Luna - Free DAW - First Look

In this video, I look at UA's Luna which is a newly-free DAW, available for macOS.
www.uaudio.com/luna.html
Section Timings:
00:00 - Intro
02:33 - A First Look
03:40 - The Timeline Display
05:28 - Instrument Tracks
06:51 - Recording MIDI
08:34 - Quantize
09:31 - Velocity Editing
12:09 - Audio Import
13:15 - Mixer
18:36 - Buses
19:43 - FX Buses
21:46 - Automation
23:09 - Saving Versions
24:19 - Summary
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#musictechtuition #cubase

[@musictechtuition]

A heads up - if you buy the full version of Luna, you get VST3 versions of the following plugins (I had a reply from UA confirming this), so in a way you're getting a reasonable deal if you want a number of these: I'm not affiliated with UA in any way, just relaying what I've been told after I wondered if you'd get plugins you can use on another DAW. • API 2500 • Studer A800 • API Vision Channel Strip • Century Tube Channel Strip • Galaxy Tape Echo • Oxide Tape Recorder • PolyMAX • Pultec Passive EQ Collection • Pure Plate Reverb • Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection

[@AKC-MUSIC]

Thanks so much for posting this info! YOU ROCK HARD! 😘

[@paulconnolly4483]

Thanks for the demo.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

I would say it IS a replacement for Pro Tools. Luna is best with audio. There are limitations on virtual instruments and the midi isn't as fully featured as things like Logic and Cubase. If you are tracking real musicians it's amazing. If you are mixing projects created in other daws it is also amazing. Very few, if any bugs.

[@FLAVMEDIA]

GREAT VIDEO:))

[@stamecec2003]

dope dope dope daw

[@nebvlka]

It's feels LIKE a modern streamlined ProTools, mixed with StudioOne color contrast, and a Cubase master meter. Pretty dope, intuitive UI so far - wish there was key command customization.

[@musictechtuition]

Absolutely. I think if any DAW wants to poach from other DAWs they need to have keyboard customisation there as you can ease your transition. I set zoom in/out on everything I use to the Cubase ones and that removes about 70% of my initial frustration!

[@ipoponq]

Luna is the best looking DAW in my humble opinion.

[@musictechtuition]

I have to say I really liked it. Often I don't like the skeuomorphic look of slavishly copying physical devices, but it seemed OK to me here... And things such as the sends with built-in metering for each knob were really nice. I'm going to spend more time with it and hopefully do a deeper dive, but it appears the MIDI editing isn't what I'm looking for, alas.

[@Byron101_]

don´t think so. Luna is a bit ugly.

[@nukenoly8751]

yes gorgeous on LG 5K display

[@eafortson]

11:56 One thing I noticed there is once it got to the end of the loops and cycled back around to the start, it automatically went into overdub mode instead of recording silence over the already recorded notes. I've never understood why Ableton doesn't do that.

[@juanmico4085]

This looks like a good option for Eurorack multi-track recording without the usual redundant DAW clutter.

[@musictechtuition]

That is a great use case. I'd not thought of it, but it's a great suggestion. 👍

[@JohnLloydDavis]

As a person that just migrated to Luna from Logic (fed up with it crashing all the time) I seriously recommend it to anyone that remembers the 'old days' of going to a studio and recording directly to tape. The Studer emulation and Ampeg master tape is very effective and combined with the summing it really glues your mix together and imparts analogue style warmth and saturation. Well worth investing the full price in my opinion.

[@musictechtuition]

I have a couple of clients who I think would find this exactly the right thing for them - they are from the old school and used to working with tape and a physical mixing desk. I'm sure it would work really well for them, but I think there is a degree of "FOMO" when moving away from their current DAWs, plus a learning curve which may be problematic initially. I will put it to them at the right time, and maybe do a demo session or two on it and see how it goes.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

I also use Reason a heck of a lot as well and I found it quite easy to get into the workflow of Luna. I have mainly been using Luna for audio rather than MIDI so far. I have heard criticism of the MIDI side of Luna but until I actually try it myself I'm reserving judgement on that.

[@musictechtuition]

@@JohnLloydDavis from what I've seen, the MIDI editing is in the 'older versions of ProTools' area. It's not a MIDI editing powerhouse a la Cubase, Logic, FL, et al... but I don't think it's meant to be. One client of mine in particular really only wants to print everything 'to tape' anyway, so he doesn't really want to do any MIDI editing!

