AURA is a free master bus enhancement plugin that gives producers and mix engineers a fast, reliable way to add weight and tonal balance to a mix without touching a single EQ node or saturation dial. Released by New York-based producer and mixing engineer Justin Laureano, this one-knob processor has quietly become one of the most talked-about free tools in the mixing community since its launch in February 2026.
If you have ever spent twenty minutes pushing a mix through multiple processors just to get that final sense of density and forward momentum, AURA was built for that exact problem.
What is AURA and how does it work?
AURA combines two processing stages into a single, streamlined interface: a spectral EQ curve and harmonic saturation. Together, they reshape the tonal balance of a mix by cutting brittle high-mid frequencies and reinforcing low-end impact, while harmonic content adds thickness and perceived loudness without pushing the limiter.
The plugin was born out of a practical problem. Justin Laureano had been relying on a specific preamp model inside an older amplifier plugin for his master bus chain. When he realized an OS update could break that workflow, he rebuilt the concept from the ground up and released it publicly, free of charge.
The DSP was developed by Jochem van Dijk under the "Powered by Ablaze" initiative, the same developer behind the free Ablaze Toolkit bundle and the BPB Dirty Filter. This is the first of several planned "Powered by Ablaze" collaborative releases.
AURA plugin specs at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Laureano Studios (Justin Laureano) |
| DSP | Powered by Ablaze (Jochem van Dijk) |
| Price | Free (pay what you want via Gumroad) |
| File size | 59 MB ZIP (macOS and Windows installers ~30 MB each) |
| Formats | VST, AU, AAX |
| macOS | 10.13 or later |
| Windows | Windows 10 or later |
| Interface | One-knob style |
| Primary use | Master bus, drum bus, guitar bus, single tracks |
Where and how to download AURA for free
AURA is distributed on Gumroad under a pay-what-you-want model. You can download it at zero cost or contribute any amount to support the developer.
- Visit the official Laureano Studios page on Gumroad
- Set your price (starting at $0)
- Download the 59 MB ZIP archive
- Run the appropriate installer for your operating system
- Open your DAW and scan for new plugins
The installer covers both macOS and Windows. The plugin ships in VST, AU, and AAX formats, making it compatible with most professional DAWs including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Reaper, and FL Studio.
How to use AURA on the master bus
AURA is designed to be placed at or near the end of your master bus chain, typically before a limiter. Because the processing is opinionated by design, the one-knob approach encourages you to dial in a subtle amount rather than push it hard.
Recommended starting point: Start with the knob at roughly 25 to 40 percent. Listen to the low-mid region first. AURA tends to add a sense of glue and body that reduces the need for heavy low-end boosting downstream.
Using AURA on buses other than the master: The plugin is versatile enough for drum buses and guitar buses. On a drum bus, it helps blend kick and snare weight together without dulling transients. On a guitar bus, the harmonic saturation adds harmonic density that sits well in dense arrangements.
What it does not replace: AURA is an enhancement tool, not a transparent corrective processor. It does not replace a dedicated EQ for surgical corrections, a compressor for dynamic control, or a limiter for ceiling management. Think of it as a finishing touch rather than a foundation.
If you cover music production tools and free plugins, explore the rest of our coverage on diplo.fm for similar releases and in-depth technical breakdowns.
Why AURA stands out among free mixing tools
The free plugin market is crowded, but AURA occupies a specific niche: mix bus enhancement through spectral shaping and saturation combined. Most free processors offer one or the other. Fewer offer both in a calibrated, master-bus-ready signal path.
Several factors distinguish it from comparable free tools:
- Professional DSP authorship – Jochem van Dijk (Ablaze) brings credibility to the processing engine
- Intentional design – AURA was not built as a demo or marketing hook; it originated from a real workflow need
- Broad format support – VST, AU, and AAX cover virtually every major DAW environment
- No registration or account required – Gumroad delivery means instant access
According to mixing forums and community feedback, producers working in metal, hip-hop, and indie rock have reported consistent results when using AURA as a final color pass before limiting. This aligns with Justin Laureano's own genre background in modern metal production.
For a broader understanding of master bus processing concepts, this overview of bus processing fundamentals from iZotope provides useful technical context. Similarly, Sweetwater's guide to saturation plugins explains how harmonic enrichment tools interact with your signal chain.
Who is Justin Laureano?
Justin Laureano is a New York-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, and mix engineer specializing in modern metal. His work spans glitch textures, massive chorus builds, and dense layered arrangements for independent bands and creators.
Laureano Studios operates as both a mixing and mastering service and a plugin development initiative. AURA is the first publicly released plugin under the studio name, developed in collaboration with Ablaze. The decision to release it for free reflects an approach common among professional engineers who build tools for themselves first, then share them with the wider community.
Stay updated on new plugin releases and music production news by browsing the latest coverage on diplo.fm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AURA truly free or is there a paid version?
AURA is distributed under a pay-what-you-want model on Gumroad. You can download the full plugin at zero cost. There is no premium version, no feature restrictions, and no time limit. If you find it useful, you can choose to support Justin Laureano with a voluntary payment of any amount.
Can AURA be used on individual tracks or only the master bus?
While AURA was designed primarily for master bus and mix bus processing, it works on any track or submix. Producers have reported good results on drum buses, guitar buses, and even individual synth layers where added harmonic density is desirable. The one-knob interface makes it practical to use quickly across multiple channels.
What DAWs are compatible with the AURA plugin?
AURA supports VST, AU, and AAX formats, covering the most widely used professional DAWs. This includes Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Reaper, FL Studio, Studio One, Cubase, and Bitwig. The plugin requires macOS 10.13 or later, or Windows 10 or later.