Questions, answered.

STANDALONE is a lightweight macOS Audio Unit plug-in host for guitarists, keyboardists, and other musicians who want to play without opening a DAW. Load amp sims, software instruments, and effects; save complete rigs as presets; and record or loop ideas as they happen. Practice with imported tracks, organize playlists and setlists, change key and tempo, add markers and loop sections, display PDF charts, control your setup with MIDI, and route sources to separate outputs.

Most Audio Unit (AU) plug-ins—effects in any mode, plus AU software instruments in Keys Mode. Some plug-ins just do not play nicely, but if it works in Logic, it should work here.

No. There is no timeline, MIDI sequencing, or mixing console. STANDALONE is a lightweight plug-in host with a simple recorder and practice tools built in. It is for playing and practicing, not producing.

Keys Mode lets you host AU software instruments—synths, pianos, drums, and more—and play them with a MIDI keyboard alongside Guitar Mode. It is a free update for existing owners.

Keys Mode runs one instrument at a time as your sound source, then lets you stack as many effects after it as you like. To switch instruments, change presets.

STANDALONE is $24.99 and includes a seven-day free trial. During the STELLA '71 introductory period, a STANDALONE purchase also includes a perpetual STELLA '71 license at no extra cost.

During the STELLA '71 introductory period, yes. Every current STANDALONE owner and everyone who buys STANDALONE during that period receives a separate STELLA '71 license at no extra cost.

Yes. Download STANDALONE and use the complete app free for seven days. No credit card is required.

STANDALONE currently requires macOS 14.0 Sonoma or later.

STANDALONE currently requires macOS 14.0 or later. A Windows version may be released in the future.

No. STANDALONE hosts Audio Unit plug-ins on macOS. Most plug-in developers offer AU versions alongside VST, so check with the plug-in developer if you are unsure.

For guitar, you need a way to get your signal into your Mac. For Keys Mode, you only need a MIDI keyboard to play; any audio output works, though an interface generally provides lower latency.

Yes.

No. You can use compatible Audio Unit plug-ins you already own, along with the many commercial and free options available from plug-in developers.

The Looper records what you play and lets you add an overdub. Practice Mode is for importing audio, controlling speed and pitch, and setting loop points. Both let you record yourself playing along.

STANDALONE is designed for practice. Some musicians may use it at a gig, but live performance is not its primary purpose.

You can use a different interface for input and output.

Yes. Multi-Output Routing can send guitar, keys, the practice track, and the metronome to separate output pairs on a multi-output audio interface.

Yes. Stereo input support was added in version 1.2.

Yes. Connect a MIDI keyboard for Keys Mode or use a MIDI foot controller with MIDI Learn, Program Change preset switching, and channel filtering.

Bug fixes and product improvements are free, and Keys Mode is a free update for existing owners. We may offer separate major products or optional paid upgrades in the future.

After purchase, enter the license key once to authorize up to two Macs. There is no iLok or hardware dongle, and an internet connection is not required after activation.

~/Music/Standalone/Recordings/, organized by preset name.

Recordings are saved as 32-bit floating-point WAV files.

Open Settings, scroll to the bottom, and use the button that opens the data folder. Copy that folder to your preferred backup location.

STANDALONE scans your Audio Unit plug-in folders automatically at launch. If you install new plug-ins, use the rescan button in Settings.