Developer Acutely aware Audio has launched HeartSync, a free public beta VST3 plugin for macOS and Home windows that maps your real-time coronary heart charge to your DAW’s tempo.
The developer reached out to me about HeartSync, and it made me notice that it’s been ages since I’ve seen a plugin idea that feels actually modern.
We see a number of plugins as of late that really feel like variations on concepts we already know, even once they’re positioned as one thing “completely different.” It’s uncommon to come back throughout a instrument that feels unfamiliar in a great way, however HeartSync managed to do precisely that.
I haven’t personally seen something fairly like this earlier than, which is why I wished to share it in our information part, despite the fact that the ultimate model gained’t be free.
The present public beta is totally free, whereas a extra superior paid model (referred to by the developer because the alpha) is in energetic growth. Pricing hasn’t been finalized but, however the beta is open to everybody who needs to experiment with the plugin.
The thought is straightforward, if not a bit sci-fi. It lets your physique, relatively than a hard and fast grid, drive the tempo of your music.
HeartSync works by connecting to a appropriate Bluetooth LE heart-rate monitor and translating your pulse into BPM modifications inside your DAW.
Supported gadgets at the moment embrace Polar H10, Verity Sense, and Wahoo TICKR. I even have a Polar H10 tucked away from my operating days, so this plugin lastly offers me a cause to dig it out once more and go for a run this weekend.
Now, the potential concern is that our coronary heart charge varies loads. Really, HRV (coronary heart charge variability) is an efficient indicator of stress ranges and general well being.
Due to that, as a substitute of snapping your venture to a continually leaping tempo, HeartSync averages incoming heart-rate knowledge and smooths it with an exponential shifting common.
You’ll be able to management how reactive the tempo feels, from near-instant modifications to extra gradual shifts. There’s additionally a minimal and most BPM vary, which ensures issues keep playable even when your coronary heart charge fluctuates wildly.
The plugin doesn’t course of audio; it sends tempo knowledge by way of OSC to your DAW. It’s been examined with Ableton Reside and Reaper, and setup is guided by way of an in-plugin tutorial. Manufacturing unit presets cowl widespread heart-rate ranges, from resting to cardio, so it’s simple to get began.
Is that this important for conventional music manufacturing? In all probability not until your coronary heart completed music faculty and is aware of how you can maintain a tempo.
However for jamming, experimentation, dwell efficiency, or just on the lookout for a distinct type of inspiration, it’s a captivating thought. Having your music subtly observe your bodily state could make it really feel extra participating, and I’m trying ahead to having enjoyable with this over the weekend.
HeartSync Beta is on the market in VST3 format for macOS (common) and Home windows 10/11. It requires a appropriate Bluetooth heart-rate monitor and a DAW that helps OSC tempo management.
Obtain: HeartSync (free beta)
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Final Up to date on February 5, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
