A comparative study of VS Audio's MKII Alchemy Analog Chorus vs the original MKI
As promised, I have recently taken delivery of a MKII Alchemy Chorus with the intent of putting it through its paces against its progenitor / predecessor. The demos for sure sound brighter and sparklier - while there’s no substitute for proper due-diligence!
The process involved straight up comparisons for same knob positions - across the range, and then a head-to-head with the various presets.
When when you play the MKI in isolation it’s not particularly noticeably darker on its own - where as soon as you start alternating between the two pedals and particularly at higher levels of Mix, Delay and Depth - you notice that the chorusing on the MKII is distinctly brighter and sparklier. While the comparative frequency profile of the MK1 seems to be significantly down range - with a more midsy / lower frequency output and not the same overall degree of clarity. If I were being harsh I would say that it almost sounds as if there was a slight sort of trumpet style mute on the original’s output. Which is odd as I loved it when it was released - but some for sure felt that it didn’t go quite bright enough.
Chase Bliss did a similar exercise with their Warped Vinyl Chorus - in fact the output profile on that was sharpened twice - first with the MKII version which I have, and then again for the HiFi edition - which is brighter still (I prefer the MKII as it retains its volume control - which becomes Sag on the HiFi edition). For me the step-up in those is not as significant as the step-up between the MKI and MKII Alchemy editions. The MKII is clearly much the brighter in output, and moreover there seems to be an added elegance to its shimmer.
VS Audio describe the pedal as being Smoother and Warmer than the predecessor. While for me it manifests slightly differently - at least according to my own vocabulary! For me the chorusing modulation - the core texture of it is more shimmery and just more pristine sounding than the MKI. While because of that previous one's more low-end register, I'm not sure I would describe the pedal necessarily as being warmer - as in some ways it being brighter, sparklier and more shimmery renders slightly cooler to a degree too. And I'm also not sure that the smooth label is wholly right for me. For sure it's relatively smooth - but it has that gorgeous shimmer to it which really makes it sounds special.
The word 'elegant' I find to be a more suitable descriptive - and I would simply describe the MKII as being more pristine and more hi-fidelity than its predecessor. In essence the output tone and frequency profile has been wholly re-calibrated and refined. The two choruses have slightly different accents to them, and they seem to modulate somewhat differently. I remember doing an exercise with one of my readers when we were exploring classic chorusing sounds - in particular benchmarking Echo Beach and Dream Theatre chorusey sounds. The original was a touch off that quality of brightness - while the new one has it in spades.
Actually the following video is a pretty good reference for Chorus lovers - even though it's an MXR EVH chorus being used. The new Alchemy has no problem reaching those shimmery highs now.
It's funny how the two pedals can have such different output profiles - which to be fair don't sound that different lower down the scale - while as soon as you ramp them up the differences become very evident. The MKI is sill a lovely chorus on its own - but I prefer more pristine and brighter shimmery choruses in general - so I see the MKII as a huge improvement.
All the innovations of the MKI are still in tact - the stereo output, six rapid-fire presets and smart controls with even and predictable tapers. Both are really easy to dial in - while the HiFi nature of the new one somewhat extends the range.
I am personally spoilt for choice for choruses - and have nearly a dozen in my collection, while the Alchemy will always be a favourite - not just for how it sounds, but for how it plays. Having those 6 presets at your disposal is a revelation for chorus - and it really helps you explore the outer reaches of such a pedal - from subtle and barely there - to the most janky of seasick vibratos!
When the first one was released I suggested a deluxe version of said pedal - with two extra knobs - Tone and Output Level. While the MKII changes pretty much negate that need as the whole core tone of the pedal has been elevated, and the modulation significantly refined - so you really don't need those added controls any more.
The Alchemy is still a very unique chorus and now it genuinely is one of the best sounding ones too. There are numerous advantages of deploying an Alchemy, and the new one will sure be in high rotation in my pedal-chain.
I'm going through a sort of chorus phase at the moment - and looking to bring said capsule collection up to a round dozen! I already have some wonderful benchmark choruses onboard - and the Alchemy is for sure among the finest. The tweaker in me would probably still like to see a couple of extra controls at some stage - while the pedal is now pretty much perfect as is.
The VS Audio Alchemy MKII is available from the VS Audio Webstore and leading dealers for €249 and equivalent! Hopefully you are convinced now that it's well worth the investment!
Just check out the killer demos again if you have any lingering doubst! :
Demos
Previous: 2022 FX Expo Highlights
12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition
