Installation and requirements

Requirements

To use the Alchemy software you need a computer with at least the following specifications:

Mac
OSX 10.4.9, 2 GHz Intel or G5, 1 GB RAM, 3 GB disk space, Audio Units or VST 2.4 host.
Intel Core2Duo and 2 GB RAM recommended.

Windows
XP SP2 or Vista, 3 GHz Pentium, 1 GB RAM, 3 GB disk space, VST 2.4 host.
Intel Core2Duo and 2 GB RAM recommended.

On a 2GHz Core2Duo the most CPU intensive factory preset uses approximately 50% of one processor when playing six notes. For optimum results, a fast, modern CPU and additional RAM are recommended. For tips on how to conserve processor power, see the Troubleshooting page.

Installing Alchemy

In order to run Alchemy you must download a number of files and then extract and run the installer. The following files must be downloaded to your desktop:

  • Your keyfile
  • The factory samples (a .rar file that will be unpacked by the installer)
  • The factory presets (a .rar file that will be unpacked by the installer)
  • The installer for your chosen platform

The Alchemy installer has been simplified and improved beginning with version 1.07 RC.

  1. Go to the Camel Audio web site at http://www.camelaudio.com
  2. Log into your user account by clicking on the ‘Log in / create user account’ link at the top right-hand corner of the page and entering your email address and password.
  3. Click on the ‘Downloads’ link in the Support Menu on the left of the page.
  4. Download the Alchemy keyfile, Alchemy Samples, and Alchemy Presets by clicking the appropriate links on the Downloads page. You do not need to unpack .rar files; this happens automatically when the installer runs.
  5. Download the Alchemy Plugin, selecting either the Win or OSX version depending on the computer you are installing to.
  6. Windows: Double click on AlchemyWin-1-xx.zip to extract the installer. Then place the installer, the keyfile, the samples, and the presets together in the same location (e.g. all on your desktop, or all at the same level of the same folder). Finally, double click on the installer to run it and follow the on-screen instructions. Mac: If the installer (.mpkg file) is not automatically extracted, double click on AlchemyMac-1-xx.dmg to extract it. (On the other hand, if the installer starts to run automatically, click ‘Cancel’.) Then place the installer, the keyfile, the samples, and the presets together in the same location (e.g. all on your desktop, or all at the same level of the same folder). Finally, double click on the installer to run it and follow the on-screen directions.

If you are installing a version prior to 1.07 RC, you should follow the original set of instructions below.

  1. Go to the Camel Audio web site at http://www.camelaudio.com
  2. Log into your user account by clicking on the ‘Log in / create user account’ link at the top right-hand corner of the page and entering your email address and password.
  3. Click on the ‘Downloads’ link in the Support Menu on the left of the page.
  4. Download the Alchemy keyfile to your desktop, by clicking on the Keyfile link towards the top of the page and selecting the desktop in your browser. If your browser does not allow you to select the desktop, move this and the other files once they have all been downloaded.
  5. Download Alchemy Samples to your desktop
  6. Download Alchemy Presets to your desktop
  7. Download Alchemy Plugin to your desktop, selecting either the Win or OSX version depending on the computer you are installing to.
  8. Windows: Double click on AlchemyWin-1-xx.zip on your desktop to extract the installer, and then double click on the installer to run it and follow the on-screen instructions. Mac: Double click on AlchemyMac-1-xx.pkg and follow the on-screen instructions.
  9. Start your sequencer application. The keyfile that you saved to your desktop will automatically be moved into the Alchemy installation folder.

Installation is complete. It is recommended to save a copy of the installation files so that you can avoid downloading them again if you should have to reinstall the same version.

Installing Add-on Sound Banks

  1. Go to the Camel Audio web site at http://www.camelaudio.com
  2. Log into your user account by clicking on the ‘Login / create user account’ link at the top right-hand corner of the page and entering your email address and password.
  3. Click on the ‘Downloads’ link in the Support Menu on the left of the page
  4. If you paid for the sound bank that you are installing, then you will need to click on the download link for the corresponding keyfile and save that to the desktop.
  5. Click on the download link for the add-on sound bank that you wish to install.
  6. Select the desktop as the location to which the file is downloaded.
  7. Windows: Click on the Programs->Camel Audio->Alchemy->Install Add-ons option in the Windows Start menu. Mac: Double-click on Alchemy Sound Bank Installer in the /Applications/Alchemy folder.
  8. Start your sequencer application. If you placed a keyfile on your desktop then it will automatically be moved into the Alchemy plugin folder.

Installation is complete. It is now safe to move all installation files from your desktop to another location as they are no longer required by Alchemy.

Uninstalling

Windows

Click on the Programs->Camel Audio->Alchemy->Uninstall option in the Windows Start menu.

Mac

  1. Delete files:
    /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Alchemy.component
    /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Alchemy.vst.
  2. Delete folder:
    /Library/Application Support/Camel Audio/Alchemy

Note that all of the contents of the Alchemy data folder will be deleted, including any user presets and samples that have been saved there.

Upgrading

To install a new version of Alchemy, just download and run the latest Alchemy Plugin installer. Check to see if the presets and samples that are available have a higher version number than the ones that you originally downloaded.

To install new versions of the presets and samples, follow the instructions above for installing add-on sound banks.