Add websockets surface module

25 files changed, 2600 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/ardour_websockets.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/ardour_websockets.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0dd3bea4c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/ardour_websockets.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2012 Carl Hetherington <carl@carlh.net>
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2014 David Robillard <d@drobilla.net>
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2017 Paul Davis <paul@linuxaudiosystems.com>
+ * Copyright (C) 2012-2016 Tim Mayberry <mojofunk@gmail.com>
+ * Copyright (C) 2013-2019 Robin Gareus <robin@gareus.org>
+ * Copyright (C) 2015-2016 Ben Loftis <ben@harrisonconsoles.com>
+ * Copyright (C) 2015-2018 John Emmas <john@creativepost.co.uk>
+ * Copyright (C) 2015 Johannes Mueller <github@johannes-mueller.org>
+ * Copyright (C) 2016-2018 Len Ovens <len@ovenwerks.net>
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include "ardour/session.h"
+
+#include "ardour_websockets.h"
+
+using namespace ARDOUR;
+using namespace ArdourSurface;
+
+#include "pbd/abstract_ui.cc" // instantiate template
+
+ArdourWebsockets::ArdourWebsockets (Session& s)
+    : ControlProtocol (s, X_(SURFACE_NAME))
+    , AbstractUI<ArdourWebsocketsUIRequest> (name ())
+    , _strips (*this)
+    , _globals (*this)
+    , _feedback (*this)
+    , _server (*this)
+    , _dispatcher (*this)
+{
+    _components = { &_strips, &_globals, &_server, &_feedback, &_dispatcher };
+}
+
+ArdourWebsockets::~ArdourWebsockets ()
+{
+    stop();
+}
+
+void*
+ArdourWebsockets::request_factory (uint32_t num_requests)
+{
+    /* AbstractUI<T>::request_buffer_factory() is a template method only
+       instantiated in this source module. To provide something visible for
+       use in the interface/descriptor, we have this static method that is
+       template-free.
+    */
+    return request_buffer_factory (num_requests);
+}
+
+int
+ArdourWebsockets::set_active (bool yn)
+{
+    if (yn != active ()) {
+        if (yn) {
+            if (start ()) {
+                return -1;
+            }
+        } else {
+            if (stop ()) {
+                return -1;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    return ControlProtocol::set_active (yn);
+}
+
+void
+ArdourWebsockets::thread_init ()
+{
+    pthread_set_name (event_loop_name ().c_str ());
+    PBD::notify_event_loops_about_thread_creation (pthread_self (), event_loop_name (), 2048);
+    SessionEvent::create_per_thread_pool (event_loop_name (), 128);
+}
+
+void
+ArdourWebsockets::do_request (ArdourWebsocketsUIRequest* req)
+{
+    if (req->type == CallSlot) {
+        call_slot (MISSING_INVALIDATOR, req->the_slot);
+    } else if (req->type == Quit) {
+        stop ();
+    }
+}
+
+int
+ArdourWebsockets::start ()
+{
+    // startup the event loop thread
+    BaseUI::run ();
+
+    for (std::vector<SurfaceComponent *>::iterator it = _components.begin ();
+            it != _components.end (); ++it) {
+        int rc = (*it)->start ();
+        if (rc != 0) {
+            return -1;
+        }
+    }
+
+    PBD::info << "ArdourWebsockets: started" << endmsg;
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int
+ArdourWebsockets::stop () {
+    for (std::vector<SurfaceComponent *>::iterator it = _components.begin ();
+            it != _components.end (); ++it) {
+        (*it)->stop ();
+    }
+
+    BaseUI::quit ();
+    
+    PBD::info << "ArdourWebsockets: stopped" << endmsg;
+
+    return 0;
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/ardour_websockets.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/ardour_websockets.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8837cc367d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/ardour_websockets.h
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2011 Carl Hetherington <carl@carlh.net>
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2017 Paul Davis <paul@linuxaudiosystems.com>
+ * Copyright (C) 2009 David Robillard <d@drobilla.net>
+ * Copyright (C) 2013-2016 Robin Gareus <robin@gareus.org>
+ * Copyright (C) 2015 Johannes Mueller <github@johannes-mueller.org>
+ * Copyright (C) 2016-2018 Len Ovens <len@ovenwerks.net>
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Ben Loftis <ben@harrisonconsoles.com>
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ 
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef ardour_websockets_h
+#define ardour_websockets_h
+
+#define ABSTRACT_UI_EXPORTS
+#include "pbd/abstract_ui.h"
+
+#include "ardour/plugin.h"
+#include "control_protocol/control_protocol.h"
+
+#include "component.h"
+#include "strips.h"
+#include "globals.h"
+#include "server.h"
+#include "feedback.h"
+#include "dispatcher.h"
+
+#define SURFACE_NAME    "WebSockets Server (Experimental)"
+#define SURFACE_ID      "uri://ardour.org/surfaces/ardour_websockets:0"
+
+namespace ArdourSurface {
+
+struct ArdourWebsocketsUIRequest : public BaseUI::BaseRequestObject {
+  public:
+    ArdourWebsocketsUIRequest () {}
+    ~ArdourWebsocketsUIRequest () {}
+};
+
+class ArdourWebsockets : public ARDOUR::ControlProtocol,
+                        public AbstractUI<ArdourWebsocketsUIRequest>
+{
+  public:
+    
+    ArdourWebsockets (ARDOUR::Session&);
+    virtual ~ArdourWebsockets ();
+
+    static void* request_factory (uint32_t);
+
+    int set_active (bool);
+
+    ARDOUR::Session& ardour_session () { return *session; }
+    ArdourStrips& strips_component () { return _strips; }
+    ArdourGlobals& globals_component () { return _globals; }
+    WebsocketsServer& server_component () { return _server; }
+    WebsocketsDispatcher& dispatcher_component () { return _dispatcher; }
+
+    // ControlProtocol
+    void stripable_selection_changed () {}
+
+  protected:
+
+    // BaseUI
+    void thread_init ();
+    
+    // AbstractUI
+    void do_request (ArdourWebsocketsUIRequest*);
+
+  private:
+
+    ArdourStrips _strips;
+    ArdourGlobals _globals;
+    ArdourFeedback _feedback;
+    WebsocketsServer _server;
+    WebsocketsDispatcher _dispatcher;
+    std::vector<SurfaceComponent *> _components;
+
+    int start ();
+    int stop ();
+
+};
+
+} // namespace
+
+#endif // ardour_websockets_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/client.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/client.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..745596e17a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/client.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include <sstream>
+
+#include "client.h"
+
+bool
+ClientContext::has_state (const NodeState& node_state)
+{
+    ClientState::iterator it = _state.find (node_state);
+
+    if (it == _state.end ()) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    int n_val = node_state.n_val ();
+
+    if (it->n_val () != n_val) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    for (int i = 0; i < n_val; i++) {
+        if (it->nth_val (i) != node_state.nth_val (i)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+void
+ClientContext::update_state (const NodeState& node_state)
+{
+    ClientState::iterator it = _state.find (node_state);
+
+    if (it != _state.end ()) {
+        _state.erase (it);
+    }
+
+    _state.insert (node_state);
+}
+
+std::string
+ClientContext::debug_str ()
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+
+    ss << "client = " << std::hex << _wsi << std::endl;
+    
+    for (ClientState::iterator it = _state.begin (); it != _state.end (); ++it) {
+        ss << " - " << it->debug_str () << std::endl;
+    }
+
+    return ss.str ();
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/client.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/client.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1f75163338
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/client.h
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef client_context_h
+#define client_context_h
+
+#include <unordered_set>
+#include <list>
+
+#include "state.h"
+#include "message.h"
+
+typedef struct lws* Client;
+typedef std::list<NodeStateMessage> ClientOutputBuffer;
+
+class ClientContext
+{
+  public:
+
+    ClientContext (Client wsi) : _wsi(wsi) {};
+    virtual ~ClientContext () {};
+
+    Client wsi () const { return _wsi; }
+
+    bool has_state (const NodeState&);
+    void update_state (const NodeState&);
+
+    ClientOutputBuffer& output_buf () { return _output_buf; }
+    
+    std::string debug_str ();
+
+  private:
+
+    Client _wsi;
+
+    typedef std::unordered_set<NodeState> ClientState;
+    ClientState _state;
+
+    ClientOutputBuffer _output_buf;
+
+};
+
