Melda Production plugins on Linux

[fsciarra62]

First of all I want to thank Melda for the high-quality plugins offered.
I didn't know Melda Production before talking to Robbert van-der-Helm, the developer of Yabridge: I was looking for a VDrummer plugin and he suggested me to look at MDrummer.
I've been pleased to notice that in the Melda Production site Linux is mentioned as not directly supported but in some ways working with Wine and that made me even more inclined to buy.
I'm so happy with the product that I've bought other plugins and I'm really really so glad of the results that I will continue to enrich my collection with others.

I'm using Melda software exclusively on Linux: I don't use any other OS for anything really important, like music is for me.

I just wanted to let you know of my success and point you to an essential resource for the easy usage of this software on Linux.

As you know, to use Windows software on Linux, Wine is needed and a so-called bridge.
The latest release Wine-6.0 allows us to use it, especially with Wine-tkg patches, and it runs with a really neglectable performance difference at all.

But the main tool to use it transparently is Yabridge. There are many available bridges but Yabridge is for me the best.

Yabridge allows using windows plugins as they were Linux native, without the need of strange obscure configurations or middle-way interfaces.

I use it in Bitwig Studio and everything works flawlessly. Just follow the instructions.

Moreover, Yabridge is the first and only, at this point, VST3 Windows bridge: it's currently implementing all 3.7.1 specs and it's going to be fully released soon as such.

You can find it here:
https://github.com/robbert-vdh/yabridge

If you like, you might try it and know that it's a viable and stable opportunity, supported by its creator via a Discord channel.

All information is on the project README.

Best regards, and thanks again for your so good software!

Fabrizio

[fsciarra62]

I forgot...
If anyone needs help, feel free to contact me!
If I can be of help I will try to do my best.
I'm also available on discord as fsciarra62#2481
Cheers,
Fabrizio

[Xiu]

I am having no issues running these FX in Linux with linvst2 and wine. I own several FX that are still on my main 'offline' win 7 machine, but, wanted to overcome my ''fear'' of using wine/distro compatibility/libs/GUI issues/VST wrappers etc.. and just try it out...So, far things are looking/sounding really good, and dare I say, run better/faster on my ubuntu distro with native reaper. So far anyway! Good, to see new VST bridges coming through to.

[fsciarra62]

Hi Xiu,
nice to hear another Linux user here.
Take into account that in a short Yabridge is going to be released for VST3 too: it already does it in the experimental master branch, supporting the whole 3.7.1 specification.
So it will take advantage of the new VST3 features included reduced resource usage. And it's the only bridge exporting these capabilities natively. So I think it deserves a chance.

Take care,

Fabrizio

[DRMR]

^ you're forgetting about Carla https://kx.studio/Applications:Carla

[Held]

I've switched from LinVST to Yabridge, and it's much more stable for me. I had some regular crashes when opening the help popup windows. I also got some crashes when opening a lot of new plugin instances. With Yabridge, they are gone. I've tried both VST2 and VST3.

If LinVst is stable for you, there's obviously no reason to switch, but if you experience some crashes, give Yabridge a try

Obviously, getting a native implementation of the Melda plugins would be best. I would expect a relatively high number of Linux users among the Melda customers compared to other vendors

[Held]

Yabridge just got an update and the GUI of Melda plugins is much more responsive now. It's amazing, and I highly recommend it.

I've only tested VST3, but VST2 is supposed to be faster as well. The full change log is here: https://github.com/robbert-vdh/yabridge/releases

Would still love to get a native implementation, though

[mevla]

I use all (1) Melda plugins in Xubuntu with linvst and wine using native Bitwig 2.4.3 and native Mixbus32C for mixing. I do not upgrade that system. It runs, I leave it at that. Bitwig does not support running Windows plugins in Linux, so I'm not upgrading Bitwig. Everything works fine for me. In addition I run all Voxengo plugins. And synths like some from Rob Papen, some from Tone2, IK Multimedia, Linplug, Psychic Modulation, Sonic Charge. And of course native u-he plugins.

