REAPER MCP

Overview

REAPER MCP connects AI assistants to REAPER DAW through file-based communication. Control tracks, FX, takes, routing, automation, MIDI composition, and mastering workflows with 158 tools. Works with stock REAPER - no external plugins required.

Features

• 158 MCP tools for complete DAW control
• Mixing - Tracks, volume, pan, mute, solo, FX, routing
• Takes & comping - Per-take FX, switch/explode/crop takes, lane comping
• MIDI - Create items, add/edit notes, batch operations
• Audio editing - Import, split, fade, duplicate
• Mastering - One-click chains, parallel compression, buses
• Automation - Envelope points, automation modes
• Zero configuration - File-based communication, no network setup
• Stock REAPER - Uses built-in Lua, no additional installations

Requirements

• REAPER (any recent version)
• Python 3.8+
• An MCP-compatible AI client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, etc.)

Installation

Step 1: Get the Server

Clone the repository and install its Python dependencies:

git clone https://github.com/TwelveTake-Studios/reaper-mcp
cd reaper-mcp
pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 2: Set Up the Bridge Script

Copy reaper_mcp_bridge.lua to your REAPER Scripts folder:

Then load the script via REAPER's Actions menu (Actions → Show action list → Load ReaScript).

Step 3: Configure Your AI Client

Choose your AI assistant and add the configuration:

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

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

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

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

Step 4: Verify Connection

With REAPER running and the bridge script loaded:

python test_connection.py

If connection is successful, you're ready to go.

Available Tools (158)

Usage Examples

Mute track 2

Set track 0 volume to -6dB

Create a new track called "Vocals"

Add ReaComp to the bass track

Create a drum bus

Set the threshold to -20dB

List the takes on the first item of the vocal track

Switch to take 2 and add ReaEQ to it

Crop the item to the active take

Create a 4-bar MIDI item on track 0

Add a C4 quarter note at beat 1

Track Indexing

Tracks use 0-based indexing:

• First track = index 0
• Second track = index 1
• Master track = index -1

Common Plugin Names

FAQ