Universal Audio has launched LUNA 3.0, an updated version of its LUNA digital audio workstation for macOS and Windows. The release introduces new recording, editing, organisation, and music-analysis tools across LUNA Free and the expanded LUNA Studio edition.
LUNA 3.0 adds LUNA Play, a streamlined recording environment intended for quickly capturing musical ideas. Universal Audio describes it as a music-focused alternative to a voice memo workflow, with automatic instrument detection, level setting, and UAD plug-in preset suggestions. It can also be used to isolate parts from songs for playing along or for recording new material.
The free edition receives a set of session-management and editing additions. Folder Tracks provide a way to organise tracks and route audio through folders, while the updated Piano Roll introduces MIDI tools and scale-aware editing. An Adaptive Grid changes its value according to the current zoom level, and Clip Gain Automation enables gain changes on audio clips before plug-ins are processed.
LUNA Free also now includes four-track stem separation for dividing stereo mixes into individual parts for editing, remixing, or sampling workflows. The update adds Strip Silence for detecting audible regions and removing silent passages, alongside Click Track Automation for metronome control during recording.
- Record FX, bringing a recording workflow previously available to Apollo users to native users.
- Mono input support for stereo tracks without requiring additional routing.
- Chord, key, and time-signature rulers for displaying the musical structure of a session.
- Folder Tracks, scale-aware Piano Roll editing, Adaptive Grid, and Clip Gain Automation.
LUNA Studio combines the LUNA Free feature set with additional UAD plug-ins, LUNA Extensions, instruments, and smart tools. Its Extensions include tape and console emulations based on API, Studer, and Ampex equipment, integrated into LUNA’s mixing environment.
The Studio edition expands stem separation to six tracks and introduces audio-to-MIDI conversion, designed to turn audio performances into MIDI data for layering instruments or creating additional parts. It also includes lyric transcription and chord extraction tools powered by Moises. Lyric Transcription places recognised vocals into a time-aligned lyric browser, while Chord Extraction analyses audio and maps detected chords to LUNA’s Chord Track.
Other Studio additions include Celemony Tonalic Elements virtual session players, Dreamtonics Synthesizer V 2 Core for creating vocal melodies and harmonies, and Topline Vocal Tune for vocal tuning during recording. Universal Audio states that LUNA 3.0 continues the DAW’s focus on recording and music-production workflows, with native and Apollo-based users supported through the updated feature set.
LUNA 3.0 is available from September 15, 2026. LUNA Studio is priced at $199 USD and is also included with a UAD Spark Studio subscription, priced at $19.99 per month or $149.99 per year.
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