UA is smart releasing LUNA for free on Windows. For them, it's all about getting as many people as possible into their ecosystem. They've also been very focused on home recording and podcasting by releasing an entire series of affordable mics, the Volt interfaces and affordable plugin bundles. This push into the low end market has been relentless and I think it's going to pay off.
I agree. I don't mind this model either. It is a free DAW, but there is definitely some 'encouragement' to buy their plugins. But if you don't, it's still gonna be a decent DAW. Same with the hardware. It works with any interface, like any other DAW, but it's a slightly enhanced experience with their hardware. Presonus has done this in the past, and I feel it's a smart move.
Don't be fooled. You're a beta tester and I've already heard horror stories about it still being very slow and buggy right now on windows. Hopefully they'll work most of that out eventually. But this is UA we're talking about here lol. They wouldn't be giving this away if not for that reason. At some point this will be a fully paid or subscription software.
@@EricJohnson-fh8zj Much better to stick with a quality free alternative like Tracktion Waveform. More features and runs reliably and then you have options to move up which you don't have here.
Yes, I agree with some comments below... I have spent tons of time learning studio one! I'll stick with that because I am right on the edge of something very cool. I play every instrument, so I need all of it I am pushing Studio one trust me!!! HAHAHA
I am a MAC user and I made a complete switch from Pro Tools to LUNA. It was the easiest transition since LUNA is modeled after Pro Tools but in my opinion a lot easier to navigate. Also I love the option to use VST's in which I can not in Pro Tools, without using a VST Wrapper.. This is truly a great DAW. its just missing just a few more features, however once added, This can be the best DAW in the market...
@@DL-1 It does for MIDI tracks. I think that's what you need? If you look at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-U0kDgV-VrAg.html, it's got a demo of how to edit tracks. There's a piano roll in that whole process. If you go to 18:41 on this video show the piano roll... Unfortunately, it's not super obvious that you're in a piano roll....
@@DennisFeinsteinCEO watched the vid ? it shows that there's a hotkey that leads to a sad window, where you cannot see well, where you need to press a second key to make appear velocity etc...
El editor midi es muy básico, no permite ruteos entre pistas y no tiene un exolorador de medios , el de cakewalk es mucho mejor , reaper es mucho mejor en cuanto posibilidades
I've been playing with LUNA on the Mac over the last couple of weeks, and find it quite impressive, free or not. By the way, hitting 'E' to get that piano roll view is E for Edit, I suspect, rather than Expand. I'm a Logic Pro user (since the beginning, back in the days of Creator and Notator on the Atari 1040ST) so I'm very familiar with Logic. But Logic can be quite complex, especially for quick and relatively simple jobs. And this, I think, is where Luna really comes into its own. It really is very simple to use. Your run-through was superb. Thank you for that. It was also pretty much agnostic about Mac vs Windows - both versions work the same. I hope the folks at UAD see this, as you make good points, and they seem very open to listening to user feedback. Thanks for the run-through - I learned lots.
Mike thank you for the excellent product review. I'm still a big cakewalk fan and probably always will be, but went ahead and signed up to get the Beta version of Luna for windows. I'm hoping that the Sonar GUI improves when deployed and that they give options that don't involve a subscription only model. By the way, excellent demo really like the guitar sounds and the strings. Your vocals sounded great. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Right now, Samplitude Pro X is arguably a stronger MIDI Production DAW while still being a universe ahead of Cakewalk in the audio realm. Cakewalk needs more (or better) developers and better product management. Development has been scattershot and F/OSS'ish for well over a decade and it's time for them to be more organized about picking a market segment and developing towards a set overarching goal... the way Studio One did Composition features in 5.x, for example. Cakewalk has too much "unfinished business" stuffed into the DAW. It's a mountain of mediocrity that looks good on a spreadsheet, but is not competitive with contemporaries in the real world (Cubase, Samplitude Pro X, Studio One, Logic Pro, etc.).
Mike, I really trust and respect your reviews and observations. Thank you for taking the time to assess this new free DAW. I'm migrating to Reaper from Cakewalk, but I might stop and visit Luna
Thanks Mike!! First video that I trustly watch since I receive UAD's mail with the anouncement (I´m Apollo's usb Win user...). Still very recent... Love the "eye candy" as you said, very API-Neve-Analog... Regards from Argentina!
