ACE-Step v1 3.5B
ACE Studio and StepFun · Audio & music · 3.5B
ACE-Step is a diffusion-based music model aimed at full-song generation with duration control, generating up to around four minutes before coherence starts to fade. Two things make it stand out for local use. First, the licence: the v1 3.5B model is Apache 2.0, so unlike MusicGen it can be used commercially. Second, the footprint: the project reports reducing maximum VRAM to 8GB, putting it within reach of ordinary consumer cards, and it runs on CUDA and on Apple Silicon. It is used through the official repo or a diffusers pipeline. A newer ACE-Step 1.5 exists as a separate release.
Strengths
- Apache 2.0, so it can be used commercially, unlike MusicGen
- Runs in as little as 8GB of VRAM
- Full-song generation with duration control, up to around four minutes
Weaknesses
- Coherence degrades beyond roughly five minutes
- A newer 1.5 version exists separately
- Music generation is still an immature field versus image or text
Hardware requirements
| Quantisation | Approx. VRAM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Native | ~8GB | The project reports a maximum VRAM of around 8GB, within reach of consumer cards |
Optimised builds available for Apple Silicon.
What you'd need to run this
Roughly what a machine to run this would need, at up to three levels of quality. Memory is the deciding factor.
Minimum to run it
Native · ~8GB needed
One 12GB GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GBor a Mac or mini-PC with unified memory, if you prefer no discrete GPU, Mac mini M5 Pro .
At least 32GB of system RAM alongside the card.
around £700–£1,100
What else 12GB runs →Licence
Apache 2.0
ACE-Step v1 3.5B: common questions
- What hardware do I need to run ACE-Step v1 3.5B?
- At its most compressed (Native) it needs roughly 8GB of VRAM, and about 12GB for good quality. VRAM figures are approximate and depend on context length and settings.
- Is ACE-Step v1 3.5B free for commercial use?
- Yes. ACE-Step v1 3.5B is licensed under Apache 2.0, which permits commercial use with no meaningful conditions.
- Can I run ACE-Step v1 3.5B on Apple Silicon?
- Yes. ACE-Step v1 3.5B has builds optimised for Apple Silicon, through MLX or GGUF on a Mac.
Availability
Recommended for
- Local, commercially-usable music generation
- Full-song generation on a consumer card
- A permissive alternative to MusicGen
Related models
Related guides
Glossary
Catalogue entry last verified 18 August 2026. Specifications change; verify anything you are about to spend money on.