UAD Luna | Should You Switch? | 3 Yr Follow Up

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

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[@UniversalAudio]

Hey David!!! Thanks for the great vid! We're happy to see you taking another look at LUNA, 3 years later! We're working hard on improving it and are adding new things all the time. One correction to add, while you do not need your Apollo connected to use LUNA any longer, licenses are still only issued (currently 😀) for Apollo owners, not Sat owners.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate U/A and have been using your stuff since the UAD1. Can you confirm a couple of things. 1. Still no multi-out for VST instruments like EZ Drummer etc? 2. no delay compensation for using hardware with luna? I think you guys have a good thing gong here with Luna but these sort of features need to be included. I am sure you guys are working hard on it!

[@UniversalAudio]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy We appreciate your time and attention to LUNA. Correct, there currently is not multi-out VI functionality but we know how important that is for users. It's likely the #1 feature request. We've been systematically chipping away at the top 5 requests as you've noted in your vid, so stay tuned!! Also correct, LUNA does not yet have delay comped hardware inserts.

[@pandemic7]

@@UniversalAudio Been a LUNA user for two years now. I’ve been much happier with it recently. As you noted, David, the clean UI is fantastic and it’s just FUN to mix in. But yes, no multi-out is the only thing that I’d call a bummer at this point. I can’t wait until it’s added! Edit: Great video, by the way. I’m really looking forward to more LUNA content, please do.

[@bikesandbeats4693]

The thing that stops me from considering the switch is the lack of routing flexibility for analog summing. My workflow in Pro Tools is to bring my Sum Return back into Pro Tools on an AUX track where I have my mastering chain and monitored on my Master fader where I have my Sonarworks plugin. The Sum Return AUX is also sent to an audio track for printing. By doing it this way I don’t have to bypass Sonarworks before printing my final master. With Luna, you can only bring the Sum Return back in on an audio track which you have to arm the for recording to monitor. And when it’s input armed, you cannot send the signal to the master channel where I have Sonarworks. So this one little routing road block breaks my whole summing workflow in Luna and there is no workaround for it. So I cannot use it which is a shame because I love the sound.

[@Sincity89103]

@@UniversalAudiocan I run Luna on my windows PC? Or is it only compatible with a Mac? Will it ever come to windows if not already?

[@madbaron228]

You can convert MIDI to audio now. It's called "Freeze" in Luna. Right-click on the track in either the mixer or timeline view.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for the tip

[@aeiplanner]

Comping SUCKS in LUNA. Still.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

why is that? I have not tried it yet

[@aeiplanner]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy Quick-Swipe is the only way to comp. Logic and Studio One are the only DAWs who have that dialed in.

[@GrimaldiSound]

I love recording in LUNA but currently editing in Luna SUCCCCKKKKSSSSS in my opinion - especially compared to Pro Tools (nothing touches PT in editing). Sooo many annoying bugs.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

hopefully they will fix these bugs and do more Luna updates soon

[@alchemydrive]

Luna has become my favorite DAW. I switched once they added the freezing function. 10 years of Logic Pro vanished when I saw how much more quickly I could work with Luna.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching

[@billyhughes9776]

I've been using LUNA (at some level) since '20. It's all I use now. I really love it, however, if you want to do some level of hybrid mixing it's not a viable choice. I'm still ITB but want to use some hardware pieces I own moving forward for mixing. I hope they add the functionality to support this as an option at some point, but it seems they don't care. I'm seriously considering Reaper.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Go to Studio One. That's what I recommend

[@TacomaEscape]

I finally made the switch to full on recording with the Luna Recording System a year ago now. If you have an Apollo it really is seamless and amazing when recording. I am still doing all of my mixing in Pro Tools mainly because there is no hardware delay compensation/hardware inserts or an easy way to route hardware yet. Until that gets to Luna I'll be sticking with this workflow. But that's probably why it's called the Luna Recording System because that's what it does best! Cheers!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Luna is really coming along but there are still things that need to be addressed, like delay compensation for sure

[@kittel-dev]

Today i downloaded Luna for fun. Exported some Fl studio stems and the mix in luna blew my mind away. It sounds so rich, so good. I love it. And i loaded Maschine as Au Plugin. And the latency was awesome. I like luna very much.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Great to hear!

