DAWScript

This project provides an abstraction layer for a minimal subset of the scripting APIs found in some popular DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), with a focus on mixer control.

In its current form, it is useful as a programmable MIDI-learn-like tool that requires little to no coding skills.

Goals

• Control mixer and plugin parameters
• Run the same unmodified code on different DAWs. Currently, REAPER and Ableton Live 11+ are supported.
• Handle all the boilerplate
• Be easy to use for casual users
• Be self-explanatory to programmers

Current Features

• MIDI input
• Track volume, panning, and mute control
• Plugin bypass and parameter control
• Footswitch logic with gestures like press, double press, and long press

Requirements

• Python 3
• REAPER users need to set it up manually
• Live 11+ already comes with an embedded interpreter

Quick Start

Copy or symlink one of the .py files in the examples directory to the project's root directory (where dawscript.py resides). How to install the script depends on the DAW, detailed instructions coming soon.

Examples

All the examples are functionally equivalent but differ in implementation. The mute state of a track named Track 1 is toggled when a footswitch that sends MIDI control messages for Sustain Pedal (CC64) is pressed:

No-code setup using a configuration file

# config_file.yml

- footswitch:
    midi:
      press: control_change 64 127
      release: control_change 64 0
    gestures:
      pressed: host.toggle_track_mute_by_name, Track 1

# config_file.py

(config, gadgets) = gadget.make_from_yaml(
   host.dawscript_relpath('examples/config_file.yml'),
   globals()
)

def host_callback(midi: list[bytes]):
   gadget.process_midi(midi, gadgets)

Object-oriented tracks API

# high_level_api.py

config = Config(midi_inputs=ALL_MIDI_INPUTS)

footswitch = Footswitch()
footswitch.map_midi_press(make_cc(control=64, value=127), omni=True)
footswitch.map_midi_release(make_cc(control=64, value=0), omni=True)

def on_project_load():
   try:
      callback = Track('Track 1').toggle_mute
      footswitch.set_callback_pressed(callback)
   except TrackNotFoundError:
      Host.log('Incompatible project loaded')

def host_callback(midi: list[bytes]):
   footswitch.process(midi)

Plain calls to DAW abstraction interface

# low_level_api.py

config = Config(midi_inputs=ALL_MIDI_INPUTS)
footswitch = Footswitch()

def host_callback(midi: list[bytes]):
   for msg in make_midi_messages(midi):
      if msg.is_cc() and msg.control == 64:
         if msg.value == 127:
            footswitch.press()
         elif msg.value == 0:
            footswitch.release()

   if footswitch.poll():
      if footswitch.pressed():
         host.toggle_track_mute(host.get_track('Track 1'))

How to Install

Coming soon

Debug Environment

Debugging while running on a DAW can be a tedious process, so DAWScript can also run stand-alone when started from a terminal. In this case, a JACK server is required to provide MIDI input, and calls to the DAW APIs target a mock implementation that prints to stdout. MIDI implementation is planned to be replaced by RtMidi so no additional software is required.

Related Tools

Check out Consul, my CLAP/VST plugin for MIDI remote control.

Useful Links

REAPER
https://www.reaper.fm/sdk/reascript/reascripthelp.html
https://forums.cockos.com/showthread.php?p=2572493
https://github.com/majek/wdl/blob/master/WDL/db2val.h

Live
https://nsuspray.github.io/Live_API_Doc/11.0.0.xml
https://github.com/gluon/AbletonLive11_MIDIRemoteScripts

Other
https://jackclient-python.readthedocs.io/en/0.5.5/
https://mido.readthedocs.io/en/stable/
https://www.standardsapplied.com/nonlinear-curve-fitting-calculator.html