Hello everyone,
I would like to present my project MAGDA, an open-source DAW with integrated AI.
It is built on Tracktion Engine. The AI part is BYOAK (Bring Your Own API Keys). Currently it only supports OpenAI, because it relies on a GPT-5 feature called CFG (Context-Free Grammar) constrained generation, which is what we use to generate MAGDA’s internal DSL reliably.
A little bit about me. I have been working most of my career as a Python developer and other high-level languages. Recently, thanks to AI-assisted coding I started venturing into C++/JUCE development. The idea behind MAGDA was to try to replicate the natural language based workflow that is becoming common in modern AI IDEs, inside the environment of a DAW. AI here serves the purpose of automation, not creativity replacement.
This project went through many iterations. The first prototype was a React app but it turned out to be a pain to do any serious DSP work in JS, so I decided to experiment with JUCE. First version was a plugin but I hit some limitations in the workflow, so I came across Tracktion Engine and decided to get into this crazy adventure. Without TE I honestly doubt I could have gotten this far as a solo developer.
Some of the main features so far:
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Hybrid tracks (audio and MIDI on the same track)
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Arrangement view, session view, and mixer
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Plugin hosting (VST/AU)
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Modulation system with LFOs, bezier curve editor, and 16 macro knobs per device/rack
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Racks with parallel chains (nestable)
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AI chat panel for natural language commands using a custom DSL
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Piano roll / Drum Grid editors with pitchbend and MIDI CC lanes
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Built-in drum grid device
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Wrapped TE engine devices (EQ, compressor, reverb, delay, etc.)
The DAW is free and open source under GPL v3. Down the line I am aiming to offer pro-tier services and additional instruments/fx.
This is version 0.1.0. Looking for feedback and testers.
Cheers,
Luca