Sonic Pi MCP Server

A local MCP server that controls Sonic Pi via OSC with AI-powered music generation.

How It Works

1. MCP Server receives natural language requests

2. AI Generator converts requests to Sonic Pi code (patterns or OpenAI)

3. OSC Client sends code to Sonic Pi via OSC

4. Sonic Pi executes the code and plays music

Related MCP server: SuperCollider MCP Server

Setup

1. Install Dependencies

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
pip install -e .

2. Configure Sonic Pi

Add this code to Sonic Pi and click "Run":

live_loop :mcp_listener do
  use_real_time
  code_message = sync "/osc*/mcp/code"
  begin
    eval(code_message[0])
  rescue => e
    puts "Error executing code: #{e.message}"
  end
end

3. Optional: Add OpenAI API Key

cp .env_example .env
# Edit .env and add: OPENAI_API_KEY=your-key-here

4. Run Server

python -m sonicpi_mcp

Usage

Via Cursor (Recommended)

1. Ensure server is running

2. Use commands like: "create a rock beat", "make techno music", "play jazz piano"

Via Command Line

# Create and play music
echo '{"tool": "create_and_play", "args": {"request": "create a rock drum beat"}}' | python3 -m sonicpi_mcp

# Run Sonic Pi code directly
echo '{"tool": "run_code", "args": {"source": "play 60, amp: 2"}}' | python3 -m sonicpi_mcp

# Set BPM
echo '{"tool": "set_bpm", "args": {"bpm": 120}}' | python3 -m sonicpi_mcp

# Stop all
echo '{"tool": "stop_all", "args": {}}' | python3 -m sonicpi_mcp

Available Tools

• create_and_play - Generate and play music from natural language

• run_code - Execute Sonic Pi code directly

• set_bpm - Set tempo

• stop_all - Stop all audio

• cue - Send cue messages

• generate_music - Generate code without playing

• list_patterns - Show available patterns

• get_pattern - Get specific pattern

• tail_logs - View recent logs

• diagnose - Check connection status

Troubleshooting

No sound? Ensure the Sonic Pi listener live_loop is running.

Port issues? Server auto-discovers Sonic Pi's port. Check with: echo '{"tool": "diagnose", "args": {}}' | python3 -m sonicpi_mcp

OSC not working? Check Sonic Pi's Network settings and enable "Allow incoming OSC messages".