# ACE-Step Music

Generates background music, vocal tracks and stems for video with ACE-Step.

- Repository: https://github.com/calesthio/OpenMontage (74341 stars)
- Category: Media
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Last updated: 2026-10-28
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add calesthio/OpenMontage --skill acestep -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add calesthio/OpenMontage --skill acestep -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add calesthio/OpenMontage --skill acestep -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add calesthio/OpenMontage --skill acestep -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

AI music generation with ACE-Step 1.5, background music, vocal tracks, covers, stem extraction for video production. Use when generating music, soundtracks, jingles, or working with audio stems. Triggers include background music, soundtrack, jingle, music generation, stem extraction, cover, style transfer, or musical composition tasks.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# ACE-Step 1.5 Music Generation

Open-source music generation (MIT license) via `tools/music_gen.py`. Runs on RunPod serverless.
Requires `RUNPOD_API_KEY` and `RUNPOD_ACESTEP_ENDPOINT_ID` in `.env` (run `--setup` to create endpoint).

## Quick Reference

```bash
# Basic generation
python tools/music_gen.py --prompt "Upbeat tech corporate" --duration 60 --output bg.mp3

# With musical control
python tools/music_gen.py --prompt "Calm ambient piano" --duration 30 --bpm 72 --key "D Major" --output ambient.mp3

# Scene presets (video production)
python tools/music_gen.py --preset corporate-bg --duration 60 --output bg.mp3
python tools/music_gen.py --preset tension --duration 20 --output problem.mp3
python tools/music_gen.py --preset cta --brand digital-samba --duration 15 --output cta.mp3

# Vocals with lyrics
python tools/music_gen.py --prompt "Indie pop jingle" --lyrics "[verse]\nBuild it better\nShip it faster" --duration 30 --output jingle.mp3

# Cover / style transfer
python tools/music_gen.py --cover --reference theme.mp3 --prompt "Jazz piano version" --duration 60 --output jazz_cover.mp3

# Stem extraction
python tools/music_gen.py --extract vocals --input mixed.mp3 --output vocals.mp3

# List presets
python tools/music_gen.py --list-presets
```

## Creating a Song (Step by Step)

### 1. Instrumental background track (simplest)
```bash
python tools/music_gen.py --prompt "Upbeat indie rock, driving drums, jangly guitar" --duration 60 --bpm 120 --key "G Major" --output track.mp3
```

### 2. Song with vocals and lyrics
Write lyrics in a temp file or pass inline. Use structure tags to control song sections.

```bash
# Write lyrics to a file first (recommended for longer songs)
cat > /tmp/lyrics.txt << 'LYRICS'
[Verse 1]
Walking through the morning light
Coffee in my hand feels right
Another day to build and dream
Nothing's ever what it seems

[Chorus - anthemic]
WE KEEP MOVING FORWARD
Through the noise and doubt
We keep moving forward
That's what it's about

The rest: https://github.com/calesthio/OpenMontage/blob/HEAD/.agents/skills/acestep/SKILL.md