PRODUCT
TESTS
Universal Audio Luna DAW
By Dajaun Martineau
In spring 2020 , Universal Audio released their own free DAW ( digital
audio workstation ) for anyone with their Thunderbolt interfaces 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 went even further and created two unique high-quality 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 is 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 an API or Neve 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 .
22 PROFESSIONAL SOUND