[@johnplainsong9769]

Thinking of switching to Luna from Logic? Don't do it! I wasted a lot of time and energy trying, and glad I made a final decision

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Great, thanks for sharing

[@yungmagickidd]

UAD Luna is my goto DAW hands down. I'm so invested in it. It had a better sound than the other DAWs I used. The integration of the UAD plug-ins is amazing. I also have the Analog Essentials and other packs for it that make it fun to create. I just wish there was a tape stop effect. Being able to speed up or slow down things would be clutch since Logic and Pro Tools can do it easily. LUNA is still my preferred DAW though 😅

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Cool. I agree that Luna is very cool, but I can say with 100% confidence that all DAWs sound the same. One does not "sound better" than another. That is truly all marketing hype.

[@BunkerAudioPanama]

Mistake. Daws have changed a lot lately..

[@BunkerAudioPanama]

You _can_ do tape stop. Don't remember if it's the Ampex or the Studer but you can automate the play/stop button and it can be done

[@grahamjohnston8489]

Definitely getting better. The only major issue is using external hardware is not possible yet but I’ve got no doubt they are working on it.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes, that feature needs to be added for sure!

[@michaelkerlin7564]

You should have doubt that they are working on it. UAD themselves will tell you as much on the UAD LUNA Forum whenever there are feature request surveys. They have repeatedly said this is not a highly requested priority for their users and therefore not a priority for them. I personally doubt this the case when you look at the frequency that this comes up with the majority of the folks on the LUNA forum. Alas though they will never share statistics on feature requests, or what their development priorities are. I made the switch from LOGIC Pro just after LUNA's release. It has steadily improved for sure and when bugs surface they are all over it like white on rice. I've been very impressed with their development. However their resistance to hardware inserts is becoming a steadily growing disappointment. For anyone looking for this feature keep requesting it in the feedback survey within the program. They claim this is a statistical driver that they look at.

[@LodvarDude]

Thanks for the video, Dave! MIDI multi-outs is another biggie that they haven't delivered yet. Essential for orchestral sampled instruments through things like Kontakt, and drum-programs like Superior Drummer. Personally, I have landed on a workflow where I write and record in Logic, then export the track and use LUNA for mixing. I do own the summing-extensions, and they ARE really, really good. It IS expensive, but you can get it on sale a couple of times a year at least. LUNA not quite there for me yet, but it seems to be getting closer with every update.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Ahhh, I did not know that you could not multi-out on SD or EZ drummer. That's something they need to fix!

[@danasdas6683]

Love that you followed up on this subject. UA Luna was the first video of yours that i found on YT, while researching the subject directly. I subscribed to your channel after that first video, so there you go, I got hooked! I havent looked at Luna myself for a while, so I like the timing as well!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you very much Dan

[@montraix]

The audio conversion happens via their freeze function which can also include any amount of plugins

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

got it thanks!!

[@guitar8617]

Can confirm fader controller compatibility, been using a Presonus Faderport 16 for a while now with LUNA. Still some kinks to work out but definitely enjoyed my experience with it, been a user since it came out and it's the only software I use now for recording and mixing at this point.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for the info

[@SonicTrinityStudios]

I tried Luna three years ago and have been sporadically using it on and off, updating each time I use it and this latest update, I would say is the best one. I've committed myself to recording my latest record totally in Luna. There are still a couple of niceties I would love to see : Multi-out Instrument (VST) - specifically multi-outs with Superior Drummer and an easier way to auto-punch. I have watched all the videos I could find on auto-punching (which I think there are maybe four) and they are all two to three years old and of no help at all! I will always be a UA fanboy for life and looking forward to more Luna updates! As always, great video Dave!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks very much. I have been using Luna much more these days and I am liking it!

[@joeleade7622]

Amen....please please please add this feature !!!!!!

[@chrisfegan1282]

I agree! Multi out for Superior Drummer is a must for for my workflow too. Yeah sure , you could export from SP as audio stems then add to LUNA as audio tracks, but i like the multiout feature that Cubase uses.. probably the 1 thing stopping me from jumping across.

[@williamjohnson217]

How you punch in ? using luna

[@stephenedmonds2863]

It just needs a handful of features and it would be a real contender. For me, multi-out vst, ARA2 and File cleanup/management are a must to consider moving over from S1 for writing. I do like to mix in Luna though, it's fine as-is for mixing (although the ARA2 would come in handy)

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yea, not having multi-out is j=kind of a show stopper for me. I did not realize that

[@westernelectricsoundsystem7532]

Great overview - I come from the last century, and having learned to get by pretty well with Logic at my home studio, I'm really up for changing to using Luna. I bought an Apollo X8 recently, and a lot of UA plugins, so Luna came onto my radar at that point.. I've recorded in some of the best studios in the UK and States, and Luna looks more like the vibe I understand from my years of being in these actual studios. How soon will your intro/guide to Luna be going live? I like your style of video - clear - articulate, and not full of jargon, so I'm looking forward to the videos you are planning. The official UA intro to Luna just goes too fast - hard to take in.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Ok, then I am sure you'll like my videos. I go slow for beginners for sure!

