File Formats¶
Project Files¶
MAGDA saves projects as .mgd files, which store:
- Track layout and settings
- Clip references and positions
- Plugin chains and parameters
- Automation data
DAWproject Interchange¶
MAGDA can import and export the DAWproject format (.dawproject), an open interchange format for moving a project between different DAWs. Use File → Import DAWproject... to open one, or File → Export DAWproject... to write the current project out. It carries tracks, clips, and basic plugin/automation data — use it to hand a session to another DAW that supports the format, and use the native .mgd for full-fidelity MAGDA projects.
The archive's metadata.xml carries the song's title and credits, and MAGDA maps the whole set both ways: Title, Artist, Album, Original artist, Composer, Songwriter, Producer, Arranger, Year, Genre, Copyright, Website and Comment. Edit them under File → Project Settings. A project with no title of its own exports its project name as the Title, which is what other DAWs look for.
On import, MAGDA reads each track's output routing, so tracks feeding a group or an aux land on the right destination rather than all defaulting to the master. Track groups are preserved as groups: Bitwig writes group channels with the same role it uses for the project master, and MAGDA distinguishes the two from the project structure instead of turning every group into a master track.
Audio Formats¶
MAGDA supports the following audio formats:
| Format | Import / preview | Export |
|---|---|---|
| WAV | Yes | Yes |
| AIFF / AIF | Yes | No |
| FLAC | Yes | Yes |
| OGG | Yes | No |
| Opus | No | Yes |
| MP3 | Yes, where a platform decoder is available | Yes |
Audio export offers WAV (16-bit, 24-bit or 32-bit float), FLAC (16-bit or 24-bit), Opus, and MP3; the bit depth is its own choice in the export dialog, shown for WAV and FLAC. An Opus file is always stored at 48 kHz and is encoded at the bitrate chosen in the export dialog (64 to 320 kbps). An MP3 is encoded with LAME, either at a variable bitrate (VBR V0, V2 or V4; V2 is the default) or at a constant 128 to 320 kbps. MP3 holds at most 48 kHz, so an export at 96 or 192 kHz is stored at 48 kHz. Opus and MP3 exports carry the project's title, artist, album, year, genre and comment from Project Settings as tags; WAV and FLAC exports do not.
MIDI¶
Standard MIDI files (.mid) can be imported and exported.
Generated Cache Files¶
MAGDA generates waveform peak caches when audio files are displayed. These are not project data; they are derived from source audio and can be deleted safely.
| Format | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
.mpk |
OS application data directory, under magda/peaks |
High-resolution waveform peak cache. Each file stores min/max peak data for one source audio file and is regenerated automatically when needed. |
MAGDA validates .mpk files against the source audio file size and modification time. If the source audio changes, the old cache is ignored and a new one is built.
Default peak-cache paths:
| Platform | Path |
|---|---|
| macOS | ~/Library/magda/peaks |
| Windows | %APPDATA%\magda\peaks |
| Linux | ~/.config/magda/peaks |
Presets¶
| Format | Scope | Description |
|---|---|---|
.mps |
Device or track chain | MAGDA's native preset format. Captures parameter values, plugin state, macros, modulators, sidechain wiring, and gain. Plugin-aware — loading onto a slot whose plugin id doesn't match is rejected. |
.vstpreset |
Single VST3 plugin | The standard VST3 preset format. MAGDA scans the OS's standard preset directories and exposes them in the device header. |
.aupreset |
Single Audio Unit plugin | The standard AU preset format. Same scan behaviour as VST3 presets. |
See FX Chain — Presets for the workflow.
Controller Profiles¶
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
.json |
Hardware controller profile — describes the layout (which CCs map to macros, faders, transport buttons). See Controller Profile Format for the schema. |
.lua |
Lua 5.4 controller script. See Lua Scripting. |