Ardour MCP Server

Ardour MCP Server bridges the gap between AI assistants and a full‑featured digital audio workstation by exposing Ardour’s rich set of transport, track, and menu controls through the Model Context Protocol. It translates MCP requests into Open Sound Control (OSC) messages that Ardour understands, allowing developers to script complex audio workflows, automate repetitive tasks, or build AI‑powered music production tools without touching the Ardour UI.

The server solves a common pain point in audio automation: native APIs for DAWs are often limited or proprietary, and OSC is the lingua franca of music software. By wrapping OSC in MCP, Ardour MCP Server gives AI assistants a clean, typed interface to play, stop, locate, change tempo, mute tracks, solo groups, and trigger any Ardour menu action. This eliminates the need for custom OSC scripts or manual configuration, enabling rapid prototyping and integration into larger AI pipelines.

Key capabilities include:

• Transport control – start, stop, jump to markers, adjust playback speed, and query state.
• Track management – mute, solo, enable recording, adjust gain and trim on individual tracks or groups.
• Menu actions – invoke any Ardour menu command via the generic endpoint.
• State introspection – read current playback status, track properties, and more for dynamic decision‑making.
• MCP compliance – each feature is exposed as a distinct tool with clear parameters, making it trivial for an AI client to discover and use them.

Typical use cases span from automated mixing scripts that adjust levels based on AI‑generated analysis, to live performance tools where an assistant controls transport and track routing in real time. In research settings, the server can serve as a testbed for AI agents that learn to compose or edit audio by interacting with Ardour through MCP. Its straightforward OSC integration also means it can be paired with other MIDI/OSC‑based instruments or controllers, creating hybrid workflows that blend AI logic with hands‑on performance.

Overall, Ardour MCP Server gives developers a powerful, standardized gateway to a professional DAW, unlocking new possibilities for AI‑driven audio creation, analysis, and production.