Questions, answered plainly.
If something here is not clear, or is not covered, ask us on the support page .
Getting started
Is Diamond really free to download?
Yes, the download is free and there is no time limit on trying it: no countdown, no watermark, and nothing switches off after a fortnight. Diamond opens in trial mode, where every instrument, every effect and every export format works, for as long as you like.
Then what does a license actually buy me?
The ability to re-open a project you have saved. That is the one thing trial mode will not do; everything else is identical, and you can build a track, save it and export it either way. Your saves stay on your disk untouched, and every one of them opens the moment you activate. It is a well-established way to sell a DAW, and we picked it because it lets you finish a whole song before deciding whether to pay.
Can I export a finished track without paying?
Yes. In trial mode, saving and exporting are both unrestricted, at full quality, with no watermark on the audio.
Where do I get it?
From this site. Diamond is not out yet; when it ships the download goes up on the download page, for everyone at once. Email sign-ups are paused for now, so there is nothing to join at the moment.
Licenses and activation
How many computers can I use it on?
Three at a time. That is three simultaneous activations, not three forever. If you replace a machine or reinstall Windows, you can free the old slot from your account page and use it somewhere else straight away.
Do I need to be online to use Diamond?
No. Activation contacts us once, and after that your machine holds a signed license file locally. Opening your projects keeps working offline, indefinitely, with no periodic phone-home and no re-checks while you work.
What happens if your servers go away?
Your existing activations keep working, because the check is against the file on your machine rather than against us. That is the reason the license is built this way round.
Where do I find my license key?
On your account page, once you are signed in. It is shown only to you and it is not emailed to anyone, so your inbox is not a place it can leak from.
I have lost access to my email address.
Get in touch from the support page with whatever proof of purchase you still have. An order number or the card receipt is usually enough, and we will move the license to your new address.
Plugins and compatibility
Will my existing plugins work?
If they are VST3, yes. Diamond scans the plugin folders you already use, so your library comes with you rather than needing to be rebuilt.
What about AU plugins?
Not yet. AU is a macOS-only format, and the macOS build has not been released, so AU hosting is not available to anybody today. It arrives with the macOS version.
Which operating systems does it run on?
Windows 10 64-bit or later, which is the first release. macOS is in development and Linux is planned after it. Both are coming, but we are not putting a date on either until the build runs on the hardware it is meant for.
Do I need an audio interface?
No. Diamond will use your built-in sound card through WASAPI. An interface with an ASIO driver gives you lower latency, which matters most when you are playing or recording parts in rather than arranging.
Can I open my projects from another DAW?
Not directly. Project formats are specific to the DAW that wrote them, and that is true in every direction. Audio and MIDI files import normally, which is how most people move a part across.
Asking about billing?
Switching plans, canceling a rent-to-own, refunds and what happens to payments you have already made are all answered on the pricing page, next to the actual numbers.
ASIO is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, registered in Europe and other countries.