Universal Audio's LUNA 3.0 DAW brings new smart tools & workflows for professional recording. Universal Audio has announced a landmark update to its award-winning DAW for macOS and Windows. Designed to make recording and music production more intuitive, LUNA 3.0 introduces a new generation of creative tools - including LUNA Play, stem separation, and audio-to-MIDI, plus lyric transcription and chord extraction powered by Moises. "Great songs start with an idea," says Bill Putnam Jr., CEO of Universal Audio. "And we've all been there... when you hear something in your head, hit record, and suddenly the inspiration's gone or the tech gets in the way. This new era for LUNA makes it easier than ever to capture those ideas and follow them wherever they take you." LUNA Play is a fast new way to record. Like a voice memo app designed just for making music, it automatically detects instruments, sets levels, and suggests presets with UAD plugins. Music creators can isolate tracks and jam along with songs or capture their original ideas. Released in 2020, LUNA was the first DAW to offer authentic analog channel strips, summing, and tape extensions from Neve, API, Studer, and Ampex. Now in its seventh year, LUNA continues to evolve as a musician-focused DAW, combining professional recording tools with smart features designed to remove the barriers between inspiration and a finished record. New in LUNA Free * LUNA Play: Tap into a faster, simpler way to write and record songs - like a voice memo app designed just for making music, with automatic level setting and UAD plugin presets built in. * Folder Tracks: Easily organize tracks and route audio to folders. * Piano Roll: Get full control over MIDI with new tools and scale-aware editing. * Adaptive Grid: Grid value adapts to zoom level for streamlined editing. * Clip Gain Automation: Perform detailed gain adjustments on audio clips before plugins. * 4-Track Stem Separation: Separate stereo mixes into four individual stems for editing, remixing, and creative sampling. * Record FX: Gives native users the recording workflow previously exclusive to Apollo. * Strip Silence: Automatically detect audible regions and remove silent sections. * Click Track Automation :Gain complete control over the metronome for advanced recording workflows. * Mono Inputs for Stereo Tracks: Record mono sources on stereo channels without additional routing. * Chord, Key, and Time Signature Rulers: Quickly understand and navigate the musical structure of a session. Priced $199 USD at the UAD store and from distributors such as AudioDeluxe and Plugin Boutique, LUNA Studio is the fully equipped version of UA's award-winning DAW, combining everything in LUNA Free with additional UAD plugins, powerful LUNA Extensions, and new smart tools including Lyric Transcription and Chord Extraction, Audio-to-MIDI conversion, and more. LUNA Studio is also available as part of the new UAD Spark Studio music production subscription, which brings together LUNA Studio, UA's fully equipped DAW, and a complete native UAD plugin and virtual instrument library into one creative environment. Designed to give artists and producers everything they need to turn ideas into hit records, UAD Spark Studio includes an expanding collection of 70 native UAD plug-ins featuring titles from Neve, Ampex, Lexicon, and more, alongside world-class virtual instruments such as Minimoog, PolyMAX, and Electra88. "UAD Spark Studio brings the whole studio together in one place," said Bill Putnam Jr., CEO of Universal Audio. "LUNA, UAD plug-ins, instruments - it's all there, so you can spend less time setting things up and more time making music." UAD Spark Studio is $19.99 USD/month or $149 USD/year. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means I might get a commission if you make a purchase. There's no additional cost to you, and you'll support Rekkerd, thanks! Random posts. Aug 25, 2026 Aug 17, 2026 Sep 9, 2026

Universal Audio launches LUNA Studio DAW. Universal Audio launches LUNA Studio DAW with built-in analog modeling, AI smart tools, voice control, and 30 UAD plugins. Available for $199. Universal Audio has officially released LUNA Studio, the heavily anticipated successor to LUNA Pro. Designed as a fully equipped, professional digital audio workstation (DAW) for both macOS and Windows, LUNA Studio blends authentic analog workflow emulation with cutting-edge artificial intelligence and smart production tools. Whether running natively on a standard computer or hardware-accelerated via Universal Audio's Apollo audio interfaces and UAD Accelerators, LUNA Studio aims to redefine how modern producers, tracking engineers, and mixing artists take projects from concept to final master. Analog sound meets modern innovation. At the heart of LUNA Studio is Universal Audio's