Lunacy Audio has released BEAM 2.0, a major update to its modular multi-effects plugin for macOS and Windows.
The new version reinvents an already impressive sound design toolkit that came with v1.0. It features an improved interface, expanded effects, and standalone plugin functionality.
BEAM 2.0 is a free upgrade for existing users. New customers can get it for $59 (down from $99) during the intro sale.
At the heart of BEAM is its modular FX engine—a visual audio graph where you can drag and drop effect nodes to build intricate signal chains. The updated system allows up to six parallel paths and supports endlessly customizable effect chains in serial and parallel configurations.
One of my favorite additions to BEAM 2.0 is the introduction of Haze, a dreamy new chorus node that blends chorus, phase, and reverb into a single silky-sounding multi-effect.
Haze is perfect for adding lush stereo width or pushing feedback to create shimmering textures. It’s one of those effects you can throw on anything—keys, vocals, guitars—and it instantly elevates the sound.
Lunacy Audio also added over 80 impulse responses and 60 new node presets. This expands the tonal palette with a variety of new flavors, from tonal IRs to noise-based spatial textures.
If you’re into granular-style sound design, BEAM’s updated Grains node now pairs wonderfully with the new filters and upgraded modulation. Another addition is the sidechain mode and improved LFOs.
For me, what makes BEAM 2.0 a standout is the balance of complexity and extreme usability. It’s like having a pedalboard, an FX rack, and a granular sound design sandbox all in one place—but with a user interface that feels intuitive from the moment you open it.
It reminds me of the Microcosm pedal. They both act like magic boxes that generate creativity on demand. You can turn any input signal into sonic gold. But BEAM is infinitely deeper and more flexible than any hardware effect out there.
If you’re low on inspiration, just browse the 300+ global presets crafted by artists like Venus Theory, Dash Glitch, and J.Views. Loading random presets feels like exploring a mad scientist’s audio lab, and it’s next to impossible not to get inspired.
There’s also a built-in preset generator that can create new patches using Lunacy’s own probability algorithm, giving you something fresh with a single click.
Another massive improvement is that you can now load BEAM’s effects—Grains, Filter, Space, and Haze—as standalone plugins. This means you can integrate the BEAM 2.0 sound into your projects without always launching the full modular environment.
The standalone effects are perfect for those quick mix sessions where you just want one specialized tool.
Use cases for BEAM 2.0 are almost limitless. I’ve used it to build rhythmic gates with synced Grains nodes, shimmer reverbs with pitched-up feedback loops, and various crazy stereo effects. It’s perfect for cinematic sound design, mangling vocal chops, or designing UI sounds for games, among countless other scenarios.
BEAM 2.0 is available now from Lunacy Audio and supports VST3, AU, and AAX formats for Windows and macOS. It’s also part of a growing ecosystem of Lunacy plugins and preset packs, including the new Embers collection by Venus Theory, released alongside the update.
If you’re into sound design, experimental FX, or just want a new way to breathe life into your audio, BEAM 2.0 is a must-try. You can download the demo or grab the full version directly from Lunacy Audio’s website.
Get the deal: BEAM 2.0 ($59 for a limited time)
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Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
