AbletonMCP Enhanced MCP Server

How to use

Set up your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, or another MCP-enabled tool) to talk to the AbletonMCP Enhanced server. Start Ableton Live with the Remote Script enabled, then start the MCP server locally. Once connected, you can ask your AI assistant to perform actions such as creating tracks, loading instruments, editing MIDI clips, adjusting EQ and effects, and controlling playback.

How to install

Prerequisites: install Python 3.10 or newer and ensure Python is added to your PATH. You will also need Ableton Live installed and you will enable the AbletonMCP Remote Script within Ableton.

# Create a dedicated Python virtual environment for AbletonMCP
python -m venv ableton-mcp-env

# Activate the environment (choose the correct line for your OS)
# macOS/Linux
source ableton-mcp-env/bin/activate
# Windows
ableton-mcp-env\Scripts\activate

# Install AbletonMCP from the source repository
pip install git+https://github.com/itsuzef/ableton-mcp.git

Install the Ableton Remote Script to Ableton and ensure it is enabled in Ableton's preferences.

# In the same terminal window, install the remote script into Ableton
ableton-mcp install

Configure Ableton Live to use the Remote Script.

1) Launch Ableton Live
2) Preferences → Link, Tempo & MIDI
3) In Control Surface, select "AbletonMCP_Remote_Script"
4) Set Input and Output to "None"
5) Click OK

Connect your MCP client to the local server. Use the commands shown in your AI assistant configuration to point to the server executable and start the server process.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "AbletonMCP": {
      "command": "PATH_TO_YOUR_ENVIRONMENT/bin/ableton-mcp",
      "args": [
        "server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Additional configuration for MCP clients

If you use Claude Desktop, add the MCP server configuration to your Claude settings under Developer → Edit Config. Replace PATH_TO_YOUR_ENVIRONMENT with the full path to your environment. For example:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "AbletonMCP": {
      "command": "PATH_TO_YOUR_ENVIRONMENT/bin/ableton-mcp",
      "args": [
        "server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

If you use Cursor, add a command in MCP settings that points to the same server executable with the argument server.

PATH_TO_YOUR_ENVIRONMENT/bin/ableton-mcp server

Example commands to try

Use natural language to instruct Ableton through your AI assistant. For example you can:

• Create a new MIDI track with a synth bass instrument
• Add reverb to track 1
• Create a 4-bar MIDI clip with a simple melody
• Load a drum rack into track 2
• Add a jazz chord progression to the clip in track 1
• Set the tempo to 120 BPM
• Play the clip in track 2
• Apply a low cut EQ preset to track 1

create_track

Create a new MIDI or audio track in Ableton Live and assign a desired instrument or sample.

load_instrument

Load an instrument or sound from Ableton’s library into a specified track.

create_midi_clip

Create a MIDI clip on a given track and set its length and timing.

edit_midi_clip

Edit notes and events within an existing MIDI clip.

control_playback

Start, stop, or toggle playback of the project or a specific track/clip.

fire_clip

Launch or fire a specific clip in a track, similar to triggering a clip slot.

adjust_device_parameters

Modify parameters on a device in a track (e.g., EQ, compressor, reverb).