Was presented at:
Publication: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7842002
We present LambDAW, a novel system for integrating computation and composition that brings code directly into the digital audio workstation (DAW). It allows the composer to freely mix static and dynamic materials by embedding short expressions of code in the DAW timeline that generate audio and MIDI on demand. LambDAW moves code out of the text editor and computation out of the effects chain, bringing both into the timeline where they can refer to and transform other items. We propose that this move makes code more tangible and enables the composer to easily bring generativity into their existing practices. Additionally, we discuss LambDAW's affordances and implications for live coding. LambDAW takes the form of an open-source REAPER extension that executes Python code embedded in projects, enabling the user to benefit from both the existing REAPER and Python ecosystems.