This MCP server provides a Python-based Remote Script for Ableton Live that exposes a large set of LiveAPI tools via a simple TCP socket interface. It enables programmatic control over playback, recording, track and clip management, device parameters, MIDI notes, and advanced Live features such as Max for Live integration and CV Tools. Clients communicate by sending JSON commands over a TCP socket (default port 9004 as demonstrated in the examples) and receive JSON responses with results or error messages. The server is designed to be MCP-compatible, so you can integrate it into your MCP-based workflows and orchestrate Ableton Live sessions from other tools or automation scripts. To use it, ensure Ableton Live is running with the ClaudeMCP Remote Script loaded, then connect to localhost:9004 and issue actions like set_tempo, create_midi_track, launch_clip, add_notes, or query device parameters.

Prerequisites:

• Python 3.x installed on your system
• Ableton Live installed and configured to allow Remote Scripts
• Clone the repository and install dependencies

Step-by-step:

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/Ziforge/ableton-liveapi-tools.git cd ableton-liveapi-tools

2. (Optional) Set up a virtual environment: python3 -m venv venv source venv/bin/activate # On Windows use venv\Scripts\activate

3. Install the package requirements (if any): pip install -r requirements.txt # if a requirements file exists

   If the package provides an install script, you can also run it here

4. Install the package/module so it can be discovered as a Python module: python setup.py install # or pip install -e .

5. Ensure Ableton Live Remote Script directory is configured (as per the repo instructions):

   • For macOS: copy ClaudeMCP_Remote to ~/Music/Ableton/User Library/Remote Scripts/
   • For Windows: copy to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Ableton\User Library\Remote Scripts\

6. Run the Remote Script server to start listening for MCP commands: python -m ableton_liveapi_tools

7. Verify installation (example): python3 examples/test_connection.py

Notes:

• The server exposes 220 LiveAPI tools across 44 categories and communicates via a TCP socket using JSON messages.
• You may need to adjust firewall settings to allow connections to your localhost port (default 9004 as shown in examples).

Tips and common issues:

• If you encounter connection issues, confirm that Ableton Live is running and the Remote Script is loaded in Ableton's Remote Script folder.
• Ensure the TCP port (default 9004) is not blocked by a firewall and that the MCP client points to 127.0.0.1:9004.
• Some Live 12 exclusive features (Take Lanes, application info) require Live 12+; ensure your Ableton Live version matches the tool capabilities.
• If the Python module cannot be imported, verify your PYTHONPATH or install the package in an accessible location (virtualenv can help isolate dependencies).
• Review the 220 tools and 44 categories in the README to understand which actions you can perform, e.g., set_tempo, create_midi_track, add_notes, launch_clip, and query device properties.