[@paulandreas7955]

Hey Dave, would you make a video about the pro bundle version of luna? thanks!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Maybe at one point.

[@paulandreas7955]

thanks! do you know if it's possible to import a movie file into luna? to make film scoring?@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy

[@paulandreas7955]

do you know if it's possible to import a movie into luna to film score? sorry if i already asked i have a bug@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy

[@Intenzity]

LUNA requires a hardware interface from UAD to launch, they are playing *very* fast and loose with this "core audio" support claim...it may do that, but only after you purchase one of their interfaces, otherwise LUNA will not launch the first time. No registered interface in your online account? No LUNA for you. This is as of 08/23. Its ridiculous you are forced to buy hardware, use an ILOK and that you have to log-in in order to use their app. Ridiculous. They are stuck in 2008.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

If you are that upset, then use a different DAW. I hear you but there are many great DAw's out there. No need to be upset about it, just move onto something that works for you.

[@citytonightproductions]

It’s kinda shocking that Luna, still after 3 years does not have an insert for external hardware. Also they need to include comp recording. Until then, I’ll continue to use Logic Pro.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I would agree with you, good point

[@KeenanCrow]

Came here to say UA released 5k licenses for non-Apollo users who subscribe to Spark. So they are definitely piloting it. I am one of the lucky few and it’s awesome.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Congrats!

[@Reggi_Sample]

Harrison Mixbus 32 C - the summing engine, the analog style console emulations - all built in, one price

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I tried using the Harrison Mixbus DAw and its a terrible layout and everything is so small on the screen I could not spend more than 30 minutes using it. Hopefully SSL will fix that disaster of a DAW and make it right!

[@southernman2]

I've been using Luna since it first came out. I had recently bought an Apollo X8 just before Luna was launched. It was a hassle using the Apollo with Pro Tools. Love the Luna workflow, but Superior drummer multi out is desperately needed in Luna.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Nice! I agree. The VST multi out needs to be added

[@chizzulwinduh1941]

Sorry, no way, no way at all. No delay compensated hardware inserts, which is a basic requirement, no ARA2 integration, the midi editing platform is awful and primitive, no multi VSTI outs. it's definitely not a DAW yet. Good for recording, if you like Unison stuff and you have Apollo hardware, yeah it's great, but then the hardware is not capable of running the plugins you'd definitely hope for. Right now, there are so many pitfalls and no can do's that are not immediately apparent, I'd steer well clear. Plus, their plugins are a bit outdated and behind the market, not to mention silly expensive. Editing and compositional tools? No way. As far as I can see on the latest version, you still have to have an Apollo connected to authenticate your UAD software, other than the limited UADfx native plugins, which is a meagre offering and have you noticed no new native versions of existing plugins (from 3rd party developers)? That just doesn't seem to be happening. UAD are trying to tie folks up in ownership in their ecosphere. I just got out and I'm glad. I'm sorry to say that as well as being bitterly disappointed with LUNA, still, I think it's a rip off and I don't trust UAD any longer.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for sharing

[@spicy568]

A major downside to using LUNA is the lack of support for hardware. No hardware inserts, hardware input delay compensation, etc. This should be made priority 1 by UAD if they want to attract a serious base of engineers who promote their software. ITB it's a great program, but why they haven't addressed OTB mixing is beyond me.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I agree. UA needs to get on the ball and address these issues!

[@ThaRealDawn]

I heard through a source that UAD does NOT want to support Windows, as you can see clearly from the TB issue that windows DID NOT HAVE and the gear leaning to TB. Is TB necessary? NO, USB has way more bandwidth than any non 128 channel users will ever need. Source, did not say why this is the case, but confirmed that no one at UAD is working on Windows Luna, nor plan to.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I am not that surprised. Personally, I would NEVEr use Windows for music production and I am a Mac guy.

