By Dajaun Martineau
ROAD TEST
Universal Audio Luna DAW
In with its Thunderbolt interfaces
spring 2020 , Universal Audio released their own free DAW ( digital audio workstation ) for anyone
and it has since been making some waves in the audio community . There are many ways a software developer could approach making a creative environment . While most companies have chosen to fully embrace the digital realm and have abandoned the traditions of the past , Universal Audio took a different approach with Luna by marrying the traditional tones and tools of music production with the speed and consistency of the digital world .
Universal Audio has done a great job of creating an entirely new environment that instantly has a familiar feel . Whether this is your first DAW or you ’ re transitioning from your favourite DAW , the quick keys have been adapted in a way that they are intuitive and easy to learn while simultaneously falling in line with familiar standards . Luna offers audio warping functions very similar to Logic Pro X ’ s Flex Time or Elastic Audio in Pro Tools , allowing you to stretch audio without having to make cuts . Universal Audio has gone beyond and created two unique highquality algorithms , Luna Razor Blade and Luna Polyphonic , that allow you to stretch audio even further than previously possible without extreme digital artifacts . If you ’ re more of a traditional editor , the cut and fade approach functions work flawlessly . The mix workflow in Luna is also incredibly efficient . Instead of the traditional dropdown menu for plug-ins , Luna offers a docked searchable window . The window searches plug-ins and presets within those plug-ins , placing the sound you want on that track instantly with a few keystrokes . Bussing and routing have also been streamlined with auto naming propagating to associated buses from the master fader . Luna makes it easy to route audio exactly where you want it without having to spend time doing clerical work .
Ideally , a DAW shouldn ’ t have a sound . Unlike magnetic tape or vinyl , digital audio should sound identical to what was being captured when reproduced . Audio companies have strived to make more transparent converters and to calculate their summing mixers at such a high bitrate that the process does not affect or colour the sound in any way . Universal Audio , famous for its software emulations of classic hardware units , has decided to take a different approach with Luna . Built-in summing mixers with classic tone circuits are now woven directly into the fabric of the DAW . Currently available are summing options emulating legendary consoles from Neve and API . Once engaged on a bus , the summing mixer is activated on every channel running into that bus . It is important to note that this is not simply a filter as the summing mixer integrates into the functionality of each channel . Universal Audio even went as far as to emulate the volume and pan curves of the faders so the environment should feel more like a Neve or API console when you have it activated . In addition to console emulations , Luna offers an array of tape emulations that can be activated on every channel strip and can be calibrated to run hot or clean just like you would with a tape machine . All of these subtle emulations come together to create a very warm and familiar-sounding environment . To use a visual analogy , where other DAWs give you the digital precision of Photoshop , Luna feels like a brush on a canvas .
Software instruments are a new area that Universal Audio has started diving into along with the release of Luna . The engineers have brought their meticulous approach to emulating hardware into the world of instruments . The Minimoog Model D , the most iconic synthesizer of all time , now exists in the digital world . Having this staple instrument now in a digital realm means that Universal Audio has expanded their focus beyond traditional recording and is now creating tools for and looking to the future of in-the-box production . Ravel , Universal Audio ’ s first acoustic instrument , is another addition to the product line . The piano samples were recorded by Allen Sides ( Duke Ellington , Aretha Franklin , Michael Jackson ) and run on their new Ultraresonance Technology that boasts “ evolving harmonies .” Universal Audio has paired with Spitfire Audio to bring you an array of orchestral instruments including : Chamber Strings , Symphonic Woodwinds , and Symphonic Brass . Luna includes Shape , a multitimbral workstation reminiscent of Air Music Tech ’ s Xpand ! or Native Instruments ’ Kontakt . Shape is a simple but very effective instrument allowing you to load up to four instruments in one instance and blend effects to create unique sounds of your own .
In the v1.1 update for Luna , Universal Audio added track groups , an essential feature for any DAW . Once grouped , the tracks can function as either a mix group , edit group , or both simultaneously . With tracks grouped together , editing multitrack instruments like drums becomes much simpler and mixing instruments that had multiple microphones can now be increased or decreased while maintaining the relative relationships . Additionally , Luna now has a MIDI clock output allowing you to synchronize with external hardware like drum machines , sequencers , keyboards , and even other DAWs . A new “ My Universal Audio ” plug-in folder now exists , which only contains the plug-ins that you have purchased so you no longer have to go searching through long lists of plug-ins you don ’ t own to find what you ’ re looking for . Last but not least , they have added a Reverse audio clip feature that has been a staple in music since the early days of tape when engineers realized they could play tapes backwards .
Luna has made an impact on the production scene and I think in no time we will be seeing great works come out of this DAW . Luna has a lot to offer , whether you ’ re a seasoned professional just looking for some more colour on your mixes or brand new to music production looking for instant access to tools built right into your audio interface .
Dajaun Martineau is a producer / engineer / writer based out of Toronto who spent the better part of a decade as a Senior Staff Engineer at Phase One Studios before going freelance . For his full discography and more information , visit www . dajaun . com .
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