Using LUNA with Core Audio

Updated November 28, 2023 23:32

LUNA can run on native computer hardware with Core Audio. You can configure one or more Core Audio devices to provide LUNA's audio inputs and outputs.

Why use LUNA in Core Audio mode or Apollo mode?

If you have an Apollo, LUNA in Apollo mode will still give you the lowest latency for recording inputs and recording through plug-ins. However, there are many scenarios where it is convenient to use Core Audio mode. For example:

Using LUNA with a Thunderbolt or USB audio interface, or with built-in audio
Using LUNA with an Apollo, while controlling plug-ins and routing in Apollo’s Console
Mixing or recording on the go with a bus-powered device like a Universal Audio Volt
Recording and monitoring through native plug-ins
Other configurations that are not possible with Apollo mode, including hybrid devices with multiple Core Audio devices

This table details the differences when LUNA is running in Apollo mode and Core Audio mode.

Feature	Apollo mode	Core Audio mode
ARM (Accelerated Realtime Monitoring)	Realtime UAD Processing available in Unison and REC FX inserts.	Realtime UAD Processing in Apollo Console only. ARM features unavailable in Core Audio mode.
Unison inserts	Unison inserts available in LUNA.	Unison inserts available in Apollo Console.
UAD Record FX inserts	On an ARM-enabled audio track, effects are recorded (printed) when inserted in one of the RECORD FX inserts.	To record (print) through UAD plug-ins, use Apollo Console’s UAD REC option.
ARM-enabled bus tracks	Two ARM-enabled, assignable bus tracks available.	No ARM buses. Hardware-accelerated sends and buses available in Apollo Console.
Converting between Native and DSP plug-ins	Native (UADx) plug-ins automatically convert to DSP (UAD-2) plug-ins when a track is record- or input-enabled in ARM mode, and vice versa.	Native and DSP plug-ins do not automatically convert.
Inactive plug-ins in ARM mode	Audio Units plug-ins (and native UAD plugins with no DSP counterpart) inactive when a track is record- or input-enabled in ARM mode.	Audio Units and native UAD plug-ins active when a track is record- or input-enabled.
Lowest possible record and monitoring latency	In Apollo Mode with ARM enabled, record- or input-enabled tracks are always at the lowest latency, regardless of the Buffer Size setting. ARM-enabled tracks have less latency than Native tracks, at any buffer size.	For lowest possible native latency on record- or input-enabled inputs in Core Audio mode, set LUNA’s Buffer Size value to 32–128 samples. A smaller buffer requires more computer resources.
Multitrack and Master Tape Extensions	Multitrack and Master Tape enabled for playback (non-ARM), but ARM-enabled tracks bypass tape extensions.	Tracks are monitored through any Multitrack and Master Tape Extensions.
Summing Extensions	Summing Extensions bypassed on ARM-enabled buses.	Summing Extensions always active.
Main track plug-ins	Tracks in ARM mode bypass Main track plug-ins. ARM-enabled tracks routed directly through hardware, bypassing Main track processing.	Tracks routed to Main track routed through Main track plug-ins and Extensions.
Console Tracking Mode	Yes	Use Apollo Console
Talkback	Talkback available directly in LUNA	Talkback available in Apollo Console

Configuring LUNA Core Audio hardware settings

The following settings are available on the Hardware tab in Core Audio mode.

Important: When you finish configuring LUNA Core Audio hardware settings, click the Apply button at the bottom of the audio devices list.

Audio Device

The Audio Device drop-down allows you to choose Apollo or Core Audio mode. If you have an Apollo interface connected, you can choose either Apollo mode or Core Audio mode. If you do not have an Apollo connected, you can only choose Core Audio mode. Core Audio mode uses Core Audio drivers to enable input and output routing for your devices.

You can also set Apollo or Core Audio mode from the Audio Device menu at the bottom of the LUNA window, in the Info section. If the Info section is not visible, choose View > Section > Info from the LUNA menus.

Buffer Size

Set your buffer size according to your current LUNA working mode. Buffer size can be set from 32 samples to 2048 samples.

Small buffer sizes (32–128 samples) are great for recording live instruments and playing live virtual instruments
Medium buffer sizes (256-512 samples) are good for most mixing, and for recording if your hardware offers direct hardware monitoring
Large buffer sizes (1024–2048) are good for larger mixes with more plug-ins and LUNA Extensions, and for recording if your hardware offers direct hardware monitoring

You can also set the buffer size from the Buffer Size menu at the bottom of the LUNA window, in the Info section. If the info section is not visible, choose View > Section > Info from the LUNA menus.

Record Mute

Record Mute automatically mutes your input in the LUNA outputs when the track is record-enabled or input-enabled. This is useful if you are using a built-in mic for recording and monitoring with built-in speakers (for example, the built-in MacBook Pro microphone and speakers) and you don’t want to create feedback. You can also mute the input manually in your software to prevent feedback, but this setting simplifies that workflow.

Main Outputs

Choose a Main output pair for LUNA with this setting. The signal to these outputs is controlled by the LUNA Monitor volume knob.

Cues

Choose a Cue output pair for LUNA with this setting. After you configure Cue outputs, they appear in the LUNA mixer, and you can send separate cue mixes to those outputs. More cues are available when you connect multiple devices, or have more pairs of available outputs.

In the following example, the Volt 276 monitor outputs are configured as the main outputs, and two cue buses are configured on Volt 476 Line outputs 1-2 and 3-4.

Devices list

Enable and disable your audio devices from this list. You can enable or disable multiple audio devices and Core Audio will aggregate them automatically.

To enable devices

Start LUNA.
Open the LUNA Sidebar by clicking the UA diamond logo on the left of the screen, then click Settings, or choose LUNA > Preferences from the app menu.
In the Hardware panel, select the devices you want to enable by clicking their boxes. Enabled devices are highlighted orange.
Click Apply.

Device Notes

You can configure LUNA to use the System Settings option, which specifies that LUNA uses the settings configured for macOS Sound settings. When this option is selected, you cannot select multiple audio devices.
If you do not select an audio device, any connected Volt or Apollo interfaces are automatically selected. Automatically selected devices appear highlighted in white.

Renaming Core Audio inputs and outputs

On the I/O Settings screen, you can rename inputs and outputs.

To rename Core Audio inputs and outputs

Start LUNA.
Open the LUNA Sidebar by clicking the UA diamond logo on the left of the screen, then clicking Settings, or choose LUNA > Preferences from the app menu.
Click the I/O Settings tab.
Click and type in the Custom Name field for any input or output to rename it, then press Return.

Using LUNA in Core Audio mode with Apollo

If you start LUNA without an Apollo connected, LUNA automatically starts in Core Audio mode. If you have an Apollo connected, but want to use LUNA in Core Audio mode, follow this procedure.

Note: You can only switch between Core Audio and Apollo mode when playback is stopped.

To enable LUNA Core Audio mode

Start LUNA.
Open the LUNA Sidebar by clicking the UA diamond logo on the left of the screen, and clicking Settings, or choose LUNA > Preferences from the app menu.
From the Audio Device drop-down, choose Core Audio.
Click Apply.
Configure your hardware settings on the Hardware tab.