Reaper Mcp

TwelveTake REAPER MCP

A TwelveTake Studios project.

[](https://github.com/TwelveTake-Studios/reaper-mcp) [](https://buymeacoffee.com/twelvetake) [](https://ko-fi.com/twelvetake)

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants to control REAPER DAW for mixing, mastering, MIDI composition, and full music production workflows.

Built by a working producer with 7+ albums released. These aren't theoretical tools—they're battle-tested in real sessions.

Version: 1.5.0

Why This Server

Workflow Automation, Not Just API Wrappers

Most MCP servers just wrap REAPER's API and call it a day. This one includes production workflow helpers that handle multi-step operations in a single call:

| Tool | What it does for you | |------|---------------------| | setup_sidechain_compression() | Creates send, routes to channels 3-4, configures ReaComp's detector input — complete sidechain setup in one call | | add_mastering_chain() | Adds ReaEQ → ReaComp → ReaEQ → ReaLimit to master track with proper signal flow | | add_parallel_compression() | Creates a bus track, sets up the send, adds compressor — NY-style compression ready to blend | | create_bus() | Creates a submix track and routes your specified tracks to it | | get_project_summary() | Returns track count, all track names/volumes/pans/FX, markers, regions, tempo, time signature — everything your AI needs in one call |

Zero Configuration

• File-based communication works immediately — no network setup, no ports to configure
• Stock REAPER Lua only — the bridge script has no dependencies, nothing extra to install in REAPER
• Copy the script, run it, connect your AI assistant

163 Tools Covering Real Production Needs

• Full FX control — add/remove plugins, get/set any parameter by index, manage presets, bypass
• FX parameter automation — automate any plugin knob (flanger depth, filter cutoff, etc.)
• Complete routing — sends, receives, sidechain routing to specific channel pairs
• Automation — create envelopes, add/edit points, set automation modes
• MIDI — create items, add notes individually or in batches, edit velocities
• Audio items — import, split, duplicate, fade, position, mute
• Markers & regions — create, edit, navigate, render by region

Requirements

• REAPER (any recent version)
• Python 3.8+ (for the MCP server)
• An MCP-compatible AI assistant

Installation

1. Install the Bridge Script in REAPER

The bridge script runs inside REAPER and handles communication with the MCP server.

1. Copy reaper_mcp_bridge.lua to your REAPER Scripts folder:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\REAPER\Scripts\
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/REAPER/Scripts/
• Linux: ~/.config/REAPER/Scripts/

1. In REAPER: Actions → Show action list → Load ReaScript
2. Select reaper_mcp_bridge.lua and click Run

You should see "REAPER MCP Bridge started" in REAPER's console.

2. Install the MCP Server

pip install -r requirements.txt

Or install dependencies directly:

pip install mcp httpx

Alternative: Nix flake (optional)

If you use Nix, the repo ships a flake-based dev shell that provides Python 3.12 and creates/activates a virtualenv for you:

# Enter the dev shell manually
nix develop

# Or, with direnv, auto-activate on cd:
direnv allow

Then install the dependencies as usual:

pip install -r requirements.txt

This pins the Python version and keeps dependencies isolated from your system.

> Note: the x86_64-linux dev shell is tested and working. The macOS (Darwin) shells are > provided but have not been tested — confirmation from a macOS user is welcome.

3. Configure Your AI Assistant

Add to your MCP client's configuration (e.g., .mcp.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "reaper": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["path/to/reaper_mcp_server.py"]
    }
  }
}

4. Verify Connection

python test_connection.py

Communication Modes

The file-based bridge is the supported path — it is reliable and needs no extra setup. HTTP mode is deprecated (see below).

File-Based (Default, Recommended)

Uses JSON files for communication. More reliable, no network configuration needed. This is the only actively maintained path; all tools are guaranteed to work here.

MCP Server                    REAPER Bridge
    │                              │
    ├── writes request_N.json ────►│
    │                              ├── processes request
    │◄── reads response_N.json ────┤

Bridge directory: %APPDATA%\REAPER\Scripts\mcp_bridge_data

HTTP Mode (Deprecated)

> Deprecated as of v1.2.1. The HTTP bridges (reaper_web_server.lua / reaper_web_server.py) > are kept for existing users but are no longer maintained and will not receive new tools. > They may be removed in a future major release (v2.0). Use the file bridge instead.