[@pongtrometer]

What’s this like for routing another DAW through it ? I used to route reason multi outs into ableton. To make use of UA’s recording combined with your favourite DAW’s midi workflow.

[@anacolutha]

Seems LUNA has not a channel strip preset saving option. Am I right? Cool video, thank you.

[@redviagra]

Luna sounds good. It needs ghost notes and linear programming like ableton

[@CarcPazu]

It looks like a more modern version of Pro Tools. I like being able to edit MIDI notes without being forced to open up a piano roll window like in Pro Tools and Reaper. Seems to work well but I'm already locked in with Pro Tools and Ableton Live. I don't have time to learn a new DAW and face a whole new set of bugs.

[@ApolloSkillz]

Is it better at mixing and mastering vocals ? Better than FL?

[@Skijumptoes]

7:38 Ariston.. and on... and on... (Ok, you gotta be old enough to remember that!) Luna looks nice, not sure about the interface, but going to try this later, thanks for the heads up! Hopefully not a large install size, doesn't look like it should be.

[@musictechtuition]

Nearly everything I do is influenced by adverts I watched as a kid! The content is reasonably large (I think 8GB for the two synths, one of which is a demo).

[@MomentswithMoniPodcast]

Is there a de noiser included? I have used garage band with audacity for denoising the distant past, but audacity is not available online anymore. I tried the noise gate on garage band, but it cut my recordings to bits. TY

[@lukassbeataddicts]

Just downloaded. Will try to make track only with UAD as a challange.

[@musictechtuition]

Yeah, I think it's always a good challenge to do something like that, even if it's just to decide you don't want to do it again.... I will hopefully have some time to spend with it over the next couple of weeks and see if it has something deeper to offer.

[@Ehabmxd]

that GUi very very respectable to use

[@stevedoesnt]

I tried it. Lots of cool things. I’m a professional, and the fact that I couldn’t highlight multiple tracks and pull the faders up/down was a deal breaker. It’s such a basic and very necessary thing.

[@nmdpa3]

Yea, believe you have to create a group first which seems like an added step.

[@MobiusMinded]

You can do that, rather easily

[@stevedoesnt]

@@nmdpa3 yeah I definitely don’t see myself doing that every time I need to move a few faders together. I’d be creating groups within groups within groups. Tom group? Then drum group? Then rhythm section group?

[@robertroth8652]

@@stevedoesntThe workflow with Luna is based on tried and true old school console/tape methods. In this case you create a bus/fader for your different groups which allows you the option of hitting the NEVE, API and/or tape on your way to the master bus, much like a real console. This is the whole point of Luna.

[@buckycore]

God, for free I'd take this way above Garage band

[@lancegfoin9117]

Garageband does come with a vast range of instruments and loops out-of-the-box though, but yes I agree this is very nice for beginners or intermediates wanting a free solution.

[@adityabali1939]

Can instrument VSTs (e.g. EZDrummer3) implement multi outs? In loving everything about Luna but till the time the above feature is not implemented Universal Audio will lag behind competitors. This is probably the single biggest feature that Luna doesn’t have.

[@jamesdesmond3542]

Export your drum tracks as individual stems from EZDrummer3 and drop them into Luna, and presto

[@kennedylee2248]

Can i use it for karaoke live ?

[@ettiennelane9173]

No ARA, no clip FX... The 2 essentials I need for editing, mixing in any DAW. Same reason I can't use Harrison Mixbus.

[@GenilsonOficial]

If you are using it with an Apollo you can control everything just through LUNA including Unisson gain etc. I experience extremely low latency.

[@thekingsrecordmusicstudio8075]

hi, i juste pick up this luna daw but the probleem is my mic input is picking my computer sounds and even when I import a sample when I start recording is picking the sample can u help ?

[@musictechtuition]

You can choose the input in the preferences. I'll cover that and a few more things in my next Luna video this week when I've spent a bit more time in it (covering both the good and the bad!)

[@valmascarenhas1865]

Dont work in pc only Mac 😢

[@errmable]

Wow I own plugins bought in June, 2008. Defo looks better than Cubase. I'm going to check this out thanks!

[@Byron101_]

nope. with a litte tweaking Cubase looks much modern and clear. I don´t like this Luna GUI.

[@bradpedron9022]

it is a replacement for Cakewalk Sonar

[@psysword]

Doesn't touch Ableton

[@joshcoxmusic]

Not even halfway close to FL period. But still decently cool.

