Mela 5 – AUv3: Synth, FX, MIDI 4+
Design Sound, Build Music
Nikolozi Meladze
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- Free
- Offers In-App Purchases
Screenshots
Description
The End of Summer Sale: Get 30% off any Module Collection until September 1.
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 68 modules, with new ones added with every update. The following are some examples from different categories.
- MIDI processors: arpeggiator, chord, note echo, note modifiers, 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, dynamics processors, comb filter, EQ, stereo panner.
- Utility: level metering, audio oscilloscope, MIDI capture, MIDI logger, notepad.
Mela can be loaded inside a host as one of the following plug-in types: Instrument, Audio Effect or MIDI Processor. The only difference 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, allowing you to test out Mela's features. Other collections can be purchased via in-app purchases. New modules are added to Collection 3 with every Mela 5 update. The following is a list of all modules.
Collection 0:
Amp Envelope, Arpeggiator, LFO, Meter, Note Pad, 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:
All Pass, Audio-to-Mod, Digital Delay, Dual Pan, Macro Button, Mid-Side, Multiply-Add, Noise Gate, Note Chance, Note Event, Phase Inverter, Reverb, Ring Mod, 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 5.7
Note Chance Module
- The module allows MIDI notes to pass through based on a specified probability.
- The Chance parameter sets the probability.
- At 0% Chance, all notes are blocked; at 100%, all notes pass through.
- The log view displays the last 7 processed notes, indicating whether each was blocked or passed.
- Ideal for generative MIDI chains and adding controlled randomness.
- Example: Modulate Chance using MIDI Source with its input set to Velocity to allow notes with higher velocities to have a higher chance of passing through.
- Note Chance is a Mela Lab module and part of Collection 3.
Random Module
- The Random module is now more powerful with new modes and the Tilt parameter.
- The Mode parameter sets the random signal generation algorithm: Random I, Random II, or Chance.
- Random I: At 0% Tilt, the modulator signal randomly takes a value within the set range uniformly. Increasing Tilt toward +100% makes higher values more likely while decreasing Tilt toward -100% makes lower values more likely.
- Random II: At 0% Tilt, the modulator signal randomly takes a value within the set range uniformly. Increasing Tilt toward +100% makes extreme values more likely while decreasing Tilt toward -100% makes values near the midpoint more likely.
- Chance: At 0% Tilt, the modulator signal randomly takes the maximum or minimum value with equal likelihood. Increasing Tilt toward +100% makes the maximum value more likely while decreasing Tilt toward -100% makes the minimum value more likely.
Tuned White Noise
- The Noise Oscillator module now includes a new Tuned noise type.
- It follows the input pitch signal by downsampling white noise.
- The sampling rate is 8 times the input pitch frequency, creating a pitch-tracking noise effect.
Preset Search
- Mela now supports preset search for both user and factory presets.
- The search field is located above preset groups in the Preset Browser.
- Tap the search field to begin searching.
- If the Preset Browser is closed, selecting Preset Search from the Preset Selector's action menu will open it and focus the search field.
- In the standalone version, you can also use Command-F to do the same.
Improvements
- Degrader Module: Added a "Set to" menu item with the value 2093.00 Hz (3 octaves above middle C) to make it easier to create pitched noises using the Noise Oscillator module and MIDI Source's Key Track.
- Modules: Improved the random number generator algorithms.
- Module Help: Improved clarity of some parameter descriptions.
- MIDI Logger: Made the log background more prominent.
- Note Pad: Made the text background more prominent.
- Parameter Values: The internal number formatter now overrides the system locale by disabling the grouping separator.
- Parameter Values: When manually entering parameter values, both period and comma will be treated as decimal separators regardless of the system locale.
Fixes
- Preset Browser: If closed, the Create Group keyboard shortcut now opens the browser as expected.
- MIDI Source: Fixed visual indicator drawing incorrectly for the Key Track input for MIDI values above 120.
Ratings and Reviews
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.
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 🧡🙏
Excited to see more from dev
Really enjoyed DYLM as both my post fx chain, or isolated to the Tom’s on my drums- the sound was clear, the delay was tempered (useable). I am super excited for the audio projects our Russian contemporaries are pooping out. Something about the sound of Soviet tech/DSP is endearing and feels more real that lo-fi or down - tempo. Imagine an extreme intoxication from radiation, amphetamine, and Mountain Dew liquor and well you would then have something that is NOT DYLM. It’s more akin to taking some Xanax and watching a fire. Wait, I didn’t even go over the presets yet!!!! Okay, so download this free delay, load it up and test your mic with the dozens of presets - it will show u what DLYM is way better than my 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
Information
- Seller
- Nikolozi Meladze
- Size
- 10.5 MB
- Category
- Music
- Compatibility
-
- iPhone
- Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
- iPad
- Requires iPadOS 17.0 or later.
- Mac
- Requires macOS 14.0 or later.
- Apple Vision
- Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
- Languages
-
English
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2017-2024 Nikolozi Meladze. All rights reserved.
- Price
- Free
- In-App Purchases
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- Collection 3 $13.99
- Collection 1 $13.99
- Collection 2 $13.99