NAMM 2020: Universal Audio Go Stratospheric with LUNA

Prepare for lift-off people, the wait is finally over with Universal Audio officially announcing LUNA, their new free recording system for Mac-based Apollo interfaces and it looks to take UA users into a whole new dimension of recording possibilities.

With only a tiny teaser video to go off, hinting at a tape machine and what looked like track line across a screen, the anticipation of LUNA was nothing short of tantalising. The official announcement at NAMM 2020, the new LUNA recording system looks to completely transform the Apollo recording experience. Based upon deep integration with Apollo interfaces, users can expect to enjoy built-in summing meticulously modeled on the classic 80-series Neve consoles of the ’60s and ’70s, multitrack tape machine vintage vibe and new software-based instruments modeled on the likes of Moog and Steinway. This new recording system seems it will open up whole new worlds of possibilities for those recording with UA Apollo interfaces and we’re very excited to find out more.

It would seem that where LUNA differs from traditional DAW’s in its integration with UA Apollo hardware interfaces and its streamlined workflow accessing and utilizing UA’s DSP-powered plug-ins at the recording stage. It also features the usual fun users expect from their DAW such as elastic audio, a commonplace production technique for many.

Will LUNA replace the use of other DAW’s completely for UA Apollo users on macOS systems, or will it be an extension or integration to existing DAW systems? Who knows, only time will tell. What we do know is it’s sparked a mass of conversation already after less than 12 hours of being announced.

LUNA will be available for free download for Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo and Arrow audio interfaces in Autumn 2020 (here in Australia). Until then, we don’t see this exciting new recording system being eclipsed. Stay tuned for more info.