ableton-mcp

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plan_drum_pattern

Read-onlyIdempotent

Plan explicit multi-lane drum notes against Ableton Live's current meter on straight-sixteenth or triplet grids, with per-lane accents for precise MIDI placement.

Instructions

Plan explicit multi-lane drum notes against the current Live meter on a straight-sixteenth, eighth-triplet, or sixteenth-triplet grid. Supports per-lane accents without treating style examples as universal rules.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`bars`	Yes
`grid`	Yes
`lanes`	Yes	Explicit drum lanes and their per-bar steps.
`startBeat`	No	Absolute clip beat offset; defaults to zero.

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed2 schema fields changedv0.3.1Oct 23, 2026

removedOutput schema / additionalProperties
```
Removed value: -true
```

addedOutput schema / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "properties": {
+      "gridReference": {
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "plan": {
+        "properties": {
+          "changes": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "newNotes": {
+            "items": {
+              "properties": {
+                "duration": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "pitch": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                },
+                "start": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "velocity": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                }
+              },
+              "required": [
+                "pitch",
+                "start",
+                "duration",
+                "velocity"
+              ],
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "noteIds": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "integer"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "notes": {
+            "items": {
+              "properties": {
+                "duration": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "pitch": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                },
+                "start": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "velocity": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                }
+              },
+              "required": [
+                "pitch",
+                "start",
+                "duration",
+                "velocity"
+              ],
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "preservedNotes": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "stateVersion": {
+        "minimum": 1,
+        "type": "integer"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "stateVersion",
+      "gridReference",
+      "plan"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "properties": {
+      "error": {
+        "properties": {
+          "message": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "outcome": {
+            "enum": [
+              "unknown",
+              "not_executed"
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "message",
+          "outcome"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "error"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  }
+]

Changed1 schema field changedv0.3.0Oct 19, 2026

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": true,
+  "type": "object"
+}

First observedv0.1.0Sep 23, 2026

TDQS

B3.2/5.0

Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare a read-only, idempotent, non-destructive operation, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds useful context that planning is anchored to the current Live meter and that per-lane accents are supported, but the trailing clause 'without treating style examples as universal rules' is murky and conveys little actionable behavior.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences, front-loaded with the core purpose and scope, with no wasted filler. The second sentence is slightly vague but does not bloat the text.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

An output schema exists and annotations cover the safety profile, so return values and side effects need not be spelled out. The gap is guidance: with many closely related drum-planning siblings, the description should indicate when this planner is the right choice.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 50%, so the description must carry some weight. It enumerates the grid variants (matching the enum) and mentions per-lane accents (mapping to accentSteps/accentVelocity), but says nothing about 'bars' or 'startBeat', leaving those to the schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

States a specific verb and resource ('Plan explicit multi-lane drum notes') plus the grid context, which lets an agent distinguish it from creation tools like create_drum_pattern_clip. It does not, however, differentiate itself against the closest siblings plan_drum_pattern_edit or plan_drum_variation, so it falls short of a 5.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description gives the operating context ('against the current Live meter') but never says when to choose this tool over plan_drum_variation, plan_drum_pattern_edit, or apply_drum_variation. There is no exclusion or alternative routing, leaving the agent to infer selection from the name alone.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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