Ableton Live MCP Server

Read from the package source without running it. The installed server may list more.

• _mute_of
• add_notes_to_clip

  REPLACES the clip's entire note content with the given notes. Use edit_notes to add or remove a subset without touching the rest.

• adg_analyze

  Full offline analysis of a .adg rack or .adv preset: named macros (name/value), the chain + device tree (recursive, incl. racks-inside-racks with each device's kind/name/on-state and any sample), legacy macro-> parameter mappings, every referenced sample (name + relative path), the required Live edition, and — for drum racks — the pad map (pad -> MIDI note, label, and sample). No Live required.

• adg_edition

  Classify the Live edition a saved .adg/.adv needs, offline: 'suite' if any Suite-only device is present (Operator, Wavetable, Echo, Drift, Meld, Sampler, Collision, ...), else 'standard' if any Standard-only device is present (EQ Eight, Compressor, Simpler, Impulse, Drum Rack, ...), else 'intro'. Returns the verdict plus which devices drove it, so an agent can tell whether a preset will load on th

• adg_summary

  Summarize a saved .adg rack or .adv device preset WITHOUT Live running: name, rack type, total device count, top-level chain count, named-macro count, required Live edition (intro/standard/suite), and whether it is a drum kit (`is_drum_rack` is true when the preset is or wraps a Drum Rack — factory kits ship wrapped in an Instrument Rack). `path` is a filesystem path to a .adg or .adv file.

• als_details

  Read mixing and arrangement detail from a saved .als, offline: the set's locators (name + beat time) and each track's fader volume, pan, and number of automation lanes. Complements als_summary for reviewing a mix without Live.

• als_detect_key

  Detect the key/scale of a saved .als file WITHOUT Live running (Krumhansl-Kessler). Pools notes from every MIDI clip in the set, or only one track when `track_index` is given. `weight` selects the histogram weighting ("duration", "velocity", "product", "count"). `path` is a filesystem path to a .als file.

• als_diff

  Diff two saved .als files (e.g. song_v4.als vs song_v5.als) offline: tempo/time-signature changes, tracks added/removed by name, and per-track deltas in device chain, clip count, note count, and mute state. Great for logging what changed between versions.

• als_extract_midi

  Extract MIDI notes from a track in a saved .als file, as {pitch,start,duration,velocity} dicts per clip. `track_index` is the track's position in the set (see als_summary). No Live required.

• als_find_unfinished

  Lint a saved .als for likely-unfinished work, offline: no master limiter/compressor, MIDI track with no instrument, MIDI clip with no notes, empty audio track, or muted tracks. Returns machine-readable issues so an agent can decide what to fix before rendering.

• als_list_tracks

  List every track in a saved .als file with its clips (name, MIDI/audio, start, length, looping, sample path, note count). No Live required.

• als_summary

  Summarize a saved .als file WITHOUT Live running: version/creator, tempo, time signature, and each track's kind, name, mute/solo, device names, clip count, and note count. `path` is a filesystem path to a .als file.

• analyze_audio_file

  Measure local WAV (integer/float), AIFF/AIFF-C, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MP3, AAC or M4A/MP4 (AAC/ALAC) without Live: per-channel sample peak/RMS dBFS, DC offset, crest factor and full-scale samples. Analyzes the first max_seconds (default 30, maximum 120); marks partial results. Not LUFS or true peak. No upload. Compressed files are measured after decoding; this does not recover lost audio. Files are re

• analyze_mix

  Heuristic session-state checks, NOT audio, peak, LUFS or headroom measurements. Scan the current live set for inspection leads: several high faders, a muted or empty Session track, or a MIDI track without devices. External routing and Arrangement audio may explain these states. Returns machine-readable findings so you can decide what to fix. Reads the session; changes nothing.

• apply_recipe

  Scaffold a genre starter in one call: set the tempo, add Drums, Bass, and Chords MIDI tracks, try to load fitting instruments, and write generated parts. `name` is one from list_recipes (e.g. "lofi_beat", "house_groove"). tempo/key/scale/bars override the recipe defaults. Adds new tracks; it does not overwrite existing ones.

• clear_automationwrite action

  Delete one device parameter's entire automation envelope from a clip.

• clip_operation

  Structural clip edits. op: "duplicate_loop" (double the loop, duplicating notes - extend 2 bars to 4 before adding variation), "crop" (discard material outside the loop), "duplicate_region" (copy notes from region_start/region_length to destination_time, optionally transposing by transposition_amount semitones; pitch=-1 means all pitches).