+#endif // client_context_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/component.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/component.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2c1d8b9fe0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/component.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include "component.h"
+#include "ardour_websockets.h"
+
+PBD::EventLoop*
+SurfaceComponent::event_loop () const
+{
+    return static_cast<PBD::EventLoop*>(&_surface);
+}
+
+Glib::RefPtr<Glib::MainLoop>
+SurfaceComponent::main_loop () const
+{
+    return _surface.main_loop ();
+}
+
+ARDOUR::Session&
+SurfaceComponent::session () const
+{
+    return _surface.ardour_session ();
+}
+
+ArdourStrips&
+SurfaceComponent::strips () const
+{
+    return _surface.strips_component ();
+}
+
+ArdourGlobals&
+SurfaceComponent::globals () const
+{
+    return _surface.globals_component ();
+}
+
+WebsocketsServer&
+SurfaceComponent::server () const
+{
+    return _surface.server_component ();
+}
+
+WebsocketsDispatcher&
+SurfaceComponent::dispatcher () const
+{
+    return _surface.dispatcher_component ();
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/component.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/component.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5ee3900a4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/component.h
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef surface_component_h
+#define surface_component_h
+
+#include <glibmm.h>
+
+#include "ardour/session.h"
+#include "pbd/event_loop.h"
+
+namespace ArdourSurface {
+  class ArdourWebsockets;
+}
+
+class ArdourStrips;
+class ArdourGlobals;
+class WebsocketsServer;
+class WebsocketsDispatcher;
+
+class SurfaceComponent
+{
+  public:
+
+    SurfaceComponent (ArdourSurface::ArdourWebsockets& surface) : _surface (surface) {};
+
+    virtual ~SurfaceComponent () {};
+
+    virtual int start () { return 0; }
+    virtual int stop () { return 0; }
+
+    PBD::EventLoop* event_loop () const;
+    Glib::RefPtr<Glib::MainLoop> main_loop() const;
+    ARDOUR::Session& session () const;
+    ArdourStrips& strips () const;
+    ArdourGlobals& globals () const;
+    WebsocketsServer& server () const;
+    WebsocketsDispatcher& dispatcher () const;
+
+  protected:
+
+    ArdourSurface::ArdourWebsockets& _surface;
+
+};
+
+#endif // surface_component_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/dispatcher.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/dispatcher.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dbb627a027
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/dispatcher.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include "ardour/plugin_insert.h"
+
+#include "dispatcher.h"
+#include "ardour_websockets.h"
+#include "state.h"
+
+using namespace ARDOUR;
+
+#define NODE_METHOD_PAIR(x) { Node::x, &WebsocketsDispatcher::x ## _handler }
+
+WebsocketsDispatcher::NodeMethodMap
+WebsocketsDispatcher::_node_to_method = {
+    NODE_METHOD_PAIR(tempo),
+    NODE_METHOD_PAIR(strip_gain),
+    NODE_METHOD_PAIR(strip_pan),
+    NODE_METHOD_PAIR(strip_mute),
+    NODE_METHOD_PAIR(strip_plugin_enable),
+    NODE_METHOD_PAIR(strip_plugin_param_value)
+};
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::dispatch (Client client, const NodeStateMessage& msg)
+{
+    NodeMethodMap::iterator it = _node_to_method.find (msg.state ().node ());
+    if (it != _node_to_method.end ()) {
+        try {
+            (this->*it->second) (client, msg);
+        } catch (const std::exception& e) {
+            std::cerr << e.what() << std::endl;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::update_all_nodes (Client client)
+{
+    update (client, Node::tempo, {}, { globals ().tempo () });
+
+    for (uint32_t strip_n = 0; strip_n < strips ().strip_count (); ++strip_n) {
+        boost::shared_ptr<Stripable> strip = strips ().nth_strip (strip_n);
+        boost::shared_ptr<Route> route = boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<Route> (strip);
+        if (!route) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        update (client, Node::strip_desc, { strip_n }, { strip->name () });
+        update (client, Node::strip_gain, { strip_n }, { strips ().strip_gain (strip_n) });
+        update (client, Node::strip_pan, { strip_n }, { strips ().strip_pan (strip_n) });
+        update (client, Node::strip_mute, { strip_n }, { strips ().strip_mute (strip_n) });
+
+        for (uint32_t plugin_n = 0 ; ; ++plugin_n) {
+            boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> insert = strips ()
+                .strip_plugin_insert (strip_n, plugin_n);
+            if (!insert) {
+                break;
+            }
+
+            boost::shared_ptr<Plugin> plugin = insert->plugin ();
+            update (client, Node::strip_plugin_desc, { strip_n, plugin_n },
+                { static_cast<std::string>(plugin->name ()) });
+
+            update (client, Node::strip_plugin_enable, { strip_n, plugin_n },
+                { strips ().strip_plugin_enabled (strip_n, plugin_n) });
+
+            for (uint32_t param_n = 0; param_n < plugin->parameter_count (); ++param_n) {
+                boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl> a_ctrl =
+                    strips ().strip_plugin_param_control (strip_n, plugin_n, param_n);
+                if (!a_ctrl) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                // possible flags: enumeration, integer_step, logarithmic, sr_dependent, toggled
+                ParameterDescriptor pd = a_ctrl->desc ();
+
+                if (pd.toggled) {
+                    update (client, Node::strip_plugin_param_desc, { strip_n, plugin_n, param_n },
+                        { a_ctrl->name (), std::string("b") });
+                } else if (pd.enumeration || pd.integer_step) {
+                    update (client, Node::strip_plugin_param_desc, { strip_n, plugin_n, param_n },
+                        { a_ctrl->name (), std::string("i"), pd.lower, pd.upper, pd.integer_step });
+                } else {
+                    update (client, Node::strip_plugin_param_desc, { strip_n, plugin_n, param_n },
+                    { a_ctrl->name (), std::string("d"), pd.lower, pd.upper, pd.logarithmic });
+                }
+
+                TypedValue value = strips ().strip_plugin_param_value (strip_n, plugin_n, param_n);
+                update (client, Node::strip_plugin_param_value, { strip_n, plugin_n, param_n },
+                    { value });
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::tempo_handler (Client client, const NodeStateMessage& msg)
+{
+    if (msg.is_write ()) {
+        globals ().set_tempo (msg.state ().nth_val (0));
+    } else {
+        update (client, Node::tempo, {}, { globals ().tempo () });
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::strip_gain_handler (Client client, const NodeStateMessage& msg)
+{
+    uint32_t strip_id = msg.state ().nth_addr (0);
+
+    if (msg.is_write ()) {
+        strips ().set_strip_gain (strip_id, msg.state ().nth_val (0));
+    } else {
+        update (client, Node::strip_gain, { strip_id }, { strips ().strip_gain (strip_id) });
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::strip_pan_handler (Client client, const NodeStateMessage& msg)
+{
+    uint32_t strip_id = msg.state ().nth_addr (0);
+
+    if (msg.is_write ()) {
+        strips ().set_strip_pan (strip_id, msg.state ().nth_val (0));
+    } else {
+        update (client, Node::strip_pan, { strip_id }, { strips ().strip_pan(strip_id) });
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::strip_mute_handler (Client client, const NodeStateMessage& msg)
+{
+    uint32_t strip_id = msg.state ().nth_addr (0);
+
+    if (msg.is_write ()) {
+        strips ().set_strip_mute (strip_id, msg.state ().nth_val (0));
+    } else {
+        update (client, Node::strip_mute, { strip_id }, { strips ().strip_mute (strip_id) });
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::strip_plugin_enable_handler (Client client, const NodeStateMessage& msg)
+{
+    uint32_t strip_id = msg.state ().nth_addr (0);
+    uint32_t plugin_id = msg.state ().nth_addr (1);
+
+    if (msg.is_write ()) {
+        strips ().set_strip_plugin_enabled (strip_id, plugin_id, msg.state ().nth_val (0));
+    } else {
+        update (client, Node::strip_plugin_enable, { strip_id, plugin_id },
+            { strips ().strip_plugin_enabled (strip_id, plugin_id) });
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::strip_plugin_param_value_handler (Client client, const NodeStateMessage& msg)
+{
+    uint32_t strip_id = msg.state ().nth_addr (0);
+    uint32_t plugin_id = msg.state ().nth_addr (1);
+    uint32_t param_id = msg.state ().nth_addr (2);
+
+    if (msg.is_write ()) {
+        strips ().set_strip_plugin_param_value (strip_id, plugin_id, param_id,
+            msg.state ().nth_val (0));
+    } else {