[@kstaffieri2000]

I just received an email letting me know that I can download Luna for free because I have UA Spark subscription

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Ahhh, I was pretty sure this would be the case at one point

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Is UAD ripping people off with the transition to "Extensions"? I'm wondering if they are dumping people's investments, in aid of transforming to a new format.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

That's a question for UAD. All these companines do some strange things like this

[@dab7963]

Dave that don't give a damn about windows. The drivers on Windows 11 for their console.exe does not run if you're using Windows 11 22H2 and an AMD CPU. I finally had to give up and buy a Mac studio which I wasn't very happy about. Yes I do love the Mac Studio and I guess from music Mac is king but having to buy it because they refuse to update their drivers for windows 11 is ridiculous.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I am not familiar with Windows at all. I have been a Mac guy since 2008 and will NEVER go back.

[@dab7963]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy it's so funny that you said that I bought a Max Studio kind of souped up for $4,500. You could build one hell of a PC for that price but I got tired of all the driver issues. Now to be honest I spend 95% of my time on my Mac. In the beginning it was a little frustrated to get used to certain things but now that I have the hang of it I do prefer my Mac much better. Especially from music creation and photography which are my two hobbies the Mac does seem to be better. I even considered a Mac laptop but I hate the notch which is why I also have an Android phone if only Apple would learn their lesson and get rid of that disgusting horrible absolutely awful looking notch I might go back into the whole Apple ecosystem but I can deal with that notch. Lol. Hey I bought an Argosy desk like the one that you had in an earlier video putting it together is a real bitch. I'm assuming now that you have a full console (a dream) You probably sold that desk. Can't wait to finish building it should be done today.

[@crossbonet]

I’m not sure if UA made a mistake, but they sent me a non expiring license for Luna on the 22nd of May. I am only a spark user (never used any UA hardware), but I did sign up to spark during the initial launch.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Hey, maybe they changed their Luna license deals. Good for you!!

[@jamesjames77777]

Been 3 years and still no hardware inserts. I love Luna and want to make the leap, but I can’t just ignore all my hardware.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I hear you and hopefully UA does as well

[@GoodmanRecordingsTokyo]

I've been using LUNA for mixing and did a complete album on it.. after recording in Logic because Luna doesn't have delayed compensation yet. For any hardware application, it's back to Logic. My work flow is record in logic, add hardware in logic, import to luna for mix, get the summing, then final effects in Logic if I use hardware. Looking forward to the day i can do it all in LUNA.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I hear you and I agree. Luna has come a long way but has some things that still need to be updated

[@bobbydolan]

10:31am i use LUNA a third of the time, primarily for recording cuz of the preamps. It's stable but has to go a long way to beat out Logic for features. My biggest gripe is comping. It's clumsy. I don't use it enough to know more. Thanks for the update.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks Bobby!

[@Ronzoroni]

David I have a new uad apollo x8p what mac operating system should I use ? Is catalina OK

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes, that is what I am using as well

[@uweriedzeck4625]

I have been using Luna from the very beginning. As my production requests continue to increase, I am in desperate need of a feature that is extremely important to me and one that I sorely miss, which is ARA. Everything else is a nice addition. Currently, I have returned to using Pro Tools. I would like to give a big shoutout to your channel and, of course, to Universal Audio. Please excuse my English.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for sharing your feature request.

[@harrym7995]

I started out on Cubase, then Luna, then Studio one. Ive now gone back to LUNA, I have an Oct and an X16 and a satellite. I am Ising the studio live 32S as a DAW controller. I go straight through an Neve 1073 into the x16, I find it so easy and love it.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Very Cool! Thanks for watching!

[@skyboxstudios777]

Use it for recording and getting that console sound. MIDI still has a way to go and some pro mixing features still lacking

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@iengineer_247]

I rock with the Luna I just think it works the cpu a little bit when you use it with other interfaces. On the other hand the mix/mastering side it's dope!!!If they add VCA faders it will be even better!!!!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@Tomtamo1]

Regarding bundled plugins, you have to own an Apollo to get Luna. As you said, Apollo's come with a set of plugins. Since you own these plugins, you also get the native version for free if/when they are available.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Correct!

[@jeffbaumet794]

I bought a $3,000 Mac to get access to Luna. I quit using it and bought studio one 6 because Luna is unstable with vsti’s to the point of being completely unusable. That’s true today as of September 2, 2023. Unless you only record audio Luna is a waste and no one is talking about it.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Well, I am using Luna to record and mix on both a Mac M1 & M2 and it has been super stable. Never had a single issue, so I am not sure what is happening on your end.

