---
title: "Which AI model should I choose? | Mixroadie help"
description: "For privacy and no running cost, the built-in model. For the best answers, Claude on your own API key at about one to two cents per song. Already paying for Claude or ChatGPT? Use their app."
url: "https://mixroadie.com/help/which-ai-model/"
---

# Which AI model should I choose?

For privacy and no running cost, the built-in model. For the best answers, Claude on your own API key at about one to two cents per song. Already paying for Claude or ChatGPT? Use their app.

Updated 28 October 2026

Mixroadie measures your audio itself, on your computer, whichever AI you choose. The AI reads those measurements, makes the judgment calls and explains them. There are three kinds of choice:

|                                                                     | Costs                    | What leaves your computer                                                 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **On this computer:** the built-in model, or LM Studio / Ollama     | Free                     | Nothing                                                                   |
| **Cloud with your own API key:** Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and others | About 1–2 cents per song | Numbers, track names, the project’s shape and what you typed. Never audio |
| **Your Claude or ChatGPT app**, on the plan you already pay for     | Your plan                | What Mixroadie hands your AI app. Never audio                             |

## Which one to pick

- **You want everything to stay on your computer, or to work offline:** the built-in model. It is sized to your computer’s memory automatically. It needs a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Windows PC; on an Intel Mac, use [LM Studio](https://lmstudio.ai/) or [Ollama](https://ollama.com/), free apps that run a model on your computer.
- **You want the best answers:** a cloud option. Claude is the one we recommend: in [our benchmark of 25 AI models](https://mixroadie.com/blog/ai-model-benchmark/) it was the cheapest cloud model that came top on every measure. Each cloud option starts on a small, cheap model, and Settings lets you pick a bigger one. See [Where do I get an API key?](https://mixroadie.com/help/api-key/)
- **You already pay for Claude or ChatGPT:** use Mixroadie from Claude Desktop, Claude Code or Codex. You then work in that app, not in the REAPER panel. See [Can I use my Claude or ChatGPT subscription?](https://mixroadie.com/help/claude-chatgpt-subscription/)

## Changing it later

You can change it in the panel’s **Settings** at any time. A badge beside the Settings title shows which AI is answering: green when it stays on your computer, orange when it sends. For a cloud option, Settings shows the actual request that would be sent.

Nothing is sent anywhere from a fresh install: choosing a cloud option and entering your API key is the decision.

Still stuck?

Write to us with your computer (Mac or Windows and its version), your REAPER version and what you see. A screenshot helps.

<support@mixroadie.com>