Chatgpt AI and what not making a daw with AI

The Studio
1

Right being that I have no idea on how to do do this I’m thinking about using AI to code an idm daw…

I will post the source code that AI comes up with in this thread…

I guess c++ is the common code language I guess

2

If you want source code for a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) written in C++, these are the best open-source starting points:

### Best C++ DAW Engines / Source Projects

1. **Tracktion Engine** — full DAW backend framework in C++

Built for sequencing, audio editing, MIDI, plugin hosting, automation, etc.

GitHub: [Tracktion Engine](GitHub - Tracktion/tracktion_engine: Tracktion Engine module · GitHub)

Official site: [Tracktion](Creative audio software DAW plugins | Tracktion)

2. **JUCE Framework** — industry-standard C++ audio framework

Used by many commercial DAWs and plugins.

GitHub: [JUCE GitHub](GitHub - juce-framework/JUCE: JUCE is an open-source cross-platform C++ application framework for desktop and mobile applications, including VST, VST3, AU, AUv3, LV2 and AAX audio plug-ins. · GitHub)

Official site: [JUCE Official Website](Home - JUCE)

3. **MAGDA** — open-source modern DAW using JUCE + Tracktion Engine

Includes mixer, session view, AI integration, modulation system, etc. ([Hacker News][1])

GitHub: [MAGDA Source Code](GitHub - Conceptual-Machines/magda-core: A DAW built for automation, transformation, and fast musical iteration · GitHub)

4. **OpenDaw** — GPL DAW written with Qt + Tracktion Engine

Has piano roll, notation view, VST3 support, routing system. ([Reddit][2])

GitHub: [OpenDaw GitHub](GitHub - glenwrhodes/OpenDaw: OpenDaw — a free, open-source Digital Audio Workstation for Windows. Qt 6 UI, Tracktion Engine audio, MIDI piano roll, VST3 instruments, built-in effects, Claude AI assistant. · GitHub)

-–

## Recommended Stack for Building Your Own IDM DAW

For an IDM/electronic-music focused DAW:

| Component | Recommended |

| --------------- | ----------------------- |

| GUI | JUCE |

| Audio engine | Tracktion Engine |

| DSP | Custom C++ DSP / Faust |

| Plugin support | VST3 + AU |

| Sequencer | MIDI clip engine |

| Synths | JUCE DSP module |

| Time stretching | RubberBand / SoundTouch |

| Audio graph | Tracktion graph |

-–

## Minimal Architecture

Typical DAW structure:

```text

App

├── Audio Engine

│ ├── Mixer

│ ├── Tracks

│ ├── Clips

│ ├── DSP Effects

│ └── Plugin Host

│

├── Sequencer

│ ├── MIDI timeline

│ ├── Automation

│ └── Tempo map

│

├── UI

│ ├── Arrangement view

│ ├── Piano roll

│ ├── Mixer

│ └── Device rack

│

└── File System

  ├── Project save/load

  └── Audio cache

```

-–

## Example: Simple JUCE Audio App

```cpp

class MainComponent : public juce::AudioAppComponent

{

public:

MainComponent()

{

    setAudioChannels(0, 2);

}

void prepareToPlay(int samplesPerBlockExpected,

                   double sampleRate) override

{

}

void getNextAudioBlock(

    const juce::AudioSourceChannelInfo& bufferToFill) override

{

    bufferToFill.clearActiveBufferRegion();

}

void releaseResources() override {}

private:

};

```

-–

## Features Needed for an IDM-Focused DAW

IDM-style workflows usually need:

* Clip launching

* Probability sequencing

* Polymeters

* Euclidean rhythms

* Granular synthesis

* Modular routing

* Automation curves

* Glitch/stutter engine

* Step sequencers

* MIDI effects

* Live resampling

Tracktion Engine already gives you a large portion of this.

-–

## Learning Resources

* [JUCE Tutorials](Tutorials - JUCE)

* [Tracktion Engine Docs](tracktion_engine/docs at develop · Tracktion/tracktion_engine · GitHub)

* [The Audio Programmer YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@TheAudioProgrammer?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

-–

## Easiest Path

If your goal is:

* **Fastest development:** JUCE + Tracktion Engine

* **Maximum control:** pure C++ audio engine

* **Modern DAW reference:** MAGDA or OpenDaw

* **Plugin/synth focus:** HISE

Would you like:

* a **minimal DAW starter template in C++**

* a **step-by-step roadmap to build an IDM DAW**

* or a **full source example with mixer + piano roll + VST hosting**?

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47417821&utm_source=chatgpt.com “Magda – Open-Source DAW with Integrated AI (C++/JUCE/Tracktion Engine) | Hacker News”

[2]: https://www.reddit.com/r/sounddesign/comments/1s3x5mu/i_built_a_free_opensource_daw_gpl

_qt_6_vst3_sheet/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “I built a free, open-source DAW - GPL, Qt 6, VST3, sheet music view, destructive audio editor (OpenDaw)”

3

Damn, I had no idea about traktion engine. I would add you should try and keep the DAW as portable as possible (code-wise) meaning to support the maximum number of OS/devices with increased abstraction. I think forget about 3rd party plugin hosting and develop a few basic tools to start. 'twould be a dream come true if I could actually record something on my phone, put a quick beat/processing on it, save it to the cloud and then open that up on my studio PC to finish at home. Plus that basically makes every phone a DAW in addition to a field recorder all in one app.

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4

JUCE is quite nice as you get lots of stuff in a single library.

I would however split the application into two parts: The UI and the engine. Because C++ needs quite a lot code for writing nice UIs while its excellent for the audio engine itself.

I used .NET for the UI and C++ for the engine. But if I had done it again I would probably have used RUST for the UI. Fun to learn new languages.

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