+        TypedValue value = strips ().strip_plugin_param_value (strip_id, plugin_id, param_id);
+        update (client, Node::strip_plugin_param_value, { strip_id, plugin_id, param_id },
+            { value });
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsDispatcher::update (Client client, std::string node,
+    std::initializer_list<uint32_t> addr, std::initializer_list<TypedValue> val)
+{
+    server ().update_client (client, { node, addr, val }, true);
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/dispatcher.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/dispatcher.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..07739ee218
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/dispatcher.h
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef websockets_dispatcher_h
+#define websockets_dispatcher_h
+
+#include <unordered_map>
+
+#include "component.h"
+#include "client.h"
+#include "message.h"
+
+class WebsocketsDispatcher : public SurfaceComponent
+{
+
+  public:
+
+    WebsocketsDispatcher (ArdourSurface::ArdourWebsockets& surface) : SurfaceComponent (surface) {};
+    virtual ~WebsocketsDispatcher () {};
+    
+    void dispatch (Client, const NodeStateMessage&);
+    void update_all_nodes (Client);
+
+  private:
+
+    typedef void (WebsocketsDispatcher::*DispatcherMethod) (Client, const NodeStateMessage&);
+    typedef std::unordered_map<std::string, DispatcherMethod> NodeMethodMap;
+
+    static NodeMethodMap _node_to_method;
+    
+    void tempo_handler (Client, const NodeStateMessage&);
+    void strip_gain_handler (Client, const NodeStateMessage&);
+    void strip_pan_handler (Client, const NodeStateMessage&);
+    void strip_mute_handler (Client, const NodeStateMessage&);
+    void strip_plugin_enable_handler (Client, const NodeStateMessage&);
+    void strip_plugin_param_value_handler (Client, const NodeStateMessage&);
+
+    void update (Client, std::string, std::initializer_list<uint32_t>,
+        std::initializer_list<TypedValue>);
+
+};
+
+#endif // websockets_dispatcher_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/feedback.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/feedback.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7cb52a76ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/feedback.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include "ardour/session.h"
+#include "ardour/tempo.h"
+#include "ardour/plugin_insert.h"
+#include "ardour/meter.h"
+
+#include "feedback.h"
+#include "strips.h"
+#include "globals.h"
+#include "state.h"
+#include "server.h"
+
+using namespace ARDOUR;
+
+typedef boost::function<void ()> SignalObserver;
+
+int
+ArdourFeedback::start ()
+{
+    observe_globals ();
+    observe_strips ();
+
+    // some things need polling like the strip meters
+    Glib::RefPtr<Glib::TimeoutSource> periodic_timeout = Glib::TimeoutSource::create (100); // ms
+    _periodic_connection = periodic_timeout->connect (sigc::mem_fun (*this,
+        &ArdourFeedback::poll));
+    periodic_timeout->attach (main_loop ()->get_context ());
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int
+ArdourFeedback::stop ()
+{
+    _periodic_connection.disconnect ();
+    _signal_connections.drop_connections ();
+    return 0;
+}
+
+bool
+ArdourFeedback::poll () const
+{
+    for (uint32_t strip_n = 0; strip_n < strips ().strip_count (); ++strip_n) {
+        // meters
+        boost::shared_ptr<Stripable> strip = strips ().nth_strip (strip_n);
+        boost::shared_ptr<PeakMeter> meter = strip->peak_meter ();
+        float db = meter ? meter->meter_level (0, MeterMCP) : -193;
+        update_all (Node::strip_meter, { strip_n }, static_cast<double>(db));
+    }
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+void
+ArdourFeedback::observe_globals ()
+{
+    // tempo
+    SignalObserver observer = [this] () {
+        update_all (Node::tempo, {}, globals ().tempo ());
+    };
+
+    session ().tempo_map ().PropertyChanged.connect (_signal_connections, MISSING_INVALIDATOR,
+        boost::bind<void> (observer), event_loop ());
+}
+
+void
+ArdourFeedback::observe_strips ()
+{
+    for (uint32_t strip_n = 0; strip_n < strips ().strip_count (); ++strip_n) {
+        boost::shared_ptr<Stripable> strip = strips ().nth_strip (strip_n);
+
+        // gain
+        SignalObserver observer = [this, strip_n] () {
+            // fires multiple times (4x as of ardour 6.0)
+            update_all (Node::strip_gain, { strip_n }, strips ().strip_gain (strip_n));
+        };
+        strip->gain_control ()->Changed.connect (_signal_connections, MISSING_INVALIDATOR,
+            boost::bind<void> (observer), event_loop ());
+
+        // pan
+        observer = [this, strip_n] () {
+            update_all (Node::strip_pan, { strip_n }, strips ().strip_pan (strip_n));
+        };
+        strip->pan_azimuth_control ()->Changed.connect (_signal_connections, MISSING_INVALIDATOR,
+            boost::bind<void> (observer), event_loop ());
+
+        // mute
+        observer = [this, strip_n] () {
+            update_all (Node::strip_mute, { strip_n }, strips ().strip_mute (strip_n));
+        };
+        strip->mute_control ()->Changed.connect (_signal_connections, MISSING_INVALIDATOR,
+            boost::bind<void> (observer), event_loop ());
+
+        observe_strip_plugins (strip_n, strip);
+    }
+}
+
+void
+ArdourFeedback::observe_strip_plugins (uint32_t strip_n, boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Stripable> strip)
+{
+    for (uint32_t plugin_n = 0 ; ; ++plugin_n) {
+        boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> insert = strips ().strip_plugin_insert (strip_n, plugin_n);
+        if (!insert) {
+            break;
+        }
+
+        SignalObserver observer = [this, strip_n, plugin_n] () {
+            update_all (Node::strip_plugin_enable, { strip_n, plugin_n },
+                strips ().strip_plugin_enabled (strip_n, plugin_n));
+        };
+
+        uint32_t bypass = insert->plugin ()->designated_bypass_port ();
+        Evoral::Parameter param = Evoral::Parameter (PluginAutomation, 0, bypass);
+        boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl> control = insert->automation_control (param);
+
+        if (control) {
+            control->Changed.connect (_signal_connections, MISSING_INVALIDATOR,
+                boost::bind<void> (observer), event_loop ());
+        }
+
+        observe_strip_plugin_param_values (strip_n, plugin_n, insert);
+    }
+}
+
+void
+ArdourFeedback::observe_strip_plugin_param_values (uint32_t strip_n,
+    uint32_t plugin_n, boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::PluginInsert> insert)
+{
+    boost::shared_ptr<Plugin> plugin = insert->plugin ();
+
+    for (uint32_t param_n = 0; param_n < plugin->parameter_count (); ++param_n) {
+        boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl> control = strips ().strip_plugin_param_control (
+            strip_n, plugin_n, param_n);
+
+        if (!control) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        SignalObserver observer = [this, control, strip_n, plugin_n, param_n] () {
+            update_all (Node::strip_plugin_param_value, { strip_n, plugin_n, param_n },
+                ArdourStrips::plugin_param_value (control));
+        };
+
+        control->Changed.connect (_signal_connections, MISSING_INVALIDATOR,
+                boost::bind<void> (observer), event_loop ());
+    }
+}
+
+void
+ArdourFeedback::update_all (std::string node, std::initializer_list<uint32_t> addr,
+    TypedValue val) const
+{
+    server ().update_all_clients ({ node, addr, { val }}, false);
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/feedback.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/feedback.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8a8c6d33d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/feedback.h
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef ardour_feedback_h
+#define ardour_feedback_h
+
+#include <glibmm/main.h>
+#include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
+
+#include "component.h"
+#include "typed_value.h"
+
+class ArdourFeedback : public SurfaceComponent
+{
+  public:
+
+    ArdourFeedback (ArdourSurface::ArdourWebsockets& surface) : SurfaceComponent (surface) {};
+    virtual ~ArdourFeedback () {};
+
+    int start ();
+    int stop ();
+
+  private:
+
+    Glib::Threads::Mutex _client_state_lock;
+    PBD::ScopedConnectionList _signal_connections;
+    sigc::connection _periodic_connection;
+    
+    bool poll () const;
+
+    void observe_globals ();
+    void observe_strips ();
+    void observe_strip_plugins (uint32_t, boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Stripable>);
+    void observe_strip_plugin_param_values (uint32_t, uint32_t,
+        boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::PluginInsert>);
