Ableton Live + OpenCode: Complete MCP Integration

Ableton Live is a MCP server that an MCP server to control Ableton Live..

When integrated with OpenCode, you can:

• Create, modify, and control audio/MIDI tracks
• Control live performance parameters and session view
• Send and receive OSC messages for real-time control

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to set up Ableton Live in OpenCode, including configuration, examples, and troubleshooting.

What You'll Achieve

After completing this setup:

• Ableton Live will be fully integrated and operational
• You can use Ableton Live tools directly in OpenCode
• All Ableton Live capabilities will be available for your workflows
• Access to 4 different tools

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Python 3.8+
• Git
• Ableton Live installed
• OpenCode installed and configured
• Compatible operating system (macOS, Linux, Windows)

Installation

Step 1: Install Ableton Live

Manual installation steps:

1. Install Python 3.8 or higher
2. Install uv package manager
3. Clone repository: git clone https://github.com/Simon-Kansara/ableton-live-mcp-server.git
4. Navigate to project: cd mcp_ableton_server
5. Install dependencies: uv sync

Configuration

Step 2: Configure OpenCode

1. Locate your configuration file:

2. Add server configuration:

Configure MCP servers in your `opencode.json` or `opencode.jsonc`:

```json
{
  "mcp": {
    "my-mcp": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-everything"],
      "environment": {
        "API_KEY": "$API_KEY"
      },
      "timeout": 5000
    },
    "remote-server": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://mcp.example.com/sse",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer $API_TOKEN"
      }
    }
  }
}

Disable a server temporarily:

{
  "mcp": {
    "my-mcp": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "mcp-server"],
      "enabled": false
    }
  }
}

3. **Restart OpenCode**

Completely quit and restart OpenCode to load the new configuration.



## Examples

Once configured, you can use Ableton Live in OpenCode:

### Prepare Recording Setup

Set up tracks for recording a rock band

**Ask OpenCode:** "Prepare a set to record a rock band with drums, bass, guitar, and vocals"

**Expected Result:** Multiple audio tracks created with appropriate input routing and naming

### Configure Voice Track Routing

Set input routing for vocal tracks

**Ask OpenCode:** "Set the input routing channel of all tracks that have "voice" in their name to Ext. In 2"

**Expected Result:** All vocal tracks configured to receive input from external input 2

### Live Performance Setup

Configure session view for live performance

**Ask OpenCode:** "Set up a live performance session with 8 tracks and 16 scenes for electronic music"

**Expected Result:** Session view configured with tracks and scenes ready for live triggering

### Transport Control

Control playback and recording

**Ask OpenCode:** "Start recording on track 3 and set tempo to 120 BPM"

**Expected Result:** Recording initiated on specified track with tempo adjusted



## Testing Your Setup

1. Run opencode in terminal
2. Add "use the mcp_name tool" to your prompts
3. Verify tool execution and response



## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

#### Ableton Live Not Responding

**Symptoms:** OSC messages not received, No communication with Live

**Cause:** OSC control surface not enabled or incorrect port configuration

**Solution:**
- Enable AbletonOSC control surface in Live preferences
- Verify OSC ports match configuration (11000/11001)
- Restart Ableton Live after configuration changes
- Check firewall settings allow OSC communication

#### Port Already in Use

**Symptoms:** Socket binding errors, Port conflict messages

**Cause:** Another application using configured ports

**Solution:**
- Check which process is using the port: netstat -tulpn | grep :65432
- Kill conflicting process or change port in osc_daemon.py
- Use alternative ports (e.g., 65433, 11002, 11003)
- Restart both server and Ableton Live

#### Python Dependencies Missing

**Symptoms:** Import errors, Module not found errors

**Cause:** Required packages not installed properly

**Solution:**
- Run uv sync to install all dependencies
- Verify Python 3.8+ is installed: python --version
- Check virtual environment is activated
- Install missing packages manually: pip install python-osc fastmcp

#### OSC Messages Not Routing

**Symptoms:** Commands not affecting Live, No response from controls

**Cause:** Incorrect OSC routing or message format

**Solution:**
- Verify OSC address patterns match Live expectations
- Check OSC message format and data types
- Test basic OSC connectivity with simple messages
- Review osc_daemon.py configuration for routing rules

#### MCP Server Not Loading

**Symptoms:** Server not appearing in tools, Timeout errors, Command not found

**Cause:** Invalid configuration, missing dependencies, or timeout too short

**Solution:**
- Verify command array is correct in opencode.json
- Check environment variables are set properly
- Increase timeout value if server takes longer to start
- Test MCP server command independently in terminal

#### Context Limit Exceeded

**Symptoms:** Context too large errors, Slow responses, Truncated output

**Cause:** Too many MCP servers adding to context

**Solution:**
- Disable unused MCP servers with enabled: false
- Use per-agent tool configuration to limit active MCPs
- Avoid MCP servers that add many tokens (e.g., GitHub MCP)

#### Remote Server Connection Failed

**Symptoms:** Cannot connect to remote MCP, Authentication errors

**Cause:** Invalid URL, missing headers, or network issues

**Solution:**
- Verify remote server URL is correct
- Check authorization headers are properly configured
- Ensure environment variables for tokens are set

#### Ableton Live not appearing in OpenCode

**Symptoms:** Server not listed, Tools not available

**Cause:** Configuration or installation issue

**Solution:**
- Verify configuration syntax
- Check Ableton Live installation
- Restart OpenCode
- Check logs for error messages



## Next Steps

Now that Ableton Live is integrated with OpenCode:

- Explore all Ableton Live capabilities through OpenCode
- Check out other MCP servers that work with OpenCode
- Join the MCP community for tips and support
- Consider contributing to Ableton Live development

## Need Help?

- Search for [Ableton Live documentation](https://www.mcpstack.org)
- Check the [OpenCode MCP guide](https://www.mcpstack.org/clients)
- Join the MCP community discussions