Ableton MCP server

This MCP server allows for real-time interaction and control with Ableton Live's Arrangement View, helping music producers automate tedious operations through AI assistance. It connects Ableton Live with AI tools via the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Installation

Prerequisites

• Node.js environment (v20+ recommended) with npx command available
• Download Node.js from the official website
• Ableton Live installed on your system

Setting Up MIDI Remote Scripts

Choose ONE of these methods to install the required MIDI Remote Scripts:

Method 1: One-line installation (Recommended)

npx @xiaolaa2/ableton-copilot-mcp --install-scripts
# or use the short form
npx @xiaolaa2/ableton-copilot-mcp -is

Method 2: Tool-assisted installation

1. Start ableton-copilot-mcp (see Usage section below)
2. Call the MCP tool init_ableton_js to complete the installation automatically

Method 3: Manual installation

1. Create a "Remote Scripts" folder in your Ableton User Library:
   • Windows: C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Ableton\User Library\Remote Scripts
   • Mac: /Users/[username]/Music/Ableton/User Library/Remote Scripts
2. Download MIDI Remote Scripts from the ableton-js project
3. Copy the downloaded midi-script folder to the location above
4. Rename it to AbletonJS

Usage

Getting Started

1. Launch Ableton Live

2. Enable AbletonJS Control Surface

   • Open Ableton Live Preferences: Preferences → Link/MIDI
   • In the MIDI tab, locate the Control Surface section
   • Select AbletonJS from the dropdown menu

3. Connect using an MCP client

   Compatible MCP clients include:

   • Cursor
   • Cherry Studio
   • Claude Desktop
   • Other MCP-compatible clients

Configuring MCP Clients

Cursor Configuration

Add this to your Cursor settings:

"ableton-js-mcp": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": [
        "-y",
        "@xiaolaa2/ableton-copilot-mcp"
    ]
}

For the latest version:

"ableton-js-mcp": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": [
        "-y",
        "@xiaolaa2/ableton-copilot-mcp@latest"
    ]
}

Custom Storage Path (Optional)

Specify a custom data storage location:

"ableton-js-mcp": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": [
        "-y",
        "@xiaolaa2/ableton-copilot-mcp"
    ],
    "env": {
        "BASE_PATH": "D:\\ableton_copilot_mcp"
    }
}

Feature Overview

Song Control

• Get basic song information (root note, scale, tempo, length)
• Manage track creation and deletion
• View and manipulate track lists

Track Management

• Get all clips in a track
• Create empty MIDI clips or audio clips
• Modify track properties (mute, color, name, arm, solo)
• Duplicate MIDI clips across tracks

Clip Operations

• View and edit notes in the piano roll
• Add, delete, and replace notes in clips
• Adjust clip properties (name, color, looping parameters)

Audio Operations

• Record track content based on time range

Device Management

• Load audio effects, instruments and plugins
• Modify device parameters
• Browse available devices

State Management

• Track operation history with detailed logging
• Roll back operations (currently only for note operations)
• Browse and restore previous states

Compatibility

How to add this MCP server to Cursor

There are two ways to add an MCP server to Cursor. The most common way is to add the server globally in the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file so that it is available in all of your projects.

If you only need the server in a single project, you can add it to the project instead by creating or adding it to the .cursor/mcp.json file.

Adding an MCP server to Cursor globally

To add a global MCP server go to Cursor Settings > MCP and click "Add new global MCP server".

When you click that button the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file will be opened and you can add your server like this:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "cursor-rules-mcp": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "cursor-rules-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}

Adding an MCP server to a project

To add an MCP server to a project you can create a new .cursor/mcp.json file or add it to the existing one. This will look exactly the same as the global MCP server example above.

How to use the MCP server

Once the server is installed, you might need to head back to Settings > MCP and click the refresh button.

The Cursor agent will then be able to see the available tools the added MCP server has available and will call them when it needs to.

You can also explictly ask the agent to use the tool by mentioning the tool name and describing what the function does.