+
+    void update_all (std::string, std::initializer_list<uint32_t>, TypedValue) const;
+
+};
+
+#endif // ardour_feedback_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/globals.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/globals.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..decd9ad6c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/globals.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include "ardour/tempo.h"
+
+#include "globals.h"
+
+using namespace ARDOUR;
+
+double
+ArdourGlobals::tempo () const
+{
+    Tempo tempo = session ().tempo_map ().tempo_at_sample (0);
+    return tempo.note_type () * tempo.pulses_per_minute ();
+}
+
+void
+ArdourGlobals::set_tempo (double bpm)
+{
+    bpm = max (0.01, bpm);
+    TempoMap& tempo_map = session ().tempo_map ();
+    Tempo tempo (bpm, tempo_map.tempo_at_sample (0).note_type (), bpm);
+    tempo_map.add_tempo (tempo, 0.0, 0, AudioTime);
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/globals.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/globals.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..270e3d0652
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/globals.h
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef ardour_globals_h
+#define ardour_globals_h
+
+#include "component.h"
+
+class ArdourGlobals : public SurfaceComponent
+{
+  public:
+
+    ArdourGlobals (ArdourSurface::ArdourWebsockets& surface) : SurfaceComponent (surface) {};
+    virtual ~ArdourGlobals () {};
+
+    double tempo () const;
+    void set_tempo (double);
+
+};
+
+#endif // ardour_globals_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/interface.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/interface.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5bdd16754b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/interface.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2006-2015 Paul Davis <paul@linuxaudiosystems.com>
+ * Copyright (C) 2009 David Robillard <d@drobilla.net>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include "ardour/rc_configuration.h"
+#include "control_protocol/control_protocol.h"
+
+#include "ardour_websockets.h"
+
+using namespace ARDOUR;
+using namespace ArdourSurface;
+
+static ControlProtocol*
+new_ardour_websockets_protocol (ControlProtocolDescriptor* /*descriptor*/,
+    Session* s)
+{
+    ArdourWebsockets* surface = new ArdourWebsockets (*s);
+
+    surface->set_active (true);
+
+    return surface;
+}
+
+static void
+delete_ardour_websockets_protocol (ControlProtocolDescriptor* /*descriptor*/,
+    ControlProtocol* cp)
+{
+    delete cp;
+}
+
+static bool
+probe_ardour_websockets_protocol (ControlProtocolDescriptor* /*descriptor*/)
+{
+    return true;
+}
+
+static void*
+ardour_websockets_request_buffer_factory (uint32_t num_requests)
+{
+    return ArdourWebsockets::request_factory (num_requests);
+}
+
+static ControlProtocolDescriptor ardour_websockets_descriptor = {
+    /*name :              */   SURFACE_NAME,
+    /*id :                */   SURFACE_ID,
+    /*ptr :               */   0,
+    /*module :            */   0,
+    /*mandatory :         */   0,
+    /*supports_feedback : */   true,
+    /*probe :             */   probe_ardour_websockets_protocol,
+    /*initialize :        */   new_ardour_websockets_protocol,
+    /*destroy :           */   delete_ardour_websockets_protocol,
+    /*request_buffer_factory */ ardour_websockets_request_buffer_factory
+};
+
+extern "C" ARDOURSURFACE_API ControlProtocolDescriptor* protocol_descriptor () {
+    return &ardour_websockets_descriptor;
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/message.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/message.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..941e01f539
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/message.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifdef DEBUG
+#include <iostream>
+#endif
+
+#include <sstream>
+#include <boost/lexical_cast.hpp>
+#include <boost/property_tree/json_parser.hpp>
+#include <boost/property_tree/ptree.hpp>
+
+#include "message.h"
+
+// JSON does not support Infinity or NaN
+#define XSTR(s) STR(s)
+#define STR(s) #s
+#define JSON_INF 1.0e+128
+#define JSON_INF_STR XSTR(JSON_INF)
+
+namespace pt = boost::property_tree;
+
+NodeStateMessage::NodeStateMessage (const NodeState& state)
+    : _valid (true)
+    , _state (state)
+{
+    _write = state.n_val () > 0;
+}
+
+NodeStateMessage::NodeStateMessage (void *buf, size_t len)
+    : _valid (false)
+    , _write (false)
+{
+    try {
+        std::string s { static_cast<char *>(buf), len };
+
+        std::istringstream is { s };
+        pt::ptree root;
+        pt::read_json (is, root);
+
+        _state = NodeState { root.get<std::string> ("node") };
+
+        pt::ptree addr = root.get_child ("addr", pt::ptree ());
+
+        for (pt::ptree::iterator it = addr.begin (); it != addr.end (); ++it) {
+            // throws if datatype not uint32_t
+            _state.add_addr (boost::lexical_cast<uint32_t>(it->second.data ()));
+        }
+
+        pt::ptree val = root.get_child ("val", pt::ptree ());
+
+        for (pt::ptree::iterator it = val.begin (); it != val.end (); ++it) {
+
+            std::string val = it->second.data ();
+
+            try {
+                _state.add_val (boost::lexical_cast<int>(val));
+            } catch (const boost::bad_lexical_cast&) {
+                try {
+                    double d = boost::lexical_cast<double>(val);
+                    if (d >= JSON_INF) {
+                        d = std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity ();
+                    } else if (d <= -JSON_INF) {
+                        d = -std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity ();
+                    }
+                    _state.add_val (d);
+                } catch (const boost::bad_lexical_cast&) {
+                    if (val == "false") {
+                        _state.add_val (false);
+                    } else if (val == "true") {
+                        _state.add_val (true);
+                    } else {
+                        _state.add_val (val);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (_state.n_val () > 0) {
+            _write = true;
+        }
+
+        _valid = true;
+
+    } catch (const std::exception& exc) {
+#ifdef DEBUG
+        std::cerr << "cannot parse message - " << exc.what () << std::endl;
+#endif
+    }
+}
+
+size_t
+NodeStateMessage::serialize (void *buf, size_t len) const
+{
+    // boost json writes all values as strings, we do not want that
+
+    if (len == 0) {
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    std::stringstream ss;
+
+    ss << "{\"node\":\"" << _state.node () << "\"";
+
+    int n_addr = _state.n_addr ();
+
+    if (n_addr > 0) {
+        ss << ",\"addr\":[";
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < n_addr; i++) {
+            if (i > 0) {
+                ss << ',';
+            }
+
+            ss << _state.nth_addr (i);
+        }
+
+        ss << "]";
+    }
+
+    int n_val = _state.n_val ();
+
+    if (n_val > 0) {
+        ss << ",\"val\":[";
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < n_val; i++) {
+            if (i > 0) {
+                ss << ',';
+            }
+
+            TypedValue val = _state.nth_val (i);
+
+            switch (val.type ()) {
+            case TypedValue::Empty:
+                ss << "null";
+                break;
+            case TypedValue::Bool:
+                ss << (static_cast<bool>(val) ? "true" : "false");
+                break;
+            case TypedValue::Int:
+                ss << static_cast<int>(val);
+                break;
+            case TypedValue::Double: {
+                double d = static_cast<double>(val);
+                if (d == std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity ()) {
+                    ss << JSON_INF_STR;
+                } else if (d == -std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity ()) {
+                    ss << "-" JSON_INF_STR;
+                } else {
+                    ss << d;
+                }
+                break;
+            }
+            case TypedValue::String:
+                ss << '"' << static_cast<std::string>(val) << '"';
+                break;
+            default:
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        ss << "]";
+    }
+
+    ss << '}';
+
+    std::string s = ss.str ();
+    const char *cs = s.c_str ();
+    size_t cs_sz = strlen (cs);
+
+    if (len < cs_sz) {
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    memcpy (buf, cs, cs_sz);
+
+    return cs_sz;
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/message.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/message.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..eb11617697
