Biolabs bank from Biomechanoid hands down. It's probably my favourite alchemy expansion and it's one of the most versatile imo. Col's work is stunning. Steamworx and Guitar Mutations are also both very good too. I'd suggest Patchpool's Alchemistry banks but they're 3rd party and no good for this deal.

Cool, thanks for the suggestion. The original Biolabs bank didn't really appeal to me when it was first released, so I didn't really give it much consideration, but I'll revisit it. Steamworx seems to get a lot of love, especially over on KVR, so that one is pretty high on my list.

I have the Alchemistry bank already. I'm a big fan of Simon's stuff.

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quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Cool, thanks for the suggestion. The original Biolabs bank didn't really appeal to me when it was first released, so I didn't really give it much consideration, but I'll revisit it. Steamworx seems to get a lot of love, especially over on KVR, so that one is pretty high on my list. I have the Alchemistry bank already. I'm a big fan of Simon's stuff.

I think they're those banks that find a certain kind of sound, and it's something I've been delving more into lately. I have the cinematic impact and atmosphere banks for the same reason.

I recently upgraded to 1.5 or whatever the latest version of Alchemy is now and the taste of Alchemy bank was quite useful, I found the Junkie XL sounds to be pretty sweet and I probably would have ignored it otherwise.

The dubstep one just sounds lame though.

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quote:

Originally posted by tehlord The dubstep one just sounds lame though.

Agreed.

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I like the sound of the Dream Voices bank. How usable is it in terms of say prog/trance?

*edit

Going to pick this up regardless

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Last edited by kevin shawn on Mar-23-2013 at 22:50

Check your account when you buy.

Camel have a habit of gifting credit to your account at Christmas and I had some there I didn't even know I had.

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quote:

Originally posted by kevin shawn I like the sound of the Dream Voices bank. How usable is it in terms of say prog/trance? *edit Going to pick this up regardless

Very usable IMO and it's probably my favorite expansion. It has some very nice vocal pads, of course, and some really unique arps. The best part, though, is the huge volume of raw source samples that it comes with.

BTW, which freebie expansion did you pick up with it, Kevin?

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Biolabs Dark Space was my choice for the freebie. I've been on a downtempo tip lately and this sounded pretty neat.

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quote:

Originally posted by kevin shawn Biolabs Dark Space was my choice for the freebie. I've been on a downtempo tip lately and this sounded pretty neat.

Should have got the 1st Biolabs bank (unless you already have it!), it's bigger, better and more versatile, although dark space is still excellent for dark menacing sounds.

I'll be picking up Himalaya's Vintage and probably Luftrum's Ambient bank in a few days time.

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