Universal Audio is prepared to launch their Apollo interfaces into a whole new realm with the LUNA Recording System. A software companion to the popular interface line, LUNA taps into over 60 years of analog experience to give you an analog-style production system that will serve as the creative center of your recording environment. LUNA will be a free download for Apollo and Arrow Thunderbolt interface owners this spring (Mac only).
Supercharge Your Workflow
At a glance, LUNA looks like a DAW. While it has many features found in standard DAWs, its integration with UA’s interfaces and plug-ins is where it surpasses the others. You’ll find the routing and setup with UAD plug-ins quick and easy for front-end recording— and it’s essentially latency free, thanks to Accelerated Realtime Monitoring.
Access to Classic Neve Summing
UA is the leader in digital emulations of classic analog gear, so it’s only logical that LUNA takes full advantage of this knowhow to inject analog flavor into your tracks. Inside LUNA you’ll find emulated summing circuitry from the revered Neve 80-series console. These boards were staples in the ’60s and ’70s and famous for thick, punchy recordings. With built-in Neve 1272 summing onboard, you can take your mix from squeaky clean to big and beefy, right inside LUNA. (You can add Neve summing with your purchase of the LUNA Creative Bundle.)
Analog Tape Emulation on Every Track
On top of Neve summing, LUNA also gives you “Oxide,” an included extension that transforms the sound of your digital front end with integrated Multitrack Tape emulation. The sonic result is the classic tape warmth and “glue” that engineers have described for years. If you want to expand your tape options, you can add the optional Studer A800 Tape Recorder extension. (You can add Studer A800 by purchasing the LUNA Creative Bundle.)
Exclusive — and Impressive — Virtual Instruments
We got a preview of LUNA and on top of all the cool DAW-style features and analog flavors, there are a trio of VIs waiting to inspire you. These are UA’s first foray into virtual instruments, and considering their track record with electrical and acoustic modeling, signal processing, and sampling, it should come as no surprise that they sound incredible.
Shape
A collection of VIs, with vintage keys, drums/percussion, guitar/bass, orchestral content, and real-time synthesis. These sounds are culled from Spitfire Audio, Orange Tree Samples, Loops de la Creme, and more.
Moog Minimoog
Developed alongside Moog Music, it’s a spot-on re-creation of that famous 1971 Moog synth. We heard it, and it sounds amazing! (Minimoog in included with purchase of the LUNA Creative Bundle.)
Ravel
A model of the wonderful Steinway Model B grand piano at Oceanway, it uses UA’s proprietary sampling, physical modeling, and new Ultra-Resonance technology to create an instrument loaded with subtle nuance. It may be the best-sounding, most realistic virtual piano ever created. (Ravel is included with your purchase of the LUNA Creative Bundle.)
Needless to say, we’re eagerly anticipating the spring release of this impressive software package. LUNA will be a free download for existing Mac-based Apollo and Arrow Thunderbolt users, and will be available to new users with future interface purchases. Be sure to call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 for more info on this exciting new tool for music creation from Universal Audio.
