Mela 5 – AUv3: Synth, FX, MIDI 4+

Build Music, Design Sound

Nikolozi Meladze

    • 5.0 • 7 Ratings
    • Free
    • Offers In-App Purchases

Description

The 5.2 update is packed: Preset Browser greatly improved, new Event Module generating note events, gate-like modulation signal from note events & text input enhancement.

Mela is a modular music-making tool that scales with your needs. With its intuitive interface, you can seamlessly build fully custom polyphonic synthesisers, unique audio effects, and complex MIDI processors. Mela can run as a standalone app on iOS and macOS or as an AUv3 plug-in inside your favourite DAW such as AUM, Drambo, Logic Pro and many more.

In Mela, presets are constructed from modules arranged on lanes, each processing audio and MIDI signals. Lanes can receive and send signals to and from the host and other lanes. Modulator modules can modulate any parameter of any module on any lane. Lanes and modules can be easily added, removed, or rearranged, making the preset as complex or simple as desired. Mela comes with 60 modules, with new ones added with every update. The following are some examples from different categories.

- MIDI processors: arpeggiator, chord, note echo, scale, strummer
- Synth building blocks: virtual-analog oscillator, FM operator, phaseshaping, noise, VA filter, amp envelope
- Modulators: envelope follower, envelope generator, LFO, macro control, MIDI source, random
- Audio effects: chorus, delay, distortion, flanger, phaser, compressor, comb filter, EQ, stereo panner
- Utility: level metering, audio oscilloscope, MIDI capture, MIDI logger, note pad

Mela can be loaded inside a host as one of the following plug-in types: Instrument, Audio Effect or MIDI Processor. The only difference between them is the number of audio and MIDI inputs and outputs. Otherwise, the features are identical and a preset created in one type can be opened by another.

Modules are organised into collections. Collection 0 is free, providing you with the opportunity to test out Mela's features. Other collections can be purchased via in-app purchases. New modules will be added to Collection 3 throughout 2024. That means you can purchase it now and have new modules appear unlocked as they become available. The following is a list of all modules.

Collection 0:
Amp Envelope, Arpeggiator, LFO, Meter, Relative Pitch, Stereo Delay, Transposer, VA Filter, VA Oscillator, Volume.

Collection 1:
Balance, Chord, Chorus, Control Change, Compressor, Distortion, DS Oscillator, Envelope Generator, Envelope Follower, Flanger, Glide, Level, MIDI Logger, MIDI Source, Mono, Noise Oscillator, Note Echo, Note Length, Note Range, Panic, Phaser, Pitch Bend, Random, Scale, Strummer, Velocity.

Collection 2:
Clipper, Comb Filter, DC Blocker, Degrader, EQ Band, Fixed Pitch, FM Operator, Macro, MIDI Capture, MIDI Channel, Oscilloscope, Pitch Ratio, Rectifier, Vibrato, Voice Activity, VPS Oscillator.

Collection 3:
Digital Delay, Dual Pan, Mid-Side, Note Event, Note Pad, Phase Inverter, Simple LFO, Stereo Pan.

Mela's capabilities continuously improve, evolve and expand driven by its long-term vision and user feedback. Feel free to get in touch for anything Mela-related.

Say Hello: nikolozi.com/contact
Changelog: nikolozi.com/mela/changelog
FAQ: nikolozi.com/mela/faq
Mela 3 vs Mela 5: nikolozi.com/mela/getting-started/#mela-3-vs-mela-5

What’s New

Version 5.2

Preset Selector:
- Moved the Preset Selector to the left side of the screen.
- Added disclosure button to toggle the Preset Browser view.
- Tapping the preset name now presents the actions menu, removing the need for a separate button.
- The Save Preset, Export & Save and Create Group actions no longer present a separate text field. Instead, the Preset Selector turns into a text field in place.
- Now a confirmation dialogue will be displayed when overwriting an existing preset.
- Create Group action is now accessible via the File menu or Command-G shortcut in the Mela app.

Preset Browser:
- Greatly improved Preset Browser interface, now vertically scrollable on the left side.
- It now feels more integrated with the Preset Selector.
- The Import, Export, Rename, and Delete preset group actions are accessible via the ellipsis icon menu.
- User presets offer similar actions through a long-press gesture (or right-click on macOS) and swipe left on the preset name.

