SuperCollider MCP Server

# Quick Start Guide Get up and running with SuperCollider MCP in 5 minutes. ## Prerequisites - Node.js 18+ installed - SuperCollider installed ([download here](https://supercollider.github.io/downloads)) ## Step 1: Install SuperCollider If you haven't already, install SuperCollider for your platform: **macOS:** 1. Download from https://supercollider.github.io/downloads 2. Drag SuperCollider.app to /Applications/ **Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):** ```bash sudo apt-get install supercollider ``` **Windows:** 1. Download installer from https://supercollider.github.io/downloads 2. Run the installer ## Step 2: Install the MCP Server ```bash cd /Users/bradanderson/Development/supercolider-mcp npm install npm run build ``` ## Step 3: Test with MCP Inspector ```bash npm run inspector ``` This opens a web interface at http://localhost:6274 ### In the Inspector: 1. Click **"List Tools"** to see all available tools 2. Click **`sc_health_check`** 3. Click **"Execute"** You should see: ``` ✅ SuperCollider is installed and ready! ``` If not, follow the instructions provided. ## Step 4: Boot SuperCollider 1. Click **`sc_boot`** 2. Wait ~5 seconds for it to boot 3. You should see: "SuperCollider server booted successfully" ## Step 5: Play Your First Sound 1. Click **`sc_play_synth`** 2. Enter this in the description field: ```json {"description": "play a bell sound at C5"} ``` 3. Click **"Execute"** **You should hear a bell sound!** 🔔 ## Step 6: Try More Sounds **Kick drum:** ```json {"description": "play a kick drum"} ``` **High sine tone:** ```json {"description": "play a high pitched sine wave"} ``` **Sweep:** ```json {"description": "play a sweep from 100hz to 2000hz"} ``` ## Step 7: Create a Pattern 1. Click **`sc_play_pattern`** 2. Enter: ```json { "pattern": [ {"synth": "kick", "delay": 0}, {"synth": "hihat", "delay": 0.25, "amp": 0.2}, {"synth": "snare", "delay": 0.25}, {"synth": "hihat", "delay": 0.25, "amp": 0.2} ] } ``` 3. Execute You should hear a simple drum beat! ## Step 8: Clean Up 1. Click **`sc_stop_all`** to stop all sounds 2. Click **`sc_quit`** to shutdown the server ## Next Steps ### Use with Claude Desktop See [Claude Setup Guide](claude-setup.md) to connect this to Claude Desktop. ### Explore More - [Natural Language Synthesis](natural-language.md) - Learn all the descriptive terms - [Pattern Examples](../examples/drum-patterns.md) - More complex rhythms - [API Reference](../api/tools.md) - Complete tool documentation ### Having Issues? - Run `sc_health_check` first - Check [Troubleshooting Guide](troubleshooting.md) - Look at `/tmp/sc-mcp-debug.log` for detailed logs ## Common First-Time Issues **"SuperCollider not found"** - Make sure you installed SuperCollider - Try: `which sclang` (should show a path) - Set `SCLANG_PATH` if needed **"No sound"** - Check system volume - Verify audio output device - On macOS: Grant microphone permissions if prompted **"Server won't boot"** - Close any open SuperCollider applications - Kill existing processes: `killall sclang scsynth` - Try booting again ## Summary You've successfully: - ✅ Installed and tested SuperCollider - ✅ Booted the audio server - ✅ Played sounds using natural language - ✅ Created a rhythmic pattern - ✅ Cleaned up and quit Ready to integrate with Claude or build something more complex!