AbletonMCP - Ableton Live Model Context Protocol Integration

Join the Community

Features

• Two-way communication: Connect Claude AI to Ableton Live through a socket-based server

• Track manipulation: Create, modify, and manipulate MIDI and audio tracks

• Instrument and effect selection: Claude can access and load the right instruments, effects and sounds from Ableton's library

• Clip creation: Create and edit MIDI clips with notes

• Session control: Start and stop playback, fire clips, and control transport

Components

1. Ableton Remote Script (Ableton_Remote_Script/__init__.py): A MIDI Remote Script for Ableton Live that creates a socket server to receive and execute commands

2. MCP Server (server.py): A Python server that implements the Model Context Protocol and connects to the Ableton Remote Script

Installation

Installing via Smithery

Prerequisites

• Ableton Live 10 or newer

• Python 3.8 or newer

• uv package manager

Claude for Desktop Integration

1. Go to Claude > Settings > Developer > Edit Config > claude_desktop_config.json to include the following:

Cursor Integration

Installing the Ableton Remote Script

1. Download the AbletonMCP_Remote_Script/__init__.py file from this repo

2. Copy the folder to Ableton's MIDI Remote Scripts directory. Different OS and versions have different locations. One of these should work, you might have to look:For macOS:For Windows:

3. Create a folder called 'AbletonMCP' in the Remote Scripts directory and paste the downloaded '__init__.py' file

4. Launch Ableton Live

5. Go to Settings/Preferences Link, Tempo & MIDI

6. In the Control Surface dropdown, select "AbletonMCP"

7. Set Input and Output to "None"

Usage

Starting the Connection

1. Ensure the Ableton Remote Script is loaded in Ableton Live

2. Make sure the MCP server is configured in Claude Desktop or Cursor

3. The connection should be established automatically when you interact with Claude

Using with Claude

Capabilities

• Get session and track information

• Create and modify MIDI and audio tracks

• Create, edit, and trigger clips

• Control playback

• Load instruments and effects from Ableton's browser

• Add notes to MIDI clips

• Change tempo and other session parameters

Example Commands

• "Create an 80s synthwave track" Demo

• "Create a Metro Boomin style hip-hop beat"

• "Create a new MIDI track with a synth bass instrument"

• "Add reverb to my drums"

• "Create a 4-bar MIDI clip with a simple melody"

• "Get information about the current Ableton session"

• "Load a 808 drum rack into the selected track"

• "Add a jazz chord progression to the clip in track 1"

• "Set the tempo to 120 BPM"

• "Play the clip in track 2"

Troubleshooting

• Connection issues: Make sure the Ableton Remote Script is loaded, and the MCP server is configured on Claude

• Timeout errors: Try simplifying your requests or breaking them into smaller steps

• Have you tried turning it off and on again?: If you're still having connection errors, try restarting both Claude and Ableton Live

Technical Details

Communication Protocol

• Commands are sent as JSON objects with a type and optional params

• Responses are JSON objects with a status and result or message

Limitations & Security Considerations

• Creating complex musical arrangements might need to be broken down into smaller steps

• The tool is designed to work with Ableton's default devices and browser items

• Always save your work before extensive experimentation

Contributing

Disclaimer

AbletonMCP - Ableton Live Model Context Protocol Integration

Join the Community

Features

• Two-way communication: Connect Claude AI to Ableton Live through a socket-based server

• Track manipulation: Create, modify, and manipulate MIDI and audio tracks

• Instrument and effect selection: Claude can access and load the right instruments, effects and sounds from Ableton's library

• Clip creation: Create and edit MIDI clips with notes

• Session control: Start and stop playback, fire clips, and control transport

Components

1. Ableton Remote Script (Ableton_Remote_Script/__init__.py): A MIDI Remote Script for Ableton Live that creates a socket server to receive and execute commands

2. MCP Server (server.py): A Python server that implements the Model Context Protocol and connects to the Ableton Remote Script

Installation

Installing via Smithery

Prerequisites

• Ableton Live 10 or newer

• Python 3.8 or newer

• uv package manager

Claude for Desktop Integration

1. Go to Claude > Settings > Developer > Edit Config > claude_desktop_config.json to include the following:

Cursor Integration

Installing the Ableton Remote Script

1. Download the AbletonMCP_Remote_Script/__init__.py file from this repo

2. Copy the folder to Ableton's MIDI Remote Scripts directory. Different OS and versions have different locations. One of these should work, you might have to look:For macOS:For Windows:

3. Create a folder called 'AbletonMCP' in the Remote Scripts directory and paste the downloaded '__init__.py' file

4. Launch Ableton Live

5. Go to Settings/Preferences Link, Tempo & MIDI

6. In the Control Surface dropdown, select "AbletonMCP"

7. Set Input and Output to "None"

Usage

Starting the Connection

1. Ensure the Ableton Remote Script is loaded in Ableton Live

2. Make sure the MCP server is configured in Claude Desktop or Cursor

3. The connection should be established automatically when you interact with Claude

Using with Claude

Capabilities

• Get session and track information

• Create and modify MIDI and audio tracks

• Create, edit, and trigger clips

• Control playback

• Load instruments and effects from Ableton's browser

• Add notes to MIDI clips

• Change tempo and other session parameters

Example Commands

• "Create an 80s synthwave track" Demo

• "Create a Metro Boomin style hip-hop beat"

• "Create a new MIDI track with a synth bass instrument"

• "Add reverb to my drums"

• "Create a 4-bar MIDI clip with a simple melody"

• "Get information about the current Ableton session"

• "Load a 808 drum rack into the selected track"

• "Add a jazz chord progression to the clip in track 1"

• "Set the tempo to 120 BPM"

• "Play the clip in track 2"

Troubleshooting

• Connection issues: Make sure the Ableton Remote Script is loaded, and the MCP server is configured on Claude

• Timeout errors: Try simplifying your requests or breaking them into smaller steps

• Have you tried turning it off and on again?: If you're still having connection errors, try restarting both Claude and Ableton Live

Technical Details

Communication Protocol

• Commands are sent as JSON objects with a type and optional params

• Responses are JSON objects with a status and result or message

Limitations & Security Considerations

• Creating complex musical arrangements might need to be broken down into smaller steps

• The tool is designed to work with Ableton's default devices and browser items

• Always save your work before extensive experimentation

Contributing

Disclaimer