Uses HTTP requests on localhost. Requires additional setup:

• Lua HTTP bridge: Requires LuaSocket (install via ReaPack → "sockmonkey")
• Python HTTP bridge: Requires Python enabled in REAPER preferences

# Set environment variable to use HTTP mode
REAPER_COMM_MODE=http python reaper_mcp_server.py

Default port: 9000

Quick Start Examples

Basic Track Operations

"How many tracks are in my project?"
"Create a new track called 'Vocals'"
"Set track 0 volume to -6dB"
"Mute track 2"
"Solo the drums track"

Mixing

"Add ReaComp to the bass track"
"Set up sidechain compression from the kick to the bass"
"Create a drum bus and route tracks 0-3 to it"
"Add a mastering chain to the master track"

FX and Parameters

"What plugins are on track 0?"
"Get the parameters for the compressor on track 1"
"Set the threshold to -20dB"
"Bypass the EQ on the vocal track"

MIDI Composition

"Create a 4-bar MIDI item on track 0"
"Add a C major chord at the start"
"Get all the notes in the MIDI item"
"Set the velocity of note 0 to 100"

Transport and Navigation

"Play the project"
"Stop playback"
"Set the cursor to 30 seconds"
"Add a marker called 'Chorus' at the current position"

Project Management

"What's the project tempo?"
"Set the tempo to 120 BPM"
"Save the project"
"Render to D:/Output/mix.wav"

Tool Reference

Track Operations (23 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | get_track_count() | Get total number of tracks (excluding master) | | get_track(index) | Get track info (name, volume, pan, mute, solo) | | get_all_tracks() | Get info for all tracks | | get_master_track() | Get master track info | | insert_track(index, name) | Create a new track | | delete_track(index) | Delete a track | | set_track_name(index, name) | Rename a track | | set_track_volume(index, db) | Set volume in dB | | set_track_pan(index, pan) | Set pan (-1 to 1) | | set_track_mute(index, mute) | Mute/unmute track | | set_track_solo(index, solo) | Solo/unsolo track | | set_track_phase(index, invert) | Invert phase | | set_track_width(index, width) | Set stereo width (0-2) | | set_track_color(index, r, g, b) | Set track color | | get_track_peak(index, channel) | Get current peak level (dB) | | get_track_peak_hold(index, channel) | Get held peak since last reset (dB) | | clear_all_peak_indicators() | Reset peak hold on all tracks | | get_track_master_send(index) | Get master/parent send state | | set_track_master_send(index, enabled) | Enable/disable master send | | set_track_as_folder(index, depth) | Set as folder parent/child | | arm_track(index, arm) | Arm for recording | | set_track_input(index, input) | Set record input | | set_track_monitor(index, mode) | Set monitor mode |

FX Operations (16 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | track_fx_get_count(index) | Count FX on track | | track_fx_get_list(index) | List all FX with details | | track_fx_add_by_name(index, name, position?) | Add FX plugin (optionally at position) | | track_fx_move(index, fx_index, new_position) | Reorder FX in the chain | | track_fx_delete(index, fx_index) | Remove FX | | track_fx_get_name(index, fx_index) | Get FX name | | track_fx_get_enabled(index, fx_index) | Check if enabled | | track_fx_set_enabled(index, fx_index, enabled) | Enable/bypass FX | | track_fx_get_num_params(index, fx_index) | Count parameters | | track_fx_get_param_name(index, fx_index, param) | Get parameter name | | track_fx_get_param(index, fx_index, param) | Get parameter value | | track_fx_set_param(index, fx_index, param, value) | Set parameter value | | get_fx_presets(index, fx_index) | List available presets | | get_fx_preset(index, fx_index) | Get current preset | | set_fx_preset(index, fx_index, name) | Load preset | | save_fx_preset(index, fx_index, name) | Save current settings as preset |

ReaEQ Operations (5 tools)

Dedicated ReaEQ band control using REAPER's EQ-specific API, which handles ReaEQ's non-linear parameter curves (dB gain, log frequency, log Q) correctly.

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | find_eq(track, instantiate?) | Find ReaEQ on a track (optionally add it) | | get_eq_bands(track, fx) | Read all ReaEQ bands with human-readable values | | set_eq_band(track, fx, bandtype, bandidx, paramtype, value, is_normalized?) | Set a band parameter (Hz, dB, or Q) | | get_eq_band_enabled(track, fx, bandtype, bandidx?) | Check whether a band is enabled | | set_eq_band_enabled(track, fx, bandtype, bandidx?, enabled?) | Enable/disable a band |

Take FX Operations (11 tools)

Per-take (per-item) FX, mirroring the track FX tools. Every take is addressed by (track_index, item_index, take_index).

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | take_fx_get_count(track, item, take) | Count FX on a take | | take_fx_get_list(track, item, take) | List all take FX with details | | take_fx_add_by_name(track, item, take, name) | Add FX plugin to a take | | take_fx_delete(track, item, take, fx) | Remove FX from a take | | take_fx_get_name(track, item, take, fx) | Get take FX name | | take_fx_get_enabled(track, item, take, fx) | Check if enabled | | take_fx_set_enabled(track, item, take, fx, enabled) | Enable/bypass take FX | | take_fx_get_num_params(track, item, take, fx) | Count parameters | | take_fx_get_param_name(track, item, take, fx, param) | Get parameter name | | take_fx_get_param(track, item, take, fx, param) | Get parameter value | | take_fx_set_param(track, item, take, fx, param, value) | Set parameter value |

Take Management & Comping (7 tools)

Multi-take workflows: list/switch/delete takes, explode/crop, REAPER 7 fixed-lane comping.

