Lunacy Audio Nova: Create and Market Your Own AI-Driven Music Plugins

Lunacy, known for its innovative VST plug-ins like Cube, which lets you control a synth by moving a ball in 3D space, has just unveiled Nova. This new platform allows creators to design custom music tools using AI and sell them to others. Initially, there will be a selection of instruments crafted by Lunacy and a few partner developers. However, the company plans to introduce Nova Builder, enabling anyone to create their own plug-ins or remix existing ones.

At launch, there are 10 plug-ins available, ranging from gritty chiptunes to vintage synths and eerie ambient drones. While none of them offer groundbreaking features, they all deliver solid sound quality. My top picks are the lo-fi Drift Cassette synth, which evokes nostalgic ’80s vibes, and Silhouettes, perfect for crafting sci-fi soundscapes. The interfaces are straightforward, reminiscent of Native Instruments’ Play series, featuring vibrant colors and a limited set of controls.

What sets Nova apart is its approach to plug-in creation. Instead of coding in a text editor, users assemble plug-ins using pre-made effects blocks and AI prompts. It’s similar to Polyend’s Endless, but here, you’re building music software that anyone can use on their computer.

Nova instruments don’t need dedicated hardware or even a digital audio workstation (DAW); they can run directly in a browser. However, for those who prefer a more integrated experience, there’s a Nova host plug-in that works within your DAW, allowing you to browse and load any Nova plug-in from your library and switch between them effortlessly.

Lunacy aims to make Nova a playground for creators. Cofounder and CEO Casey Kolb expressed that if someone creates a step sequencer and shares it, others can modify it by adding custom effects like a shimmer reverb, then share their enhanced version. The tools are designed to be dynamic and continuously evolving.

Despite the potential, the music-making community’s response to AI tools has been lukewarm. Platforms like Endless have faced cautious interest at best and skepticism at worst. Lunacy is developing Nova transparently, sharing developer diaries and actively seeking feedback to navigate these challenges and gain the trust of musicians.