Universal Audio releases 8 free plugins with UAD Explore

Universal Audio has made eight of its plugins available for free with the launch of UAD Explore, which also includes the LUNA DAW.

The bundle includes:

1. UA 1176 Classic FET Compressor: Fast, punchy compressor used to add attack and energy to drums, vocals, and instruments.

2. Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor: Smooth, slow optical compressor that adds warm, natural leveling to vocals and bass.

3. UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection: Vintage tube preamp with EQ that adds analog warmth and character at the recording stage.

4. Pure Plate Reverb: Classic plate reverb for lush, smooth spatial depth on vocals and instruments.

5. Vibe Analog Machines Essentials: Lo-fi style effects that add saturation, color, and vintage character to sounds.

6. Showtime ’64 Tube Amp: Vintage-style guitar amp sim delivering classic tube-driven tone and grit.

7. Century Tube Channel Strip: Simple all-in-one strip (preamp, EQ, compression) for quick, warm, polished mixes.

8. PolyMAX Synth: Analog-style poly synth for thick pads, basses, and classic synth sounds

9. LUNA Digital Audio Workstation: UA’s DAW designed to emulate analog studio workflow with modern production tools.

Developing high-end music software like this takes years of work, so making it available for free to artists, musicians, and engineers is genuinely a strong offer. Universal Audio’s impact in music technology was also recognised with a record six TEC Awards at the 2026 NAMM Show, honoring products like the Apollo X Gen 2 interfaces, UAFX pedals, and UAD plug-ins.

“UAD Explore FREE puts the tools that defined the sound of modern recording within reach of every creator,” says Jor Van Gelder, Senior Product Manager at Universal Audio.

You can download the free plugins and LUNA DAW via uaudio.com