An r/ableton thread documented a Claude-to-Ableton MCP integration. This walks the setup with Scavio for the discovery layer (samples, preset packs, YouTube tutorials).
Prerequisites
- Ableton Live
- Claude Code or Claude Desktop
- An Ableton MCP server (community-maintained)
- Scavio API key
Walkthrough
Step 1: Install the Ableton MCP server (community)
Verify the repo's README; setup varies.
Bash
# Search GitHub for 'ableton-mcp' or 'ableton-live-mcp'.Step 2: Attach Ableton MCP to Claude
One CLI line.
Bash
claude mcp add ableton <ableton-mcp-cmd-or-url>Step 3: Attach Scavio MCP for discovery
Samples, presets, tutorials.
Bash
claude mcp add scavio https://mcp.scavio.dev/mcp --header 'x-api-key: $SCAVIO_API_KEY'Step 4: Routing rules in system prompt
Each MCP has a clear job.
Text
// 'For DAW context (current project, track count, tempo, current scene), call ableton. For finding samples, presets, YouTube tutorials, or production technique threads, call scavio.'Step 5: Try a real workflow
Discovery + arrangement help.
Text
// 'Project tempo 110 BPM, 80s synthwave style. Search via scavio for free CC-licensed analog drum samples and 3 YouTube tutorials on side-chain compression for kick. Suggest where in the arrangement to add a riser.'Step 6: Honest expectation setting
Agent-driven music is early.
Text
// Don't expect the agent to write your song. Do expect it to handle the search/lookup step you currently tab-switch for.Python Example
Python
# Per-session: 5-10 Scavio discovery calls + LLM tokens = under $0.10 per session.JavaScript Example
JavaScript
// MCPs are CLI-attached; no JS application code.Expected Output
JSON
Claude with Ableton MCP attached for DAW context + Scavio MCP attached for discovery. Saves 30+ minutes of tab-switching per session.