Nikolozi

Mela 6.5 is packed with improvements, especially around customising stereo delay effects with feedback in all sorts of ways. Starting with the Digital Delay module, it has been redesigned and now includes the Delay Path sublane. Since the sublane provides full flexibility for processing the delayed signal, the built-in 1-pole low-pass and high-pass filters are no longer necessary and have been removed. Migrated presets will have their sublanes populated by the new Band Pass and enhanced Clipper modules, replicating the original filter and clipper settings.

The Band Pass module offers a pair of 1-pole or 2-pole virtual analog low-pass and high-pass filters arranged in series. It’s ideal for creating audio effects with a feedback loop by inserting it into the feedback path. The updated Clipper module now includes the Peak parameter, which sets the clipping level within a range of -18dB to +6dB.

Finally, the Phase Inverter module has been renamed to Stereo Tool and now offers extended routing options. Each left/right channel’s output can now be set to match its input, swap to the other channel’s input, be phase-inverted, or muted. It has many use cases, for example, the updated “Ping-Pong Delay” preset utilises this module.

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

Latest Tutorials

Digital Delay now includes a sublane for custom processing of the delayed signal. This video demonstrates how the sound can evolve as it feeds back through different effects.

Learn how to create a custom ping-pong delay effect in Mela. The video demonstrates building a left/right processor using the Stack, Group, and Stereo Tool modules. It then shows how to embed the Stack module in an Effect module to add dry/wet mix control. Finally, it uses the Feedback module to cross-feed signals between the left and right channels, completing the ping-pong delay effect.

Learn how to use the Stack module to create ring modulation easily.

Mela 6.5 Changelog

Digital Delay Module

• The module has been redesigned and now includes the Delay Path sublane.
• Since the sublane provides full flexibility for processing the delayed signal, the built-in 1-pole low-pass and high-pass filters are no longer necessary and have been removed.
• To keep levels under control, the module retains the built-in feedback hard clipper that limits the maximum level to +6dBFS.
• However, modules like Clipper and Meter can be used to manage and monitor levels in the Delay Path sublane to avoid triggering the clipper.
• Existing presets that use the Digital Delay module will automatically migrate, with their sublanes populated by Band Pass and Clipper modules replicating the original filter and clipper settings.
• The inserted Clipper will have its Type set to Hard, and Peak to +6dB, while the Band Pass will use the 1-pole filter type. Feel free to adjust these settings or replace the modules as needed.

Band Pass Module

• The new module processes the Audio signal using a pair of virtual analog low-pass and high-pass filters arranged in series.
• It’s ideal for creating audio effects with a feedback loop by inserting it into the feedback path.
• It offers 1-pole and 2-pole filter modes.
• Band Pass is added to Collection 3.

Clipper Module

• Added the Peak parameter, which sets the clipping level within a range of -18dB to +6dB.
• The graph now displays how the positive half-cycle of a sinusoid with unity amplitude is transformed by the module based on the current parameters.
• The negative half-cycle is transformed symmetrically.
• Dragging the graph horizontally or vertically adjusts the Drive or Peak parameter correspondingly.
• Double-tapping the graph resets the parameters to their default values.
• The Peak Indicator flashes when the input signal exceeds the Peak parameter value.

Stereo Tool Module

• The Phase Inverter module has been renamed Stereo Tool and now offers extended routing options.
• The module now lets each left/right channel’s output be set to match its input, swap to the other channel’s input, be phase‑inverted, or muted.
• The updated “Ping-Pong Delay” preset utilises this module.

Module Improvements

• Stack: The module has a new mode, Ring Mod. When enabled, Stack’s output Audio signal, or the Audio components of the output Poly signal, is the product of the output Audio and/or the Audio components of the output Poly signals of the submodules.
• Stack Module: Fixed the scrolling not working using touch (worked when using a trackpad or mouse).
• Lanes: Similar to module menu actions, added the “Replace Lane” action below “Insert Lane”.
• Feedback Module: Changed Level parameter’s range from [-100%, 100%] to [-200%, 200%].
• Feedback Module: To keep feedback under control, the module now has a built-in hard clipper that limits the maximum output level to +6dBFS.
• Effect Module: The module graduated from Mela Lab and can be found under the Signal Router category.
• Layer Module: The module has been removed since creating the same signal routing is simpler with the Stack and Group modules.
• Modules: Submodules now dim when one of their ancestors is turned off.

Other Changes

• Added the new Black theme to complement the White one. It’s based on Martin Breault’s MelAUM theme.
• More themes can be found on the Artist Themes page: https://nikolozi.com/mela/artist-themes/
• Settings: The Getting Started link has been renamed to User Guide and now opens the guide in the browser.
• Voice Alignment: Fixed an issue where MIDI-to-Poly instances sharing the same MIDI input would lose voice allocation synchronisation when one of the instances was unbypassed.

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.