Boris FX has released Sequoia 2026.5, introducing a unified Spatial Panner designed to simplify stereo, surround, and immersive audio production. The update expands Sequoia’s capabilities for mastering, broadcasting, post-production, music production, and live recording while improving performance, video handling, and plugin integration.
At the center of the release is a connected panning environment that allows engineers to work across several delivery formats without rebuilding each mix from the ground up. Sequoia 2026.5 is available now as a complimentary update for customers with an active Sequoia subscription, Boris FX Suite subscription, or Sequoia upgrade and support plan.
New Spatial Panner Streamlines Immersive Audio Mixing
The new Sequoia Spatial Panner places stereo, surround, and immersive mixing controls inside one visual workspace. It supports mono, stereo, surround, and immersive 3D channel configurations up to 22.2, making it suitable for everything from conventional broadcast projects to complex ADM and Dolby Atmos productions.
Instead of switching between separate tools or adjusting tracks individually, users can view and control multiple sources within a shared spatial environment. Each source is displayed with its own peak meter, solo and mute controls, and corresponding track color. An optional 3D view provides another way to examine the position and relationship of sounds throughout the mix. The Spatial Panner is intended to make larger sessions easier to navigate, particularly when they contain numerous dialogue, music, ambience, or effects objects.
Linked Panning Across Multiple Delivery Formats
One of the most significant additions in Sequoia 2026.5 is the ability to link panning across multiple target buses. A single movement can simultaneously update stereo, surround, and immersive versions of a mix. This workflow can reduce the time required to prepare a project for different distribution platforms. Engineers can maintain consistency across deliverables while retaining the option to adjust each target format independently.
According to Boris FX, this approach is particularly useful for broadcast productions, radio dramas, classical recordings, live concerts, dialogue-heavy projects, and immersive music mixes. These applications frequently require complex spatial organization and delivery in multiple formats.
Advanced Spatial Audio Controls
Sequoia 2026.5 includes several tools for controlling the placement and movement of audio sources. Users can hide sources to reduce visual clutter or use speaker-snap for more precise positioning. Stereo material can be managed through symmetry mode, a stereo handle, and adjustable spread controls. Rotation modes and modifiers offer additional options for moving sources, while center divergence helps determine how strongly a signal is distributed toward a center channel. The Spatial Panner also supports pan presets, Matrix mode, and external VST panners, allowing it to fit into a variety of professional mixing setups.
Improved Video Engine for Broadcast and Post-Production
Alongside its immersive audio features, Sequoia 2026.5 introduces an updated video engine. The new version improves timecode synchronization and offers more flexible compatibility with Blackmagic hardware. Multi-stream audio support and refinements to video preview are also included. These enhancements are designed to make Sequoia more dependable for broadcast and post-production sessions in which audio must remain accurately synchronized with picture.
Faster Waveform Calculation and Audio Plugin Union Performance
The update improves overall DAW responsiveness with real-time waveform calculation during playback. This allows Sequoia to continue generating visual waveform information while a project is running, helping engineers work without repeatedly interrupting playback. Boris FX has also enhanced its Audio Plugin Union tools. The improved plugin experience is designed to feel faster, smoother, and more responsive during demanding production and mastering sessions.
CrumplePop SoundApp ARA Adds AI Audio Processing
CrumplePop SoundApp ARA, developed by Boris FX’s sister brand, is now accessible directly inside Sequoia. The software provides AI-powered stem separation and denoising for cleaning recordings, isolating audio elements, and preparing material for further editing.
Sequoia 2026.5 also expands its general ARA2 support. The DAW can automatically detect and enable compatible ARA plugins, perform full-clip analysis, and provide processing directly inside the arranger window. This tighter integration reduces the need to transfer material into separate editing applications.
Sequoia’s Evolution Into an Immersive Production Platform
Recent Sequoia releases have gradually expanded the DAW beyond its established stereo mastering and broadcast capabilities. Surround-sound improvements, the native ADM Editor, Dolby Atmos integration, and the new Spatial Panner now give users an increasingly complete environment for immersive audio production.
By connecting multiple output formats through a single visual tool, Sequoia 2026.5 addresses one of the more time-consuming parts of modern delivery workflows. Engineers can create, adapt, and monitor several versions of a project while preserving control over the individual needs of each mix.
Sequoia is available as a standalone DAW through subscription, perpetual license, and upgrade and support renewal options. Pricing starts at $595 per year or $95 per month. The Sequoia 2026.5 update is included at no additional cost for customers with an active Sequoia subscription, Boris FX Suite subscription, or Sequoia upgrade and support plan. You can find Sequoia 2026.5 available for purchase here.
