Universal Audio LUNA 3.0: Stem Separation, Free DAW
Universal Audio LUNA 3.0 adds AI stem separation, audio-to-MIDI, and LUNA Play to a free DAW for Mac and Windows. Full features, tiers, and who it is for.
On 15 September 2026, Universal Audio shipped LUNA 3.0, and the company is framing it as its biggest software release so far. The headline is simple. LUNA is a free digital audio workstation for macOS and Windows, and version 3.0 folds AI stem separation, audio-to-MIDI, and a fast sketchpad mode called LUNA Play into it. You do not need a UA audio interface to run any of it.
At a glance: LUNA Free costs nothing. LUNA Studio is $199 one time, or $19.99 per month / $149.99 per year through the UAD Spark Studio subscription. macOS and Windows 10/11, any audio interface. Free tier includes 4-track stem separation; Studio adds 6-track stems, audio-to-MIDI, and Moises-powered transcription. This is a first look at the official release, not a hands-on review.
What is Universal Audio LUNA?
LUNA is Universal Audio's own DAW. It started as a Mac-only, Apollo-centric recording system, then grew into a full workstation that runs on any interface and, more recently, on Windows. Version 3.0 keeps the recording-first identity and adds the modern editing and AI tools that producers now expect from a primary DAW.
The important context is the price. LUNA has a genuinely free tier, and 3.0 pushes real features into it rather than treating free as a locked demo. That puts it in the same conversation as GarageBand and Waveform Free, but with UA's mixing pedigree and a paid upgrade path that unlocks tape and console emulations. If you are weighing your first DAW, our best free DAWs guide and best DAWs for beginners roundup are good companion reads.
Two things matter for anyone who assumed LUNA meant buying UA hardware. It runs natively on Mac and Windows, and it works with any audio interface through Core Audio or ASIO. Apollo and Volt interfaces get deeper integration, but nothing about the DAW requires them.
What is new in LUNA 3.0?
Version 3.0 is a features release, not a cosmetic refresh. Here is what actually changed, and what each piece does for you.
- Stem separation. LUNA can split a stereo mix into separate stems for editing, remixing, and sampling. The free tier does 4-track separation. LUNA Studio raises that to 6-track. This is the feature most people will open the app to try, because it turns any bounce or reference track into workable parts. If you already route stems between apps, our guide on how to export AI stems to your DAW covers the wider workflow.
- Audio-to-MIDI. LUNA Studio can transform an audio performance into MIDI, so you can double a part with a virtual instrument or rebuild it from scratch. Hum a line, play a rough guitar riff, then convert it and re-voice it.
- LUNA Play. UA describes this as a voice-memo app built for making music. It sets record levels automatically, detects the instrument, and suggests UAD plug-in presets, so you can catch an idea before it evaporates. It is the mode you reach for when the goal is the take, not the session.
- Lyric transcription and chord extraction. Both are powered by Moises and live in LUNA Studio. Drop in a vocal and get a lyric sheet. Drop in a track and get its chords. That is a real time saver for topline writers and anyone learning a cover.
- Piano Roll with scale-aware editing. The MIDI editor now understands your key and scale, so wrong notes are easier to avoid and quick edits stay musical.
- Folder Tracks. Group and route related tracks into folders to keep large sessions readable. Drums, background vocals, and synth stacks each collapse into one lane.
- Adaptive Grid. The grid adjusts to your zoom level, so you get coarse snapping when you are arranging and fine resolution when you are editing.
- Clip Gain Automation, Strip Silence, and Record FX. Clip Gain rides level before the plug-in chain. Strip Silence detects and removes dead space automatically. Record FX lets you commit effects while tracking.
- Click Track Automation, mono inputs for stereo tracks, and new rulers. The timeline gains Chord, Key, and Time Signature rulers, and you can now feed a mono input into a stereo track without workarounds.
Universal Audio LUNA 3.0 specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Universal Audio |
| Type | Digital audio workstation |
| Released | 15 September 2026 |
| Editions | LUNA Free and LUNA Studio |
| Free tier price | Free |
| Studio price | $199 one time |
| Subscription | UAD Spark Studio, $19.99/month or $149.99/year (includes LUNA Studio plus the native plug-in library) |
| Operating systems | macOS and Windows 10/11 |
| Audio interface | Any interface via Core Audio (Mac) or ASIO (Windows); Apollo and Volt add deeper integration |
| Hardware required | None |
| Stem separation | 4-track (Free), 6-track (Studio) |
| Audio-to-MIDI | LUNA Studio |
| Transcription | Lyric transcription and chord extraction, powered by Moises (Studio) |
| Sketch mode | LUNA Play |
| Studio extras | LUNA Extensions (API, Studer, Ampex emulations), Celemony Tonalic Essential, Dreamtonics Synthesizer V 2 Core, Topline Vocal Tune |
| Download | Official Universal Audio site |
LUNA Free vs GarageBand vs Waveform Free
LUNA Free is not the only serious free DAW. GarageBand is the default on the Mac, and Waveform Free is the cross-platform pick that our Tracktion Waveform Free 14 review covers in depth. Here is how the free tiers line up.