Event Module:
- Introduced a new MIDI Processor module for note-on and note-off events.
- It's simple yet very versatile.
- With the Event module, you can create algorithmic compositions by modulating its parameters.
- It can trigger envelopes or retrigger LFOs, even when Mela is inserted as an audio effect with no MIDI input.
- Events can be triggered via the user interface, automation, or modulation.
- Its primary parameter, Event, accepts values within the [0%, 100%] range.
- When the value exceeds 50%, the module generates a note-on event.
- Once the value drops to 50% or lower, it generates a corresponding note-off event.
- Additional parameters allow you to set the generated event's channel, note, and velocity values.
- The note-on and note-off events can also be triggered by tapping the toggle button.
- The toggle button indicates the currently held note.
- The Event module is part of Collection 3.

Note-On/Off Gate:
- It's now possible to create a gate-like modulation signal using the MIDI Source module based on note-on and note-off events.
- Set the Input parameter to Note-On/Off Gate to use it.
- On note-on, the modulation signal jumps to 100% but it drops back to 0% on note-off.
- The signal can be smoothed out using the Smoothing parameter.
- You can use this instead of an envelope generator when you don't need the complexity.

Text Input:
- The Perform View parameter renaming no longer happens in a separate text field. Instead, the value label turns into a text field in place.
- The Enter Value menu action and a triple tap on a dial or slider no longer display a separate text field for entering a parameter value. Instead, the value label turns into a text field in place.
- For frequency-based parameters, you can now enter values by appending either "kHz" or "k". Mela will interpret these values as kilohertz instead of assuming they are in hertz.
- Similarly, for time-based parameters, appending "s" to the value will indicate to Mela to use seconds instead of the default milliseconds unit.
- Added "Set to 0%" menu item above Enter Value for the Level parameters of the oscillator modules.
- The Level parameter of these modules reset to the default value of 50% on double-tap, however, the 0% value is also very useful (e.g. for amplitude modulation).
- In the future, other parameters may gain similar options to quickly set them to common useful values.

Other Changes:
- The update includes many internal changes to continue to transition away from Mac Catalyst and towards becoming a fully native macOS app.
- The MIDI Source and Note Length modules updated the Note-on/off strings to Note-On/Off to improve consistency.
- The MIDI Logger module is now more compact as the Copy and Clear buttons were removed. The actions are still available via the context menu which can be accessed by tapping the console anywhere.
- Added a workaround for Musical Keyboard getting stuck notes due to SwiftUI gesture bugs.
- Many UI tweaks and improvements.

Ratings and Reviews

5.0 out of 5
7 Ratings

7 Ratings

slyyyde ,

Rich sound palette, elegant UI in form and function

Nikolozi is an awesome dev, highly engaged with the user community, and he has crafted Mela into a beautiful work of art, both sonic and visual. I’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what Mela can do. With so many types of oscillators, filters, and effects to mix and match, it offers nearly infinite possibilities for sound design. Workflow is smooth and intuitive, and it encourages exploration.

As a windsynth player, I especially appreciate the range of expressive control that is possible with Mela. The MIDI Source module allows me to meticulously sculpt the response curve of breath and other continuous controller inputs, so that the most subtle nuances of performance can be captured, processed, and routed for modulation in musically useful ways. The sub-millisecond smoothing adjustment eliminates filter “zippering” and other unwanted steppy artifacts that can plague other synths when controlled by breath, while still keeping latency to a minimum, which is critical for responsive live performance.

Mela continues to grow and evolve, with new modules being added all the time, as well as enhancements and refinements to existing functionality. Well worth the price, and well worth investing time and effort to discover, experiment, and enjoy.

_tristan ,

One of a kind.

I never written a review before, but this app and developer deserve it. As someone who’s been making noise for 10+ years I’m familiar with what’s out there….Kilohearts, FabFilter, Baby Audio, Xfer, CableGuys, etc… this dude is up there with the best.

Mela is an incredible platform that I hope never dies. It’s a lean yet infinitely deep instrument…yet it’s an audio effect and did I mention it can do MIDI as well?! Basically any situation you’re in in the studio Mela can be your friend. Niko is an incredible dev who not only cares about the capabilities, quality and aesthetic of Mela but also the FEEL while using.

I don’t know how to properly praise such an incredible experience from using the app, to giving my feedback, to getting support, getting regular updates…this isn’t an app…this is a partner in the studio. If you’re into making music, noise, bleeps, bloops, or anything in between this is a must.

Developer Response ,

Thank you Tristan, for such a lengthy praise. I appreciate it. Words like that keep me going 🧡🙏

DJSUN1 ,

great dev!

I hav been supporting your apps since the beginning love to see how everything has progressed and that your passion and work are still strong as when you started. Always working to correct any bugs and still is bringing new features. Can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Developer Response ,

Thank you for your support. I appreciate your kind words 🧡🙏

App Privacy

The developer, Nikolozi Meladze, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

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