[@jeffbaumet794]

Are you doing many recordings that use all itb audio generation? I’m really curious because mine crashes on every track. As in, I’ve never made it through a whole song.

[@Professor_Pat]

Thanks for covering LUNA daw

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You're very welcome!

[@Dddlllfff]

You need an Apollo interface to get a license. It doesn’t work with just a Satellite

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes, I got confirmation from UA on this point!

[@Tomtamo1]

With regard to control surfaces, Luna supports them, but not for plugin control 😞

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thats ok for me. Most daw controllers suck when it comes to plugin control anyway

[@thereferencemix]

I've been using Luna almost exclusively this year with great results. If you have an Apollo ecosystem it really makes sense. Not having to operate Console like and old school split configuration console is a big plus during tracking. Downside still is no hardware inserts or analog input on a bus but there are workarounds for that and I believe that will be resolved in future updates. Having spent years on a large format analog desk the workflow feels very familiar and its very fast to get mixes happening.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@livingmoneypolitics]

Can you change the color scheme in luna? The default is dark.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

No

[@BorderRebels]

This is an excellent update, thank you. I'm currently working with a PC but am about to switch to an iMac & Apollo Twin setup, so this video came at the right time for me; I'm looking forward to your series about Luna!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Good for you, exciting getting a new computer. You'll love using a Mac.!!

[@markfowler5799]

Just one thing , correction on the Neve and API Summing plugin, it’s also an extension which allows you to insert on multiple channels without taxing your CPU. When you buy the plugin, you paid for the extension as well…the tape decks work the same way. Extensions, unlike plugins, work as a part of the program, loving it…

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Great! thanks for the update / correction info

[@jesseharradine9861]

I got two x16s, x6, twin, sat and tons of UAD plugins and WANT to like luna but the fact they don't have delay compensation for hardware inserts makes it an AUTO NO from me. lol

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

They don't? Are you sure about that?

[@jesseharradine9861]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy you can run stuff from a line out and back in but it will be out of time. Luna doesn't have hardware delay compensation yet. Like studio one (my main daw) has the pipeline plugin, which does that delay compensation for you. So technically you can print you're hardware but its a pain in the rear lol Lots of people asking for it, apparently it's not super high on the priority list. Which is puzzling to me, bc this seems like a clutch feature for alot of ppl. either way cool vid! I'm happy with studio one 6, but would give luna a try if they get some proper hardware integration cheers

[@ColeBoyy]

Gotta have the quick midi bounce to audio for me

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Good point

[@alexanderburrell-mixengine1149]

UAD added Luna to spark last week, and you can indeed use it without an Apollo

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes, indeed!

[@azikiwezig]

Can you color individual clips/Regions in Luna like studio one?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes for sure.

[@tracyschnurr8685]

Hi Dave. Maybe you could do a review of Harrison mixbus version 9. Much more of an analog console than luna.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I did take a look at Harrsion and honestly, everything is so small on the screen its impossible to use for me. Not sure how it's "much more analog" but every-time I tru using it I give up after 20 minutes.

[@tracyschnurr8685]

Yes..display can be tough in mixbus..I can relate especially when these days I personally have to use a large default size font on my phone that has already drawn attention from people half my age. But anyway..with a large monitor and proper display adjustments and sitting distance....mixbus can be very usable.

[@JayTheLane]

Description Eyelock 😂

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonemonk1]

Does Softube Console 1 work good with Luna?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Not sure, I have not tried it yet but I assume it would

[@kittel-dev]

Yes it's working with the AU Plugin. Checked it today.

[@nigollllll]

No VST multi out puts

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

not yet, which really stinks. Hope they fix that feature soon

[@AaronHope_Sow]

iLok is a deal breaker for me coming from Logic Pro

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I still dont understand why a $30 Ilock is a deal breaker for some people but hey, there are many dAWs that dont need one so to each their own

[@014Marines]

Is there an equivalent Flex Pitch like in Logic Pro x?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

NO idea. I dont use Logic

[@014Marines]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy it’s a vocal graphing tool for tuning the pitch :)

[@BLOODKORP]

There's still no Hardware Insert

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

not yet

[@thethox]

UAD RULEZZZZZ!!!!!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@thethox]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy Hellou from Warsaw!!

[@Elink321]

Subscribed!!!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you

[@LuisHernandez-dy1rq]

Great stuff

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

thank you

[@LennonStephens]

Reaper for the win

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Ok, thanks for watching!