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# 🎼 AI Music Composition with Cursor + Ableton MCP
This project connects [Cursor IDE](https://www.cursor.so/) with [Ableton Live](https://www.ableton.com/) using the [AbletonMCP](https://github.com/ahujasid/ableton-mcp) server to enable **natural language-driven music composition**.
By writing prompts in Cursor, you can generate structured Python code that controls Ableton Live — creating tracks, clips, instruments, and MIDI content through a socket-based API.
---
## 🚀 What You Can Do
- Compose music using plain English prompts
- Generate rich chord progressions and melodies in a chosen key
- Automatically create structured MIDI clips with melody, harmony, rhythm
- Control playback, tempo, and instrument loading inside Ableton Live
- Structure music with clear sections like *Intro → Build → Climax*
---
## 🧠 How It Works
1. Cursor uses a custom ruleset to guide the LLM toward musical structure and theory.
2. You write a prompt like:
`"Create a 1-minute emotional cinematic score in A minor, like Interstellar."`
3. The model outputs **MCP-compatible Python commands**:
- `create_midi_track`
- `set_track_name`
- `create_clip`
- `add_notes_to_clip`
- `load_browser_item`
4. These commands are sent to the **Ableton MCP server**, which applies them live in Ableton.
---
## 📦 Prerequisites
- **Ableton Live 10 or newer**
- **Python 3.8+**
- **[uv package manager](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/)**
- macOS: `brew install uv`
---
## 🎛️ Setup Instructions
### 1. Install AbletonMCP
Clone or install the [Ableton-MCP GitHub repo](https://github.com/ahujasid/ableton-mcp):
```bash
npx -y @smithery/cli install @ahujasid/ableton-mcp --client claude
```
✅ This provides a socket interface between Python and Ableton.
---
### 2. Install the Ableton Remote Script
1. Download `AbletonMCP_Remote_Script/__init__.py` from the [AbletonMCP GitHub](https://github.com/ahujasid/ableton-mcp)
2. Copy it into your **MIDI Remote Scripts** directory:
#### macOS
- `/Applications/Ableton Live XX.app/Contents/App-Resources/MIDI Remote Scripts/`
- Or: `~/Library/Preferences/Ableton/Live XX/User Remote Scripts/`
#### Windows
- `C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Ableton\Live XX\Preferences\User Remote Scripts\`
> Replace `XX` with your Ableton version (e.g., `11`)
3. Create a new folder named `AbletonMCP` and paste the `__init__.py` file inside.
4. Launch Ableton Live → Preferences → Link, Tempo & MIDI:
- Control Surface: `AbletonMCP`
- Input: `None`
- Output: `None`
---
### 3. Connect Cursor to MCP
In **Cursor**, go to:
`Settings → MCP → Add new global MCP server`
Paste this:
```
{
"mcpServers": {
"AbletonMCP": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"ableton-mcp"
]
}
}
}
```
Save and Close the file
And run this command in Terminal:
```bash
uvx ableton-mcp
```
⚠️ Only run **one** instance of MCP — in Cursor **or** Claude, not both.
---
## 🧩 Add Custom Rules to Cursor
1. Go to `Cursor → Settings → Custom Rules`
2. Create a new ruleset (or use USER Rules):
**Name:** `Music Composition (Ableton MCP)`
3. Paste in the contents of:
[`Cursor-UserRules-MusicProduction.txt`](./Cursor-UserRules-MusicProduction.txt)
4. Save the ruleset and make sure it's active
These rules guide the model to:
- Choose a key signature first
- Compose in functional harmony
- Write melodies that match the chords
- Structure music in sections (e.g., Intro, Build, Drop)
- Output clean, usable, and musical MCP commands
---
## ✍️ Example Prompt
```text
I want to create a 1-minute cinematic composition inspired by Interstellar.
It should be in A minor, have a slow tempo, and evolve in three parts:
- Intro with soft piano and pads
- Build with low strings and pulsing rhythm
- Climax with high strings, layered chords, and percussion
```
Cursor will respond with:
- Key selection
- Chord progression (e.g., i–VI–III–VII)
- Track creation (Piano, Strings, Percussion, Pads)
- Clip creation and note data using scale-aligned pitches
- Commands to load instruments from Ableton’s browser
---
## 🛠️ Example MCP Commands (Generated by the LLM)
```python
create_midi_track(index=0)
set_track_name(track_index=0, name="Cinematic Piano")
load_browser_item(track_index=0, item_uri="instrument_uri_here")
create_clip(track_index=0, clip_index=0, length=8.0)
add_notes_to_clip(track_index=0, clip_index=0, notes=[
{"pitch": 57, "start_time": 0.0, "duration": 1.0, "velocity": 100, "mute": False},
...
])
```
---
## 🎹 Supported Capabilities
- 🎵 Create/rename MIDI and audio tracks
- 🎹 Add MIDI clips and notes
- 🥁 Load instruments and effects from the browser
- 🎛️ Control tempo, playback, and clip triggering
- 🧠 Query session and track data
- 🔄 Structured song building via sections and motifs
---
## 💡 Tips for Best Results
- Be specific: define the style, emotion, tempo, and structure
- Mention a reference track or artist (e.g., "like Hans Zimmer")
- Use section language: *Intro → Build → Drop → Outro*
- Let the LLM choose the key if unsure — it will guide everything else
- Review note data for realism, phrasing, and spacing
---
## 📂 File Reference
- [`Cursor-UserRules-MusicProduction.txt`](./Cursor-UserRules-MusicProduction.txt)
A detailed set of LLM guidance rules to enforce musical theory and structure in generations.
---
## 🧪 Troubleshooting
- 🔌 **Connection issues**: Ensure AbletonMCP is loaded and only one MCP server is running.
- ⏱️ **Timeouts**: Try simplifying your request or generating one section at a time.
- 🔁 **No response in Ableton**: Restart Ableton, Cursor, and re-check the Remote Script setup.
---
## 📎 Related Links
- 🎛️ [AbletonMCP GitHub](https://github.com/ahujasid/ableton-mcp)
- 🧠 [Cursor IDE](https://www.cursor.so/)
- 🎓 [uv Package Manager](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/)
---
## 📝 License
This project is MIT licensed.
Please follow the licensing terms for:
- [Ableton Live](https://www.ableton.com/en/legal/)
- [AbletonMCP Project](https://github.com/ahujasid/ableton-mcp)
---
## 🙏 Credits
- 🔧 Built on [AbletonMCP](https://github.com/ahujasid/ableton-mcp) by Siddharth Ahuja
- ✍️ Prompt system designed for use with Cursor + OpenAI models
- 🎶 Inspired by film scoring, AI-assisted production, and modern composition workflows
