Ableton Live MCP Server
@Simon-Kansara
MCP Server implementation for Ableton Live OSC control
Overview
What is Ableton Live MCP Server?
The Ableton Live MCP Server implements the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to enable LLMs to control Ableton Live via Open Sound Control (OSC). It maps the OSC addresses from the AbletonOSC project into MCP tools, allowing MCP clients like Claude Desktop to send commands to Ableton Live.
How to use Ableton Live MCP Server?
Install the server with uv, clone the repository, and run uv run osc_daemon.py to start the OSC daemon. Then configure Claude Desktop (or another MCP client) to launch mcp_ableton_server.py. Once set up, you can ask the LLM to perform actions like “Prepare a set to record a rock band.”
Key features of Ableton Live MCP Server
- MCP-compatible API for controlling Ableton Live from LLMs.
- Uses python-osc for OSC communication.
- Based on the AbletonOSC implementation.
- Request-response handling for Ableton Live commands.
- Runs on localhost with configurable ports.
Use cases of Ableton Live MCP Server
- Controlling Ableton Live session parameters via natural language.
- Automating track setup, routing, and recording preparation.
- Integrating Ableton Live with AI assistants like Claude Desktop.
FAQ from Ableton Live MCP Server
What is the Ableton Live MCP Server based on?
It is based on the OSC implementation from AbletonOSC, which maps OSC addresses to MCP tools.
What are the minimal requirements to run the server?
Python 3.8+, python-osc, fastmcp, and the AbletonOSC control surface installed in Ableton Live.
How do I configure the server for Claude Desktop?
Edit your Claude Desktop configuration file (e.g., ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json) and add an entry pointing to mcp_ableton_server.py using the project’s Python interpreter.
What are the default network ports used?
MCP server socket listens on port 65432, OSC send to Ableton on port 11000, and OSC receive on port 11001, all on localhost.
Is there a video demonstration available?
Yes, the README links to a YouTube video showing control of Ableton Live with LLMs.
