Lunacy Audio has launched Nova, a platform where creators can build custom music tools using AI and sell them to others. Initially, there are 10 plug-ins available, covering a range of sounds from chiptune to vintage synths, with interfaces reminiscent of Native Instruments’ Play series. The real innovation lies in the assembly of these plug-ins using premade effects blocks and AI prompts, rather than traditional coding.

Unlike other AI tools, Nova doesn’t require dedicated hardware and can run directly in a browser. However, for ultimate functionality, the Nova host plug-in runs in your DAW, allowing for easy browsing and loading of any Nova plug-in from your library.

Cofounder and CEO Casey Kolb envisions a collaborative environment where users can build upon each other’s creations, making these tools constantly evolve. However, the music-making community’s response to AI has been mixed, with tools like Endless meeting with cautious curiosity or outright hostility.

Lunacy is developing Nova in the open, hoping to avoid the pitfalls of previous AI tools and win over the wary musicians.