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/message.h
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef websockets_message_h
+#define websockets_message_h
+
+#include "state.h"
+
+class NodeStateMessage
+{
+  public:
+
+    NodeStateMessage (const NodeState& state);
+    NodeStateMessage (void *, size_t);
+
+    size_t serialize (void *, size_t) const;
+
+    bool is_valid () const { return _valid; }
+    bool is_write () const { return _write; }
+    const NodeState& state () const { return _state; }
+    
+  private:
+
+  	bool _valid;
+    bool _write;
+    NodeState _state;
+
+};
+
+#endif // websockets_message_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/server.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/server.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e3f8fe7b7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/server.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,383 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the/GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifdef DEBUG
+#include <iostream>
+#endif
+
+#include "server.h"
+#include "dispatcher.h"
+
+using namespace Glib;
+
+WebsocketsServer::WebsocketsServer
+    (ArdourSurface::ArdourWebsockets& surface)
+    : SurfaceComponent (surface)
+    , _lws_context (0)
+{
+    // keep references to all config for libwebsockets 2
+    _lws_proto[0] = {
+        "lws-ardour", // name
+        WebsocketsServer::lws_callback, // callback
+        0,  // per_session_data_size
+        0,  // rx_buffer_size
+        0,  // id
+        0,  // user
+#if LWS_LIBRARY_VERSION_MAJOR >= 3
+        0   // tx_packet_size
+#endif
+    };
+    _lws_proto[1] = {}; // sentinel
+
+    _lws_info = {};
+    _lws_info.port = WEBSOCKET_LISTEN_PORT;
+    _lws_info.protocols = _lws_proto;
+    _lws_info.uid  = -1;
+    _lws_info.gid  = -1;
+    _lws_info.user = this;
+}
+
+int
+WebsocketsServer::start ()
+{
+    _lws_context = lws_create_context (&_lws_info);
+
+    if (!_lws_context) {
+        PBD::error << "ArdourWebsockets: could not create libwebsockets context" << endmsg;
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    // add_poll_fd() should have been called once during lws_create_context()
+    // if _fd_ctx is empty then LWS_CALLBACK_ADD_POLL_FD was not called
+    // this means libwesockets was not compiled with LWS_WITH_EXTERNAL_POLL
+    // - macos homebrew libwebsockets: disabled (3.2.2 as of Feb 2020)
+    // - linux ubuntu libwebsockets-dev: enabled (2.0.3 as of Feb 2020) but
+    //   #if defined(LWS_WITH_EXTERNAL_POLL) check is not reliable -- constant
+    //   missing from /usr/include/lws_config.h
+
+    if (_fd_ctx.empty ()) {
+        PBD::error << "ArdourWebsockets: check your libwebsockets was compiled"
+            " with LWS_WITH_EXTERNAL_POLL enabled" << endmsg;
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int
+WebsocketsServer::stop ()
+{
+    for (LwsPollFdGlibSourceMap::iterator it = _fd_ctx.begin (); it != _fd_ctx.end (); ++it) {
+        it->second.rg_iosrc->destroy ();
+
+        if (it->second.wg_iosrc) {
+            it->second.wg_iosrc->destroy ();
+        }
+    }
+
+    _fd_ctx.clear ();
+
+    if (_lws_context) {
+        lws_context_destroy (_lws_context);
+        _lws_context = 0;
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::update_client (Client wsi, const NodeState& state, bool force)
+{
+    ClientContextMap::iterator it = _client_ctx.find (wsi);
+    if (it == _client_ctx.end ()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (force || !it->second.has_state (state)) {
+        // write to client only if state was updated
+        it->second.update_state (state);
+        it->second.output_buf ().push_back (NodeStateMessage { state });
+        lws_callback_on_writable (wsi);
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::update_all_clients (const NodeState& state, bool force)
+{    
+    for (ClientContextMap::iterator it = _client_ctx.begin (); it != _client_ctx.end (); ++it) {
+        update_client (it->second.wsi (), state, force);
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::add_poll_fd (struct lws_pollargs *pa)
+{
+    // fd can be SOCKET or int depending platform
+    lws_sockfd_type fd = pa->fd;
+
+#ifdef PLATFORM_WINDOWS
+    RefPtr<IOChannel> g_channel = IOChannel::create_from_win32_socket (fd);
+#else
+    RefPtr<IOChannel> g_channel = IOChannel::create_from_fd (fd);
+#endif
+    RefPtr<IOSource> rg_iosrc { IOSource::create (g_channel, events_to_ioc (pa->events)) };
+    rg_iosrc->connect (sigc::bind (sigc::mem_fun (*this, &WebsocketsServer::io_handler), fd));
+    rg_iosrc->attach (main_loop ()->get_context ());
+
+    struct lws_pollfd lws_pfd;
+    lws_pfd.fd = pa->fd;
+    lws_pfd.events = pa->events;
+    lws_pfd.revents = 0;
+    _fd_ctx[fd] = LwsPollFdGlibSource { lws_pfd, g_channel, rg_iosrc, { } };
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::mod_poll_fd (struct lws_pollargs *pa)
+{
+    LwsPollFdGlibSourceMap::iterator it = _fd_ctx.find (pa->fd);
+    if (it == _fd_ctx.end ()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    it->second.lws_pfd.events = pa->events;
+
+    if (pa->events & POLLOUT) {
+        // libwebsockets wants to write but cannot find a way to update
+        // an existing glib::iosource event flags using glibmm,
+        // create another iosource and set to IO_OUT, it will be destroyed
+        // after clearing POLLOUT (see 'else' body below)
+
+        if (it->second.wg_iosrc) {
+            // already polling for write
+            return;
+        }
+
+        RefPtr<IOSource> wg_iosrc = it->second.g_channel->create_watch (IOCondition::IO_OUT);
+        wg_iosrc->connect (sigc::bind (sigc::mem_fun (*this, &WebsocketsServer::io_handler), pa->fd));
+        wg_iosrc->attach (main_loop ()->get_context ());
+        it->second.wg_iosrc = wg_iosrc;
+    } else {
+        if (it->second.wg_iosrc) {
+            it->second.wg_iosrc->destroy ();
+            it->second.wg_iosrc = { };
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::del_poll_fd (struct lws_pollargs *pa)
+{
+    LwsPollFdGlibSourceMap::iterator it = _fd_ctx.find (pa->fd);
+    if (it == _fd_ctx.end ()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    it->second.rg_iosrc->destroy ();
+
+    if (it->second.wg_iosrc) {
+        it->second.wg_iosrc->destroy ();
+    }
+
+    _fd_ctx.erase (it);
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::add_client (Client wsi)
+{
+    _client_ctx.emplace (wsi, ClientContext { wsi });
+    dispatcher ().update_all_nodes (wsi);   // send all state
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::del_client (Client wsi)
+{
+    ClientContextMap::iterator it = _client_ctx.find (wsi);
+    if (it != _client_ctx.end ()) {
+        _client_ctx.erase (it);
+    }
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::recv_client (Client wsi, void *buf, size_t len)
+{
+    NodeStateMessage msg { buf, len };
+    if (!msg.is_valid ()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+#ifdef DEBUG
+    std::cerr << "RX " << msg.state ().debug_str () << std::endl;
+#endif
+
+    ClientContextMap::iterator it = _client_ctx.find (wsi);
+    if (it == _client_ctx.end ()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // avoid echo
+    it->second.update_state (msg.state ());
+
+    dispatcher ().dispatch (wsi, msg);
+}
+
+void
+WebsocketsServer::write_client (Client wsi)
+{
+    ClientContextMap::iterator it = _client_ctx.find (wsi);
+    if (it == _client_ctx.end ()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    ClientOutputBuffer& pending = it->second.output_buf ();
+    if (pending.empty ()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // one lws_write() call per LWS_CALLBACK_SERVER_WRITEABLE callback
+
+    NodeStateMessage msg = pending.front ();
+    pending.pop_front ();
+
+    unsigned char out_buf[1024];
+    size_t len = msg.serialize (out_buf + LWS_PRE, 1024 - LWS_PRE);
+
+    if (len > 0) {
+#ifdef DEBUG
+        std::cerr << "TX " << msg.state ().debug_str () << std::endl;
+#endif
+        lws_write (wsi, out_buf + LWS_PRE, len, LWS_WRITE_TEXT);
+    } else {
+        PBD::error << "ArdourWebsockets: cannot serialize message" << endmsg;
+    }
+
+    if (!pending.empty ()) {
+        lws_callback_on_writable (wsi);
+    }
+}
+
+bool
+WebsocketsServer::io_handler (Glib::IOCondition ioc, lws_sockfd_type fd)
+{
+    // IO_IN=1, IO_PRI=2, IO_ERR=8, IO_HUP=16
+    //printf ("io_handler ioc = %d\n", ioc);
+
+    LwsPollFdGlibSourceMap::iterator it = _fd_ctx.find (fd);
+    if (it == _fd_ctx.end ()) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    struct lws_pollfd *lws_pfd = &it->second.lws_pfd;
+    lws_pfd->revents = ioc_to_events (ioc);
+
