Developer Conscious Audio has released HeartSync, a free public beta VST3 plugin for macOS and Windows that maps your real-time heart rate to your DAW’s tempo.
The developer reached out to me about HeartSync, and it made me realize that it’s been ages since I’ve seen a plugin concept that feels really innovative.
We see a lot of plugins these days that feel like variations on ideas we already know, even when they’re positioned as something “different.” It’s rare to come across a tool that feels unfamiliar in a good way, but HeartSync managed to do exactly that.
I haven’t personally seen anything quite like this before, which is why I wanted to share it in our news section, even though the final version won’t be free.
The current public beta is completely free, while a more advanced paid version (referred to by the developer as the alpha) is in active development. Pricing hasn’t been finalized yet, but the beta is open to everyone who wants to experiment with the plugin.
The idea is simple, if not a bit sci-fi. It lets your body, rather than a fixed grid, drive the tempo of your music.
HeartSync works by connecting to a compatible Bluetooth LE heart-rate monitor and translating your pulse into BPM changes inside your DAW.
Supported devices currently include Polar H10, Verity Sense, and Wahoo TICKR. I actually have a Polar H10 tucked away from my running days, so this plugin finally gives me a reason to dig it out again and go for a run this weekend.
Now, the potential issue is that our heart rate varies a lot. Actually, HRV (heart rate variability) is a good indicator of stress levels and overall health.
Because of that, instead of snapping your project to a constantly jumping tempo, HeartSync averages incoming heart-rate data and smooths it with an exponential moving average.
You can control how reactive the tempo feels, from near-instant changes to more gradual shifts. There’s also a minimum and maximum BPM range, which ensures things stay playable even if your heart rate fluctuates wildly.
The plugin doesn’t process audio; it sends tempo data via OSC to your DAW. It’s been tested with Ableton Live and Reaper, and setup is guided through an in-plugin tutorial. Factory presets cover common heart-rate ranges, from resting to cardio, so it’s easy to get started.
Is this essential for traditional music production? Probably not unless your heart finished music school and knows how to keep a tempo.
But for jamming, experimentation, live performance, or simply looking for a different kind of inspiration, it’s a fascinating idea. Having your music subtly follow your physical state can make it feel more engaging, and I’m looking forward to having fun with this over the weekend.
HeartSync Beta is available in VST3 format for macOS (universal) and Windows 10/11. It requires a compatible Bluetooth heart-rate monitor and a DAW that supports OSC tempo control.
Download: HeartSync (free beta)
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Last Updated on February 5, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
