The Rebel Technology Alchemist is a programmable effects unit and synthesizer that fits in the palm of your hand, in the maker's words. It belongs to Rebel Technology's OWL platform of open, patchable hardware, alongside the OWL Pedal and the Wizard, and it can run the full library of OWL patches or patches you write yourself1. Because what it does depends entirely on the patch loaded, it sits somewhere between a multi-effects pedal and a synth pedal.
Controls and connections
The Alchemist keeps its panel small: four assignable knobs, two assignable buttons and one mode button1. Audio and control connections run over small jacks:
| Connection | Detail |
|---|---|
| Audio in | 3.5mm stereo in1 |
| Audio out | 3.5mm stereo out1 |
| Control inputs | 1x CV in, 1x trigger in1 |
| MIDI | USB MIDI device1 |
CV and trigger inputs let you control the unit from modular or other control-voltage gear, and the stereo 3.5mm jacks mean you will need adaptors or dedicated cables if your board runs quarter-inch plugs1.
Power
The Alchemist is powered by 9V DC or over USB1. The USB option means it can draw power from a computer or USB power bank, which suits a unit this size; the 9V DC option lets it share a standard pedal supply.
Programming and the OWL platform
The Alchemist runs OWL patches, and Rebel Technology states it is capable of running all the OWL Patches available in its library, with the option to write your own1. Supported patch languages are Cycling'74 Max Gen, Pure Data, FAUST and C++1.
The Wizard is the sibling unit in the range, and both have been restocked together in the past: in February 2020, Martin Klang announced on the Rebel Technology site, "Yes we do, Alchemists and Wizards are back in stock today!"2.
Rebel Technology's product page currently lists the Alchemist as out of stock1.
Other products called Alchemist
Two unrelated products share the name, and it is worth knowing the difference:
- Bastl Instruments Citadel Alchemist: a Eurorack module. Bastl describes it as a synthesizer that does not record external audio, with a patchable envelope ENV output, TRS MIDI in on the front panel for clock, notes, CCs and pitch bend, USB MIDI send and receive on the back, and a stereo headphone output that can drive headphones up to 250 Ohm. Bastl also notes that Alchemist firmware can be loaded into its Wave Bard or FX Wizard modules and vice versa3.
- Matthews Effects The Alchemist: a guitar pedal covered by gearnews.com, whose reviewer Jef described four jack sockets, two marked in black and two in red4. MusicRadar reported that it can split the signal to an always-on tuner5.
Neither of these is the Rebel Technology unit described on this page.
Videos
Rebel Technology
Questions
What programming languages work with the Rebel Technology Alchemist?
Rebel Technology lists Cycling'74 Max Gen, Pure Data, FAUST and C++ as the supported patch programming languages. Patches written in these languages can run on the Alchemist, and you can also write your own patches for it using the same tools.
Can the Alchemist run OWL patches?
Yes. Rebel Technology says the Alchemist is capable of running all the OWL Patches available in its patch library, and that you can write your own patches for it as well. It belongs to the same OWL programmable platform as the OWL Pedal and the Wizard.
How is the Alchemist powered?
The Alchemist runs on 9V DC or over USB, according to Rebel Technology's product page. That makes it usable from a standard pedal power supply or straight from a computer or USB power source.
Does the Alchemist have MIDI?
Yes. The Rebel Technology Alchemist works as a USB MIDI device, so it can send and receive MIDI over its USB connection.
Is the Alchemist still in stock?
Rebel Technology's product page currently lists the Alchemist as out of stock. The company has restocked it before: in February 2020 Martin Klang announced that Alchemists and Wizards were back in stock.
Sources (5)
- Alchemist, Rebel Technology, 2018-07-09
- Magus Kickstarter, Rebel Technology, 2018-04-16
- FAQ Citadel Alchemist, Bastl Instruments
- Matthew's Effects' new The Alchemist transmutes Stereo and Mono guitar signals, gearnews.com, 2017-05-14
- Matthews Effects' Alchemist pedal will “purify, perfect and transform your guitar signal”, MusicRadar, 2017-05-15