+    if (lws_service_fd (_lws_context, lws_pfd) < 0) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    return ioc & (IO_IN | IO_OUT);
+}
+
+IOCondition
+WebsocketsServer::events_to_ioc (int events)
+{
+    IOCondition ioc = { };
+
+    if (events & POLLIN) {
+        ioc |= IO_IN;
+    }
+
+    if (events & POLLOUT) {
+        ioc |= IO_OUT;
+    }
+
+    if (events & POLLHUP) {
+        ioc |= IO_HUP;
+    }
+
+    if (events & POLLERR) {
+        ioc |= IO_ERR;
+    }
+
+    return ioc;
+}
+
+int 
+WebsocketsServer::ioc_to_events (IOCondition ioc)
+{
+    int events = 0;
+
+    if (ioc & IO_IN) {
+        events |= POLLIN;
+    }
+
+    if (ioc & IO_OUT) {
+        events |= POLLOUT;
+    }
+
+    if (ioc & IO_HUP) {
+        events |= POLLHUP;
+    }
+
+    if (ioc & IO_ERR) {
+        events |= POLLERR;
+    }
+
+    return events;
+}
+
+int
+WebsocketsServer::lws_callback(struct lws* wsi, enum lws_callback_reasons reason,
+            void *user, void *in, size_t len)
+{
+    void *ctx_userdata = lws_context_user (lws_get_context (wsi));
+    WebsocketsServer *server = static_cast<WebsocketsServer *>(ctx_userdata);
+
+    switch (reason) {
+    case LWS_CALLBACK_ADD_POLL_FD:
+        server->add_poll_fd (static_cast<struct lws_pollargs *>(in));
+        break;
+    
+    case LWS_CALLBACK_CHANGE_MODE_POLL_FD:
+        server->mod_poll_fd (static_cast<struct lws_pollargs *>(in));
+        break;
+
+    case LWS_CALLBACK_DEL_POLL_FD:
+        server->del_poll_fd (static_cast<struct lws_pollargs *>(in));
+        break;
+
+    case LWS_CALLBACK_ESTABLISHED:
+        server->add_client (wsi);
+        break;
+
+    case LWS_CALLBACK_CLOSED:
+        server->del_client (wsi);
+        break;
+
+    case LWS_CALLBACK_RECEIVE:
+        server->recv_client (wsi, in, len);
+        break;
+
+    case LWS_CALLBACK_SERVER_WRITEABLE:
+        server->write_client (wsi);
+        break;
+
+    default:
+        break;
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/server.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/server.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..afb136f442
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/server.h
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef websockets_server_h
+#define websockets_server_h
+
+#include <unordered_map>
+#include <libwebsockets.h>
+
+#if LWS_LIBRARY_VERSION_MAJOR < 3
+// <libwebsockets.h> includes <uv.h> which in turn includes
+// /usr/include/asm-generic/param.h on linux which defines HZ
+// and conflicts with libs/ardour/ardour/parameter_descriptor.h
+#undef HZ
+#else
+// also libwebsockets >=3 already includes integration with the glib event loop
+// but ubuntu default repositories are stuck at version 2, hold until requiring
+// version 3 in order to keep things simpler for the end user
+#endif
+
+#include "component.h"
+#include "client.h"
+#include "state.h"
+#include "message.h"
+
+#define WEBSOCKET_LISTEN_PORT   9000
+
+struct LwsPollFdGlibSource {
+    struct lws_pollfd lws_pfd;
+    Glib::RefPtr<Glib::IOChannel> g_channel;
+    Glib::RefPtr<Glib::IOSource> rg_iosrc;
+    Glib::RefPtr<Glib::IOSource> wg_iosrc;
+};
+
+class WebsocketsServer : public SurfaceComponent
+{
+  public:
+
+    WebsocketsServer (ArdourSurface::ArdourWebsockets&);
+    virtual ~WebsocketsServer () {};
+
+    int start ();
+    int stop ();
+
+    void update_client (Client, const NodeState&, bool);
+    void update_all_clients (const NodeState&, bool);
+
+  private: 
+
+    struct lws_protocols _lws_proto[2];
+    struct lws_context_creation_info _lws_info;
+    struct lws_context *_lws_context;
+
+    Glib::RefPtr<Glib::IOChannel> _channel;
+
+    typedef std::unordered_map<lws_sockfd_type, LwsPollFdGlibSource> LwsPollFdGlibSourceMap;
+    LwsPollFdGlibSourceMap _fd_ctx;
+
+    typedef std::unordered_map<Client, ClientContext> ClientContextMap;
+    ClientContextMap _client_ctx;
+
+    void add_poll_fd (struct lws_pollargs*);
+    void mod_poll_fd (struct lws_pollargs*);
+    void del_poll_fd (struct lws_pollargs*);
+    
+    void add_client (Client);
+    void del_client (Client);
+    void recv_client (Client, void *buf, size_t len);
+    void write_client (Client);
+
+    bool io_handler (Glib::IOCondition, lws_sockfd_type);
+
+    Glib::IOCondition events_to_ioc (int);
+    int ioc_to_events (Glib::IOCondition);
+
+    static int lws_callback(struct lws*, enum lws_callback_reasons, void *, void *, size_t);
+
+};
+
+#endif // websockets_server_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/state.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/state.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ed31103863
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/state.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include <sstream>
+
+#include "state.h"
+
+NodeState::NodeState ()
+{
+    update_node_addr_hash ();
+}
+
+NodeState::NodeState (std::string node)
+    : _node (node)
+{
+    update_node_addr_hash ();
+}
+
+NodeState::NodeState (std::string node, std::initializer_list<uint32_t> addr,
+        std::initializer_list<TypedValue> val)
+    : _node (node)
+    , _addr (addr)
+    , _val (val)
+{
+    update_node_addr_hash ();
+}
+
+std::string 
+NodeState::debug_str () const
+{
+    std::stringstream s;
+    s << "node = " << _node;
+
+    if (!_addr.empty ()) {
+        s << std::endl << " addr = ";
+
+        for (std::vector<uint32_t>::const_iterator it = _addr.begin (); it != _addr.end (); ++it) {
+            s << *it << ";";
+        }
+    }
+
+    for (std::vector<TypedValue>::const_iterator it = _val.begin (); it != _val.end (); ++it) {
+        s << std::endl << " val " << it->debug_str ();
+    }
+
+    s << std::endl << " hash = " << _node_addr_hash;
+    
+    return s.str ();
+}
+
+int
+NodeState::n_addr () const
+{
+    return static_cast<int>(_addr.size ());
+}
+
+uint32_t
+NodeState::nth_addr (int n) const
+{
+    return _addr[n];
+}
+
+void
+NodeState::add_addr (uint32_t addr)
+{
+    _addr.push_back (addr);
+    update_node_addr_hash ();
+}
+
+int
+NodeState::n_val () const
+{
+    return static_cast<int>(_val.size ());
+}
+
+TypedValue
+NodeState::nth_val (int n) const
+{
+    if (n_val () < n) {
+        return TypedValue ();
+    }
+
+    return _val[n];
+}
+
+void
+NodeState::add_val (TypedValue val)
+{
+    _val.push_back (val);
+}
+
+void
+NodeState::update_node_addr_hash ()
+{
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    ss << _node;
+
+    for (std::vector<uint32_t>::iterator it = _addr.begin (); it != _addr.end (); ++it) {
+        ss << "_" << *it;
+    }
+
+    _node_addr_hash = ss.str ();
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/state.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/state.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..814eb3ccd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/state.h
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef node_state_h
+#define node_state_h
+
+#include <vector>
+#include <cmath>
+#include <cstring>
+
+#include "typed_value.h"
+
+namespace Node {
+    const std::string tempo                     = "tempo";
+    const std::string strip_desc                = "strip_desc";
+    const std::string strip_meter               = "strip_meter";
+    const std::string strip_gain                = "strip_gain";
+    const std::string strip_pan                 = "strip_pan";
+    const std::string strip_mute                = "strip_mute";
+    const std::string strip_plugin_desc         = "strip_plugin_desc";
+    const std::string strip_plugin_enable       = "strip_plugin_enable";
+    const std::string strip_plugin_param_desc   = "strip_plugin_param_desc";
+    const std::string strip_plugin_param_value  = "strip_plugin_param_value";
+};
+
+class NodeState {
+
+  public:
+
+    NodeState ();
+    NodeState (std::string);
+    NodeState (std::string, std::initializer_list<uint32_t>,
+        std::initializer_list<TypedValue> = {});
+
+    std::string debug_str () const;
+
+    std::string node () const { return _node; }
+
+    int n_addr () const;
+    uint32_t nth_addr (int) const;
+    void add_addr (uint32_t);
+
+    int n_val () const;
+    TypedValue nth_val (int) const;
+    void add_val (TypedValue);
+
+  private:
+
+    std::string _node;
+    std::vector<uint32_t> _addr;
+    std::vector<TypedValue> _val;
+    std::string _node_addr_hash;
+
+    void update_node_addr_hash ();
+
+    friend struct std::hash<NodeState>;
+    friend struct std::equal_to<NodeState>;
+
+};
+
+namespace std {
+    template <>
+    struct hash<NodeState> {
+        size_t operator () (const NodeState &state) const {
+            // std::hash<const char*> produces a hash of the value of the
+            // pointer (the memory address), it does not examine the contents
+            // of any character array.
