Decent Sampler Drums MCP server

This MCP server helps you generate drum kit configurations for the Decent Sampler plugin, automating the process of analyzing WAV files and creating the necessary XML configurations. It handles complex tasks like multi-mic setups, round robin playback, and velocity layers to create professional-sounding virtual drum instruments.

Installation

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v14 or higher)
• npm (usually comes with Node.js)
• Claude Desktop app

Setup Instructions

1. Install the required dependencies:

npm install

2. Build the server:

npm run build

3. Add the server to your Claude Desktop configuration file:

Windows:

%APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

MacOS:

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Add the following configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "decent-sampler-drums": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@dandeliongold/mcp-decent-sampler-drums"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Usage

Basic Workflow

When using this MCP server, you should choose a prompt based on your needs:

• For simple presets: use the simple_preset_guidelines prompt
• For complex presets: use the advanced_preset_guidelines prompt

Note: Complex presets with many samples may exceed Claude Desktop's maximum message length.

Required Arguments

Always provide the samplesDirectory argument with the absolute path to your drum samples folder:

samplesDirectory: "C:/Users/username/Documents/DrumSamples"

Key Features

The MCP server supports:

• WAV file analysis - automatically scans and validates your sample files
• Global controls - adds pitch and envelope parameters to your kit
• Multi-mic routing - supports complex studio recording setups with multiple microphones
• Round robin playback - cycles through multiple hits of the same sample for realism
• Velocity layers - maps different samples based on how hard you play
• Muting groups - implements realistic hi-hat and cymbal behaviors

Working with Decent Sampler

The generated XML files can be loaded directly into the Decent Sampler plugin, which is available for free:

• Download Decent Sampler Plugin

Sample Sources

If you need drum samples to get started, consider these resources:

• 99sounds.org
  • Drum Samples Collection
  • Dub & Reggae Sounds
• Archive.org: Sample Pack Collection
• Sample Pack Nation: Oberheim DMX/DX Drumkits

Advanced Features

Multi-Mic Routing

Configure multiple microphone positions with separate output routing:

configure_mic_routing(
  mics: [
    { name: "Kick In", controllerNumber: 20 },
    { name: "Kick Out", controllerNumber: 21 },
    { name: "Snare Top", controllerNumber: 22 }
  ],
  outputBuses: true
)

Round Robin Configuration

Set up alternating samples for more realistic playback:

configure_round_robin(
  numRoundRobins: 3,
  randomization: 0.2
)

Drum Controls

Add global controls for fine-tuning your drum sounds:

configure_drum_controls(
  pitchRange: 12,
  includeADSR: true,
  includeFilter: true
)

How to install this MCP server

For Claude Code

To add this MCP server to Claude Code, run this command in your terminal:

claude mcp add-json "decent-sampler-drums" '{"command":"npx","args":["-y","@dandeliongold/mcp-decent-sampler-drums"],"env":[]}'

See the official Claude Code MCP documentation for more details.

For Cursor

There are two ways to add an MCP server to Cursor. The most common way is to add the server globally in the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file so that it is available in all of your projects.

If you only need the server in a single project, you can add it to the project instead by creating or adding it to the .cursor/mcp.json file.

Adding an MCP server to Cursor globally

To add a global MCP server go to Cursor Settings > Tools & Integrations and click "New MCP Server".

When you click that button the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file will be opened and you can add your server like this:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "decent-sampler-drums": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@dandeliongold/mcp-decent-sampler-drums"
            ],
            "env": []
        }
    }
}

Adding an MCP server to a project

To add an MCP server to a project you can create a new .cursor/mcp.json file or add it to the existing one. This will look exactly the same as the global MCP server example above.

How to use the MCP server

Once the server is installed, you might need to head back to Settings > MCP and click the refresh button.

The Cursor agent will then be able to see the available tools the added MCP server has available and will call them when it needs to.

You can also explicitly ask the agent to use the tool by mentioning the tool name and describing what the function does.

For Claude Desktop

To add this MCP server to Claude Desktop:

1. Find your configuration file:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

2. Add this to your configuration file:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "decent-sampler-drums": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@dandeliongold/mcp-decent-sampler-drums"
            ],
            "env": []
        }
    }
}

3. Restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect