Open source · GPL-3.0 · Linux / macOS / Windows

A portastudio for the desktop.

24 tracks. A fixed signal chain. Everything on one screen. Dusk Studio is a deliberately constrained DAW built to make you stop tweaking and finish music.

v0.9.0 alpha

Get the alpha build Build from source Manual
  • 24 tracks
  • 3 banks of 8
  • Fixed signal chain
  • BS.1770 metering
  • VST3 / LV2
The Dusk Studio console: 24 tracks in three banks of eight with a fixed channel signal chain, shown on one screen.

Record, mix, and master in one place.

No exporting to a second app. The signal chain, the mix, and the master all live in the same window.

Dusk Studio mixing view: 24 channels across three banks, one insert per channel.
Mixing: 24 channels, one insert each
Dusk Studio mastering view: 4-band digital EQ, multiband compressor, brick-wall limiter, BS.1770 metering.
Mastering: 4-band digital EQ, multiband, limiter, BS.1770

In December my Tascam DP-24 died. It helped me finish songs, not because it was powerful, but because it wasn't. Nothing in software felt like that. So I built it.

Read the full story →

Get Dusk Studio

Build it yourself (free)

The source is GPL-3.0 and free forever. Clone it, audit it, build it, modify it.

Source on GitHub

Self-builds get no support tier, but the code is identical.

Get the official build

Back Dusk Studio on Patreon from $1/month and get every build, alpha and beta, for as long as you're subscribed. New builds land in the patrons-only feed as they ship.

Early backers are credited as Founding Patrons, with your name in the app's About panel.

Get builds on Patreon

One-time and lifetime licences arrive at 1.0. During the alpha it's Patreon only.

The source is always free. The paid builds fund development.

It's an alpha. Expect rough edges and report everything →

First launch on Mac and Windows

The alpha builds are unsigned, so macOS and Windows warn you the first time. On macOS, right-click the app and choose Open. On Windows, click More info, then Run anyway. About 30 seconds, once.

First-launch walkthrough in the manual

24 tracks, fixed.

Three banks of 8, mapped to real control surfaces.

One insert per channel.

Never a chain.

Everything visible.

No tabs, no hidden panels, no preferences sprawl.

The constraints are the product.

Linux first

Built primarily for the Linux audio community, where quality free tools are especially needed. Also on Windows and macOS.

No strings attached

No trials, no feature limitations, no nag screens, no accounts required. Download, install, and create.