(1) Not every single plugin, what I meant is that I have the complete package and at least ran everyone of them a couple of times. I use Melda plugins on a regular basis. Note: all Melda plugins except for .... the SuperLooper which crashes every single time. There must be some Windows function used in SuperLooper that isn't well supported in Linux. I thought of asking Vojtech what that or these functions could be, to see if I can upgrade specifically to support this (linvst, wine or the kernel). But then, no real problem as for a looper/sequencer, which I don't often use, I use Sugarbytes'. Actually all plugins from Sugarbytes are running fine.

[coolblinger]

(1) Not every single plugin, what I meant is that I have the complete package and at least ran everyone of them a couple of times. I use Melda plugins on a regular basis. Note: all Melda plugins except for .... the SuperLooper which crashes every single time. There must be some Windows function used in SuperLooper that isn't well supported in Linux. I thought of asking Vojtech what that or these functions could be, to see if I can upgrade specifically to support this (linvst, wine or the kernel). But then, no real problem as for a looper/sequencer, which I don't often use, I use Sugarbytes'. Actually all plugins from Sugarbytes are running fine.

Both the VST2 and the VST3 version of MSuperLooper work just fine here with yabridge 3.3.1 and Wine Staging 6.4.

[mevla]

Both the VST2 and the VST3 version of MSuperLooper work just fine here with yabridge 3.3.1 and Wine Staging 6.4.

Thanks for the input.

[Oiduar]

Hi.

I'm also using linux for my work including audio editing etc. Unfortunately, MSoundFactory crashes randomly. This is the only plugin which is most important for me (I would buy it without any doubt) but it crashes a lot. Every other Melda plugins I've tested works ok. I tested it on reaper via linxst, yabridge or directly in wine. Issue occurs even on fresh installation of debian and reaper. I couldn't find possible reason because it happens when (for example):
- putting two oscillators on separate lines and set their midi source to different ports.
- modulating some parameters by MSF inbuilt "learn" mechanism.
- using sequencer before MSF which is faster than 1/4 or generates different notes for different midi channels.
- dragging FX between slots too fast.
- importing instrument which contains MSoundFactory inside MSoundFactory.
The last two examples crashed reaper even on windows 10 from time to time.

What a pity - I think this is the best "synth" for my tinkering

[sjzstudio]

I have the same experiences. MSoundfactory crashes on Linux and also on Windows. Other Melda plugins work well on Linux. However, Mdrummer Midi files cannot be dragged to daw midi track. The greatest thing would be if Melda would release even experimental native versions for Linux.

[coolblinger]

I have the same experiences. MSoundfactory crashes on Linux and also on Windows. Other Melda plugins work well on Linux. However, Mdrummer Midi files cannot be dragged to daw midi track. The greatest thing would be if Melda would release even experimental native versions for Linux.

MSoundFactory (both the VST2 and VST3 versions) work perfectly fine for me in yabridge with Wine Staging/wine-tkg, and they always have been working (although I've only messed around with the demo). Also, after trying to come up with a low-effort way to implement Wine->X11 drag-and-drop in a way that doesn't involve modifying Wine or hooking DLLs, I've finally had an epiphany this afternoon and I in theory I only have to plug this thing into XDND and then Wine->X11 drag-and-drop within yabridge should just work:

[Held]

- using sequencer before MSF which is faster than 1/4 or generates different notes for different midi channels.

I've had some crashes too when too many Midi events got sent because I dragged a bunch of notes around with preview enabled. But that was way faster than 1/4 notes

[mevla]

MSF (and all Melda plugins except the looper) works fine for me in Xubuntu 18.04 with wine-4.5 (Staging) and linvst from January 2019 github. Yes, I did not upgrade the system nor do I care for. It works. Using them with Bitwig 2.4.3 and the current Mixbus32C.

At the beginning I had problems with MDrummer. Vojtech very nicely sent me debug versions of MDrummer so I can run the plugin and generate logs that I sent back to him. Turned out to be a MPE problem with Bitwig. MPE should be disabled, which is OK for me.