Mela 5 – AUv3: Synth, FX, MIDI

August 23, 2024

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.

August 2, 2024

- Fixed a launch crash caused by Mela attempting to preselect a previously used preset group that no longer exists.

July 31, 2024

Reverb Module: - Introducing a high-quality algorithmic reverb module. - Features standard controls such as room size, decay amount, predelay, and mix. - Offers independent controls for early reflections and diffusion levels. - Includes a high shelf filter in the feedback path to control high-frequency damping. - The module's feature set will evolve in the lab. - Early feedback is encouraged to help shape its future development. - Reverb is a Mela Lab module and part of Collection 3. Ring Mod Module: - Inspired by analog ring modulator circuits. - Produces richer harmonic sound compared to pure digital ring modulation. - The module's input acts as a modulator to the sinusoid carrier. - The carrier frequency ranges from 8Hz to 8192Hz, spanning exactly 10 octaves. - Using the MIDI Source module, it's easy to make the carrier frequency follow MIDI notes. - The Character parameter adjusts the tonal quality of the ring modulation. - Lower values tend to create a mellower, smoother sound, whereas higher values produce a harsher, more intense sound. - The "Ring Bass" and "Ring Follower" presets showcase the module in action. - Reminder: for pure digital ring modulation, use the VA Oscillator module's built-in ring modulation feature. - Ring Mod is part of Collection 3. Other Changes: - Moved the Note Pad module from Collection 3 to Collection 0, unlocking it for all users. - Graduated the Noise Gate module from the Mela Lab, it's now under the Audio Processors category. - Slightly tweaked the All Pass module layout. - EQ Band layout is now more compact and similar to All Pass. - Fixed EQ Band's High Shelf cut not processing audio correctly. - Improved EQ Band module's DSP algorithms. - Fixed the Digital Delay module not initialising correctly. - Digital Delay will no longer build up feedback from the noise floor. - Stereo Delay no longer causes a crash when one of the delay times is set to 0 seconds. - Fixed the max peak value label alignment in the Meter module that the 5.4 update broke. - Fixed the Preset Browser sometimes not preselecting the last used preset group on Mela plug-in instantiation. - EQ Band Gain parameter now offers "Set to" menu items with values -6dB, -3dB, +3dB, and +6dB. - Oscillator Phase parameters now offer "Set to" menu items with values 90º and 180º. - Fixed the Compressor and Gate parameters not being smoothed. - Updated some presets and added new ones. GarageBand for iOS Compatibility: - The Mela 5.5 update introduced side-chain audio input when loaded as an instrument plug-in. - This change broke compatibility with GarageBand for iOS, where Mela wouldn't produce any sound when instantiated as an instrument plug-in. - This update reverts that change to restore compatibility. - Side-chain support for the instrument mode will be added back once the issue is fully investigated and addressed. - In the meantime, you can still use a side-chain with synth presets by loading Mela as an effect. - For example, in Logic Pro, select and load Mela from the MIDI-controlled Effects menu.

July 4, 2024

All Pass Module: - The new module allows all frequencies to pass through without attenuation, while introducing varying phase shifts. - It includes first- and second-order filter types. - The first-order type shifts the phase by 90º and the second-order by 180º at the cutoff frequency. - The module is ideal for creating audio effects such as phasers. - The All Pass Phaser preset, found in the Audio FX group, demonstrates the module's functionality. - All Pass is part of Collection 3. Other Changes: - Mela now supports side-chain audio input when loaded as an instrument plug-in. - The side-chain signal comes through Audio In 1 for the instrument plug-in, but when Mela is loaded as an audio effect plug-in, it comes through Audio In 2. - Increased the number of supported lanes in a preset from 8 to 16. - The XY control has been simplified. The independent X and Y handles are gone, and the entire control area responds to touches, improving the experience for live performances. - Updated the UI layouts of the following modules: Distortion, DS Oscillator, MIDI Source, Rectifier, VA Filter, VA Oscillator, and VPS Oscillator. - Removed the on/off switch from the Panic module, as it served no purpose. - If purchasing is disabled on your device due to Content & Privacy Restrictions or a Mobile Device Management profile, Mela's In-App Purchasing view now displays a warning. - Fixed a bug where Digital Delay synced delay times didn't follow the host tempo. - Fixed truncated parameter labels for DC Offset in the Rectifier module and Asymmetry in the Distortion module at certain zoom levels. - Fixed a bug where some UI components wouldn't switch to the light or dark scheme correctly in AUv3 mode. - Fixed a bug where MIDI Logger's content wasn't scrollable. - Fixed position value formatting in the MIDI Logger module. - Added new presets. - Made many small internal improvements.

May 30, 2024

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.

