Intuitives DAW 🎵

Revolutionary Rule-Free Digital Audio Workstation

"Does this sound cool?" - The only rule.

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🎯 What is Intuitives?

Intuitives DAW is an open-source, experimental Digital Audio Workstation that revolutionizes music creation by removing barriers and embracing creativity. Unlike traditional DAWs that enforce music theory rules and technical constraints, Intuitives empowers everyone to create music through:

• 🎲 Experiment-First Design - Try ideas instantly without theory knowledge
• 🚫 No Learning Curve - Create music within minutes, not months
• 🎨 Visual & Intuitive - See your sound, shape it visually
• 🤖 AI Optional - Use AI when you want it, not when forced
• 🌱 Sustainability Focus - Locally-run models preferred, no cloud dependency
• 🔌 Plugin-Open - Extend and customize everything
• 📖 100% Open Source - Free forever, community-driven

✨ Key Features

🎹 Professional DAW, Zero Learning Curve

Complete Production Suite:

• 🎵 Unlimited Tracks - Audio & MIDI, no artificial limits
• 🎚️ 40+ Native Effects - Oscillators, filters, reverb, delay, distortion, and more
• 🎛️ Real-time Processing - 48kHz/24-bit low-latency audio engine
• 🎼 Full MIDI Support - Complete editing, automation, MPE controllers
• 💾 Project Management - Save, load, version control

But Approachable for Beginners:

• Generate music from text, images, or colors
• Visual sound manipulation (no technical knowledge needed)
• AI-assisted composition (fully optional)
• Progressive revelation of advanced features

🚀 Experiment-First Approach

Bypass Traditional Music Theory:

• ❌ No scale constraints or key signatures
• ❌ No forced quantization or time signatures
• ❌ No "right" or "wrong" notes
• ✅ Visual feedback (Chromasynesthesia: every note has a color)
• ✅ Instant experimentation
• ✅ Happy accidents encouraged

Generative Tools:

• Markov chain melody generation
• Genetic algorithm sound evolution
• Cellular automata rhythm patterns
• L-system fractal compositions
• Random walk explorations

🤖 AI Integration (Optional & Local-First)

Privacy-Preserving AI:

• 🔒 Local Models Default - Magenta, MusicGen, Spleeter (runs on your computer)
• 🌱 Sustainable - 99% lower carbon footprint than cloud AI
• 💰 Free - No API costs or subscriptions
• 🔌 Offline - Work anywhere, anytime

AI Features:

• Chord progression suggestions
• Melody generation and harmonization
• Audio analysis (BPM, key, pitch detection)
• Stem separation (vocals, drums, bass, other)
• Audio-to-MIDI conversion
• Text-to-audio generation

Cloud APIs Optional: OpenAI, Anthropic for advanced chat features

🔌 Plugin-Open Architecture

Extend Everything:

• 🎚️ Create custom audio effects
• 🎹 Build virtual instruments
• 🎵 Design MIDI processors
• 🎨 Add visualizers
• 🤖 Integrate AI models
• 📁 Support new file formats

Simple Python API:

from intuitive_daw.audio.processor import AudioEffect

class MyEffect(AudioEffect):
    def __init__(self, param=0.5):
        super().__init__("My Effect")
        self.param = param
    
    def _process_impl(self, audio):
        return audio * self.param

🌍 100% Open Source

Free Forever:

• MIT/GPLv3 licenses
• No subscriptions or premium tiers
• No vendor lock-in
• Community-driven development
• Transparent decision-making

Architecture

intuitive_music/
├── src/intuitive_daw/        # Main Python package
│   ├── core/                 # Core audio engine & project management
│   ├── audio/                # Audio processing & effects
│   ├── midi/                 # MIDI processing & manipulation
│   ├── ai/                   # AI assistant integration
│   ├── api/                  # Flask REST API & WebSocket server
│   ├── db/                   # Database models
│   ├── utils/                # Utility functions
│   └── cli.py                # Command-line interface
├── frontend/                 # React-based web UI
│   ├── src/                  # Frontend source code
│   └── public/               # Static assets
├── tests/                    # Test suite
├── docs/                     # Documentation
├── config.yaml               # Configuration file
└── requirements.txt          # Python dependencies

🚀 Quick Start (5 Minutes)

Prerequisites

• Python 3.9+ - python --version
• pip - Included with Python
• (Optional) Node.js 16+ - For web UI

Installation

Option A: Python Package (Recommended)

# 1. Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/mitchlabeetch/Intuitive_Music.git
cd Intuitive_Music

# 2. Create virtual environment
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # Windows: venv\Scripts\activate

# 3. Install
pip install -e .

# 4. Initialize
intuitive-daw init

# 5. Start creating!
intuitive-daw serve  # Start web UI

Option B: Native App (macOS/Linux/Windows)

# Navigate to native app
cd native/intuitives_daw

# Build
./build.sh

# Run
./build/IntuitivesDAW.app/Contents/MacOS/IntuitivesDAW  # macOS
# Or: ./build/IntuitivesDAW  # Linux/Windows

Your First Music (2 Minutes)

from intuitive_daw import Project
from intuitive_daw.ai.local_models import LocalAI

# Create project
project = Project("My First Song")

# Generate melody from text (no theory needed!)
ai = LocalAI()
melody = ai.text_to_melody("Hello World")

# Add to project
track = project.add_midi_track("Melody")
track.add_clip(melody)

# Save
project.save()

Congratulations! You've created music without knowing a single music theory concept.