Great video as usual Mike. As I'm just scratching the surface of Cakewalk, with your help, I'll not be trying this DAW out. Nice to know there is another free option around, in case Cakewalk ceases to be free.
I was bummed by the title and intro, thinking it was only the Windows version for free, but then I went to the site. I have been wanting to try it since it came out, but I don't own any UA hardware. I love their hardware, mainly for the mic pre modeling you can track through, but other than that, I have no need/desire to rebuy all my plug-ins as UAD versions to take advantage of the DSP. Hence I never went their route. I think I'll give it a try now!
Great/ helpful video that highlights that releasing a free DAW isn't that easy and that Bandlab by Cakewalk is actually pretty darn good in comparison.
Hello! I believe that every program deserves a chance, and although I’ve been using FL Studio for nearly 20 years, I’m also in a testing phase. I’m exploring various programs, and I’ll likely try this one as well. When it comes to DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software, I expect them not to impose “innovations” like adhering strictly to scales or keys (to avoid mistakes) or chord progressions, as that goes beyond creativity, which should be in the hands of users rather than producers - avoiding user complacency. Thank you for your time and the excellent video material. Best Regards!
Been using Luna from day one. The DAW has a sound which is awesome when using tape and console inserts. Love tracking using Luna. But it's biggest drawback is the lack of multiple outs for plugins like Superior Drummer 3.
Luna “sounds” amazing. They did so many things right with it. The fact that they isolated every home studio that uses midi drums like ez drummer and superior drummer will probably cost them 30% of the market they could easily have. Someone down there needs to spend a month on fixing this. It’s not usable for a lot of people until they do.
@@adamescape2 yeah anyone that does orchestration is going to be hard-pressed to use it without the good piano roll and the lack of multiple outs. But for just using it as a tracking and mixing daw it looks good.
@southernman2 print a mono track and Pro tools and then print a mono track in Luna Import both into pro tools make sure they are gain matched Flip phase What do you hear?
This is probably the only DAW on the market that doesn't give you at least a basic set of Dynamics and EQ processors in the box. I struggle to consider the $199-399 (sales dependent) Pro Bundle worth it either, considering how absolutely sparse it is. Its really odd that they bundle in an Arpeggiator and ROMpler instrument, but couldn't be bothered to put basic transparent EQ/Compressor/Limiter in this DAW.
Thanks for this, this looks amazing for a free daw. Great place for beginners or low-need users. Couple of things where you said other daw's don't (poss) do things - Ableton has a Fold function on the piano roll and it also does true stereo panning.
Thank you Mike for the review. It's good to know there are more DAWs coming to the Windows platform. I probably will stay with Cakewalk for now as I like features and the UI of Cakewalk.
Hi Mike, thank you for these first impressions... It seems to me that this is more or less a trial version, so I will stick to Cakewalk which definetely offers far more options... From Germany with best regards...
Hi Mike. Thanks for sharing. After the learning curve of any DAW, (I use Cakewalk) I don't want to change to another free DAW. Very used to Cakewalk since being an original purchaser and subscriber of many years before it became free. I would rather pay for Cakewalk Sonar than have to start getting used to another DAW, free or not. Lunar will be OK for someone new to recording and gives them another choice of what is available for free. Cakewalk will still have the free version which is still a good choice without any further updates being considered. For myself I am happy to pay for the New Sonar and give some support to BandLab who have made Cakewalk free for so many years to so many people.
Loved your song! Well done! I enjoyed your interesting review of the LUNA DAW. I never heard of it before. I've been using Cubase Pro for three years now and find it to be an excellent DAW to work with.
I can't say I'm excited, as Pro Tools works just fine for me and what I do. But if I ever have to switch and need a free DAW to use temporarily, I think LUNA would be a great option. Honestly, the song you played is just amazing.
Mike. Thank you for the awesome videos, that being said. I needed to clean my computer and needed to get rid of my cakewalk and erase all the plug ins and decided today I will download LUNA. Only using VST3 plug ins didn't work for me. I found it very unintuitive. It didn't recognize 80% of my VSTs. I UNINSTALLED and reinstalled Cakewalk. It's a beautiful layout and the items that come with it free are ok, but not great. I've used Sonar for most of my at home recording life. And loved Cakewalk when it came out. I felt like it was an Android App. On my Android tablet I use Caustic. Very simple and very easy to use.