+            return std::hash<std::string>()(state._node_addr_hash);
+        }
+    };
+
+    template<>
+    struct equal_to<NodeState> {
+        bool operator() (const NodeState& lhs, const NodeState& rhs) const {
+            return lhs._node_addr_hash == rhs._node_addr_hash;
+        }
+    };
+}
+
+#endif // node_state_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/strips.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/strips.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bde8978967
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/strips.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include "ardour/session.h"
+#include "ardour/plugin_insert.h"
+#include "ardour/dB.h"
+#include "pbd/controllable.h"
+
+#include "strips.h"
+
+using namespace ARDOUR;
+
+int
+ArdourStrips::start ()
+{
+    // take an indexed snapshot of current strips
+    StripableList strips;
+    session ().get_stripables (strips, PresentationInfo::AllStripables);
+
+    for (StripableList::iterator strip = strips.begin (); strip != strips.end (); ++strip) {
+        _strips.push_back (*strip);
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int
+ArdourStrips::stop ()
+{
+    _strips.clear ();
+    return 0;
+}
+
+double
+ArdourStrips::to_db (double k)
+{
+    if (k == 0) {
+        return -std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity ();
+    }
+
+    float db = accurate_coefficient_to_dB (static_cast<float>(k));
+
+    return static_cast<double>(db);
+}
+
+double
+ArdourStrips::from_db (double db)
+{
+    if (db < -192) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+    
+    float k = dB_to_coefficient (static_cast<float>(db));
+
+    return static_cast<double>(k);
+}
+
+double
+ArdourStrips::strip_gain (uint32_t strip_n) const
+{
+    return to_db (nth_strip (strip_n)->gain_control ()->get_value ());
+}
+
+void
+ArdourStrips::set_strip_gain (uint32_t strip_n, double db)
+{
+    nth_strip (strip_n)->gain_control ()->set_value (from_db (db), PBD::Controllable::NoGroup);
+}
+
+double
+ArdourStrips::strip_pan (uint32_t strip_n) const
+{
+    // scale from [0.0 ; 1.0] to [-1.0 ; 1.0]
+    return 2.0 * nth_strip (strip_n)->pan_azimuth_control ()->get_value () - 1.0;
+}
+
+void
+ArdourStrips::set_strip_pan (uint32_t strip_n, double value)
+{
+    value = (value + 1.0) / 2.0;
+    nth_strip (strip_n)->pan_azimuth_control ()->set_value (value, PBD::Controllable::NoGroup);
+}
+
+bool
+ArdourStrips::strip_mute (uint32_t strip_n) const
+{
+    return nth_strip (strip_n)->mute_control ()->muted ();
+}
+
+void
+ArdourStrips::set_strip_mute (uint32_t strip_n, bool mute)
+{
+    nth_strip (strip_n)->mute_control ()->set_value (mute ? 1.0 : 0.0, PBD::Controllable::NoGroup);
+}
+
+bool
+ArdourStrips::strip_plugin_enabled (uint32_t strip_n, uint32_t plugin_n) const
+{
+    return strip_plugin_insert (strip_n, plugin_n)->enabled ();
+}
+
+void
+ArdourStrips::set_strip_plugin_enabled (uint32_t strip_n, uint32_t plugin_n, bool enabled)
+{
+    strip_plugin_insert (strip_n, plugin_n)->enable (enabled);
+}
+
+TypedValue
+ArdourStrips::strip_plugin_param_value (uint32_t strip_n, uint32_t plugin_n,
+    uint32_t param_n) const
+{
+    return plugin_param_value (strip_plugin_param_control (strip_n, plugin_n, param_n));
+}
+
+void
+ArdourStrips::set_strip_plugin_param_value (uint32_t strip_n, uint32_t plugin_n,
+    uint32_t param_n, TypedValue value)
+{
+    boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl> control = strip_plugin_param_control (
+        strip_n, plugin_n, param_n);
+
+    if (control) {
+        ParameterDescriptor pd = control->desc ();
+        double dbl_val;
+
+        if (pd.toggled) {
+            dbl_val = static_cast<double>(static_cast<bool>(value));
+        } else if (pd.enumeration || pd.integer_step) {
+            dbl_val = static_cast<double>(static_cast<int>(value));
+        } else {
+            dbl_val = static_cast<double>(value);
+        }
+
+        control->set_value (dbl_val, PBD::Controllable::NoGroup);
+    }
+}
+
+uint32_t
+ArdourStrips::strip_count () const
+{
+    return _strips.size ();
+}
+
+boost::shared_ptr<Stripable>
+ArdourStrips::nth_strip (uint32_t strip_n) const
+{
+    if (strip_n < _strips.size ()) {
+        return _strips[strip_n];
+    }
+
+    return boost::shared_ptr<Stripable>();
+}
+
+TypedValue
+ArdourStrips::plugin_param_value (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::AutomationControl> control)
+{
+    TypedValue value = TypedValue ();
+
+    if (control) {
+        ParameterDescriptor pd = control->desc ();
+        
+        if (pd.toggled) {
+            value = TypedValue (static_cast<bool>(control->get_value ()));
+        } else if (pd.enumeration || pd.integer_step) {
+            value = TypedValue (static_cast<int>(control->get_value ()));
+        } else {
+            value = TypedValue (control->get_value ());
+        }
+    }
+
+    return value;
+}
+
+boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert>
+ArdourStrips::strip_plugin_insert (uint32_t strip_n, uint32_t plugin_n) const
+{
+    boost::shared_ptr<Stripable> strip = nth_strip (strip_n);
+    boost::shared_ptr<Route> route = boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<Route> (strip);
+    boost::shared_ptr<Processor> processor = route->nth_plugin (plugin_n);
+
+    if (processor) {
+        boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> insert =
+            boost::static_pointer_cast<PluginInsert> (processor);
+        
+        if (insert) {
+            return insert;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert>();
+}
+
+boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl>
+ArdourStrips::strip_plugin_param_control (uint32_t strip_n, uint32_t plugin_n,
+    uint32_t param_n) const
+{
+    boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> insert = strip_plugin_insert (strip_n, plugin_n);
+
+    if (insert) {
+        bool ok = false;
+        boost::shared_ptr<Plugin> plugin = insert->plugin ();
+        uint32_t control_id = plugin->nth_parameter (param_n, ok);
+
+        if (ok && plugin->parameter_is_input (control_id)) {
+            boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl> control =
+                insert->automation_control (Evoral::Parameter(PluginAutomation, 0, control_id));
+            return control;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl>();
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/strips.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/strips.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fd740c1bad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/strips.h
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef ardour_strips_h
+#define ardour_strips_h
+
+#include "component.h"
+#include "typed_value.h"
+
+class ArdourStrips : public SurfaceComponent
+{
+  public:
+
+    ArdourStrips (ArdourSurface::ArdourWebsockets& surface) : SurfaceComponent (surface) {};
+    virtual ~ArdourStrips () {};
+
+    int start ();
+    int stop ();
+
+    static double to_db (double);
+    static double from_db (double);
+
+    double strip_gain (uint32_t) const;
+    void set_strip_gain (uint32_t, double);
+
+    double strip_pan (uint32_t) const;
+    void set_strip_pan (uint32_t, double);
+
+    bool strip_mute (uint32_t) const;
+    void set_strip_mute (uint32_t, bool);
+    
+    bool strip_plugin_enabled (uint32_t, uint32_t) const;
+    void set_strip_plugin_enabled (uint32_t, uint32_t, bool);
+
+    TypedValue strip_plugin_param_value (uint32_t, uint32_t, uint32_t) const;
+    void set_strip_plugin_param_value (uint32_t, uint32_t, uint32_t, TypedValue);
+
+    uint32_t strip_count () const;
+    boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Stripable> nth_strip (uint32_t) const;
