Mela 5 – AUv3: Synth, FX, MIDI

This synth was £29.99 but the developer has now released it as a free app with in app purchases. I have the free version and it’s fully functional with no ads, the in app purchases are optional.

Even without the in app purchases this is a fantastic and very useable app and well worth downloading if you like making music on your iOS device.

Mela is a modular music-making tool that scales with your needs. With its intuitive interface, you can seamlessly build fully custom polyphonic synthesisers, unique audio effects, and complex MIDI processors. Mela can run as a standalone app on iOS and macOS or as an AUv3 plug-in inside your favourite DAW such as AUM, Drambo, Logic Pro and many more.

In Mela, presets are constructed from modules arranged on lanes, each processing audio and MIDI signals. Lanes can receive and send signals to and from the host and other lanes. Modulator modules can modulate any parameter of any module on any lane. Lanes and modules can be easily added, removed, or rearranged, making the preset as complex or simple as desired. Mela comes with 63 modules, with new ones added with every update. The following are some examples from different categories.

- MIDI processors: arpeggiator, chord, note echo, scale, strummer
- Synth building blocks: virtual-analog oscillator, FM operator, phaseshaping, noise, VA filter, amp envelope
- Modulators: envelope follower, envelope generator, LFO, macro control, MIDI source, random
- Audio effects: chorus, delay, distortion, flanger, phaser, compressor, comb filter, EQ, stereo panner
- Utility: level metering, audio oscilloscope, MIDI capture, MIDI logger, note pad