FL Studio MCP Skill

This skill guides AI agents on how to dynamically control FL Studio, generate complex algorithmic compositions, manage VST presets via coordinate clicks, and route channels cleanly using the FL Studio MCP Server.

🛠️ Core Tool Workflow

Always follow this precise sequence to establish a healthy connection session:

graph TD
    A[fl_list_midi_ports] --> B[fl_connect]
    B --> C[fl_get_status]
    C --> D[Execute Composition / Automation Tools]
    D --> E[fl_disconnect]

1. Scan Ports: Run fl_list_midi_ports to find available hardware and virtual MIDI devices.
2. Connect: Run fl_connect with the target loopback port (e.g. "FL Studio Bus" or "loopMIDI Port").

• Tip: Pass dry_run=true during development to preview MIDI SysEx bytes without physical output.

1. Verify Connection: Call fl_get_status to ensure FL Studio's controller script is active and responding.
2. Disconnect: Always call fl_disconnect at the end of a session to free up system MIDI ports.

🎼 Algorithmic Composition Strategies

Use these tools to inject musical structures directly into the active piano roll pattern:

1. Euclidean Drums (fl_insert_euclidean_drums)

Distributes $k$ beats across $n$ steps as evenly as possible using Bjorklund's algorithm.

• Use Case: Rhythmic skeletons, high-hat grooves, and polyrhythms.
• Mapping Syntax: Pass a JSON string mapping channel index to note/rhythm parameters.
• Simple: '{"0": "C3", "1": 38}'
• Advanced: '{"0": {"pitch": "C3", "hits": 5, "steps": 16, "rotation": 1}}'

2. Markov Chain Melodies (fl_generate_markov_melody)

Generates organic, scale-constrained single-voice melodic lines utilizing transition matrices.

• Constraint: Note choices are strictly locked to the scale signature to prevent sour notes.
• Velocity Curve: Pass "crescendo", "decrescendo", or "humanize" to add expressiveness.

3. Voice-Leading Chords (fl_insert_voice_led_progression)

Parses string-based chord progressions and transposes notes to minimize overall voice jumps.

• Syntax: E.g. "C5-major, G5-major, A4-minor, F4-major"
• Algorithm: Performs optimal octave shifting so standard chord changes feel natural, smooth, and professional.

🎛️ Channel Routing & Mixing

• Route Instrument to Mixer: Call fl_route_to_mixer(channel_index, track_index) to route a rack instrument to a dedicated mixer insert.
• Set Levels: Adjust panning (fl_set_mixer_pan) or volume (fl_set_mixer_volume).
• Formula: A fader volume of 100 maps exactly to FL Studio's 0.787 unity gain.

🖱️ Deep VST & GUI Automation

When controlling third-party plugins (e.g., Serum, Vital) that do not expose MIDI preset changes:

1. Catalog Preset: Call fl_catalog_vst_preset saving the exact $X, Y$ coordinate coordinates of the plugin's patch forward button.
2. Load Preset: Call fl_load_vst_preset to automatically focus FL Studio and trigger a simulated mouse click on the coordinates.
3. Rearrange Workspace: Use fl_reset_ui to realign overlapping tool windows (Ctrl+Shift+H).

⚠️ Troubleshooting & Stick Note Recovery

• Stuck Notes? If a synthesizer hangs or rings indefinitely, immediately run `fl_panic` to broadcast a full MIDI All-Notes-Off signal across all tracks.
• Write Acknowledgements: If sending fast, successive notes, enable RESP_ACK in parameters to ensure FL Studio processes each note before sending the next.

🎵 Song/Project Management Tools

These 22 tools handle song-level operations — markers, tempo, save-as, export, and queries for mixer/channel/pattern counts.

Markers (6 tools)

Tempo (3 tools)

Project Management (2 tools)

Count Queries (3 tools)

Pattern Operations (7 tools)

Safety Pattern: All state-changing song/project tools require a confirm flag to prevent accidental changes. Always set confirm=true when you intend to execute.

⌨️ CLI Song Commands Reference

All CLI commands follow uv run fl-studio <command> [options]:

# Song info & length
uv run fl-studio get-song-length
uv run fl-studio get-song-info

# Markers
uv run fl-studio set-song-marker --marker-name "Verse" --color-r 255 --color-g 0 --color-b 0
uv run fl-studio get-marker --marker-index 0
uv run fl-studio delete-marker --marker-index 0
uv run fl-studio insert-marker --position-beats 8 --marker-name "Chorus"

# Tempo
uv run fl-studio get-song-tempo
uv run fl-studio get-song-bpm
uv run fl-studio set-song-bpm --bpm 128 --confirm
uv run fl-studio set-song-tempo-relative --percentage 10 --confirm

# Project save & export
uv run fl-studio save-as-project --filename "My Track.flp" --confirm
uv run fl-studio export-audio --output-path "~/Desktop/track.wav" --format wav --quality 90 --confirm

# Count queries
uv run fl-studio get-mixer-track-count
uv run fl-studio get-channel-count
uv run fl-studio get-pattern-count

# Pattern operations
uv run fl-studio get-current-pattern
uv run fl-studio set-current-pattern --pattern-index 2 --confirm
uv run fl-studio duplicate-pattern
uv run fl-studio copy-pattern --target-pattern-index 5
uv run fl-studio cut-pattern
uv run fl-studio paste-pattern --target-pattern-index 3
uv run fl-studio clear-pattern

🎬 Workflow Examples

1. Complete Song Production

graph LR
    A[Connect] --> B[Create Pattern]
    B --> C[Add Notes]
    C --> D[Add Markers]
    D --> E[Set Tempo]
    E --> F[Save]
    F --> G[Export]

Step-by-step MCP calls:

fl_connect(port_name="IAC Driver Bus 1")
fl_get_status(timeout_ms=2000)
fl_create_pattern()
fl_select_pattern(pattern_index=0)
fl_insert_notes(notes=[{pitch: 60, velocity: 100, start_tick: 0, duration_ticks: 96}])
fl_set_song_marker(marker_name="Intro", color_r=0, color_g=255, color_b=0)
fl_set_song_bpm(bpm=128, confirm=true)
fl_save_project(confirm=true)
fl_export_audio(output_path="/path/to/track.wav", format="wav", quality=90, confirm=true)

2. Marker Workflow

fl_set_song_marker(marker_name="Intro", color_r=0, color_g=200, color_b=255)
fl_insert_marker(position_beats=8.0, marker_name="Verse 1", color_r=255, color_g=200, color_b=0)
fl_insert_marker(position_beats=24.0, marker_name="Chorus", color_r=255, color_g=50, color_b=50)
fl_get_marker(marker_index=1)
fl_delete_marker(marker_index=2)

3. Tempo Automation

fl_get_song_tempo(timeout_ms=2000)
fl_set_song_bpm(bpm=140, confirm=true)
fl_set_song_tempo_relative(percentage=10, confirm=true)
fl_get_song_bpm()

4. Pattern Management

fl_get_current_pattern(timeout_ms=2000)
fl_set_current_pattern(pattern_index=3, confirm=true)
fl_duplicate_pattern()
fl_set_current_pattern(pattern_index=4, confirm=true)
fl_clear_pattern()
fl_set_current_pattern(pattern_index=3, confirm=true)
fl_copy_pattern(target_pattern_index=10, confirm=true)
fl_paste_pattern(target_pattern_index=8, confirm=true)