LUNA Explained
Studio expert Patrick Coffin presents comprehensive LUNA video tutorials! If you've wanted to take advantage of the unique, new analog-style workflow of UA's LUNA, this is the course for you. Patrick takes you from the beginning, making sure you're well versed in the basics of this new DAW, before embarking on a nearly five-hour deep dive that explores every major nook and cranny, providing dozens of useful tips and tricks along the way. These videos are for new and intermediate LUNA users.
Getting Started
• Introduction & Overview (03:22) - Patrick begins with a brief introduction and rundown of what will be discussed in this series. LUNA is a fresh take on a digital audio workstation, but there are a few things to know before diving in, such as Apollo integration, the UA ecosystem, LUNA requirements, and the key concepts that make LUNA unique. Then take a look at the Create, Discover, Manage, and Settings tabs within LUNA.
• Layout & Navigation Pt. 1 (10:57) - Next, explore the Control Panel and all the different view modes. Check out the mixer and timeline displays; then move on to the additional window displays such as Tracks, Navigational, Info, and Monitoring.
• Layout & Navigation Pt. 2 (06:22) - In this video, learn about the rest of the Control Panel, Tempo, Click Tracks, Counters, the Transport, Global On/Off Switches, Monitoring, and "Workflow" menus.
• Create New Project & Import Tracks (08:31) - In this video, Patrick demonstrates how to create a new empty project and import stems into your session. He covers Sample Rate, loading templates and AAF files, and the main output bus track. Learn about the necessary processes whenever you're working with new tracks, such as selecting and sliding audio along the timeline, color coding, naming, and organizing tracks.
• Saving & Managing Your Work (07:03) - Discover how to adjust the auto-save interval so LUNA will never lose more than a few minutes of work. Then learn how to manage your session files using Versions and Bookmarks and save a template as well.
Recording
• LUNA Recording Concepts (03:47) - LUNA offers a workflow very reminiscent of analog hardware, but there are few key concepts to understand that allow you to unlock the software's full potential. In this video, explore these concepts and learn how to adjust your thinking to work best in this way.
• Creating Tracks & Recording Basics (07:10) - Discover how to create and name new audio, midi, and bus tracks. Learn about setting inputs and how to cascade inputs, which will speed things along while recording many tracks at once. Then explore the input section of the channel strip and learn how to record audio.
• Unison, Record FX, & Inserts (07:15) - Here, Patrick explains how to get more creative while recording by utilizing your Unison, Record FX, and Insert slots. Explore the pros and cons of each method and record a bass through a bass amp simulation.
• Accelerated Real-time Monitoring (ARM) (05:38) - LUNA does an amazing job of managing latency with ARM so you can track while monitoring through all your favorite UAD plugins. As simple as it is, understanding ARM's capabilities will help you know how to route audio while recording and what plugins you can use while tracking.
• Setting Up Cue Mixes (06:26) - Learn about setting up and using Cue Busses so you can send performers customized monitor mixes while still being able to monitor the way you need to as the producer or engineer.
• Punching In (04:54) - Next, explore the process of punching in and discuss all the tools available to help you, such as Pre and Post Roll. Patrick also shares some helpful shortcuts to make this go much faster.
• Recording Multiple Track Versions (05:32) - Learn how to comp together "the perfect take" by using multiple track versions and loop recording.
• Tempo & Time Changes (09:32) - First, discover how the different time Modes affect the audio while changing the BPM of the song. Then learn the different Warp algorithms and when to use them. Finally, find out how to time-stretch and compress audio for the whole song (or section of the song) and add tempo and time signature changes anywhere on your timeline.
MIDI & LUNA Instruments
• MIDI Recording Basics (05:09) - In this video, Patrick discusses what makes MIDI different from audio and shows you how to record MIDI in LUNA.
• Quantizing & MIDI CC (05:23) - Universal Audio has made quantizing easy to access and use in LUNA. In this video, learn how to quantize your audio and the different options available. After that, explore working with MIDI CC information such as Velocity, Sustain Pedals, etc.
• MIDI Workflow Menu (04:22) - Here, you're learn all the tools available in the MIDI Workflow Menu. Patrick covers toggling MIDI Merge Mode and the Panic Button, as well discusses controlling the built-in MIDI Keyboard.
• Shape Tutorial (09:12) - Next, take a deeper look into this large, creative toolkit that comes free with LUNA.
• Ravel & Minimoog Rundown (09:20) - In this video, take a quick look at the capabilities of the Ravel and Minimoog LUNA Instruments. These are not included with LUNA, and they are not necessary for the LUNA workflow, so Patrick quickly covers them and shows only their basic functionality, with the hope that you will try them out on your own.
