Universal Audio Announces UAD Explore FREE

Eight legendary UAD plug-ins and the LUNA DAW. No hardware required, at no cost.

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • April 15, 2026  — Universal Audio, Inc. (UA), a worldwide leader in audio production tools, is proud to announce UAD Explore FREE, a new plug-in bundle delivering the authentic analog sound of UA's most trusted studio tools to music creators everywhere — completely free.

Available for Mac and PC with no UA hardware required, UAD Explore FREE includes the LUNA DAW alongside eight heritage UAD plug-ins and virtual instruments — the same tools heard on countless hit records — compatible with any modern workflow.

The bundle features iconic UA titles including the 1176 Classic FET Compressor, the Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor, the UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection, and more, giving creators everything needed to record, mix, and produce with professional studio sound from day one.

"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. "Whether you're just starting out or expanding your toolkit, this bundle is the most complete free studio we've ever offered…and it costs nothing."

Included in UAD Explore FREE

• UA 1176 Classic FET Compressor
• Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor
• UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection
• Pure Plate Reverb
• Vibe Analog Machines Essentials
• Showtime '64 Tube Amp
• Century Tube Channel Strip
• PolyMAX Synth
• LUNA Digital Audio Workstation
  

UAD Explore FREE is available for download at Universal Audio's website starting April 15, 2026. 

Learn more about UAD Explore FREE: https://www.uaudio.com/products/uad-explore-free

Learn more about UAD Plug-Ins: https://www.uaudio.com/collections/uad-plugins

Download images and press materials: https://u.audio/explore-free-pr 

About Universal Audio Inc.
Universal Audio (UA) is a pioneer in audio and music production tools, with a rich 60-year history of craftsmanship and innovation. UA today enables millions of audio and music creators worldwide, with industry-standard Apollo and Volt recording interfaces, UAD plug-ins, UAFX pedals, advanced audio machine learning, LUNA recording suite, and UA Custom Shop hardware. UA is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, with passionate employees worldwide — united by our goal of "Inspiring Sound for Generations."

©2026 Universal Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. The "Universal Audio" name, UA "diamond" logo, “Apollo,” “Apollo Twin,” “UAD,” “Powered Plug-Ins,” and “LUNA Recording System" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Universal Audio Inc. *All other trademarks contained herein are property of their respective owners, which may or may not be affiliated with Universal Audio Inc. Specifically, the Neve, 1084, 1073, MOOG, Studer, Spitfire Audio, Orange Tree Samples, and Loops de la Creme trademarks are used with permission. Other marks, including Steinway, are used to suggest the products that were studied in the creation of LUNA Instruments, but are not in any way affiliated with Universal Audio.