Universal Audio’s flagship recording software, LUNA, was available as an Open Beta for Windows. Now that the Beta period is over, it is now available as a full version for Windows users as well. For more information, read this article.
Note: This article lists frequently asked questions in regards to the LUNA Windows Open Beta, for reference.
What does Open Beta mean?
The term Open Beta means that the software isn’t finished or ready for an official release and market launch. While not fully polished, all of the major features of LUNA are working well enough to start requesting public feedback. Particularly on the Windows platform, the variety of system configurations and variables makes comprehensive testing very time consuming and expensive for a small development team, so UA is opening up the process to everyone. Please dive in and give us feedback on what’s working and what can be improved!
How do I access the LUNA Windows Open Beta?
First, you'll need a compatible Windows computer, running the latest build of Windows 10 or Windows 11. Then, run UA Connect and let it update to version 1.4.14.
You will then be able to download and install the LUNA Windows Open Beta visible in the LUNA tab.
Are there any new functionalities being added with this Open Beta version?
No major feature updates are being added with this Open Beta version.
How do I provide feedback?
In the upper right corner of the LUNA window is a button labeled FEEDBACK. Click this button any time you have an experience or thought you’d like to share, and let us know what could be working better especially!
Can I open LUNA sessions between macOS and Windows computers?
Yes. LUNA sessions are cross-compatible with both platforms. However, because LUNA on macOS uses the Audio Units plug-in format for third party plug-ins, no third-party AU plug-ins will load under Windows.
All UAD-2 and UADx plug-ins, as well as all LUNA Extensions*, will load between macOS and Windows.
Note: Spitfire LUNA Instruments are not available on Windows systems.
So, third-party plug-ins from my macOS sessions will not open on Windows?
Not at this time. On Windows, LUNA uses the VST3 plug-in format. On macOS, LUNA uses the Audio Units format. This means third-party plug-ins will not transfer between macOS and Windows. In the future, we will enable VST3 on macOS so that users can choose to use VST3 plug-ins if they wish for their LUNA sessions to be 100% cross-platform compatible
How do I open a LUNA session package on Windows?
Because LUNA sessions are a package format, they do not show up as documents on Windows at this time. To open an existing LUNA session that is not in the RECENT list in LUNA’s create panel, either click the OPEN FROM DISK… button or the File > Open menu item, then locate the session folder and click open. When you open the session folder with this method, LUNA can load the session.
Do Apollo Thunderbolt features work on Windows?
All but one feature of the advanced LUNA integration with Apollo works identically between macOS and Windows. The missing feature on Windows is ARM (Accelerated Realtime Monitoring) mode for virtual instruments. On macOS, virtual instruments automatically run at a lower buffer size in ARM mode. On Windows, this may be possible but is not as easily achieved, so this feature is not currently cross-compatible. To achieve low latency with virtual instruments in ARM mode under Windows, manually reduce the ASIO buffer size.
Is Technical Support offered for the Open Beta?
Not at this time. If you encounter issues with LUNA on Windows, submit feedback from within the software or from the feedback feature in UA Connect.
What are the Windows system requirements?
We are testing and plan to support Windows 10 and Windows 11. For other general LUNA and UA hardware system requirements, view this page.
Is the LUNA Pro bundle compatible with the LUNA Windows Open Beta?
The LUNA Pro bundle is indeed compatible with the current LUNA Windows Open Beta.
Are there any other requirements?
UAD software v11.2 is required, as well as the latest version of UAD Console which can both be installed from UA Connect.
Where are various LUNA-related files stored on Windows?
The table below lists the file paths of all LUNA-related files.
| Contents | Location |
| LUNA Application | C:\Program Files\LUNA |
| UADx Plug-ins / LUNA Instruments | C:\Program Files\Common Files\Universal Audio\ |
| Sessions Default | Documents\LUNA Sessions |
| User Presets, Favorites | Documents\Universal Audio |
| Log Files | C:\Users\YourUserFolder\AppData\Local\UniversalAudio\Logs |
| Preferences | C:\Users\YourUserFolder\AppData\Roaming\LUNAPrefs.json |
| Workspace Cache | C:\Users\YourUserFoler\AppData\Local\Universal Audio\workspace |
| VST3 Plug-in Cache | C:\Users\YourUserFolder\AppData\Local\Universal Audio\Plug-Ins.vst3.json |
| VST3 Plug-in System Folder | C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 |
What are the major known issues?
Here is a list of notable issues we are currently aware of:
- LUNA should be installed and used on an Administrator user account.
- Various third-party VST3 Plug-ins may crash or hang on scan or load in a session.
- Various third-party VST3 Plug-ins demonstrate key passthrough issues, preventing spacebar from starting/stopping the transport while in focus, or causing odd behavior with starting/stopping the transport
- Graphical issues can occur in LUNA and third-party VST3 plug-in GUIs at scaling settings greater than 100%. It is currently recommended to run LUNA at 100% scaling
- Using the Apollo Thunderbolt driver as an ASIO playback/recording device in a DAW and as the WDM system audio device simultaneously can cause severe audio integrity issues. This is not a LUNA specific issue. If using Apollo Thunderbolt for ASIO playback/recording in a DAW, use a different audio device for WDM system audio.