Nikolozi

Mela 6.11 is here with big improvements to MIDI Processor and oscillator modules. The previous update focused on making the On parameter more performance-oriented across all modules except MIDI Processors. This release extends the same behaviour to most MIDI Processors, with the remaining ones to follow in a future update. When a MIDI Processor module is turned off it now continues to monitor input and update its internal state as needed. For example, turning off Euclid, Chord, or Transposer releases the held notes and retriggers the input note-on events. Turning them back on sends the corresponding note-off events for the inputs and retriggers the output. The new behaviour makes them more robust and user-friendly while helping prevent stuck notes. Additionally, the Chord and Transposer modules now retrigger note-on and note-off events when their parameters change. This allows adjusting the parameters and hearing changes instantly without needing to feed the module a new note-on event. Modulating these parameters can lead to interesting algorithmic compositions.

Next, the Oscillator modules gain improved phase control. The Phase parameter now updates in real time rather than only on note-on, and it can be modulated at slow rates for vibrato or at audio rates for custom PM synthesis. A new Trigger parameter controls phase on note-on with modes Free, Retrig, Legato, and Random.

Finally, the Amp Envelope adds reset-to-zero support, enabling smoother voice stealing by briefly fading out stolen voices before reuse.

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

Latest Tutorial

This video highlights new features in Mela 6.11. Oscillator modules now include new trigger modes, and Amp Envelopes support reset-to-zero for smoother voice stealing. MIDI Processor modules have also been improved to be more performance-oriented. By modulating their parameters, you can create dynamic and evolving algorithmic compositions.

Mela 6.11 Changelog

MIDI Processor Modules

• The On parameter of MIDI Processors is now more performance-oriented, meaning that even when turned off, they continue to monitor input and update their internal state as needed.
• This prevents them from sending unnecessary note-off messages when turned off.
• For example, turning off Euclid, Chord, or Transposer releases the held notes and retriggers the input note-on events.
• Turning them back on sends the corresponding note-off events for the inputs and retriggers the output.
• The new behaviour makes them more robust and user-friendly while helping prevent stuck notes.
• Updated modules so far: Euclid, Chord, Control Change, Groove, MIDI Channel, MIDI Delay, Note Chance, Note Length, Note Pulse, Overlap Remover, and Velocity.
• Modules to be updated in future versions: Arpeggiator, Note Range, Note Stack, Quantiser, Scale, and Strummer.
• Transposer: Adjusting the Semitones parameter now releases held notes and triggers the new transposed notes.
• Note Event: Removed the redundant On parameter.
• Note Hold: Removed the redundant On parameter.
• Note Hold: Fixed an issue where the Hold button wouldn’t always display the correct state when modulated.
• Note Pulse: Fixed the Sync parameter defaulting to 4 bars instead of 1/4.

Chord Module

• The Note On and Pitch parameters now retrigger note-on and note-off events when their values change.
• This allows adjusting the parameters and hearing changes instantly without needing to feed the module a new note-on event.
• Modulating these parameters can lead to interesting algorithmic compositions.
• It’s recommended to place an Overlap Remover module after the Chord module to prevent earlier note-off events from interrupting the latest notes.
• Velocity parameters now use percentage units, controlling how much the note velocity moves toward its minimum or maximum value: -100% moves fully toward 1, +100% fully toward 127.

Note Length Module

• The Length parameter was renamed to Time.
• The new Length parameter adds 3 modes, supported only in Note-On trigger mode: Min, Fixed, and Max.
• In Fixed mode, the module behaves as before.
• Min mode ensures notes last at least as long as the specified value, while Max mode ensures they don’t exceed it.
• The Sync parameter now supports up to 16 bars.
• The module is now more compact.

Oscillator Modules

• Improved phase control in DS Oscillator, FM Operator, VA Oscillator, and VPS Oscillator.
• Phase parameter is now updated in real-time instead of only on note-on.
• Can be modulated at slow rates for vibrato or at audio rates for custom PM synthesis.
• Phase range shifted from 0º…360º to -180º…+180º, simplifying bipolar modulation.
• Added Trigger parameter to control phase on note-on: Free, Retrig, Legato, or Random.
• Free: ignores note-on events.
• Retrig: resets phase to the Phase parameter value.
• Legato: resets phase unless another note is already held.
• Rand: assigns a random initial phase.
• Updated module UIs to support the new features.
• FM Operator: Level parameter range expanded from 0%…100% to -100%…+100%.

Reset-to-Zero Envelope

• The Amp Envelope module gained a new Reset parameter for controlling reset-to-zero behaviour.
• Supports three modes: Off, On, or 1 ms.
• Off: On note-on, the envelope restarts from its current value.
• On: On note-on, the envelope restarts from zero.
• 1 ms: Delays audio by 1 ms and fades it to silence before restarting from zero, enabling clickless voice stealing common in synthesisers.

Other Changes

• Lane Presets: Add, Insert, and Replace Lane actions now create a new lane with a chosen module in one step.
• Module Categories: Insert and Replace submenus now show symbols next to each category.
• Noise Module: Renamed the Noise Oscillator module to Noise.
• Pitch Oscilloscope: Fixed an issue where high-pitched waveforms were sometimes graphed incorrectly.
• Clipper: Added the “-0.3 dB” preset to the Peak parameter.
• Drag-and-Drop: Fixed an issue on iOS where dropping below the last lane didn’t work correctly.
• Factory Presets: The new “2-Note Symphony” and “Evolving Chord” presets in the MIDI FX group showcase the new features.
• Factory Presets: Added the “Based” preset to the Bass group.
• Factory Presets: The total number of presets just passed 200.

I release updates regularly, guided by user feedback and Mela’s long-term vision. Along with the User Guide, you might find the Tutorials, Changelog, and FAQ helpful. For bug reports or feature requests, visit Mela Feedback. Feel free to get in touch anytime.

Grab Mela from the App Store.