Goofed with it a bit last night and think it's gonna be a hoot to work with.  You really can get some amazing sounds from it and it really is "fun" to use.  I hope they add a per part filter like someone above mentioned but as it is it's still quite wonderful.  Bet this one wins some awards.

Well I've jumped on the bandwagon, downloading Iris soundbank now and the wood and glass packs.. Looking forward to playing with this!

I have been playing with the demo of this. Does anyone have either Harmor or Alchemy, and tried this or purchased it?
I am leaning towards Alchemy at this moment though for $100 more (than the intro sale price for Iris)
To be honest, right now if I purchased Iris it would be mostly to take advantage of the price. 
What Iris has going for it is its sheer simplicity, whereas Alchemy will definitely take more time to become familiar with.
Anyone?

Hi Brando!! I also played with the demo of Iris and do like the simplicity/interesting soundscapes it produces (the special pricing is also my incentive).
I do have the full version of Alchemy and I think it's just fatter sounding. Of course, I'm biased as I've played with Alchemy more than Iris and more familiar with it......Alchemy is also a go to. If you like Z3ta+2, you'll love Alchemy (which has a ton of free patches already available). Support is a fantastic with the folks at Camel. (I got it for around $125 at the KVR market place, but it's NFO.....I planned on keeping it).  

Alchemy is my go-to synth.  Although not as spectral w/ its engine as Iris seems to be, it does granular, synth playback and VA-sounding stuff.  In fact it excells at VA sounding thick and, well, analogish.  Works well with Rapture and Dimpro if you have those, which are more "cutting" than Alchemy.  And they all can use SFZ files, which is nice.

Of course, the best thing about Alchemy is the granular engine, which can accomplish all kinds of sonic mangaling.  If you are into any soundscaping, it is a killer feature.  IF you just need acoustic replicants, not so useful.  But then, you wouldn't be looking at Alchemy/Iris.

Although I haven't used Iris, I can't help but think that Alchemy for $100 more isn't the more flexible and useful synth.  Of course, if you only have $150, then it is Iris.  And if you have a steady source of musical mad money, buying Iris now saves you $100 that you can apply to Alchemy ASAP.

First world choices - have fun.

@

Thanks for the excellent feedback Mesh and AT - 
  Let's see - 

I generally agree with everything you both have said (so it must be right) (LOL)
Mesh - I own Camelspace and Camelphat 3  and agree they are a great company. Lots of support. Innovative.
AT - I do own Rapture, DimPro and Z3ta 2, and quite a few 3rd party synths, including Wusikstation. So being able to read SFZ's is definitely a plus. What interested me in both Alchemy and Iris (as well as Harmor) is the aspect of spectral synthesis - at least it seems cool for sound design and manipulation. In practice (at least in Iris) I still feel it makes great sounds but I am struggling with how I would make practical use of it in musical context in a mix. 
Appreciate your opinions on Alchemy. Alchemy it is.

I've got IRIS +2 pack at AudioDeluxe. Make a deal and you pay even less than the current offered price.

Alchemy comes up regular on KVR secondhand. Pretty decent prices and there's often add-on packs attached.

strikinglyhandsome1


Alchemy comes up regular on KVR secondhand. Pretty decent prices and there's often add-on packs attached.

I took a look at KVR and couldn't find a copy - several recently sold it looks like.
So I took the plunge and purchased from Camel Audio. 
What I didn't realize is you can "upgrade" from Alchemy Player which knocks $50 off the price. 
And I had a $15 coupon in my account which I didn't know I had - presumably from the purchase of Camelspace and/or CamelPhat a while back. 
Which meant I got Alchemy itself for $184.xx instead of $249. 
Just FYI to anyone who might be in a similar situation. 

I haven't purchased any additional soundsets (yet) as I still have to have a play with what comes with it. Really looking forward to giving it a workout this weekend.
Many thanks again to all the great insight. Very helpful.
Cheers!
 

Good for you Brando!!! You're really going to love it.

Also, check out the free User_Libraries, updates to Alchemy, as well as the excellent tutorials at Camel's site. You may need to login to access them.

Cheers!!!