Metmuseum MCP vs Music Studio

A side-by-side look at the Metmuseum MCP and Music Studio MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Metmuseum MCP logoMetmuseum MCPArt & Culture · Local subprocess (stdio)Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection API integration to search and display artworks in the collection.64GoodAuth: no auth requiredMusic Studio logoMusic StudioArt & Culture · Local subprocess (stdio)Music composition MCP server with style presets, 30 instruments, and sheet music.63GoodAuth: no auth required

Verdict: choose Metmuseum MCP for art & culture work as a local process; choose Music Studio for art & culture as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Metmuseum MCP logoChoose Metmuseum MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Art & Culture domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like list-departments, search-museum-objects, get-museum-object.
Explore Metmuseum MCP

Music Studio logoChoose Music Studio when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Art & Culture domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like play-sheet-music, play-live-pattern, get-session.
Explore Music Studio

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecMetmuseum MCP logoMetmuseum MCPMusic Studio logoMusic Studio
CategoryArt & CultureArt & Culture
Quality signal64/100 · Good63/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredNo auth required
PricingFreeFree
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars3575
Directory activity 7 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools410

Tools & capabilities

Metmuseum MCP tools 4

  • list-departmentsList all departments in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met Museum)
  • search-museum-objectsSearch for objects in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met Museum). Will return Total objects found, followed by a paginated list of Object Ids. If the Met Explorer app (open-met-explorer) is open and the user is referring to its existing results, prefer using those results from context instead of calling this tool. The parameter title should be set to true if you want to search for objects by title. The parameter hasImages is false by default, but can be set to true to return only objects with images. Additional optional filters are available for highlights, tags, on-view status, artist/culture match, medium, geographic location, and date range. Use page and pageSize to paginate results.
  • get-museum-objectGet a museum object by its ID, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection. Use this when the user asks for deeper details on a specific object ID.
  • open-met-explorerOpen the interactive Met Explorer app for browsing and filtering objects. For exploration intents, pass q so the app can run a live search on open. After opening, keep your chat handoff short and UI-focused. For deeper details on a specific object ID, prefer get-museum-object.

Music Studio tools 10

  • play-sheet-musicDraw and play a score written in ABC notation
  • play-live-patternOpen a live-coding player for Strudel code, optionally as a live session
  • get-sessionRead what happened in a live session, or wait until the person listening presses Pass
  • update-sessionSwap new code into a live session's player on the next bar or phrase
  • get-music-guideReference for ABC notation: syntax, instruments, styles, genres
  • get-strudel-guideReference for Strudel: sounds, effects, visuals, stage, gallery pieces
  • search-music-docsSearch the Strudel and abcjs documentation
  • analyze-harmonyName chords, find the key, build progressions
  • convert-abc-to-strudelTurn a scored melody into a Strudel pattern
  • create-share-linkStore a piece for 30 days and return a link anyone can open

Ready-to-paste client configs

Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.

Metmuseum MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mikechao-metmuseum-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "metmuseum-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Music Studio

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "music-studio": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-music-studio"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Metmuseum MCP is categorized under Art & Culture and uses a local stdio subprocess. Music Studio belongs to Art & Culture and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Metmuseum MCP for art & culture work and Music Studio for art & culture.

Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.

Metmuseum MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Music Studio is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.

Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add mikechao-metmuseum-mcp and music-studio as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Metmuseum MCP has a quality signal of 64/100 (Good) with 7 views, 0 installs and 35 GitHub stars. Music Studio has 63/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 75 GitHub stars.