Ableton

Controls Ableton Live via natural language through an MCP server, enabling drum, melody, arrangement, and mix tasks.

python

0

GitHub Stars

python

Language

4 months ago

First Indexed

2 months ago

Catalog Refreshed

Documentation & install

Readme and setup notes from the catalogue, plus a client-ready config you can copy for your MCP host.

Installation

Add the following to your MCP client configuration file.

Configuration

View docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "keigotak-abletonmcp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": [
        "-m",
        "src.mcp_server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

You can control Ableton Live with natural language through an MCP server that acts as your bridge between your chat interface and your DAW. This server translates your commands into Ableton actions, enabling you to generate melodies, drum patterns, arrange structures, and adjust mix settings with simple, conversational prompts.

How to use

Install and run the MCP server locally, then connect your preferred MCP client to send natural language requests. You can operate in two modes: the built-in MCP mode that requires no API key and a standalone CLI mode that uses your Anthropic API key. In MCP mode, you chat with your Claude Desktop client to control Ableton Live. In CLI mode, you run a terminal session to issue commands directly.

How to install

Prerequisites: Python 3.8 or newer and pip.

# Install the MCP server from your project directory
cd ableton-mcp
pip install -e .

MCP Mode configuration for Claude Desktop. Create or edit the Claude Desktop configuration to point to the MCP server. Replace the path in cwd with your actual Ableton MCP directory.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ableton-mcp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "src.mcp_server"],
      "cwd": "/path/to/ableton-mcp"
    }
  }
}

Additional setup and usage notes

Install AbletonOSC to enable communication between Ableton Live and the MCP server. You have two options.

Option A: Max for Live Device (Simple)
1. Download AbletonOSC
2. Drag `AbletonOSC.amxd` onto a track in Ableton Live

Option B: Remote Script (Recommended)
1. Download from https://github.com/ideoforms/AbletonOSC
2. Place in Remote Scripts folder:
   - Windows: `C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\Ableton\User Library\Remote Scripts\AbletonOSC`
   - macOS: `~/Music/Ableton/User Library/Remote Scripts/AbletonOSC`
3. Folder structure: `AbletonOSC\__init__.py` should be directly inside
4. In Ableton Live → Preferences → Link/Tempo/MIDI → Control Surface → Select **AbletonOSC**

Available tools

generate_arrangement

Generates a complete song arrangement based on a chosen genre, duration, and tempo. Returns structure with sections and automation hints.

create_drum_track

Creates a drum pattern or loop with a specified style (e.g., trap, 4-on-the-floor) and length.