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | get_takes(track, item) | List all takes (name + active flag) | | get_active_take(track, item) | Get the active take index | | set_active_take(track, item, take) | Switch which take plays | | explode_takes(track, item) | Explode takes to overlapping items (in place) | | crop_to_active_take(track, item) | Keep only the active take | | delete_take(track, item, take) | Delete a specific take | | select_comp_lane(track, lane) | Play one fixed lane exclusively (lane comping) |

Routing (9 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | create_send(src, dest) | Create send between tracks | | delete_send(index, send_index) | Remove a send | | set_send_volume(index, send_index, db) | Set send level | | get_track_num_sends(index) | Count sends from track | | set_send_dest_channels(index, send_index, chan) | Route to specific channels | | set_send_source_channels(index, send_index, chan) | Set source channels | | setup_sidechain_send(src, dest, db) | Create sidechain send | | configure_reacomp_sidechain(index, fx_index, use) | Configure ReaComp sidechain | | setup_sidechain_compression(trigger, target, fx, db) | Complete sidechain setup |

Transport (10 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | play() | Start playback | | stop() | Stop playback | | pause() | Pause playback | | record() | Start recording | | get_play_state() | Get current state (playing/paused/recording) | | get_cursor_position() | Get edit cursor position (seconds) | | set_cursor_position(seconds) | Move edit cursor | | get_play_position() | Get playback position (seconds) | | toggle_repeat() | Toggle loop mode | | get_repeat_state() | Check if looping |

Project (15 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | get_project_summary() | Get comprehensive project state in one call | | save_project() | Save current project | | create_project(name) | Create new project | | open_project(path) | Open project file | | get_project_path() | Get project directory | | get_project_name() | Get project filename | | get_project_length() | Get project length (seconds) | | get_tempo() | Get project tempo (BPM) | | set_tempo(bpm) | Set project tempo | | get_time_signature() | Get time signature | | set_time_signature(num, denom) | Set time signature | | render_project(path, start, end, tail) | Render to audio file | | render_region(index, path) | Render specific region | | zoom_to_selection() | Zoom to time selection | | zoom_to_project() | Zoom to show entire project |

MIDI Operations (8 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | create_midi_item(track, pos, length) | Create empty MIDI item | | get_midi_item(track, item) | Get MIDI item info | | add_midi_note(track, item, pitch, vel, start_beat, length_beats, chan) | Add single note (beats) | | add_midi_notes_batch(track, item, notes) | Add multiple notes | | get_midi_notes(track, item) | Get all notes | | delete_midi_note(track, item, note) | Delete a note | | clear_midi_item(track, item) | Delete all notes | | set_midi_note_velocity(track, item, note, vel) | Change note velocity |

Audio Items (17 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | insert_audio_file(track, path, pos) | Import audio file | | get_track_items(track) | List all items on track | | get_item_info(track, item) | Get item details | | set_item_position(track, item, pos) | Move item | | set_item_length(track, item, length) | Change item length | | delete_item(track, item) | Delete item | | duplicate_item(track, item) | Duplicate item | | split_item(track, item, pos) | Split item at position | | set_item_mute(track, item, mute) | Mute/unmute item | | set_item_volume(track, item, db) | Set item volume | | set_item_fade_in(track, item, length) | Set fade-in | | set_item_fade_out(track, item, length) | Set fade-out | | select_all_items() | Select all items | | unselect_all_items() | Deselect all items | | get_selected_items() | Get selected items | | copy_selected_items() | Copy to clipboard | | paste_items() | Paste from clipboard |

Markers & Regions (8 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | add_marker(pos, name, color) | Add marker | | add_region(start, end, name, color) | Add region | | get_markers() | Get all markers | | get_regions() | Get all regions | | delete_marker(index) | Delete marker | | delete_region(index) | Delete region | | go_to_marker(index) | Jump to marker | | go_to_region(index) | Jump to region start |

Automation (8 tools)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | get_track_envelope(track, name) | Get envelope by name | | get_envelope_point_count(track, name) | Count envelope points | | add_envelope_point(track, name, time, value, shape) | Add automation point | | get_envelope_points(track, name) | Get all points | | delete_envelope_point(track, name, index) | Delete point | | clear_envelope(track, name) | Clear all points | | `settrackautomation_mo

…

Source & license

This open-source MCP server is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: TwelveTake-Studios
• Source: TwelveTake-Studios/reaper-mcp
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://twelvetake.com

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.