Meld

Meld’s dual-layer architecture can use up to two polyphonic synth engines at once. Its interface is divided into four main sections: the engines, the modulation section, the filters, and the global mix controls. This modular-inspired configuration makes it easy to add texture and movement to your sounds, but also to produce and capture musical surprises. To get familiar with some of Meld’s possibilities, try combining different waveform types and playing with each engine’s modulation macros. For more control, try mapping an engine’s parameters to its Modulation Matrix, or automating the device’s macro knobs using an LFO device. The more you experiment with the interaction between Meld’s two layers, the more you’ll make the device your own.

Engines A and B each have a selection of twenty-four oscillator types to choose from, including six scale aware oscillators. These range from simple sine wave generation oscillators to layered wave swarms, complex frequency modulation, noise looping, and ambient sound generation algorithms. Oscillator Types can be selected from an engine’s drop-down menu or cycled through using the arrows in the Oscillator Types displays.

Oscillator Macros

Engines A and B each have two dedicated macro knobs, which change along with the oscillator type selected. All four of the oscillator macro knobs can be assigned to a MIDI controller for live performance or to the LFO device for automated modulation. They can also be modulated internally, using the Modulation Matrix.

LFOs and modulation

Each of Meld’s engines has two dedicated LFOs, whose rates can be synced to tempo or set to Hertz. Both LFOs come with six distinct waveform shapes that can be further shaped using the LFO’s Rate knob, plus two macro knobs which change depending on the waveform type selected.

The FX1 and FX2 drop-down menus each have eighteen effect types that can be serially applied to LFO 1. The degree of the effect applied can be changed via its corresponding macro knob.

Meld’s Modulation Matrix lets you assign modulation sources to modulation targets within the device. For example, Engine A’s LFO 1 could be used to modulate its Volume, or Engine B’s Modulation Envelope could be used to modulate its Filter Frequency.

MIDI and MPE

Meld’s MIDI and MPE tabs let you use MIDI and MPE functionality as modulation sources, which can turn Meld into an extremely dynamic performance tool.

With Velocity is set as a modulation source, Meld uses an incoming MIDI note’s velocity value to modulate its modulation target for the duration of that note. When Pitch is set as a modulation source, Meld will use an incoming MIDI note’s pitch value to modulate its modulation target for the duration of that note. When Random is set as a modulation source, Meld will modulate its modulation target by a random value, which is calculated each time a note is triggered.

Pitch Bend, Press, and Modulation Wheel are hardware controls found on many MIDI controller devices. Note Pitch Bend, Slide, and Press are hardware controls found on many MPE controller devices. If you don’t have a MIDI or MPE controller, you can still modulate these parameters using clip envelopes.

Settings

Meld’s Settings tab gives you access to three global settings that can be applied per engine: Osc Key Tracking, Scale Awareness, and Glide – as well as a handful of other useful features including Phase Reset and Phase Spread.

Filters

Meld’s two engines each have a dedicated filter, A and B, which can be turned on or off independently via switches in the Filters section. The Filter Frequency knob sets the center of the filter’s cutoff frequency, while the Filter Type drop-down menu lets you choose from seventeen different filter types, including SVF, MS2, OSR, Filther, Phaser, two resonator filters, and more. Each filter has two macro knobs, which change with the filter type selected.

Mix Section

Each of Meld’s engines has Volume and Pan controls, as well as a dedicated Tone Filter. The Tone Filter control functions like a combined high and low-pass filter. When set to positive values, it reduces an engine’s low frequencies. When set to negative values, it reduces an engine’s high frequencies.

Meld’s built-in limiter can be activated by clicking the Limit button. When activated, the limiter is applied per voice, after both engines have been mixed and the global Drive setting has been applied. This is helpful for controlling Meld’s overall output level when both engines are in use.

Global Controls

Meld’s Mono/Poly switch toggles between a monophonic and polyphonic output. When Mono is activated, the Legato switch can be toggled on or off. When Poly is activated, a drop-down menu lets you increase the number of voices usable by Meld, up to 12.

The Spread control adjusts the range of the Spread modulation source in Meld’s Modulation Matrix. When a voice number is set in the Stacked Voices control, Spread produces an offset between each stacked voice. When Stacked Voices is set to Off, Spread produces a range of different values for each note in a held chord.

The Mixer Drive control sets the amount of saturation applied to Meld’s output. Drive is applied per voice, after mixer settings, and before the limiter.

The Use Current Scale button makes Meld follow Live’s Scale Mode. When activated, Meld’s oscillators follow Live’s current scale, with all transpositions (including the Pitch Quant modulation target in the Modulation Matrix) occurring in scale degrees rather than semitones.