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Ableton MCP

by Dysron
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Python
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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

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

cd ~/mcps/src/ableton-mcp
pip install -e .

3. Configure Claude Desktop

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

License

MIT