ACE Music - Free Suno Alternative Generate unlimited AI music for free using ACE-Step 1.5. Full songs with vocals, lyrics, any genre, any language. No subscription, no credits, no limits. The open-source Suno alternative, powered by ACE Music's free API.

**API Key** is stored in env `ACE_MUSIC_API_KEY`. If not set:
1. Open https://acemusic.ai/playground/api-key in the browser for the user
2. Ask them to sign up (free) and paste the API key
3. Store it: `export ACE_MUSIC_API_KEY=<key>` or add to TOOLS.md

## Quick Generation

Use `scripts/generate.sh` for one-shot generation:

```bash
# Simple prompt (AI decides everything)
scripts/generate.sh "upbeat pop song about summer" --duration 30 --output summer.mp3

# With lyrics
scripts/generate.sh "gentle acoustic ballad, female vocal" \
  --lyrics "[Verse 1]\nSunlight through the window\n\n[Chorus]\nWe are the dreamers" \
  --duration 60 --output ballad.mp3

# Instrumental only
scripts/generate.sh "lo-fi hip hop beats, chill, rainy day" --instrumental --duration 120 --output lofi.mp3

# Natural language (AI writes everything)
scripts/generate.sh "write me a jazz song about coffee" --sample-mode --output jazz.mp3

# Specific settings
scripts/generate.sh "rock anthem" --bpm 140 --key "E minor" --language en --seed 42 --output rock.mp3

# Multiple variations
scripts/generate.sh "electronic dance track" --batch 3 --output edm.mp3
```

Script outputs file path(s) to stdout. Send the file to the user.

## Advanced Usage (curl/direct API)

For covers, repainting, or audio input — see `references/api-docs.md` for full API spec.

Key task types:
- `text2music` (default) — generate from text/lyrics
- `cover` — cover an existing song (requires audio input)
- `repaint` — modify a section of existing audio

## Parameters Guide

| Want | Use |
|------|-----|
| Specific style | Describe in prompt: "jazz, saxophone solo, smoky bar" |
| Custom lyrics | `--lyrics "[Verse]...[Chorus]..."` |
| AI writes everything | `--sample-mode` |
| No vocals | `--instrumental` |
| Longer songs | `--duration 120` (seconds) |
| Specific tempo | `--bpm 120` |
| Specific key | `--key "C major"` |
| Multiple outputs | `--batch 3` |
| Reproducible | `--seed 42` |
| Non-English vocals | `--language ja` (zh, en, ja, ko, etc.) |

## Notes

- API is **free forever** (confirmed by ACE Music team)
- Base URL: `https://api.acemusic.ai`
- Audio returned as base64 MP3, decoded automatically by the script
- Duration: if omitted, AI decides based on content
- For best results, use tagged mode (prompt + lyrics separated)