MCP Ableton API

You can run an MCP server that lets Claude AI control Ableton Live through a dedicated set of tools. This setup enables AI-assisted session management, track and device control, clip and scene operations, and live performance workflows with real-time feedback between Ableton Live and Claude AI.

How to use

You use the MCP server by running it locally and connecting Claude Desktop as an MCP client. Once connected, you can issue natural-language commands to manage sessions, create and modify tracks, program MIDI clips, control mixing parameters, fire scenes, start and stop recordings, and load devices. Treat the tools as capabilities you can invoke with practical prompts like creating a MIDI clip, arming a track for recording, adjusting track volume, or launching a scene for a live performance. The integration operates in real time, so changes in Ableton Live reflect back to Claude and vice versa.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before starting are Ableton Live 10 or newer, Python 3.8 or newer, Claude Desktop with MCP support, and a compatible operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Now follow these concrete steps to install and configure everything.

Step 1: Clone the repository and enter the project directory.

git clone https://github.com/Milesy1/MCP-Ableton-API.git
cd MCP-Ableton-API

Step 2: Install the Python package in editable mode to install the MCP server locally.

pip install -e .

# Or install dependencies directly
pip install mcp[cli]>=1.3.0

Step 3: Install the Ableton Remote Script on your computer. The script enables communication from Ableton Live to the MCP server.

Windows:
1) Create folder: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Ableton\Live x.x.x\Preferences\User Remote Scripts\AbletonMCP
2) Copy AbletonMCP_Remote_Script/__init__.py into that folder

macOS:
1) Create folder: Applications/Right-click Ableton Live/Show Package Contents/Contents/App-Resources/MIDI Remote Scripts/ AbletonMCP
2) Copy AbletonMCP_Remote_Script/__init__.py into that folder

Step 4: Configure Ableton Live to use the MCP surface. Open Live, go to Preferences, and under Link/Tempo/MIDI set the Control Surface to AbletonMCP, with Input and Output set to None.

Step 5: Configure Claude Desktop to use the MCP server by adding a server entry that runs the MCP server script locally.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "AbletonMCP": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["C:\\path\\to\\your\\MCP-Ableton-API\\MCP_Server\\server.py"]
    }
  }
}

Additional setup notes

The server uses a local stdio configuration. You launch it by executing Python with the path to the server script as an argument. Ensure the path you provide points to the installed MCP_Server/server.py file.

Troubleshooting

If you run into connection issues, verify that Ableton Live is running with the AbletonMCP surface selected and that Claude Desktop is configured to point at the correct MCP server path. Install and update Python dependencies if needed.

If a tool does not appear, restart Claude Desktop after configuration changes and clear Claude Desktop cache if necessary. Check the MCP server logs for errors to identify misconfigurations or runtime problems.

Notes on security and maintenance

Keep the MCP server and Ableton Remote Script up to date to ensure compatibility with new Ableton features and Claude Desktop MCP support. Limit access to your local machine where the MCP server runs and secure the machine if you expose it beyond localhost.

Available tools

get_session_info

Retrieve detailed information about the current Ableton Live session, including tempo, time signature, and track counts.

set_tempo

Change the session tempo in real time.

start_playback

Start playback of the Ableton Live session.

stop_playback

Stop playback of the Ableton Live session.

create_midi_track

Create a new MIDI track in the Live set.

create_audio_track

Create a new audio track in the Live set.

delete_track

Delete an existing track.

duplicate_track

Duplicate an existing track.

set_track_name

Rename a track.

get_track_info

Get detailed information about a specific track.

set_track_arm

Arm or disarm a track for recording.

set_track_mute

Mute or unmute a track.

set_track_solo

Solo or unsolo a track.

set_track_volume

Set the volume level of a track.

set_track_panning

Set the stereo panning of a track.

set_track_send

Adjust send levels for a track.

create_clip

Create a MIDI clip with a specified length on a track.

add_notes_to_clip

Add MIDI notes to a clip with pitch, timing, velocity, and mute control.

copy_clip

Copy an existing MIDI clip.

delete_clip

Delete a MIDI clip.

fire_scene

Trigger a scene for playback or performance.

create_scene

Create a new scene in the session.

delete_scene

Delete a scene.

start_recording

Start recording on a specified track.

stop_recording

Stop recording on a specified track.

add_device

Load an instrument or effect device onto a track.

remove_device

Remove a device from a track.

set_device_parameter

Adjust a parameter on a device.

set_device_active

Enable or disable a device.

get_device_parameters

Query the parameter information for a device.