Why You Should Try Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0: A Realistic And Expressive Melodica Plugin For Any Genre And Style
Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 Review: The First Studio-Grade Melodica Plugin
If you are looking for a unique and expressive instrument to spice up your music production, you might want to check out Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0.
Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0
Melox Pro is a virtual instrument that emulates a melodica - a small keyboard that produces sound by blowing air through a mouthpiece attached to a tube.
A melodica is a simple and fun instrument that is often used by children, beginners, or street musicians. However, it is not usually taken seriously as a professional or studio-grade instrument.
That's where Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 comes in. Melox Pro is the first studio-grade melodica plugin that aims to change the perception and potential of this humble instrument. It offers a realistic and expressive melodica sound with a binaural option and detailed articulations. It is compatible with VST, AU, and standalone formats, and works on both Windows and Mac OS.
In this article, we will review the features, pros and cons, and audio demos of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0. We will also show you how to use the plugin in different DAWs and standalone mode. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether this plugin is right for you or not.
Features of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0
Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 is a plugin that simulates a melodica with high fidelity and accuracy. It is based on spectral modeling, which means that it does not use samples or wavetables, but rather recreates the sound from scratch using mathematical algorithms.
This allows the plugin to have a very small footprint (only 35 MB), a native 64 bits resolution, and a low CPU usage. It also enables the plugin to capture the nuances and dynamics of a real melodica, such as vibrato, noises, air, releases, etc.
Some of the main features of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 are:
VST/AU/Standalone compatibility: You can use the plugin in any DAW that supports VST or AU plugins, such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, FL Studio, Cubase, etc. You can also use it as a standalone application without a DAW or a host software.
Vibrato control: You can adjust the depth and speed of the vibrato effect using two knobs on the interface. You can also use your MIDI controller's modulation wheel to control the vibrato in real time.
Stage reverb: You can add a stage reverb effect to the plugin to simulate the acoustic environment of a live performance. You can adjust the amount and size of the reverb using two knobs on the interface.
Noises/air/releases switch: You can turn on or off the noises, air, and releases sounds that are part of a real melodica playing. These sounds add realism and expression to the plugin, but you can also disable them if you prefer a cleaner sound.
Binaural option: You can switch between a mono or a binaural sound mode using a button on the interface. The binaural mode creates a 3D sound effect that makes you feel like you are playing or listening to a real melodica in front of you.
Detailed articulations: The plugin includes real articulations from real playing styles, such as release velocities, noises, key clicks, air sound, and mechanics. These articulations make the plugin more responsive and dynamic to your playing.
Binaural Option
One of the most distinctive features of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 is the binaural option. This option allows you to experience a 3D sound effect that makes you feel like you are playing or listening to a real melodica in front of you.
Binaural sound is a technique that creates an illusion of spatial sound by using two microphones placed at ear distance apart. The microphones record the sound from different angles and distances, creating subtle differences in timing, volume, and frequency between the left and right channels.
When you listen to binaural sound with headphones or earphones, your brain interprets these differences as spatial cues that indicate the direction and distance of the sound source. This creates a realistic and immersive sound experience that simulates how you would hear a real melodica in front of you.
To use the binaural option in Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0, you just need to click on the button that says "Binaural" on the interface. This will switch from mono to binaural mode instantly.
The benefits of using the binaural option are:
You can enjoy a more realistic and immersive sound experience that makes you feel like you are playing or listening to a real melodica in front of you.
You can create more depth and width in your mix by placing the melodica in different positions in the stereo field.
You can enhance your creativity and inspiration by exploring different sound perspectives and sensations with the binaural mode.
The drawbacks of using the binaural option are:
You need to use headphones or earphones to fully appreciate the binaural effect. If you use speakers or monitors, the effect will be lost or diminished.
You may experience some latency issues or glitches when using the binaural mode, depending on your system and settings. If this happens, you can try to lower the buffer size or switch back to mono mode.
Detailed Articulations
Another feature that makes Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 stand out from other melodica plugins is the detailed articulations. These are the subtle variations and nuances that occur when playing a real melodica, such as release velocities, noises, key clicks, air sound, and mechanics.
Sampleson captured these articulations from real playing styles and incorporated them into the plugin. This makes the plugin more responsive and dynamic to your playing, as it reacts to your velocity, sustain, and expression.
To use the detailed articulations in Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0, you can turn on or off the noises, air, and releases sounds using a switch on the interface. You can also adjust the volume of these sounds using a knob on the interface.
The benefits of using the detailed articulations are:
You can create more realistic and expressive melodies and chords with the plugin, as it mimics the sound and feel of a real melodica.
You can add more character and texture to your sound by using the noises, air, and releases sounds that are part of a real melodica playing.