deep pedigree in analog hardware modeling. Unlike traditional DAWs where analog emulation must be inserted on individual tracks as third-party plug-ins, LUNA Studio features built-in console and tape extensions from industry legends like API, Studer, and Ampex directly integrated into the mixer. This gives every session an authentic, cohesive analog signal path right from the first track. LUNA Free vs. LUNA Studio: A tier-by-tier breakdown. Alongside the flagship paid version, Universal Audio has significantly upgraded its ecosystem, proving that the entry point is more powerful than ever. The revamped LUNA Free tier. Remarkably, the entry-level LUNA Free tier reads like a full-featured, paid DAW in its own right. It introduces essential workflow upgrades including: * Folder Tracks for effortless audio organization and routing. * A Reworked Piano Roll featuring scale-aware editing. * Adaptive Grid technology that automatically adjusts to your zoom level. * Clip Gain Automation for precise level adjustments right before hitting the plugin chain. * 4-Track Stem Separation and Record FX (previously a hardware-exclusive feature for Apollo interfaces). * Strip Silence, Click Track Automation, mono inputs for stereo tracks, and dedicated Chord, Key, and Time Signature Rulers for superior project orientation. LUNA Studio: more power for $199. For producers seeking the ultimate professional workflow, LUNA Studio builds on everything in LUNA Free and dials it up significantly. It unlocks: * LUNA Extensions with premium analog tape and console emulations from API, Studer, and Ampex. * 6-Track Stem Separation (upgraded from four). * Audio-to-MIDI conversion, letting you seamlessly turn audio performances into editable MIDI tracks. * Automatic Lyric Transcription into a dedicated time-synced lyrics browser. * Chord Extraction, which detects chords from audio and maps them straight into LUNA's Chord Track. Standout features of LUNA Studio: * Built-In Console & Tape Emulations: Seamlessly track and mix through modeled API consoles, Studer A800, and Ampex ATR-102 tape machines natively within the mixer. * AI-Powered Smart Tools: Features advanced 6-track stem separation, audio-to-MIDI conversion, tempo detection, and automated lyric transcription and chord extraction powered by Moises. * Voice Control: Hands-free recording lets musicians control sessions from anywhere in the room without leaving their instrument or drum kit. * Hardware Inserts: Effortlessly integrate outboard analog gear into the timeline with automatic delay compensation and instant preset recall. Massive suite of included plug-ins and ARA tools. LUNA Studio comes heavily stocked out of the box, eliminating the need to piece together a workflow from scratch. The package includes 30 elite UAD plug-ins - ranging from the iconic Fairchild Tube Limiter and UA 1176 FET compressors to the API Vision Channel Strip and Pultec EQs - alongside world-class virtual instruments like the Opal Morphing Synthesizer and Ravel grand piano. Furthermore, seamless ARA plugin integration brings industry-standard utilities directly into the LUNA timeline: * Celemony Melodyne Essential for precise vocal tuning. * Steinberg SpectraLayers Go for advanced spectral editing and audio cleanup. * Steinberg WaveLab Go for comprehensive mastering and loudness normalization. * Noiseworks VoiceAssist Basic for effortless vocal dynamic balancing. Its thoughts. Here at the studio, LUNA has quickly become indispensable to its daily workflow. Guitar Bomb use it constantly to track everything from full live bands to intricate multi-layered guitar sessions, and its authentic analog warmth and seamless tracking make it hard to imagine working in any other DAW. It is a great DAW for guitarists and has some lovely-sounding EQs and plugins that are perfect for working with bands. Pricing and availability. LUNA Studio is available now for both macOS and Windows users in two distinct formats: * Outright Purchase: Available for $199 (Upgrade price $79.00), giving users permanent ownership of the software, extensions, and the included 30 UAD plug-ins. * UAD Spark Studio Subscription: Available for $149/year, which bundles LUNA Studio alongside the expansive UAD native plug-in library with regular additions. For existing LUNA Pro users and those looking to upgrade their home or professional studio setup, LUNA Studio delivers an all-in-one ecosystem designed to speed up the creative process and elevate final sound quality. Overall Score * +Built-in analog console and tape modeling (API, Studer, Ampex) integrated into mixer * +30 professional UAD plugins included out of the box * +AI-powered stem separation and audio-to-MIDI conversion * +Voice control for hands-free session management * +Seamless ARA plugin integration (Melodyne, SpectraLayers, WaveLab) * +Hardware insert support with automatic delay compensation * +Available on both macOS and Windows Operating Systems macOS and Windows Price (Purchase) $199 (Upgrade: $79) Price (Subscription) $149/year via UAD Spark Studio Included Plugins 30 UAD plugins (Fairchild, 1176, API Vision, Pultec, etc.) Included Instruments Opal Morphing Synthesizer, Ravel Grand Piano AI Features Stem separation, audio-to-MIDI, tempo detection, lyric transcription, chord extraction Hardware Support Apollo audio interfaces and UAD Accelerators

