05) Alchemy 2: Smooth, Tape-Inspired Sound
In medieval times, people believed in "alchemy": a fictional process that could supposedly transform mundane materials into precious gold. Sadly, it doesn't exist...
But in GOLD CLIP, it does :)
🔹 ALCHEMY 2 🔹: Smoother, Richer, More Musical
Alchemy 2 is a peak processor that softens mid-to-high frequencies, reducing harshness and unwanted clipping artifacts. It brings a smooth, tape-like quality to your mix, creating a cohesive and polished sound, especially as signals approach the clip point.
As audio gets louder, Alchemy 2 gently shapes peaks and tames aggressive frequencies without dulling the mix. It’s perfect for maintaining clarity and adding warmth while preserving the natural energy of your tracks.
The below plot shows the EQ curve of Alchemy 2:
When Alchemy is set to 2 dB, the EQ curve above reacts to the clipped signal with the transfer function below.
When To Use ALCHEMY
Much like tape, Alchemy applies high-frequency compression instantaneously, without attack or release artifacts. This makes it ideal for taming harshness in a natural and transparent way.
Alchemy can be used as a subtle de-esser or high-frequency softener. I usually start with Alchemy at 0 dB, then set the amount of clipping I need. From there, I turn up Alchemy to pull back harsh mid-range and high frequencies, creating a smoother, more polished sound.
If you’re using a limiter to add gain after Gold Clip, Alchemy can also enhance perceived loudness. It increases the impact of kick drums and other low-frequency transients as they ascend into the clipper, giving your mix more weight and punch.
Things to Keep In Mind
Alchemy processing is tied to the signal’s proximity to the clip point, similar to Gold processing. In most popular music, the loudest signal is typically the kick drum and/or bass, often around 80 Hz.
As the low-end frequencies from the kick or bass approach the clip point, Alchemy begins reducing the mid and high frequencies. This dynamic adjustment helps maintain balance and smoothness in the mix.
For example, if a clap and a kick hit simultaneously, the clap might appear slightly quieter than the kick. That’s because Alchemy is pulling down the mid-range and highs as the combined signal nears 0.0 dBFS, ensuring a cleaner and more cohesive result.
Check Out this video on the New Alchemy 2!
Give Alchemy 2 a try next time you use Gold Clip, and let me know what you think. Tag @SchwabeDigital in an instagram story and show us how you are using it. We'll repost.
In the next post, we'll talk about the three clipping algorithms.
Be well,
Ryan Schwabe
Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum mixing & mastering engineer
Founder of Schwabe Digital
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