• create_audio_clipwrite action

  Create a new audio clip in an audio track's clip slot by importing a file.

• create_clipwrite action

  Create an empty MIDI clip in a Session slot. Fails if the slot already has a clip (pick another clip_index or delete_clip first) or the track is an audio track. length is in beats (4.0 = one 4/4 bar). Typical chain: create_clip -> add_notes_to_clip -> fire_clip or duplicate_to_arrangement.

• create_locatorwrite action

  Create or rename an Arrangement locator at an absolute beat position.

• create_scenewrite action

  Create a new scene (row of clip slots). index -1 appends at the end.

• delete_arrangement_clipwrite action

  Delete a clip from the Arrangement timeline by its position in get_arrangement_clips' list. NOTE: indices of later clips on the same track shift down by one after each delete - re-read get_arrangement_clips between deletes.

• delete_clipwrite action

  Delete the existing Session-view clip in a slot, including its content.

• describe_capabilities

  A high-level map of this server: the tool groups and what each covers, plus the conventions to follow, so you can orient before your first call. Set ABLETON_TOOLSETS to load only some groups. For the current live state, call get_session_snapshot; for mix problems, analyze_mix.

• describe_device

  Return curated guidance for a common Ableton native device: which parameters matter, their units (note `curve` = perceptual, not proportional), sensible values, and mixing tips. `device_name` is case-insensitive (e.g. "EQ Eight", "Compressor", "Glue Compressor", "Reverb", "Auto Filter", "Saturator", "Utility", "Limiter", "Delay"). Pair with get_device_parameters for the live indices and ranges.

• detect_clip_key

  Detect the key/scale of one Session MIDI clip (Krumhansl-Kessler). Reads the clip's notes and returns the best-fit key with a confidence (-1..1), margin over the runner-up, and the runner-up key. `weight` is how notes are weighted into the pitch-class histogram: "duration" (default), "velocity", "product", or "count". Reads only; changes nothing.

• detect_session_key

  Detect the overall key/scale of the whole set by pooling the notes of every MIDI track's Session clips (Krumhansl-Kessler). Gives the harmonic center of the arrangement as a whole. `weight` selects the histogram weighting ("duration", "velocity", "product", "count"). Reads only.

• detect_track_key

  Detect the key/scale of a whole track by pooling the notes of every Session clip it holds (Krumhansl-Kessler). Useful when a part is spread across several clips. `weight` selects the histogram weighting ("duration", "velocity", "product", "count"). Reads only; changes nothing.

• duplicate_clip_to

  Copy a Session clip to any other track/scene slot (overwrites the destination slot). The cross-track way to build variations.

• duplicate_to_arrangement

  Copy a Session-view clip into the Arrangement timeline.

• edit_notes

  Edit a subset of notes in a MIDI clip without rewriting all of them. add = [{pitch,start_time,duration,velocity,mute}], remove = [{pitch,start_time}] (matched by pitch+start).

• fire_clip

  Launch one existing Session-view clip using Live's launch quantization.

• fire_scene

  Launch a Session-view scene using Live's launch quantization.

• generate_additivewrite action

  Write a Philip-Glass additive process into a Session clip. REPLACES the clip's notes if it already exists.

• generate_basslinewrite action

  Write a bassline following a chord progression. REPLACES existing notes.

• generate_chord_progression

  Generate voiced chords and write them into one Session-view MIDI clip.

• generate_drum_patternwrite action

  Write a genre drum pattern into a Session clip on a Drum Rack track. REPLACES the clip's notes if the clip exists.

• generate_euclidean_drumswrite action

  Write a Euclidean (Bjorklund) rhythm for one drum voice into a Session clip. REPLACES the clip's notes if the clip exists.

• generate_genre_progression

  Build a genre-idiomatic chord progression and write it as voiced chords. REPLACES existing notes.

• generate_groovewrite action

  Write a pocketed drum groove into a Session clip. REPLACES existing notes.

• generate_melodywrite action

  Write a voice-led melody over a chord progression. REPLACES existing notes.

• generate_phasewrite action

  Write a Steve-Reich phasing pattern into a Session clip. REPLACES the clip's notes if it already exists.

• generate_voiced_progressionwrite action

  Write voice-led jazz chord voicings into a Session clip. REPLACES existing notes.

• generate_walking_basswrite action

  Write a quarter-note walking bass line under a progression. REPLACES notes.

