Mela 5 – AUv3: Synth, FX, MIDI 4+

Build Music, Design Sound

Nikolozi Meladze

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

Description

The 5.4 update adds the fully featured Noise Gate module and improves existing 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 64 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, dynamics processors, 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:
Audio-to-Mod, Digital Delay, Dual Pan, Macro Button, Mid-Side, Multiply-Add, Noise Gate, 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 5.4

Noise Gate Module:
- Added a fully featured noise gate module with a gain reduction meter.
- It provides the following parameters: Threshold, Hysteresis, Reduction, Attack, Hold and Release.
- Noise Gate is a Mela Lab module and part of Collection 3.

Module Updates:
- Added the Parabolic Sine waveform to the VA Oscillator module.
- Added the Cycles parameter to the Random module. Set its value to 1 for one-shot behaviour.
- Added the Smooth parameter to the Random module. It defines the time constant for smoothing out the random modulation signal.
- For consistency, the Smoothing parameter has been renamed to Smooth in the following modules: Macro Button, MIDI Source and Stereo Delay.
- Added the Step waveform to the Simple LFO module. It's a unipolar version of the Square waveform.
- Macro Button's Smooth parameter's maximum value changed to 1 second from 100ms.
- Macro Button has graduated from the Mela Lab and can be found under the Modulators category.
- The MIDI Source's UI is now slightly more compact.

Other Changes:
- Moved the Mela Lab button to the right to improve the toolbar layout.
- Added new presets.
- Various internal 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 🧡🙏

eross21 ,

Fast fast fast!!

This is a direct mainline for getting that sound in your head ; out into the real world , as fast as possible.
I have tested so many music apps, and a lot have been great, and others not. this app however , is amazing. it can route audio and midi, and modulate anything faster than everthing else out there. wether it’s used as a synth and audio effect, or a midi app. it does it so well and so fast.
when I turn on my iphone or ipad to make music. this is the app I go to first!!!

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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