Optional: Local AI Models

For enhanced AI features (still runs locally, no cloud):

# Install local AI models (recommended)
pip install magenta audiocraft basic-pitch spleeter

# These download on first use (~2GB total)

Optional: Cloud AI APIs

Only if you want advanced chat features:

# Copy environment template
cp .env.example .env

# Add API keys (optional)
echo "OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-your-key" >> .env

Note: Cloud APIs are completely optional. All core features work without them.

📚 Documentation

Complete Guides

• DOCUMENTATION.md - Comprehensive guide covering everything
• PHILOSOPHY.md - Project vision, values, and approach
• AI_INTEGRATION.md - Local-first AI setup and usage
• PLUGINS.md - Plugin development guide
• CONTRIBUTING.md - How to contribute

Quick Links

• Installation & Setup
• Your First 5 Minutes
• Core Concepts
• Plugin Development
• Local AI Models
• Why Intuitives is Different

Usage Examples

See DOCUMENTATION.md for detailed usage examples including:

• Creating projects and tracks
• Using the Python API
• Working with AI features
• MIDI processing
• Audio effects
• Command-line interface

⚙️ Configuration

Edit config.yaml to customize:

# Audio settings
audio:
  sample_rate: 48000
  buffer_size: 512
  bit_depth: 24

# AI settings (all optional)
ai:
  enabled: true
  provider: "local"  # Use local models by default
  local_models:
    melody: "magenta"
    harmony: "musicgen"

# Plugin directories
plugins:
  directories:
    - "./plugins"
    - "./user_plugins"

See config.yaml for all options.

🧪 Development

Running Tests

pytest tests/

Code Style

black src/
flake8 src/

Building Frontend

cd frontend
npm run build

🤝 Contributing

We welcome all contributions! Whether you're:

• 🎵 A musician sharing feedback
• 💻 A developer fixing bugs or adding features
• 🎨 A designer improving UI/UX
• 📖 A writer creating tutorials
• 🔌 A plugin developer extending functionality

Everyone is welcome here.

Quick Start Contributing

# 1. Fork on GitHub
# 2. Clone your fork
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/Intuitive_Music.git

# 3. Create branch
git checkout -b feature/my-feature

# 4. Make changes and test
pytest tests/

# 5. Submit pull request

See CONTRIBUTING.md for detailed guidelines.

Ways to Contribute

• 🐛 Report Bugs - Found an issue? Let us know!
• ✨ Suggest Features - Have an idea? Share it!
• 💻 Submit Code - Fix bugs or add features
• 📖 Improve Docs - Help others understand
• 🔌 Create Plugins - Extend functionality
• 🎵 Share Music - Show what you've created

📜 License

Open Source Forever:

• Native Engine - MIT License (permissive)
• Stargate Components - GPLv3 (copyleft)
• Python Tools - MIT License (permissive)

What this means:

• ✅ Free to use, modify, and distribute
• ✅ Use in commercial projects
• ✅ No vendor lock-in
• ✅ Community-owned

See LICENSE for details.

🗺️ Roadmap

Coming Soon

• VST/AU Plugin Support - Use your favorite plugins
• Mobile App - Create music on phone/tablet
• WebAssembly Version - Run in browser
• Collaborative Editing - Make music with friends
• Hardware Integration - Better MIDI controller support
• More AI Models - Expanded generative tools

Long-Term Vision

• AR/VR Support - Sculpt sound in 3D space
• Universal Plugin Standard - Cross-DAW compatibility
• Educational Tools - Learn music by creating

See GitHub Issues for detailed roadmap.

🙋 Support & Community

Get Help

• 📖 Documentation - Comprehensive guides
• 💬 Discord - Live community chat
• 🐛 GitHub Issues - Bug reports & features
• 💡 Discussions - Ideas & questions

Stay Updated

• ⭐ Star on GitHub - Show support
• 👁️ Watch Repository - Get notified
• 🐦 X/Twitter - Follow updates
• 📺 YouTube - Tutorials coming soon

Share Your Music

Created something with Intuitives? Share it!

• Tag #IntuitivesDAW on social media
• Post in Discord #showcase channel
• Submit to community gallery

🙏 Acknowledgments

Core Technologies

• Stargate DAW - Professional audio engine foundation
• Magenta - Google's music AI
• AudioCraft - Meta's text-to-music
• Librosa - Audio analysis
• Flask - Web framework
• React - UI framework
• NumPy/SciPy - Scientific computing

Inspiration

• SuperCollider - Live coding music
• Sonic Pi - Code-based creation
• VCV Rack - Modular synthesis
• Hydra - Visual live coding

Community

Thank you to all contributors, testers, and users who make Intuitives possible!

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💡 Philosophy

"Does this sound cool?"

That's the only question that matters.

No rules. No theory requirements. No judgment.

Just create.

Music is for everyone. Intuitives removes the barriers between your ideas and your creations.

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🎵 Make Music Your Way 🎵
Experiment • Create • Share

Made with ❤️ by the Intuitives community

Documentation • Philosophy • Contributing • Discord • GitHub