May 1, 2024

- Added a Mela Lab preset group which will be used to demo Mela Lab module features. - Added Demo 5.3 preset to the group. - Mela Lab modules no longer incorrectly display the flask icon when not expanded. - Fixed the preset overwrite confirmation dialog sometimes dismissing itself, preventing saving the preset. - Fixed the incorrect alignment of the close button of the About screen when Mela zoom was set to a value other than 100%.

April 30, 2024

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.

April 16, 2024

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.

March 26, 2024

Node Pad Module: - Introducing a new module for simple note-taking purposes. - It serves as a tool for describing presets or jotting down session notes. - The module supports limited Markdown features for text formatting: regular, bold, italic, strikethrough, monospaced, and links. - Artists, creating and distributing Mela presets, can utilise it to provide detailed information about how to best use a given preset, along with links to their websites and social media. - A new preset called Session Notes in the Audio FX group features the Note Pad module. - The Note Pad module is part of Collection 3. UI Zoom: - Mela's UI can now be scaled. - Supported zoom levels: 75%, 100%, 125%, and 150%. - The zoom setting can be found in Settings under the Look & Feel section. Other Changes: - Mela on macOS now utilises "Optimize for Mac" Catalyst mode instead of "Scaled to Match iPad". - Improved transition animation between the Restore Purchases button's glyph and spinner. - The Restore Purchases button now displays a spinner when processing the request. - The Restore Purchases button is no longer displayed if the user owns all module collections.

March 5, 2024

As part of the 5.0 update Mela's business model is changing. Major versions will no longer be released as separate apps but instead, Mela 5 will simply replace Mela 4. This will allow Mela to retain its App Store ranking as well as user reviews. You'll just receive updates without needing to look for the next major version on the App Store. New New Business Model: - Mela will become a free downloadable app on the App Store. - Modules are now organised into collections. - Collection 0 is free, providing new users with the opportunity to test out Mela's features. - Collections 1 to 3 can be purchased via in-app purchases. - Collections 1 and 2 contain all modules that shipped with Mela 4.x updates and therefore they will be unlocked for free to the Mela 4 users. - Collection 3 contains new modules and more will be added as part of Mela 5.x updates. - That means you can purchase it now and have new modules appear unlocked as they become available. - All other feature updates will be free, including updates to the modules you already own. - If you are a Mela 4 user and for some reason don't see Collections 1 and 2 unlocked tap on "Restore Purchases". - If you experience any issues please get in touch and I'll try to sort it out promptly. Digital Delay Module: - A delay effect with straight repeats and ping-pong options. - You can let the delayed signal accumulate by setting the Feedback parameter above 100%. - To keep it under control the feedback signal is hard-clipped above +6dBFS. - The Clip indicator will light up when this happens. - This feature can be used creatively to achieve interesting results. - The delay time is tempo-syncable with the usual parameter controls. - The feedback signal goes through low-pass and high-pass filters before it's sent to the output. Simple LFO Module: - Simple LFO is a simplified version of the LFO and Random modules. - The waveform options include all classic shapes as well as Random Glide and Random Hold. - The modulation signal only retriggers on note-on events if the module is inserted on an instrument lane. On MIDI and audio lanes, it's free running. - Depending on the selected waveform, the signal is either unipolar or bipolar. Dual Pan Module: - The module lets you pan left and right channel signals independently. - It can be used to create interesting stereo effects. - The module is also useful for swapping stereo channels or converting a stereo signal to mono. Mid-Side Module: - The module lets you control the mid-side balance of a stereo signal. - It can be used to process mid and side signals separately before recombining them. - At 0%, the signal is passed through unaltered. - At -100%, the side signal is removed, and only the mid signal is output. - At +100%, the mid signal is removed, and only the side signal is output. - Note that converting the side signal to mono will result in silence. Stereo Pan Module: - The module lets you position left and right channel signals in the stereo field. - Its Pan parameter sets the centre position of the stereo spread, whereas the Spread parameter sets the maximum stereo spread amount. - The panner graph displays where the left and right channels are placed in the stereo field. - Drag it horizontally or vertically to adjust the Pan or Spread parameter correspondingly. Double-tap the graph to reset the parameters to their default values. Phase Inverter Module: - The module lets you invert the phase of the left and right channels independently. Balance Module: - Renamed the Panner module to Balance. - While the module acts like a panner for mono signals, for stereo it simply adjusts levels of left and right signals. - You can use the new Stereo Pan or Dual Pan module for true stereo panning. Other Changes: - The module help view's footer now displays its release date as well as the collection the module is part of. - Many other internal and user-facing fixes and improvements.

Collection 2

Module Collection 2

Collection 1

Module Collection 1

Collection 3

Module Collection 3