• get_arrangement_clips

  List all clips placed in the Arrangement timeline for a track.

• get_browser_items_at_path

  Get browser items at a specific path in Ableton's browser.

• get_browser_tree

  List the browser's top-level categories and their immediate entries. NOTE: returns a shallow listing (no deep hierarchy) - drill down with get_browser_items_at_path("instruments"), ...("sounds/Piano & Keys"), etc., or skip straight to search_browser when you know a name. category_type: "all", "instruments", "sounds", "drums", "audio_effects", "midi_effects".

• get_clip_info

  Full clip state: loop points, markers, playing position, per-clip time signature; for audio clips also file path, gain display, and warp markers.

• get_clip_notes

  Return every MIDI note in an existing Session-view MIDI clip.

• get_device_parameters

  List all parameters of a device on a track: names, values, ranges, display strings.

• get_device_routing

  Read a device's audio-input (sidechain) routing: current input type/channel and the available options. Only sidechain-capable devices (Compressor, Gate) have this. Use the options with set_device_routing to pick a sidechain source.

• get_drum_pads

  List a Drum Rack's occupied pads (MIDI note, name, mute, solo).

• get_grooves

  List grooves in the Groove Pool (index + name) and the global groove amount.

• get_master_device_parameters

  List parameters of a device on the Master track.

• get_rack_chains

  List an Instrument/Effect Rack's chains and the devices inside each - previously unreachable nested devices. Use set_chain_device_parameter to control them.

• get_return_device_parameters

  List parameters of a device on a Return track: names, values, min/max, display strings. Call before set_return_device_parameter.

• get_session_info

  Return global Live-set and transport state without modifying the set.

• humanize_clip

  Read a MIDI clip, apply timing + velocity humanization, and write it back. REPLACES the clip's notes with the jittered version.

• list_known_devices

  List the devices that describe_device has curated guidance for.

• list_recipes

  List the built-in composition recipes (name, description, and default tempo/key/scale/bars), for use with apply_recipe.

• load_device_to_master

  Load a device/effect from the browser onto the Master/Main track (e.g. a limiter for mastering).

• load_device_to_return

  Append one loadable browser device or preset to a return track's chain.

• load_drum_kit

  Load a Drum Rack, then the first loadable kit at a browser path.

• load_instrument_or_effect

  Load an instrument or effect onto a track using its URI.

• preview_browser_item

  Audition a browser item (a sample, instrument, or preset) through Live's preview tab WITHOUT loading it onto a track. `item_uri` comes from search_browser or get_browser_items_at_path. Use stop_browser_preview to stop.

• quantize_clip

  Quantize a MIDI clip. grid: quarter/eighth/eighth_triplet/sixteenth/sixteenth_triplet/thirtysecond. amount 0.0-1.0 (use <1.0 to humanize toward the grid without full snap).

• rack_variation

  Rack macro snapshots. action: "store" (save current macros as a variation), "recall" (restore variation `index`), "randomize" (randomize all macro knobs - instant sound-design exploration).

• record_section

  Bounce a section of the arrangement to an audio file WITHOUT the Export dialog, so you can hear an internal signal. Creates a temporary audio track, routes its input to `source` ("Resampling" = the master output, or a track's name for that track's output), arms it, and records from start_beat to end_beat in REAL TIME (a 4-bar section takes about 4 bars of wall-clock; capped at 5 minutes). Returns

• replace_simpler_sample

  Replace a Simpler sample with an absolute local audio-file path. Requires Live 12.4+ AND runtime API support; otherwise fails before writing. Replaces musical content: confirm the target and preserve the original set. Readback is not an audio audition.

• search_browser

  Search the Ableton browser by display name (case-insensitive substring). Returns loadable items with their URIs for load_instrument_or_effect / load_device_to_master / load_device_to_return.

• session_diff

  Report what changed in the set since the LAST time you called this tool: tempo/time-signature/play-state, tracks added, removed, renamed or reordered, and per-track volume, mute, solo, arm, clip-count, and device changes. The first call records a baseline (no diff). Track IDs are scoped to the running bridge; older bridges cannot identify renames reliably. Call it before and after an edit to verif

• set_arrangement_time

  Move the arrangement playhead to a specific position.

• set_chain_device_parameter

  Set a parameter on a device INSIDE a rack chain (indices from get_rack_chains). Values clamp to the parameter's native range.

