DAW MIDI Generator

You can use the DAW MIDI Generator MCP Server to create production-ready MIDI files that cover chords, drums, bass, melodies, and full arrangements for any DAW. It enables Claude to generate standard MIDI 1.0 files that you can import directly into your favorite music software, streamlining your AI-assisted music workflows.

How to use

You interact with the MCP server through an MCP client (such as Claude Desktop). Start Claude Desktop and connect it to the local MCP server you configured. You can then request specific MIDI outputs such as a chord progression in a chosen key, drum patterns in a particular style, bass lines, melodies, or a complete arrangement. The server returns MIDI files saved to a designated output folder, which you can import into your DAW.

Common scenarios include generating a simple chord progression in a given key and tempo, producing a house drum pattern at a chosen BPM, or creating a full 8–16 bar arrangement that combines chords, drums, and bass. After you issue the request, Claude generates the MIDI files and provides the file paths so you can open or import them directly into your project.

How to install

Prerequisites you need: a macOS or Linux system, Python 3.10 or newer, and Claude Desktop installed. You will also need a DAW that supports MIDI import.

Step by step commands you will run locally to set up the MCP server is shown here as a practical flow you can follow.

1. Clone the project repository to your machine and enter the directory.

git clone https://github.com/s2d01/daw-midi-generator-mcp.git
cd daw-midi-generator-mcp

2. Install Python dependencies needed by the MCP server.

pip3 install -r requirements.txt

3. Determine the absolute path to the server script on your machine.

pwd

4. Configure Claude Desktop to point to the local MCP server. Create or edit the Claude Desktop configuration with the absolute path to the server script. Use the following JSON snippet as the configuration content, replacing YOUR_USERNAME with your actual system username.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "daw_midi": {
      "command": "python3",
      "args": ["/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/daw-midi-generator-mcp/midi_generator_server.py"]
    }
  }
}

Additional setup notes

Ensure the absolute path is used; relative paths do not work for the server script. After saving the configuration, completely quit Claude Desktop and reopen it to apply changes.

The server runs automatically in the background while Claude Desktop is open and stops when you quit Claude Desktop. You do not start it manually.

Project structure and outputs

The server creates an output directory for MIDI files when it first runs. Typical files include chords_*, drums_*, and bass_*.mid, which you can locate under your user’s Music directory.

Notes on usage and tools

The MCP server exposes a set of capabilities to Claude for MIDI generation. You can request chord progressions, drum patterns, bass lines, melodies, and full arrangements. Each tool accepts parameters such as key, tempo, bars, pattern type, and scale to tailor the MIDI outputs to your project.

Security and troubleshooting

If Claude reports that it cannot access the MCP server, verify that the configuration uses an absolute path, check the server logs for startup messages, and restart Claude Desktop fully. If the server output MIDI files appear empty or do not play, ensure the correct instrument assignments, track levels, muting, and proper MIDI channel assignment (drums use channel 10).

Available tools

generate_chord_progression

Creates MIDI files containing chord voicings for a specified key, progression, tempo, and bar count.

generate_drum_pattern

Generates drum pattern MIDI files in styles such as house, techno, or trap with standard GM drum mapping.

generate_bass_line

Produces bass line MIDI files with selected key, pattern, tempo, and bar count.

generate_melody

Creates melodic MIDI files based on a chosen scale, key, tempo, and bar count.

create_full_arrangement

Generates a complete arrangement including chords, drums, and bass as separate MIDI files.