KVR Audio

frequencybureau · Post by **frequencybureau** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 7:06 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm the developer behind The Frequency Bureau, and I'm looking for a small group of alpha testers for a new project called Plena.

Plena is a "Spatial DAW". It moves away from the traditional timeline/track model and uses a gridless 2D/3D canvas. Instead of mixing with faders and tracks, you move sound objects (audio loops, step sequencers, or granular engines) around a space. Here's how it looks:

Key Features:
Spatial Mapping: Object position (X, Y, Z) directly controls Panning, Spectral Filtering, and Depth/Reverb and can be mapped to any other parameter.

Gravity System: Objects can exert gravitational pull or repulsion on each other's parameters, creating evolving modulations.

Engines: Built-in Granular, Step-Sequencing, and Looping engines. Apply an LFO to any parameter.

VST3/AU Hosting: You can host your own plugins within the spatial objects.

What I'm looking for:
Since this is an Alpha, I’m looking for feedback not just on bugs, but on the workflow itself. If you enjoy experimental sound design, ambient composition, or non-linear workflows, I’d love to have you test it out.

Downloads for Linux, Windows, and macOS are here:

https://frequencybureau.io/plena.html

The best way to report bugs, suggestions, or feedback is on our Discord:

https://discord.gg/k62nE6Urhc

Thanks for your time and interest!

Scott M.
frequencybureau.io

NWSM · Post by **NWSM** » Sat Feb 21, 2026 10:36 pm

I am okay for betatesting on Linux
#Debian 12
#Pipewire
#KDE, X11
#Bitwig

Cyoon · Post by **Cyoon** » Sat Feb 21, 2026 10:51 pm

Looks interesting, does it have multichannel outputs for 3D audio etc?

Xenakios · Post by **Xenakios** » Tue Feb 24, 2026 12:21 am

Cyoon wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 10:51 pm Looks interesting, does it have multichannel outputs for 3D audio etc?

I would be interested in that aspect too, is there support for dealing with surround/ambisonics signals/processing?

frequencybureau · Post by **frequencybureau** » Tue Feb 24, 2026 5:04 am

Xenakios wrote: Tue Feb 24, 2026 12:21 am
Cyoon wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 10:51 pm Looks interesting, does it have multichannel outputs for 3D audio etc?
I would be interested in that aspect too, is there support for dealing with surround/ambisonics signals/processing?

It's a good suggestion I hadn't considered. I'll see what I can come up with!

frequencybureau · Post by **frequencybureau** » Tue Feb 24, 2026 5:08 am

On second thought I decided to skip the beta form and just distribute the alpha builds with direct download links (Linux, Windows, macOS).

Feel free to play with it, and join the Discord if you've got feedback or want to follow the development more closely.

Thanks!

martar1994 · Post by **martar1994** » Wed Feb 25, 2026 6:31 am

Thank you, I'll check it out!

frequencybureau · Post by **frequencybureau** » Thu Feb 26, 2026 7:25 pm

Plena v0.2.0 is now available.

This release introduces immersive 3D positional audio with first-order Ambisonics and binaural decoding, along with a refreshed icon and smoother session workflows.

What's New:

Ambisonic 3D Audio
- Binaural output mode for 3D positional audio over headphones (1st-order Ambisonics with FOA encoding and HRTF-based binaural decoding)
- Per-object azimuth, elevation, and distance parameters — fully bindable to X/Y/Z axes, LFO modulation, and gravity
- Stereo/Binaural toggle in the transport bar for quick switching
- Inspector panel shows 3D Audio sliders when binaural mode is active

Session Management
- Drag-and-drop .spaces session folders onto the canvas to load them
- Open and Save dialogs now remember the last used directory

Audio Engine
- Fixed audio glitching when switching between spaces in dense compositions

Branding
- Updated app icon across all platforms

Download:
- macOS: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... -0.2.0.dmg
- Linux: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... nux.tar.gz
- Windows: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... indows.zip

More info: https://frequencybureau.io/plena.html

frequencybureau · Post by **frequencybureau** » Sun Mar 01, 2026 4:56 am

Plena v0.3.0 is now available!

This release introduces spatial paths. You can now draw multi-point paths on the canvas and link sound objects to follow them. Also, I've added major step sequencer upgrades with per-object musical scale selection, microtonal mode, and octave transposition.

What's New
- Path objects with configurable speed, direction, and looping
- Per-object scale selection (19 built-in musical scales)
- Microtonal mode for cent-level pitch precision
- Pitch sliders display note names; octave transpose selector
- Distinct canvas visualizations per sound object type
- Gaussian gravity falloff for more interesting pull-in effect
- Bug fixes and UI improvements

Download
macOS: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... -0.3.0.dmg
Linux: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... nux.tar.gz
Windows: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... indows.zip

More info: https://frequencybureau.io/plena.html

frequencybureau · Post by **frequencybureau** » Fri Mar 06, 2026 6:11 am

Plena v0.4.0 is now available!