I still use Cakewalk Sonar 8.53 from around 2008. Has all the essentials and I can download, probably literally, ten thousand or more VST synths, effects, and signal processors for free.
Been experimenting more with Luna by importing tracks into it from a song and I got to say right off the bat they sounded far superior to my previous DAW even after turning all the UA plug in's off!
Thanks a lot Mike. LUNA looks nice, I like the Spill feature. To get the same behavior with Cakewalk, I use the Screensets, but it's a lot longer work to get it because we need to set each screensset manually. But to go faster when I create new project, I saved many different templates.
Audio Random Access (commonly abbreviated to ARA) is an extension for audio plug-in interfaces, such as AU, VST and RTAS, allowing them to exchange a greater amount of audio information with digital audio workstation (DAW) software. It was developed in a collaboration between Celemony Software and PreSonus.
😳😳 HOLY TOLEDO, MIKE!! I have been WAITING for this for a while! Finally we get LUNA on Windows. And for free?? This is going to be like getting the free version of BLACKMAGIC’s DaVinci Resolve video editor! What a WINNER!! 🤘😎🤘
Gosh gosh I'm tempted to install Luna. I need to choose what kind of interface I need at the moment. I'm looking at mandolin and shortly I'll be looking for a banjo. I do have acoustic electric and bass here. I have dabbled with keyboards in the past bit of a home studio. Okay, thanks very much for the demo of the software and I can't wait to to check you out for other videos too. All the best. Have fun. Enjoy swallows all about Steven near Scarborough
Thank you! It's a great-looking interface (yes, Sonar developers, that does matter!) and being free, I will definitely check it out. The items you list as cons seem like such obvious issues that it makes me doubt how well the entire DAW is thought out - if they can overlook those really common features, what else is missing? Those doubts aside, along with wariness of a lure into another ecosystem when I'm just fine on hardware and plugins, this looks too good to not check out. Cheers!
It loaded kontakt 7 for me. I loaded the factory upright piano and threw a bunch of reverbs on it, it wasn't too happy about it but didn't crash. For clarity, I'm on an alienware with a core-i7 and 32gb of memory. [edit] I like the ui, I would use this as a mastering tool as the mixer view is easy to use. I wouldn't pay £200 for the full version though, I can do all of this in reaper and vcv rack for a fraction of the cost.
Hello Mike. I've tried 4 different ways to install this program and get it to work. Finally got it installed and could never get Luna to recognize my interface. Last attempt at completely reinstalling everything the UA Connect wouldn't even open. (and yes, I know about ilok) I'm no dummy when it comes to computers and DAW.s but this one got me. Sticking with Cakewalk for a bit longer. Thanks for all you do, it is appreciated.
Makes sense for Universal at the top of the plugin list, it's more accomodating to the existing user base which will probably always be the larger user base...
Thank you so much Mike for this awesome informative review and walkthrough! I just bought Bitwig a few weeks ago dang it! I still want to try this. Interface looks really nice and it looks very intuitive. You didn't mention anything about audio warp/stretch. I imagine it has that. What about any built in sequencer drum machine? Your song was really well put together. Performance was nice too.
I don't like it because you have to log in to them to activate, i avoid this kind of stations because in the future if they stop the free versions remain without Daw so Uad, Presonus and Avid can keep them for them and use them.
But what I love with Luna is all the summing makes everything sound smooth and polished. I have to work a lot harder in S1 to get the mix sounding smooth and remove the harshness.
I actually think that the fact there is no dedicated piano roll is clever thinking! (It's just there, no need to open another window) it would help if there was an opacity option for it
I’ve been waiting for my whole life for this. FinaLLy I can make midi edits from inside the main edit window! I have no iDea why other DAWs can’t do this. I’m about workflow and LUNA has a really nice one.
Thanks for the demo/review. I will be trying this out. My Reaper did an update and now wants money. Not usually a problem because the cost is reasonable except I'm long term I'll on a very reduced income. My requirements are quite simple. I don't do much midi and mix drums in the plugin. I'm quite excited!
