# ACE Studio MCP Server

## ACE Studio MCP Server

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Experimental Status

The ACE Studio MCP Server is currently in **experimental phase**.

**Please note:**

* Some features and settings may not be fully implemented yet
* Features and functionality may change
* You may encounter bugs or performance issues during use
* Usage guidelines and rate limits will be published when the stable version is released

We are actively improving this feature. If you have any feedback or encounter issues, please contact us at [**support@acestudio.ai**](mailto:support@acestudio.ai).
{% endhint %}

The ACE Studio MCP server offers a rich toolkit enabling AI agents to autonomously navigate and execute creative edits. By giving AI agents comprehensive insight into every detail of your project, it empowers them to assist you in creating and editing songs with greater speed and creative freedom.

[The Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/getting-started/intro) (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI assistants to seamlessly connect with external applications and data sources. The ACE Studio MCP server implements this protocol to give AI agents direct access to your creative workspace.

### Quick Start

#### Launch the ACE Studio MCP Server

1. Open **ACE Studio**.
2. Go to **Preferences → General → MCP Server**.
3. Choose a transport mode: **HTTP** or **STDIO**.

> The transport mode you select here determines how your AI client connects to ACE Studio. See the sections below for details and client-specific configuration.

Choose the appropriate configuration based on the transport mode you selected and your AI client.

#### Streamable HTTP Mode

In HTTP mode, ACE Studio runs a local MCP server at a fixed address. Your AI client connects to it over the network.

**Server Address:** `http://localhost:21572/mcp`

> **Technical Note**: The ACE Studio MCP Server uses the **Streamable HTTP transport protocol**. Keep this address for the next configuration step.

**Claude Desktop**

> ⚠ Setting up the ACE Studio MCP Server in Claude Desktop requires editing a JSON configuration file. If you're not comfortable with technical configuration, we recommend trying more user-friendly clients.

**Configuration Steps:**

1. Install Node.js, if needed.
   * Visit [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org) and download the LTS version.
2. Locate the Claude Desktop configuration file.
   * **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
   * **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
3. Edit the configuration file and add the following:

```json
{
   "mcpServers": {
       "acestudio": {
           "command": "npx",
           "args": [
               "mcp-remote",
               "http://localhost:21572/mcp"
           ]
       }
   }
}
```

4. Save the file and restart Claude Desktop.

**Verify Connection:**\
Type in Claude:

```
Please check the current ACE Studio project information
```

If Claude returns project details, the connection is successful.

**Cursor**

You can directly add MCP server to Cursor by clicking [here](https://cursor.com/en-US/install-mcp?name=ACE-Studio\&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vbG9jYWxob3N0OjIxNTcyL21jcCJ9).

Or manually set it up:

1. Open Cursor settings.
2. Find the **Tools & MCP** section.
3. Click **New MCP Server**.
4. Fill in the following JSON:

```json
{
 "mcpServers": {
   "ACE-Studio": {
     "url": "http://localhost:21572/mcp",
     "headers": {}
   }
 }
}
```

5. Click **Save**.
6. Restart Cursor.

**Verify Connection:**\
Type in Cursor Chat:

```
@acestudio What tracks are in the current project?
```

**VS Code via native MCP support**

You can directly add MCP server to VS Code by clicking [here](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect?url=vscode%3Amcp%2Finstall%3F%7B%22name%22%3A%22acestudio%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22http%22%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%3A21572%2Fmcp%22%7D).

Or manually set it up:

1. Create or edit `.vscode/mcp.json` in your workspace.
2. Add the following configuration:

```json
{
 "servers": {
   "ACE-Studio": {
     "type": "http",
     "url": "http://localhost:21572/mcp"
   }
 }
}
```

**VS Code via Cline**

1. Install the Cline extension.
2. Open extension settings.
3. Find the MCP Servers configuration section.
4. Add a new server:

```json
{
 "mcpServers": {
   "ACE-Studio": {
     "url": "http://localhost:21572/mcp",
     "type": "streamableHttp",
     "headers": {}
   }
 }
}
```

**Other Clients**

For most clients, use these configuration settings:

* **Transport type:** Streamable HTTP. Some clients may call this `Remote`.
* **Server URL:** `http://localhost:21572/mcp`

Or import MCP server with the following JSON:

```json
{
 "mcpServers": {
   "ACE-Studio": {
     "url": "http://localhost:21572/mcp",
     "headers": {}
   }
 }
}
```

#### STDIO Mode

In STDIO mode, your AI client launches and communicates with the ACE Studio MCP server directly through standard input and output. This is simpler to set up. You do not need to start a server manually or use a network address.