| LUNA Free | GarageBand | Waveform Free | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free | Free |
| Operating systems | macOS, Windows | macOS, iOS | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Built-in stem separation | Yes, 4-track | No | No |
| Audio-to-MIDI | Studio tier only | No | No |
| Chord and lyric transcription | Studio tier only | No | No |
| Track count | Full sessions | Generous, not pro-unlimited | Unlimited tracks |
| Paid upgrade path | LUNA Studio, tape and console emulations | Logic Pro | Waveform Pro |
| Best for | Recording plus AI stem and MIDI tools | First DAW on a Mac | Cross-platform producers who want Linux |
Which to pick. Choose LUNA Free when you want a recording-first DAW with stem separation in the box and a clear route to UA's tape and console sound later. Choose GarageBand when you are on a Mac, you are starting out, and you plan to graduate to Logic Pro. Choose Waveform Free when you need Linux or you want the most generous free track count. For a paid, DAW-agnostic route, compare notes against Studio One and FL Studio before you commit.
Who LUNA 3.0 is for
Consider it if you want a free DAW that records well and now handles stems, audio-to-MIDI, and quick sketches without a second app.
Consider it if you already own UA plug-ins or an Apollo, and you want the tightest integration with LUNA Play and UAD presets.
Consider it if you are on Windows and you passed over LUNA before because you assumed it was Mac-only or hardware-locked. Neither is true now.
Consider it if you write toplines or learn covers, since the Moises-powered lyric and chord tools remove a lot of manual transcription.
Skip it, for now, if your whole template lives in another DAW and you have no reason to move. LUNA 3.0 is a strong reason to try it, not a reason to abandon a workflow that already ships music.
Skip the paid tier if the free features cover you. Stem separation, LUNA Play, and the new editing tools are all in LUNA Free. Pay for Studio when you specifically want 6-track stems, audio-to-MIDI, transcription, or the tape and console emulations.
How much does LUNA 3.0 cost?
LUNA Free is free, with no time limit. It includes LUNA Play, 4-track stem separation, Folder Tracks, the scale-aware Piano Roll, Adaptive Grid, Clip Gain Automation, Record FX, Strip Silence, Click Track Automation, and the new rulers.
LUNA Studio is $199 as a one-time purchase. It adds 6-track stem separation, audio-to-MIDI, Moises-powered lyric transcription and chord extraction, LUNA Extensions with API, Studer, and Ampex emulations, Celemony Tonalic Essential, Dreamtonics Synthesizer V 2 Core, Topline Vocal Tune, and expanded UAD plug-in and instrument access.
There is also a subscription. UAD Spark Studio is $19.99 per month or $149.99 per year, and it bundles LUNA Studio with UA's native plug-in library. Grab the free download from the official LUNA page. Once you are separating stems and bouncing ideas, a subscription sample service like Loopcloud is a natural pairing for feeding those parts into new arrangements.
FAQ
Is LUNA 3.0 really free?
Yes. LUNA Free is a no-cost tier with no expiry, and 3.0 puts real tools into it, including 4-track stem separation, LUNA Play, and the new editing features. LUNA Studio is the paid upgrade at $199, or through the UAD Spark Studio subscription.
Do I need a Universal Audio interface to run LUNA?
No. LUNA runs on macOS and Windows and works with any audio interface through Core Audio or ASIO. Apollo and Volt interfaces get deeper integration, but they are not required.
Does LUNA 3.0 run on Windows?
Yes. LUNA supports Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11, alongside macOS. That matters if you dismissed LUNA in the past as a Mac-only recording system.
What is the difference between LUNA Free and LUNA Studio?
LUNA Free gives you the DAW, LUNA Play, 4-track stem separation, and the new editing tools. LUNA Studio adds 6-track stem separation, audio-to-MIDI, Moises-powered lyric and chord tools, tape and console emulations, and expanded UAD plug-in access. Studio is $199 one time or part of the UAD Spark Studio subscription.
What powers the AI features?
Lyric transcription and chord extraction are powered by Moises. Stem separation and audio-to-MIDI round out the smart-tools set, with 6-track stems and audio-to-MIDI reserved for LUNA Studio.
Verdict
LUNA 3.0 is Universal Audio doing something unusual for a company known for premium hardware and plug-ins. It is giving away a capable DAW, then putting stem separation, a fast sketch mode, and better MIDI editing into the free tier rather than behind a paywall. The paid Studio tier and the UAD Spark Studio subscription are where UA's tape, console, and instrument value sits, and that split is honest.
It will not pull a committed FL Studio or Ableton user away from a working template overnight. It does not need to. For a free download that records well, separates stems, converts audio to MIDI, and runs on any interface on Mac or Windows, LUNA 3.0 is worth an install. Pull down the free version at uaudio.com/products/luna, separate a reference track, and see how much of your sketching moves into it.