Like the Analogstyle of the very clear Mixingconsole, but you are right when you say only change the DAW after resolve this importend features in the Worklflow with scalable size of some VST's or crashing by loading KONTAKT. Many thanks for your first impression!
I tried to install this and on running it, it does not bring me to the page you have on the screen. I am a beginner and would like to learn more. Maybe LUNA is not for beginners.
Above all, Universal Audio is a stable company. I work with Nuendo (the better Cubase) because we need direct offline processing and the highly specialized additional functions in audio post-processing. But I really like Luna's interface. At first glance this looks better and tidier than Cubase/Nuendo. But I'm currently missing around 20 vital functions from Nuendo.
Thanks, Mike. It's good to see a decent replacement for Cakewalk if it all goes t***s up with using the free version. I can see that with just a small learning curve I can get similar results from Luna at least for the level I'm at and what I want to achieve
So I've downloaded Luna and so far I'm not finding it very intuitive to learn (without a manual) - I'm not saying it's rubbish but I'm really struggling to do basic things - perhaps because I'm so used to Studio One. I'm liking the UI but beyond that, I'm finding it frustrating. I can't find where to change/add plugin locations - and if it's the case that Luna will scan the entire PC, well then, it's done a bad job of that as some of my plugins are not showing up. Midi editing, as Mike said, is not so great. I could go on. I'll give it a few more weeks but my hunch is I'll be dropping Luna pretty soon.
As an Apollo user with an additional DSP card who mains Reaper for daily work duties and Bitwig for my long time music hobby (own Live, Cubase etc). I could see this being my stem mixing DAW, like I see others use Harrison Mixbus for, but with superior plugins. I’m a bit put off upgrading though as I have most of the UAD plugins included, just missing a few… and the price does not change if you already own all the tape saturation and API, etc. I need to install I guess and see! Thanks for your opinions. Edit, it’s not Harrison mix us 😂
Good timing from UA now that Bandlab discontinues Cakewalk (the new online project is no replacement for a desktop DAW). I hope, the missing features are implemented soon and the MIDI part will be improved (a score view would be nice, I already had that back in the 90's with Notator on my Atari STs).
Tried installing in win 100 several times with no luck. Ilock says all ok . Luma says it's installed but doesn't start. Writing support got no response. Time waster ? Why put a lock on free software ? ??
I downloaded this Daw. But it's on Windows11 not working due to a persistent error message. I can't really get a clear idea of what exactly is going on. I think there is still some work to be done on that.
Hi Mike: Really appreciated your review, nice starting point to try "LUNA". In my opinion,it looks like an optimized version of cakewalk. I'd disagree with you about "piano-roll" view;hope they keep the workflow simple. The major fault for me, was the absence of a "video track";how to score a video in "LUNA" ? Maybe,it can become a subject for your next video on this DAW. Willing to see this feauture, implemented .Thanks to Universal Audio Team.
I'm surprised UA aren't advertising this more loudly. I had no idea they had ported to Windows until your video popped up in my youtube feed. It doesn't/won't ever replace Cubase for me. But it could be a nice place to mix or master. That said, 2000 plugins is too many. You're going to have a nightmare of a problem when you need to upgrade computers and have to reinstall (or have a hardware failure..).
I've also installed LUNA for Win10 few days ago, first of all, it is a BETA version, everyone who wants it could test it for free, and you have a separate button near at the right corner to feedback to the team. So I have no serious expectation at this point, rather than courious about its SOUND - which - I think- the main feature of it. With these simulations of classic analog hardwares it can be very useful for catching that 70s, 80s vibe and sound. The main drawback for me it's lack of built in mastering devices (limiter, maximizer etc) whose dont have paid plugins for that. Of course for professionals whose got hundreds, thousands plugins its not a question...