[@southernman2]

I used pro tools for years and paid $99 annually. But when they doubled the annual cost in one price increase I ditched it. Been using Luna for free ever since it came available.

[@musictechtuition]

I take it from that you're getting on OK with it? Anything you find better or worse compared to Protools?

[@southernman2]

@@musictechtuitionSince I'm using an Apollo it is much easier to track. Using the extensions the sound quality in my opinion is unmatched. The midi capabilities is the biggest drawback though I'm able to work with that.

[@reganovich]

This is the voice of the ITV Football league show 😆

[@musictechtuition]

The only one I can find on ITVx in the UK is voiced by a woman... and it's not me!

[@BurninSven1]

It did not work

[@rollotomassi3984]

It’s features are very limited cf cubase that’s for sure but correct me if I’m wrong but cubase does have duplicate without content….. I find Luna highly restrictive for all its good points it correspondingly misses at so many levels…..minor point is its color scheme is ghastly

[@buckycore]

Yeah. But it's free.

[@musictechtuition]

Yes, it is limited in some ways (definitely not a MIDI powerhouse). I'm colourblind, so it looked fine to me! Cubase does have a macro for Duplicate without content, but I think having it available in the right-click menu would be much nicer as a native function.

[@groovedealerfeaturing-ashl6476]

@@musictechtuition Ah! a fellow colourblindy! 👋 There are more of us around than people realise.

[@bennyceca]

@@musictechtuition you can duplicate a track from Edit > Macro menu (already there), you can always assign a key command if used often. Most people tend to add their own key commands.

[@RebelleTL]

I return my Mac for a pc so I can’t get it 😫

[@RebelleTL]

@@Trensharo not understanding what you talking about.

[@Byron101_]

LUNA lags in so many ways... Only good for recording and mixing with small track count. Editing? Midi? render options? forget it. De-installed.

[@musictechtuition]

Fair enough. The MIDI editing reminded me of using ProTools in the late 90s in a studio where I worked. It was there... but was nowhere near what Cubase had, even back in the day.

[@tommyzai7038]

Missing audio editing. Users would need to export and manipulate in an external editor.

[@musictechtuition]

@@tommyzai7038 ... if that's their workflow. I have a few clients who record (and maybe re-record) until they get it right. These are people who are used to a tape-based workflow and who don't want to edit other than trim out noises. For them, this sort of thing is perfect, and while it doesn't cover every way of working, I can see the attraction of it.

[@nmdpa3]

To edit audio, click on a track in timeline mode, then click on warp view from that track. It's actually nice in that you can very easily quantize audio.@@tommyzai7038

[@atomas59]

Duplicating track without data....Cubase (12) has it!

[@musictechtuition]

It does, but not directly from the right-click menu (which is where it would be useful)...

[@yuknat]

Logic killer.

[@mistervid]

The free version is much more a competitor to GarageBand and for $200 you will get a very limited selection of effects and virtual instruments. The amount of content Logic Pro X delivers at only 99$ more plus hardware optimizations plus many more features does not make Luna really a Logic killer. But I have to admit that the color scheme is very compelling and since Luna will definitely grow feature-wise, it is certainly going to challenge the leader in this market sooner or later.

[@couchcamperTM]

mac only? screw it...

[@oldskoolfunkandsoul1]

pointless for the vast amount of people on window os platform??! :(

[@musictechtuition]

Yeah, I don't have actual stats for the split between windows and macOS, but I'm sure macOS is the minority. But maybe UA think that mac people have already shelled out more money, so are more likely to spend on the $199 extras? Just a thought.

[@scottrennie6896]

Well you've gone after 30% of the market with mac users.

[@bortchy]

This app cant used without internet conection is bether pay licence and working independent . It is not free !

[@tkelong3569]

That thing has such a butt uGly interface, I’m gLad I can’t use it. 😂

[@superwassou]

I use Reaper, on a pc, without spyware, for free, with a super friendly community, many free community plugins... So no thanks.

[@alain_de_frothcorn]

I feel as though I have just seen a good friend cheating on his wife!! Mrs Cubase doesn't need to know ;-)

[@musictechtuition]

Mrs Cubase definitely doesn't need to know about my plans for Bitwig in the new year then!

[@alain_de_frothcorn]

@@musictechtuition Neeoooooo - the world is turning on its axis. Your book has been discountd £6+ on Amazon since I bought it and now you are being a DAW whore - what is happening :-0

[@cmdkaboom]

Screw uad Luna....