You can customize your sound by adjusting the volume of these sounds according to your preference and taste.
Stage Reverb
The last feature that we will discuss in this section is the stage reverb. This is an effect that adds a sense of space and depth to your sound by simulating the acoustic environment of a live performance.
Sampleson added a stage reverb effect to the plugin to enhance the realism and immersion of the plugin. The stage reverb creates a natural and organic sound that blends well with the melodica tone.
To use the stage reverb in Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0, you can adjust the amount and size of the reverb using two knobs on the interface. You can also turn on or off the reverb using a switch on the interface.
The benefits of using the stage reverb are:
You can create more depth and width in your sound by adding a stage reverb effect to the plugin.
You can simulate the acoustic environment of a live performance by using a stage reverb effect that matches your genre and style.
You can enhance your creativity and inspiration by experimenting with different reverb settings and combinations.
Pros and Cons of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0
Now that we have reviewed the features of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0, let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of this plugin compared to other melodica plugins or real melodicas.
Pros
Some of the pros of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 are:
It is realistic and expressive: The plugin recreates the sound and feel of a real melodica with high fidelity and accuracy. It captures the nuances and dynamics of a real melodica playing, such as vibrato, noises, air, releases, etc.
It is versatile: The plugin can be used in different genres and styles, from jazz to pop to ambient. It can also be used as a lead instrument or as a layering element in your mix.
It is affordable: The plugin costs only $29 USD, which is very reasonable for a studio-grade instrument plugin. It also comes with a lifetime license and free updates.
It is easy to use: The plugin has a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to adjust the parameters quickly and easily. It also has a low CPU usage and a small footprint that does not affect your system performance.
Cons
Some of the cons of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 are:
It is limited in sound customization: The plugin does not offer much sound customization options beyond vibrato, reverb, noises, air, releases, etc. It does not have any filters, envelopes, LFOs, effects, etc. that you can use to shape the sound further. It also does not have any polyphony option, which means that you can only play one note at a time.
It is potentially latency-prone: The plugin may cause some latency issues or glitches when using the binaural mode or when playing fast passages. This depends on your system and settings, but it can affect your playing experience and sound quality. If this happens, you can try to lower the buffer size or switch to mono mode.
How to Use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0
In this section, we will show you how to use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 in different DAWs and standalone mode. We will assume that you have already downloaded and installed the plugin on your computer. If not, you can get it from the official website of Sampleson: https://sampleson.com/melodica-vst.html.
Installation and Activation
After downloading the plugin, you will need to install and activate it on your computer. The installation and activation process is different for Windows and Mac OS users, so we will explain both separately.
For Windows users:
Extract the zip file that contains the plugin files.
Run the setup.exe file and follow the instructions on the screen.
Select the folder where you want to install the plugin files. Make sure that this folder is accessible by your DAW or host software.
Select the plugin formats that you want to install: VST2, VST3, or Standalone.
Finish the installation and launch your DAW or host software.
Scan for new plugins and load Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 from the plugin list.
Enter your serial number that you received by email when you purchased the plugin. You can also copy and paste it from a text file.
Click on "Activate" and wait for the confirmation message.
Enjoy playing Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0!
For Mac OS users:
Extract the zip file that contains the plugin files.
Run the Sampleson Melox Pro Installer.pkg file and follow the instructions on the screen.
Select the folder where you want to install the plugin files. Make sure that this folder is accessible by your DAW or host software.
Select the plugin formats that you want to install: AU, VST, or Standalone.
Finish the installation and launch your DAW or host software.
Scan for new plugins and load Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 from the plugin list.
Drag and drop the activation file that you received by email when you purchased the plugin onto the plugin interface. You can also copy and paste it from a text file.
Wait for the confirmation message.
Enjoy playing Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0!
Using the Plugin in DAWs
Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 is compatible with any DAW that supports VST or AU plugins, such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, FL Studio, Cubase, etc. The plugin works similarly in different DAWs, but there may be some minor differences in how to load, configure, and play it.
In this section, we will show you how to use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 in some of the most popular DAWs: Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, FL Studio, and Cubase. We will assume that you have already installed and activated the plugin on your computer, and that you have some basic knowledge of how to use your DAW of choice.
Ableton Live
To use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 in Ableton Live, follow these steps:
Launch Ableton Live and create a new project or open an existing one.
Create a new MIDI track or select an existing one.
Browse for Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 in the browser panel on the left side of the screen. You can find it under Plug-ins > VST > Sampleson > Melox Pro x64.dll (or AU > Sampleson > Melox Pro.component).
Drag and drop Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 onto the MIDI track.
The plugin interface will appear on the bottom panel of the screen. You can adjust the parameters of the plugin using the knobs and switches on the interface. You can also use your MIDI controller to control the plugin.