Downloaded the Luna, no problem apart from sorting out the i Lock. Had a look around and played a stereo track i imported. Tried a few of their plug in's which were quite impressive. Then I found the list for my own plug in's which had loaded in automatically although there were some not included but maybe that could be investigated. I was loading in plug in's one at a time and seeing if they worked ok. I haven't actual tried them all as yet but tried quite a few from WAVES which I had purchased ( no pirates! ) and had quite a few crashes on the way. Most came in OK but 1 Abbey road plate, Doubler 2, Red 17, and Sceps Omni channel all crashed and I haven't tried many yet. Makes you wonder even if I purchased the Pro version with UA 22 plug in's there is still a lot of my personal plug in's that have cost a considerable amount of money. If I just use the free Luna and maybe buy UA plug in's being the ones i need one at a time for instance there is still the problem of some of mine crashing. It's early days maybe for Luna with windows or maybe it's just the way it is, who knows. Very impressed with Luna with it's lay out but can't help feeling disappointed as I was going to change from Cakewalk, what's your thoughts Mike?
LUNA looks incredible. I've been using Pro Tools for years and been crossing over into Reaper... But I just keep looking at LUNA like there's something special there... I'm 💯 getting off Pro Tools because I am sick of Avid. I bought a UA Volt 276. I love the sound and the plugins it came with. Reaper is incredible, cheap & also works on Linux computers. I'm thinking LUNA will become my mastering DAW or it'll just be better to use for certain projects. I love Reaper, but I'm really excited to see what LUNA has to offer. ✨
I think a major feature missing is that you can't do slip editing i.e. sliding audio within a clip without moving the edges of the clip. Most DAWs have this. I hope it gets implemented otherwise I won't use this.
This isn't the best time for Cakewalk to start charging for their DAW. Presonus will also feel the pressure. I like the interface of LUNA, and in a few months, they will likely capture a large audience as they are also reducing the costs of their plugins. It's not quite there yet, but it certainly looks promising.
Thanks for the video Mike!!! I'll try it out just to get familiar with it but no ARA support for Melodyne is a definite no go as far as becoming my main DAW.
Not seeing anything not included in the free Tracktion Waveform, including track folding. It may have some features Waveform doesn't, but Waveform clearly has some it doesn't have, like the ability to have both MIDI and Audio clips in a single track, reducing your number of total tracks filling the screen, and it will fold in the piano roll also, but also to just scale or used notes, or named notes (such as for drum tracks). The Arp looks nice, but Waveform includes 15 effects in the free edition. You can also open multiple MIDI tracks in the piano roll, each will have their notes colored differently, so that you can edit across multiple tracks to check/change any timing or harmony going on. It also has ARA support for Waveform etc. Also Waveform offers both specialized feature upgrades for various uses as well as the full Pro version so more options to grow with it over time.
Thanks for the info, never heard of, looks nice though and the demo project plays fine here. Thats all for now, large software will take some time to evaluate :)
I agree with you that there are too many cons to use it right now. I do plan on getting an Apollo setup when my Antelope interface inevitably dies as all interfaces tend to do. I will wait until Luna can do everything I can in Reaper before switching.
Thanks Mike! Great introduction/review. I can confirm that my Kontakt 7 also crashes Windows Luna when it loads. I also have problems with some of my Spitfire Audio plugins (including Labs) where they load but won't output any sound/receive any input. Other VSTis seem to work fine.
Thanx Mike. As often a very helpful video. For me, LUNA looks very old fashioned. Except the Split Button I cant see no improvement to other DAWs. I will stay at SD1 and in terms free programs at CWbB.
I have been using Cakewalk since the 1999. I have been looking for a replacement DAW and this looks like a very good candidate. I will give it a try. I would like to see a larger window for Melodyne. Like the song!
Just as I am (Cakewalk). I've tried several DAWS for few years, Studio One became for the main, for its stability. Cubase is garbage, using Cakewalk's Sonar for recording, easiest navigation, Luna is not worked very well in navigation... just a thing, using it for 2 days, but still dont know how to place a marker, or moving cursor and several basic feature, shortcuts not programmable etc etc...
thanks for a great review tutorial , I'm interested in the free Luna and like you i have an apollo interface and a number of their plugins, i also use melodyne 5 editor quite a lot and like to use multiple outs from my superior drummer 3, if i can make some room on my C drive i might give it a go, but the downsides would stop it from being my main DAW at this time. lets hope AUD can sort out ARA and resizing plus vst multi outs soon.
Great review Mike. The mixer page looks excellent but as you say the midi is limited and the GUI for it is dreadful! Loads of potential though - especially if Sonar proves to be very expensive. Kontakt not working is a serious flaw though! Nice demo too - hope thecold isn't too bad!
