Nikolozi Meladzi has updated Mela 5 with new additions and changes, available as a FREE download with various in-app purchases available to unlock the various modules. One of the Module collections is also provided for FREE.
What’s new in version 5.3:
- Mela Lab:
- Introducing the Mela Lab module category.
- From time to time new modules are added to the Mela Lab category without any future promises, meaning their feature set is subject to change.
- This freedom allows for the experimentation and exploration of new ideas.
- With every update, the modules will be refined.
- Once a module proves useful enough, it will become part of Mela.
- Some experiments will not produce desirable results, and those modules will be removed.
- Contribute to the process by submitting feedback to help with the evolution of these modules.
- Always remember to bounce down audio and MIDI parts of your projects that utilise Mela Lab modules, as their behaviour may change from version to version, potentially altering the sound of your tracks.
- When a preset uses at least one Mela Lab module a flask icon appears in the toolbar.
- Tapping it will present the Mela Lab Help view.
- Mela Lab modules display a small flask icon at the bottom right corner.
- Macro Button Module:
- It’s a modulator module similar to the Macro module but uses a toggle button instead of a slider.
- The toggle button is linked to the Macro parameter.
- When the toggle is off, the modulator signal is at 0%, and when it’s on, it jumps to 100%.
- Transition between these binary states can be smoothed by adjusting the Smoothing parameter.
- Macro Button module’s Macro button (and now also the Note Event module’s Event button) triggers on touch rather than release.
- Toggling between the previous and new states can be done by sliding the finger in and out of the button area, allowing performance-oriented usage.
- Macro Button is a Mela Lab module and part of Collection 3.
- Multiply-Add Module:
- It’s a modulator module whose modulation signal is equal to A×B+C where A, B and C are the values of the module parameters.
- Modulate some or all three parameters to create complex signals.
- The module supports polyphonic modulation.
- Multiply-Add is a Mela Lab module and part of Collection 3.
- Audio-to-Mod Module:
- It’s a modulator module whose modulation signal is the average of the left and right channels of the input audio.
- As all modulations happen at sample rates in Mela, feel free to modulate any parameter to create interesting sounds.
- For example, modulating a level of another oscillator will result in Amplitude Modulation (AM) synthesis.
- Modulating the cutoff frequency of a filter will result in FM synthesis.
- The module supports polyphonic modulation.
- Audio-to-Mod is a Mela Lab module and part of Collection 3.
- Text Input:
- The module renaming action no longer presents a separate text field for entering a new name. Instead, the label turns into a text field in place.
- The preset and preset group renaming actions no longer present a separate text field for entering a new name. Instead, the label turns into a text field in place.
- The “Set to” menu items now correctly format parameter values with units.
- Some of the parameters of Comb Filter, LFO, Pitch Bend, Random, Relative Pitch, Transpose and Volume modules now offer useful “Set to” menu items.
- Musical Keyboard now hides when iOS’s typing keyboard appears in order not to get in the way.
- Other Changes:
- Added the Cycles parameter to the LFO module. Set its value to 1 for one-shot behaviour.
- Moved the Create Group menu item from the Preset Selector to the User and custom groups’ actions menu.
- The preset management help information is now accessible via the Preset Selector’s actions menu.
- It’s much more concise and has been removed from the Getting Started with Mela document for simplicity.
- Added new presets.
- Fixed a preset loading bug causing some parameters to initialise incorrectly.
Mela 5 has arrived, bringing along 6 new modules.
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 58 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
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, Phase Inverter, Simple LFO, Stereo Pan.
Mela 5 is available to iOS and MacOS users (AUv3).
For more information on Mela 5, click here:
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