Record or play some MIDI notes on the MIDI track. You will hear the sound of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0.
You can also add some effects, automation, or modulation to the MIDI track to enhance the sound of the plugin.
Logic Pro X
To use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 in Logic Pro X, follow these steps:
Launch Logic Pro X and create a new project or open an existing one.
Create a new software instrument track or select an existing one.
Click on the instrument slot on the channel strip of the track. A menu will appear with different instrument categories.
Select AU Instruments > Sampleson > Melox Pro > Stereo (or Mono).
The plugin interface will appear on a separate window. You can adjust the parameters of the plugin using the knobs and switches on the interface. You can also use your MIDI controller to control the plugin.
Record or play some MIDI notes on the software instrument track. You will hear the sound of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0.
You can also add some effects, automation, or modulation to the software instrument track to enhance the sound of the plugin.
FL Studio
To use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 in FL Studio, follow these steps:
Launch FL Studio and create a new project or open an existing one.
Create a new channel or select an existing one.
Click on the channel button on the channel rack. A menu will appear with different plugin categories.
Select VST > Sampleson > Melox Pro x64.dll (or AU > Sampleson > Melox Pro.component).
The plugin interface will appear on a separate window. You can adjust the parameters of the plugin using the knobs and switches on the interface. You can also use your MIDI controller to control the plugin.
Record or play some MIDI notes on the channel. You will hear the sound of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0.
You can also add some effects, automation, or modulation to the channel to enhance the sound of the plugin.
Cubase
To use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 in Cubase, follow these steps:
Launch Cubase and create a new project or open an existing one.
Create a new instrument track or select an existing one.
Click on the instrument slot on the inspector panel of the track. A menu will appear with different instrument categories.
Select VST Instruments > Sampleson > Melox Pro x64.dll (or AU Instruments > Sampleson > Melox Pro.component).
Record or play some MIDI notes on the instrument track. You will hear the sound of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0.
You can also add some effects, automation, or modulation to the instrument track to enhance the sound of the plugin.
Audio Demos of Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0
To give you a better idea of how Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 sounds and what it can do, we have selected some audio demos that showcase the plugin in different genres and styles. You can listen to these demos by clicking on the links below.
Don't U Worry
This is a smooth jazz demo that features Melox Pro as the lead instrument over a backing track of drums, bass, guitar, and piano. You can hear how Melox Pro delivers a warm and expressive melodica sound that blends well with the other instruments. You can also hear how Melox Pro uses vibrato, noises, air, releases, and stage reverb to create a realistic and immersive sound experience.
https://soundcloud.com/sampleson/dont-u-worry
Up
This is an upbeat pop demo that features Melox Pro as the main melody instrument over a backing track of drums, bass, guitar, synth pads, and vocals. You can hear how Melox Pro provides a catchy and bright melodica sound that stands out in the mix. You can also hear how Melox Pro uses binaural mode to create a 3D sound effect that makes you feel like you are listening to a real melodica in front of you.
https://soundcloud.com/sampleson/up
Detuned
This is an experimental ambient demo that features Melox Pro with a detuned effect over a backing track of drones and percussion. You can hear how Melox Pro creates a haunting and atmospheric melodica sound that adds texture and depth to the track. You can also hear how Melox Pro uses detailed articulations to create dynamic and expressive melodies and chords.
https://soundcloud.com/sampleson/detuned
Conclusion and FAQs
In conclusion, Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 is a studio-grade melodica plugin that offers a realistic and expressive melodica sound with a binaural option and detailed articulations. It is compatible with VST, AU, and standalone formats, and works on both Windows and Mac OS.
The plugin is suitable for anyone who is looking for a unique and versatile instrument to spice up their music production. It can be used in different genres and styles, from jazz to pop to ambient. It can also be used as a lead instrument or as a layering element in your mix.
The plugin is affordable, easy to use, and has a low CPU usage and a small footprint. It also comes with a lifetime license and free updates.
The plugin has some limitations in sound customization, polyphony, and latency issues, but these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall quality and value of the plugin.
If you are interested in trying or buying Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0, you can visit the official website of Sampleson: https://sampleson.com/melodica-vst.html.
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0:
Q: What is the difference between Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 and Sampleson Reed200?
A: Sampleson Reed200 is another plugin by Sampleson that emulates an electric piano with reed-based sound generation. It is similar to Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 in terms of spectral modeling technology, realism, expressiveness, binaural option, etc., but it has a different sound character and features.
Q: Can I use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 with other plugins or effects?
A: Yes, you can use Sampleson Melox Pro 1.0.0 with other plugins or effects in your DAW or host software. You can also use it as a standalone application and route it to other ap