Mela – AUv3: Synth, FX, MIDI

This is my third ever app review. My first was for the iOS version of this very app, Mela – AUv3. I’m particular with my software selection to a sometimes uncomfortable degree, so any time an app displays native iPhone, iPad, and Mac compatibility, my heart flutters. My interest in music technology and its surrounding topics is strong, but my time and attention are limited, so I’m unable to dive in as deeply as I’d like. Mela is a paradigm-shifting creative application that fits into your workflow—and your heart—with such ease that it’s mind-melting when you really think about it. There are plugins like Phase Plant and Reaktor, creative environments like Max/MSP and Pure Data, DAWs like Live and Bitwig. They all contribute something powerful to this scene. However, some are instruments only, or available solely on desktop platforms, and some come with higher technical or financial barriers to entry. Mela gracefully dances around all of this. It’s an AUv3, so it runs on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Universal purchase. It’s an instrument and an audio/MIDI processor. It can be a notepad, an oscilloscope, a MIDI quantizer, EQ, clipper—and a polyphonic synthesizer. No programming knowledge required, and everything inside the app is well documented. You can patch on your Mac, save it, then open that very patch on your iPhone while you’re out. There’s even a public, community-driven roadmap. Are you kidding me?? Everyone else is playing tic-tac-toe and Nikolozi is playing Elder Scrolls.

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.

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.