Ableton MCP

MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for controlling Ableton Live. Query tracks, analyze sessions, and export stems via AI assistants like Claude.

macOS only - Uses AppleScript for GUI automation.

Features

Query Tools

• test_connection - Verify Ableton Live and AbletonOSC are running

• list_tracks - List all tracks with optional clip counts

• list_groups - List all group/folder tracks

• get_track_info - Get detailed info about a specific track

• find_track - Search tracks by name

Control Tools

• select_track_by_index - Select a track in Live

• set_export_range - Set the loop/punch range for export

Export Tools (macOS only)

• prepare_track_for_export - Select track and set range from clips

• export_selected_track - Trigger export via GUI automation

Requirements

• macOS (for export features)

• Python 3.10+

• Ableton Live 11+ with AbletonOSC installed

• Accessibility permissions for Terminal/Python (for export)

Installation

1. Install AbletonOSC

Then in Ableton Live:

1. Preferences > Link/Tempo/MIDI

2. Control Surface > Select "AbletonOSC"

2. Install ableton-mcp

3. Configure Claude Desktop

Add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:

4. Grant Accessibility Permissions (for export)

System Preferences > Privacy & Security > Accessibility > Add Terminal (or your Python environment)

Usage Examples

Architecture

Limitations

• Export is macOS only - Uses AppleScript for GUI automation

• Export requires Accessibility permissions

• AbletonOSC must be enabled each time Live starts

Credits

• Uses AbletonOSC for Live communication

• Built with FastMCP

License

MIT