+
+    boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::PluginInsert> strip_plugin_insert (uint32_t, uint32_t) const;
+    
+    boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::AutomationControl> strip_plugin_param_control(
+        uint32_t, uint32_t, uint32_t) const;
+
+    static TypedValue plugin_param_value (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::AutomationControl>);
+
+  private:
+
+    typedef std::vector<boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Stripable>> StripableVector;
+    StripableVector _strips;
+
+};
+
+#endif // ardour_strips_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/typed_value.cc b/libs/surfaces/websockets/typed_value.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..808142a36f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/typed_value.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include <cmath>
+#include <limits>
+#include <string>
+
+#include "typed_value.h"
+
+#define DBL_TOLERANCE 0.001
+
+TypedValue::operator
+bool () const
+{
+    switch (_type) {
+        case Bool:
+            return _b;
+        case Int:
+            return _i != 0;
+        case Double:
+            return _d != 0;
+        case String:
+            return _s == "true";
+        default:
+            return false;
+    }
+}
+
+TypedValue::operator
+int () const
+{
+    switch (_type) {
+        case Int:
+            return _i;
+        case Bool:
+            return _b ? 1 : 0;
+        case Double:
+            return static_cast<int>(_d);
+        case String:
+            try {
+                return std::stoi (_s);
+            } catch (const std::exception&) {
+                return 0;
+            }
+        default:
+            return 0;
+    }
+}
+
+TypedValue::operator
+double () const
+{
+    switch (_type) {
+        case Double:
+            return _d;
+        case Bool:
+            return _b ? 1.f : 0;
+        case Int:
+            return static_cast<double>(_i);
+        case String:
+            try {
+                return std::stod (_s);
+            } catch (const std::exception&) {
+                return 0;
+            }
+        default:
+            return 0;
+    }
+}
+
+TypedValue::operator
+std::string () const
+{
+    switch (_type) {
+        case String:
+            return _s;
+        case Bool:
+            return _b ? "true" : "false";
+        case Int:
+            return std::to_string (_i);
+        case Double:
+            return std::to_string (_d);
+        default:
+            return "";
+    }
+}
+    
+bool
+TypedValue::operator== (const TypedValue& other) const
+{
+    if (_type != other._type) {
+        // make an exception when comparing doubles and ints
+        // for example browser json implementations will send
+        // 1 instead of 1.0 removing any type hint
+        if ((_type == Int) && (other._type == Double)) {
+            return fabs (static_cast<double>(_i) - other._d) < DBL_TOLERANCE;
+        } else if ((_type == Double) && (other._type == Int)) {
+            return fabs (_d - static_cast<double>(other._i)) < DBL_TOLERANCE;
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    switch (_type) {
+        case Bool:
+            return _b == other._b;
+        case Int:
+            return _i == other._i;
+        case Double: {
+            double inf = std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity ();
+            return ((_d == inf) && (other._d == inf))
+                || ((_d == -inf) && (other._d == -inf))
+                || (fabs (_d - other._d) < DBL_TOLERANCE);
+        }
+        case String:
+            return _s == other._s;
+        default:
+            return false;
+    }
+}
+
+bool
+TypedValue::operator!= (const TypedValue& other) const
+{
+    return !(*this == other);
+}
+
+std::string
+TypedValue::debug_str () const
+{
+    char s[256];
+
+    sprintf(s, "type = %d; b = %d; i = %d; d = %f; s = \"%s\"",
+        _type, _b, _i, _d, _s.c_str ());
+
+    return s;
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/typed_value.h b/libs/surfaces/websockets/typed_value.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0f4680d693
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/typed_value.h
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Luciano Iam <lucianito@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ */
+
+#include <string>
+
+#ifndef typed_value_h
+#define typed_value_h
+
+class TypedValue
+{
+  public:
+
+    enum Type {
+        Empty,
+        Bool,
+        Int,
+        Double,
+        String
+    };
+
+    TypedValue (): _type (Empty) { }
+    TypedValue (bool value): _type { Bool }, _b (value) { }
+    TypedValue (int value): _type { Int }, _i (value) { }
+    TypedValue (double value): _type { Double }, _d (value) { }
+    TypedValue (std::string value): _type { String }, _s (value) { }
+
+    bool empty () const { return _type == Empty; };
+    Type type () const { return _type; };
+
+    operator bool () const;
+    operator int () const;
+    operator double () const;
+    operator std::string () const;
+
+    bool operator== (const TypedValue& other) const;
+    bool operator!= (const TypedValue& other) const;
+
+    std::string debug_str () const;
+
+  private:
+
+    Type _type;
+    bool _b = false;
+    int _i = 0;
+    double _d = 0.0;
+    std::string _s;
+
+};
+
+#endif // typed_value_h
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/websockets/wscript b/libs/surfaces/websockets/wscript
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..84ce6676c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/surfaces/websockets/wscript
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+from waflib.extras import autowaf as autowaf
+import os
+
+# Mandatory variables
+top = '.'
+out = 'build'
+
+def options(opt):
+    autowaf.set_options(opt)
+
+def configure(conf):
+    autowaf.configure(conf)
+
+def build(bld):
+    obj = bld(features = 'cxx cxxshlib')
+    obj.source = '''
+            interface.cc
+            ardour_websockets.cc
+            typed_value.cc
+            state.cc
+            message.cc
+            client.cc
+            component.cc
+            strips.cc
+            globals.cc
+            server.cc
+            feedback.cc
+            dispatcher.cc
+    '''
+    obj.export_includes = ['.']
+    obj.defines      = [ 'PACKAGE="ardour_websockets"' ]
+    obj.defines     += [ 'ARDOURSURFACE_DLL_EXPORTS' ]
+    obj.includes     = ['.', './websockets']
+    obj.name         = 'libardour_websockets'
+    obj.target       = 'ardour_websockets'
+    obj.uselib       = 'GLIBMM XML WEBSOCKETS OPENSSL'
+    obj.use          = 'libardour libardour_cp libgtkmm2ext libpbd'
+    obj.install_path = os.path.join(bld.env['LIBDIR'], 'surfaces')
+
+def shutdown():
+    autowaf.shutdown()
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/wscript b/libs/surfaces/wscript
index 502a2bd500..061bba8099 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/wscript
+++ b/libs/surfaces/wscript
@@ -76,6 +76,10 @@ def configure(conf):
     else:
             print('You are missing the cwiid headers needed to compile wiimote support')
 
+    autowaf.check_pkg(conf, 'libwebsockets', uselib_store='WEBSOCKETS', atleast_version='2.0.0', mandatory=False)
+    if conf.is_defined('HAVE_WEBSOCKETS'):
+        children += [ 'websockets' ]
+
     for i in children:
         sub_config_and_use(conf, i)
 
@@ -101,6 +105,8 @@ def build(bld):
         bld.recurse('contourdesign')
     if bld.is_defined('BUILD_MASCHINE'):
         bld.recurse('maschine2')
+    if bld.is_defined ('HAVE_WEBSOCKETS'):
+        bld.recurse('websockets')
 
 def shutdown():
     autowaf.shutdown()