• set_clip_audio

  Set audio-clip properties. gain 0-1, pitch_coarse semitones (-48..48), pitch_fine cents, warping on/off, warp_mode 0=Beats 1=Tones 2=Texture 3=Re-Pitch 4=Complex 6=Complex Pro.

• set_clip_color

  Set an existing Session clip's palette color without changing its content.

• set_clip_groove

  Attach a Groove Pool groove to a clip by index (swing/timing feel). Pass no groove_index to clear.

• set_clip_loopwrite action

  Update selected loop and launch markers on one existing Session clip.

• set_clip_name

  Rename an existing Session-view clip without changing its notes or audio.

• set_clip_signature

  Set a clip's own time signature (polymeter / odd-bar loops).

• set_device_enabled

  Enable or bypass one device on a regular track.

• set_device_parameter

  Set a parameter after reading get_device_parameters. Numbers use the native range; strings use display units ('250 Hz', '-6 dB') or exact enum labels. Unsupported display mappings fail before writing. Returns Live's actual readback and warnings.

• set_device_routing

  Set a device's sidechain audio input. `field` is "input_routing_type" (the source track/return) or "input_routing_channel" (Pre FX / Post FX / Post Mixer); `display_name` is one of the options from get_device_routing. For ducking, also enable the device's Sidechain parameter via set_device_parameter.

• set_drum_pad

  Mute/solo/rename a single Drum Rack pad by its MIDI note (e.g. 36=kick). Per-pad muting = instant beat variations without touching the notes.

• set_loop

  Set the global Arrangement loop region and its enabled state.

• set_master_device_parameter

  Set one enabled parameter on a device in the Master track's chain.

• set_return_device_parameter

  Set one enabled parameter on a device in a return track's chain.

• set_scene_name

  Rename one Session-view scene without changing any clips in the row.

• set_simpler_playback_mode

  Set a Simpler device's playback mode: 0 = Classic, 1 = One-Shot, 2 = Slicing. Slicing chops the sample into playable slices, central to lofi/hip-hop sampling. Errors if the device at that index is not a Simpler.

• set_tempo

  Set the tempo of the Ableton session.

• set_time_signature

  Set the Live set's global time signature, such as 4/4, 3/4, or 6/8.

• setup_session

  Bootstrap a session in one call: set tempo and create named MIDI tracks, optionally loading an instrument found by name for each.

• start_playback

  Start Arrangement playback from the current song time. NOTE: the response reports the PRE-command state (may say playing=false right after starting) - confirm with get_session_info.

• stop_browser_preview

  Stop the browser preview started by preview_browser_item.

• stop_clip

  Stop playing a clip.

• stop_playback

  Stop playback. NOTE: the response reports the PRE-command state - confirm with get_session_info.

• switch_to_arrangement_view

  Switch Ableton's main window to the Arrangement view.

• transform_clip

  Read a MIDI clip's notes, apply a classical motif transformation, and write the result. Overwrites the source clip unless ``dest_clip_index`` is given (in which case that destination slot is REPLACED instead).

• undo

  Revert the most recent undoable Live-set action.

• write_automationwrite action

  Write clip automation for a device parameter. points = [{"time": beats, "value": v}, ...]. Replaces any existing envelope for that parameter on the clip.

• write_drum_gridwrite action

  Write drums from an ASCII grid (16th-note steps). REPLACES existing notes.

• Code scan34 source files scanned25/25
• –Live reliabilityno gateway calls yet and no remote to proben/a
• –Tool poisoningtools not inspected (local package is not executed); not countedn/a
• Auth qualitylocal package, no credentials required12/15
• Maintenancelast push 2 days ago15/15
• Maintainer identityregistry namespace matches repository owner; GitHub account older than a year8/10

Grade history

• 2026-09-19restoreB → Ascore 92

Ableton Live MCP Server: common questions

Is Ableton Live MCP Server safe?

Yes, by our scan: it is graded A (92/100). Read the Ableton Live MCP Server safety report

How do I install Ableton Live MCP Server?

It runs on your machine. Copy the Claude Code, Claude Desktop or Cursor config from the install section.

Does Ableton Live MCP Server need an API key?

Not as far as the registry entry and our scan can tell: no credentials are declared or required.

Is Ableton Live MCP Server maintained?

The last commit was 3 days ago (2026-09-17). The latest release is v1.8.1.

What can I use instead of Ableton Live MCP Server?

Servers from other publishers that do the same job: Music Studio MCP server.