[@tobytodelafontena]

Really? Was it not a joke ? Did we need another DAW? No, absolutely not and nothing can explain why guys are still making new DAWs in 2023. Do they think they will recreate the wheel?

[@koalaklove]

Blockheads.ch3ck it

[@groovedealerfeaturing-ashl6476]

It strikes me that Luna might be a nice mixing environment compared to Cubase. So possibly use Cubase for composition/tracking and Luna for the mix? Is the 'P' button for Aux Sends not Pre/Post rather than Phase?

[@musictechtuition]

So it is! I'm obsessed with that at the moment, so I let it get in the way. I literally made the video after half an hour with it, so please forgive my error. I'm planning on doing a comparison of stems in Luna and in Cubase to see if the defaults (i.e. tape and neve summing) make for a noticeably better mix from the get go. Certainly if I had a 'tape-style' project in the near future I'd be using it for that.

[@groovedealerfeaturing-ashl6476]

@@musictechtuition Lol, no worries mate, i think i'd probably be rather excited too and as you said, you've hardly had any time with it so far. The Neve summing particularly interests me, i have one of their 8801 units which i LOVE! I really like the idea of summing through an entire 88, SSL summing would be rather nice too, as would windows support for us 'cheapskates' 😎

[@defrigge]

As Cubase user I couldn't care less about Luna. And frankly, I find it a complete waste of UAD ressources in a crowded DAW market.

[@musictechtuition]

I think they are going to use it as a sales tool - purely off the top of my head, I think that they will get more buyers overall because people will want the $199 bundle, which I *think* means you get VST versions of the plugins you can use in another DAW. I've asked if that's the case (it appears so from the UA installer app), and if so then that's a decent price if you want those plugins anyway. As a Cubase user I do care because I think the UI looks slicker than Cubase. It's not easier in terms of workflow, etc., but I think it looks very polished, and that's not the case for me in C13.

[@defrigge]

@@musictechtuition Owning most of UAD plugins, even the 200 bucks bundle is nothing I care about - but you are right new buyers will. Concerning "polished", I only have minimal problems with the 13 layout (a few remaining inconsistencies and some glitches). My priorities are rather the opposite: I welcome the necessary transition to a fully scalable (vector) UI, and am fine with the functional clarity of 2D anywhere (iPhone, plugins like Valhalla, Cubase 13). And I'm sure Steinberg will reintroduce some refinement with limited 3d accents and shades after the transition is complete, hoping they will limit that to a few eye friendly accents - opposed to too much silly pseudo-hardware baroque art. Better leave that to VAs and hardware emulating plugins, as accentuated islands on the recording screen. It would drive me nuts to see polished 3d and shadows all over the place all of the time ina DAW like Cubase. All I want and need is functional clarity, which I get quite well after only a few colour changes in 13.

[@musictechtuition]

@@defrigge Unfortunately I think the C13 appearance needs quite a bit of work. Not reinstating the 3d look, but to make it consistent, clear, without glitches, misalignments and other things that really don't make it look finished. The colours are also causing a lot of people problems, and there seems to be quite a lot of arbitrary changes which have not been popular. Just looks like a first draft rather than a finished project to me.

[@jenslempke7501]

@@musictechtuitionI think it's much more polished and well designed than Cubase. And - it sounds amazing. And for me, all tools are there. A downside is Shape doesn't have solo/legato mode which means you can't play a realistic electric bass in it. Otherwise, ot contains amazing patches from Spitfire amoung others. I'll solve the bass issue with another plugin.

[@officialWWM]

Luckily, you don’t speak for the rest of us!

[@BojanBojovic]

I just tried it more thoroughly although I knew what it is. Basically this is a joke really. This is obviously made for fanboys and children-like musicians who do not play any games on their computers and want to play real life inside their computer, like playing mom and dad. Hilarious really. All sorts of gimmicks, from how it looks to the workflow, everything is made to please fanboys and ignorants that drool over everything that says "analog". But the worst thing about it is the DEMO session. It sounds magnificent and it is a great song, beautifully performed. But it was made somewhere else and then imported as stereo stems with the effects printed, basically everything printed and then they added the GUI so the fanboys get excited, sexually I suppose. Ah, the GUI is another story, everything is small, they copied Pro Tools a lot, with its flaws of course. Midi is terrible, routing is rudimentary, no way of adding an effect to the monitor section, and like 30 years ago you need to choose whether you want an instrument, audio, or some other kind of track. This is really a joke, otherwise it would be a disaster.