Nikolozi

The Mela 5.3 update introduces the Mela Lab module category. From time to time new modules will be added to this 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. You can contribute to the process by submitting feedback to help with the evolution of these modules. And 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.

To get things started, the 5.3 update ships with 3 Mela Lab modules: Macro Button, Multiply-Add and Audio-to-Mod. They are all modulators. Macro Button lets you toggle the modulation signal between 0% and 100% values, with the Smoothing parameter letting you smooth the transition if needed. Multiply-Add takes 3 signals, A, B and C, as inputs and generates a modulation signal equal to A×B+C. Lastly, Audio-to-Mod takes input audio and turns it into a modulation signal. The example uses include, modulating a level of another oscillator which will result in Amplitude Modulation (AM) synthesis or modulating the cutoff frequency of a filter which will result in FM synthesis.

There’s a lot more to this update, for the full details check out the Changelog.

Mela 5.3 Changelog

Mela Lab:

• Introducing the Mela Lab module category.
• From time to time new modules will be 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.

To learn more about Mela, check out the Getting Started document, Changelog, FAQ or What’s New in Mela? YouTube playlist. To report bugs or make feature requests visit the Mela Feedback site. For other support queries directly get in touch.

Grab Mela from the App Store.