This release adds MIDI CC support. Map hardware knobs to any parameter with MIDI Learn, and send object positions back out as CC to drive external gear. Also: collapsible inspector sections, a Reset on Play toggle for deterministic compositions, and icon-based transport controls.

What's New
- MIDI Learn for any inspector slider — right-click to map hardware CC
- MIDI output: assign X/Y/Z axes to CC numbers to drive external hardware
- Reset on Play toggle — resets LFO phases and path traversals on play
- Transport bar now uses icon buttons (play, stop, record)
- Collapsible inspector sections with per-session state
- Inspector toggle button in toolbar (Cmd+I)
- Free window resizing — removed fixed 16:9 aspect ratio constraint
- Binaural mode consolidated to single toggle button
- Record button blinks when active

Download
macOS: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... -0.4.0.dmg
Linux: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... nux.tar.gz
Windows: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... indows.zip

More info: https://frequencybureau.io/plena.html

NWSM · Post by **NWSM** » Sat Apr 18, 2026 4:57 pm

frequencybureau wrote: Fri Mar 06, 2026 6:11 am Plena v0.4.0 is now available!

This release adds MIDI CC support. Map hardware knobs to any parameter with MIDI Learn, and send object positions back out as CC to drive external gear. Also: collapsible inspector sections, a Reset on Play toggle for deterministic compositions, and icon-based transport controls.

What's New
- MIDI Learn for any inspector slider — right-click to map hardware CC
- MIDI output: assign X/Y/Z axes to CC numbers to drive external hardware
- Reset on Play toggle — resets LFO phases and path traversals on play
- Transport bar now uses icon buttons (play, stop, record)
- Collapsible inspector sections with per-session state
- Inspector toggle button in toolbar (Cmd+I)
- Free window resizing — removed fixed 16:9 aspect ratio constraint
- Binaural mode consolidated to single toggle button
- Record button blinks when active

Download
macOS: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... -0.4.0.dmg
Linux: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... nux.tar.gz
Windows: https://frequency-bureau.sfo3.cdn.digit ... indows.zip

More info: https://frequencybureau.io/plena.html

Can not start via double click.
Run in the Terminal says (username is individual username):

Code: Select all

Attention: The program “/home/username/Downloads/Plena-0.4.0-linux/Plena” with the arguments “” cannot be started.

Attention: Child process setup failed: execve: Error in executable file format

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel:   6.12.63+deb13-amd64
  
  Desktop:  KDE Plasma    v: 6.3.6
            Qt            v: N/A info: frameworks v: 6.13.0 wm: kwin_wayland vt: 1
            dm             : SDDM
            Distro         : MX-25.1_KDE_x64 Infinity January 18 2026
            base           : Debian GNU/Linux 13 (trixie)

Machine:
            Desktop Mobo   : Micro-Star
            model          : MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI

CPU: Intel Core i5-14600K

Graphics:

  Device-1            : active: none
  Device-2            : NVIDIA [GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER]
  driver              : nvidia           v: 580.126.18
  non-free            : 550-570.xx+
  status              : current (as of 2025-04)

  Display:  wayland
            server      : X.org v: 1.21.1.16 with: Xwayland  v: 24.1.6
            compositor  : kwin_wayland
            driver      : X: loaded: modesetting,nvidia unloaded: fbdev,nouveau,vesa alternate: nv dri: iris
            gpu         : nvidia,nvidia-nvswitch display-ID: 0

  Monitor-1: DP-5 model : BenQ EW2750ZL res: mode: 1920x1080 hz: 60
                  max   : 1920x1080 min: 640x480
                  drv   : nvidia wayland: x11:

  API:
       compat-         v: 4.5 vendor: nvidia
       mesa            v: 580.126.18 glx-v: 1.4
       direct-render    : yes
       renderer         : NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER/PCIe/SSE2
       memory           : 15.62 GiB

  Info: Tools: api: eglinfo,glxinfo de: kscreen-console,kscreen-doctor
    gpu: nvidia-settings,nvidia-smi wl: wayland-info x11: xdriinfo, xdpyinfo, xprop, xrandr

Audio:

  Device-1  : Intel Raptor Lake HD Audio vendor: Micro-Star MSI                   driver: snd_hda_intel
  Device-2  : NVIDIA                     vendor: Palit                            driver: snd_hda_intel
  Device-3  : Micro Star USB Audio       driver: hid-generic,snd-usb-audio,usbhid   type: USB rev: 2.0
  speed     : 480 Mb/s    lanes : 1      mode  : 2.0
  API       : ALSA            v : k6.12.63+deb13-amd64
  status    : kernel-api   tools: alsactl,alsamixer,amixer

  Server-1:  PipeWire  v: 1.4.5  status : active
           1: pipewire-pulse     status : active
           2: wireplumber        status : active
           3: pipewire-alsa      type   : plugin
           4: pw-jack            type   : plugin
       tools: pactl,pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl

Alpha testers wanted for Plena (spatial DAW for gridless composition)