LUNA 3.0 & UAD Spark Studio from Universal Audio. Published 15/9/26 DAW update launched alongside all-in-one subscription bundle The latest version of Universal Audio's DAW software has just arrived, and has been released alongside UAD Spark Studio, an new all-in-one subscription that bundles LUNA Studio with a comprehensive collection of UAD plug-ins and instruments. LUNA 3.0 is said to be a landmark update to the award-winning DAW, and introduces a new collection of creative tools including LUNA Play, built-in stem separation and audio-to-MIDI, as well as lyric transcription and chord extraction powered by Moises. What's New in LUNA Free. * LUNA Play: Tap into a faster, simpler way to write and record songs - like a voice memo app designed just for making music, with automatic level setting and UAD plug-in presets built in. * Folder Tracks: Easily organise tracks and route audio to folders. * Piano Roll: Get full control over MIDI with new tools and scale-aware editing. * Adaptive Grid: Grid value adapts to zoom level for streamlined editing. * Clip Gain Automation: Perform detailed gain adjustments on audio clips before plug-ins. * Four-Track Stem Separation: Separate stereo mixes into four individual stems for editing, remixing and creative sampling. * Record FX: Gives native users the recording workflow previously exclusive to Apollo. * Strip Silence: Automatically detect audible regions and remove silent sections. * Click Track Automation: Gain complete control over the metronome for advanced recording workflows. * Mono Inputs for Stereo Tracks: Record mono sources on stereo channels without additional routing. * Chord, Key and Time Signature Rulers: Quickly understand and navigate the musical structure of a session. LUNA Studio. The fully fledged version of LUNA then expands on the capabilities of the free version with additional UAD plug-ins, powerful LUNA Extensions, and new smart tools including Lyric Transcription and Chord Extraction, Audio-to-MIDI conversion and more. Key features. * LUNA Extensions: Mix with built-in tape and console emulations from API, Studer and Ampex. * Smart Tools: Create with tools including stem separation, lyric transcription, chord extraction and audio-to-MIDI. * UAD Instruments: Produce with expertly voiced instruments rather than relying solely on stock virtual instruments. * UAD Plug-Ins: Access the same acclaimed plug-ins used by artists and engineers for decades. * Six-Track Stem Separation. Separate stereo mixes into six individual stems for editing, remixing, and creative sampling. * Audio-to-MIDI: Transform audio performances into MIDI to layer virtual instruments and build new parts. * Lyric Transcription: Automatically transcribe vocals into a time-aligned lyric browser. * Chord Extraction: Automatically detect chords from audio and map them to LUNA's Chord Track. * Celemony Tonalic Elements: Virtual session players that play along. * Dreamtonics Synthesizer V2 Core: Create realistic vocal melodies and harmonies. * Topline Vocal Tune: Your vocals, perfectly in tune from the moment you press record. Both the free and paid-for versions of LUNA have been gained some significant new features in the 3.0 update. "Great songs start with an idea. And we've all been there: when you hear something in your head, hit record, and suddenly the inspiration's gone or the tech gets in the way. This new era for LUNA makes it easier than ever to capture those ideas and follow them wherever they take you." - Bill Putnam Jr., CEO, Universal Audio UAD Spark Studio. In addition to the DAW update, Universal Audio have also announced the launch of UAD Spark Studio, an all-in-one subscription bundle that combines LUNA Studio with an array of UAD plug-ins and virtual instruments. The bundle includes an expanding collection of 70 native UAD plug-ins that include titles from Neve, Ampex, Lexicon and more, alongside world-class virtual instruments such as Minimoog, PolyMAX and Electra88. Compatibility. LUNA 3.0 is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or later, and Macs running macOS 11 and above. Pricing & availability. LUNA 3.0 is available now. LUNA Studio is priced at $199 USD, and is also included in the new UAD Spark Studio subscription, which costs $19.99/month or $149.99/year.