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Universal Audio has announced Luna v1.9, an update to Luna, its free DAW, that introduces a number of AI-powered assistive features including voice control, instrument detection, tempo extraction and more.

Originally launched in 2020 as low-latency recording environment for owners of UA hardware, Luna was made available free to all Mac users in 2023 before a Windows version was launched in May 2024.

Luna has a toolbox of UA’s analogue emulations baked into its mixing workflow, integrating the sound of classic channel strips, mixing consoles, and tape machines into the DAW itself.

Luna’s 1.9 update brings the vintage-inspired software squarely into the 21st-century with several AI-powered tools designed to make the recording process easier and more efficient.

First up is Voice Control, which allows users to start and stop recording by saying “Hey Luna” from anywhere in the room, a feature intended to help musicians stay in the creative flow of a performance without having to interact with their DAW. (This feature is currently only supported on Apple Silicon Macs.)

Luna 1.9 also introduces Instrument Detection, which analyzes incoming audio to identify instrument types, automatically naming and colour-coding the relevant tracks accordingly.

Also new in Luna’s latest update is Tempo Listen, which monitors incoming audio as you perform and sets the DAW’s metronome to match your playing, and Tempo Detection, which automatically detects the tempo of any audio file dropped into the timeline. Luna can also extract a dynamic tempo map from tracks or stems with tempo changes and timing variations using its Tempo Extraction feature.

“We believe that the best audio tools can ‘disappear,’ and feel like they are simply a part of the creative process,” Universal Audio CEO Bill Putnam Jr. said in a press release.

“We think the new AI-powered tools in Luna 1.9 start to make it feel like a behind-the-scenes music recording partner, not just a DAW. Ultimately, we always look forward to hearing what our users think.”

Luna 1.9 is a free update for all macOS and Windows users, and no UA hardware is required.

Find out more and download Luna on Universal Audio website.

Deskew Technologies has released Gig Performer Essentials, an entry-level, budget-friendly edition of its live performance plugin host. Designed for musicians, Gig Performer Essentials delivers the flexibility of the full version in a more focused, streamlined package

Inspired by Professionals. Refined for Everyone. Gig Performer was originally developed by touring musicians to address the shortcomings of existing products and to create workflows that previously could only be achieved by awkwardly combining multiple tools. Over ten years later, Gig Performer is used by thousands of performing artists worldwide as an all-in-one VST/AU plugin host, set list manager, audio mixer, backing track player, sound design tool, MIDI patch bay, and more.

Gig Performer’s distinctive visual approach to routing enables musicians to easily create sophisticated performance setups with clarity and control, whether on macOS or Windows. Many Gig Performer users have evolved into power users—exploring deep customization through features like GPScript and advanced widget behavior. However, for users who do have no need for that level of detail and customization, Essentials serves as a logical extension of the Gig Performer family.

“By having a more streamlined experience, Gig Performer Essentials users will enjoy the benefits of our flagship platform but with a more plug-and-play approach,” said David Jameson, co-founder and CEO of Deskew Technologies.

Gig Performer Key Essentials features include:

• Plugin Hosting (VST/AU): Use your favorite virtual instruments and effects on stage, with no limits on how many VSTs you can host.
• Unlimited Rackspaces: Create reusable sound setups and switch between them instantly.
• Global Rackspace: Keep key sounds and effects running across your whole set.
• Multi-Song MIDI Player: Add backing tracks, automation, or MIDI control seamlessly.
• Streaming Audio File Player: Load thousands of songs into your Gig files without depleting RAM resources, removing the ceiling on backing tracks available during a show.
• Unlimited Setlists: Organize your songs and switch on the fly.
• Visual Signal Routing: Intuitive drag-and-drop connections for audio and MIDI.
• MIDI Controller Support: Integrate your hardware naturally and efficiently.
• Community Access: Tap into an active user base for support and ideas.

When Essentials users are ready to expand or get more granular, they can upgrade to the full version of Gig Performer at any time, with credit applied. All rackspaces built in Essentials are fully compatible with the full version, ensuring a seamless transition.

Gig Performer Essentials is available starting today at an entry-level price of $59. Learn more about Gig Performer Essentials on the Gig Performer blog, or purchase or download a trial version of the new software at www.gigperformer.com.

Developer Michael Tyson of A Tasty Pixel has released Loopy Pro 2.0 for iOS – a major update to their über-looper application.

Tyson says that this is the biggest update yet for Loopy Pro, and it opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

Loopy Pro is like “musical Lego”. You can add loops, one-shots, and buttons to the canvas along with customized sliders, dials, XY pads, clip slicers, encoders, grids, and more. You can use your iPad or iPhone stand-alone, or connect audio interfaces, MIDI controllers and external instruments.

Here’s what’s new in Loopy Pro 2:

• MIDI CLIPS & SEQUENCER
  • Record, edit, and play back MIDI directly in Loopy Pro. Sequence beats, melodies, or automate your performance — right on the canvas.
• POLYPHONIC CLIP PLAYBACK
  • Play audio clips sliced or pitched across your controller. Turn any clip into a playable instrument.
• BUS-TO-BUS ROUTING
  • Route audio between buses for advanced mixing setups and custom FX chains.
• GROOVE QUANTIZATION (“WARP”)
  • Quantize audio and MIDI clips to swing, randomness, or your own groove — tight or loose, your choice.
• REVISED MIXER
  • Collapse groups, see signal sources clearly, and stay focused even in big projects.
• DOCKABLE PLUGIN PANELS
  • Pin plugin windows to screen edges to keep your workspace clean.
• MORE MIDI & CANVAS TOOLS
  • On-screen dockable MIDI keyboards
  • Rotary encoder widget
  • “Next Empty Clip” action targeting
  • New “Assign Clip Settings” and “Clip Offset” actions
  • Better canvas editing: select, move, scale multiple items
  • Improved widget controls: radio buttons, dials, retriggering
• WORKFLOW IMPROVEMENTS
  • Auto Count-Out for overdubs
  • Merge clips with the new Append action
  • Latency compensation for MIDI controllers
  • Plugin preset import/export
  • 128 parameter save/restore slots
  • Copy/paste multiple actions
  • New “Correct Clock Tempo” action
  • Cleaner UI for clip and color settings
  • Support for the APC Mini Mk2 and APC Key 25 Mk2
• UNDER THE HOOD
  • Faster performance, reduced CPU usage and power consumption
  • Updated Rubber Band time stretching library — cleaner, higher-quality pitch/tempo control
  • Better undo handling and session stability
  • Lots of small UI and interaction improvements

Loopy Pro 2.0 Tutorial Videos:

Loopy Pro 2.0 for iOS is available now for $29.99. You can also download it for free and use for 7 days to try it out.