# 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](https://github.com/ideoforms/AbletonOSC) installed
- Accessibility permissions for Terminal/Python (for export)
## Installation
### 1. Install AbletonOSC
```bash
cd ~/Downloads
git clone https://github.com/ideoforms/AbletonOSC.git
cp -r AbletonOSC ~/Music/Ableton/User\ Library/Remote\ Scripts/
```
Then in Ableton Live:
1. Preferences > Link/Tempo/MIDI
2. Control Surface > Select "AbletonOSC"
### 2. Install ableton-mcp
```bash
cd ~/mcps/src/ableton-mcp
pip install -e .
```
### 3. Configure Claude Desktop
Add to `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ableton": {
"command": "python",
"args": ["-m", "server"],
"cwd": "/path/to/ableton-mcp"
}
}
}
```
### 4. Grant Accessibility Permissions (for export)
System Preferences > Privacy & Security > Accessibility > Add Terminal (or your Python environment)
## Usage Examples
```
"List all tracks in my Ableton session"
"Find tracks containing 'bass'"
"Prepare track 57 for export"
"Export the selected track"
```
## Architecture
```
┌─────────────┐ OSC ┌─────────────┐
│ MCP Server │ ───────────────▶ │ Ableton │
│ (FastMCP) │ ◀─────────────── │ Live │
└─────────────┘ port 11000 └─────────────┘
│
│ AppleScript (export only)
▼
┌─────────────┐
│ GUI Auto │
│ (macOS) │
└─────────────┘
```
## 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](https://github.com/ideoforms/AbletonOSC) for Live communication
- Built with [FastMCP](https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp)
## License
MIT