• MIDI FX & ARP (08:52) - Learn how to use MIDI FX to boost your creativity while working with MIDI and Virtual Instruments. Take an in-depth look at the free arpeggiator included in LUNA, ARP.
LUNA Extensions
• LUNA Extensions Overview (03:15) - LUNA is free for all Apollo Thunderbolt users, but the extra LUNA extensions available for purchase improve LUNA's capabilities. In this video, you'll get introduced to all the amazing virtual instruments, tape saturations, console emulation, and analog modeled summing extensions.
• Neve & API Summing (10:00) - Next, take a look at the modeled analog summing that's built into LUNA and what it can do to bring you much closer to that big console sound while still in the box. When these are applied to a bus, the summing architecture of LUNA is changed to closely mimic that of large Neve or API mixing boards.
• Master Tape: Ampex ATR-102 (08:19) - Mixing down into a 2-track tape machine can provide a glue that's hard to replicate. In this video, explore the LUNA Extension that makes this easy while sounding incredible.
• Track Tape: Oxide & Studer (08:21) - Part of the magic of recording to a multitrack tape machine was getting that hint of tape saturation on individual tracks. LUNA provides a way to do this with the Track Tape LUNA Extensions.
• API Vision Console Emulation (10:24) - API Vision Console Emulation brings an unparalleled analog feel to your recording and mixing sessions. Here, take a look at the different features and controls of this amazing extension.
Editing
• Editing Workflow Pt. 1 (09:19) - The Timeline Window will be where you construct your song and edit the Parts to perfection. Here, learn about the layout of the window and all the editing tools in the Edit Workflow, including cut, copy, paste, duplicate, and separate controls, as well as Nudging and Shift Edit Commands.
• Editing Workflow Pt. 2 (06:39) - Continue looking at the timeline window and edit workflow by exploring editing clips with fades, gain, etc.
• Track Groups (06:13) - When editing, using groups will help you move quickly and efficiently. In this video, learn how to create and use groups for editing and mixing.
• Utilizing Markers (04:31) - Markers will help you know where you are in your song and navigate to different sections quickly. Find out how to use these to the fullest in this video.
• Convert Stereo to Mono & Mono to Stereo (02:22) - In this video, find out how to quickly convert stereo tracks into mono tracks and back again.
• Editing with Warp (09:31) - Take a deeper look at the Warp Mode by editing the timing of your individual tracks. Also explore the algorithms LUNA uses to create the transient markers.
• MIDI Editing (10:12) - Next, discover how to edit MIDI in LUNA, so you can perfect your performance and make that MIDI sound more lifelike.
Mixing & Exporting
• Mixer Window Layout (07:27) - The mix window is another huge part of using any DAW. LUNA has a very efficient layout that will feel very familiar if you come from an analog background, but there are some things to know and understand. In this video, Patrick covers the layout of the mix window and discusses the two main sections: The Mixer Rows and the Fader Section.
• Mixer Window Workflow (03:33) - Next, discover the very simple tools available in the Mixer Workflow Menu, including your solo options, universe, and export settings.
• Working with Plug-Ins (09:59) - Learn how to instantiate, move, copy, and edit plug-ins within LUNA.
• Working with Busses (05:22) - Next, discover how to create and utilize a bus or sub-master to process the routed tracks together using signal processing like compression, equalization, etc.
• Working with Aux Sends (07:24) - Similarly, learn to create a bus that will be used as an Aux send and return. With this function, we'll be able to send varying amounts of all our tracks to a reverb, delay, or other time-based effects plug-in.
• Sidechain Inputs (06:19) - In this video, we talk about how to setup sidechain inputs in the Utility Row of the Luna Mixer. We then use the kick drum audio to trigger the compressor on the bass bus so that the kick has space to poke through in our mix.
• Metering Options (04:54) - In this video, Patrick demonstrates pre- and post-fader metering as well as all the metering options in the Settings tab.
• Automation (08:20) - Automation is the process of writing changes to controls in your session over time that are then played back as the session is played back. Learn how, in LUNA, most parameters on a track can be automated, and this process can be done quite simply and creatively.
• Exporting Mix-Downs (05:37) - Learn about all the different options LUNA provides while exporting your mix.
• Exporting Stems, MIDI, & Clips (08:07) - Similarly, find out how to export stems, MIDI, and individual clips using the Export menu.
• Conclusions & Final Thoughts (03:19) - Patrick recaps what's been covered and sends you on your way with a few pieces of advice and well-wishes.