**Getting the Command:**

1. In ACE Studio, go to **Preferences → General → MCP Server**.
2. Set the mode to **STDIO**.
3. Click **Copy Command** to copy the server command to your clipboard.

The copied command will look like this:

```
"/Applications/ACE Studio.app/Contents/Helpers/ace_mcp_server" --stdio
```

Use this command in the configuration steps below.

{% hint style="info" %}
The command path varies by OS. Use the exact command copied from ACE Studio in every client configuration below.
{% endhint %}

**Claude Desktop**

STDIO is the native transport for Claude Desktop. You do not need extra tools like `mcp-remote`.

1. Locate the Claude Desktop configuration file.
   * **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
   * **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
2. Edit the configuration file and add the following:

```json
{
   "mcpServers": {
       "acestudio": {
           "command": "/Applications/ACE Studio.app/Contents/Helpers/ace_mcp_server",
           "args": ["--stdio"]
       }
   }
}
```

3. Save the file and restart Claude Desktop.

**Verify Connection:**\
Type in Claude:

```
Please check the current ACE Studio project information
```

If Claude returns project details, the connection is successful.

**Cursor**

1. Open Cursor settings.
2. Find the **Tools & MCP** section.
3. Click **New MCP Server**.
4. Fill in the following JSON:

```json
{
 "mcpServers": {
   "ACE-Studio": {
     "command": "/Applications/ACE Studio.app/Contents/Helpers/ace_mcp_server",
     "args": ["--stdio"]
   }
 }
}
```

5. Click **Save**.
6. Restart Cursor.

**Verify Connection:**\
Type in Cursor Chat:

```
@acestudio What tracks are in the current project?
```

**VS Code via native MCP support**

1. Create or edit `.vscode/mcp.json` in your workspace.
2. Add the following configuration:

```json
{
 "servers": {
   "ACE-Studio": {
     "command": "/Applications/ACE Studio.app/Contents/Helpers/ace_mcp_server",
     "args": ["--stdio"]
   }
 }
}
```

**VS Code via Cline**

1. Install the Cline extension.
2. Open extension settings.
3. Find the MCP Servers configuration section.
4. Add a new server:

```json
{
 "mcpServers": {
   "ACE-Studio": {
     "command": "/Applications/ACE Studio.app/Contents/Helpers/ace_mcp_server",
     "args": ["--stdio"]
   }
 }
}
```

**Other Clients**

For most clients, use these configuration settings:

* **Transport type:** STDIO
* **Command:** `/Applications/ACE Studio.app/Contents/Helpers/ace_mcp_server`
* **Arguments:** `--stdio`

Or import MCP server with the following JSON:

```json
{
 "mcpServers": {
   "ACE-Studio": {
     "command": "/Applications/ACE Studio.app/Contents/Helpers/ace_mcp_server",
     "args": ["--stdio"]
   }
 }
}
```

### Usage Examples

Once connected, you can try the following prompts to collaborate with your AI assistant:

#### Create a New Project

```
Help me create a new pop-style project with BPM 120 in ACE Studio,
in C major, add a lead vocal track and a violin accompaniment track
```

#### Generate Lyrics and Melody

```
Based on the theme "Summer memories by the sea,"
write an 8-bar chorus section in ACE Studio.
The melody should be light and lively, using a pentatonic scale
```

#### Edit MIDI

```
In ACE Studio, add a piano chord progression in bars 9-16:
C - Am - F - G, each chord lasting 2 bars
```


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