| name | ableton-mixing |
| description | Mix a track in Ableton Live via the abletonsdk MCP tools — set track volume/pan, sends to return tracks, gain staging, and insert/adjust mixing effects (EQ, compression, reverb/delay sends). Use when balancing levels, panning, routing to returns, or processing the mix bus (NOT for writing notes — that's ableton-midi). |
Ableton mixing
The balance & routing layer: set levels, pan, sends, and insert mixing effects.
Device parameter mechanics live in ableton-sound-design; this skill is about the
mixer and how to use those devices to balance a mix.
Workflow
- Perceive —
ableton_get_context already includes each track's mixer values
(volume, panning, sends) + return/main tracks. Read current levels first.
- Act —
ableton_run_code: set track.mixer.{volume,panning,sends[i]} via
setValue; insert mixing devices (EQ Eight, Compressor, Glue Compressor,
Utility) and set their params (see ableton-sound-design/devices/).
- Verify —
ableton_get_context again (mixer values reflect the change).
Mixer parameters
track.mixer.volume, track.mixer.panning, track.mixer.sends[i] are
DeviceParameters — read their min/max (volume is normalized, ~0.85 ≈ 0 dB;
panning −1..1; sends 0–1). Tool addressing:
{kind:"mixerParam", trackKind:"track"|"return"|"main", which:"volume"|"panning"|"send", trackIndex, sendIndex}.
Reference (read on demand)
| File | When |
|---|
reference/mixer-and-routing.md | Volume/pan/sends, return & main tracks, group tracks, send→return effects |
reference/mixing-techniques.md | Gain staging, EQ carving, compression, (limited) sidechain, balance approach |
Mixing devices (EQ Eight, Compressor, Glue Compressor, Utility, …) are documented
once in ableton-sound-design/devices/ — this skill links to them rather than repeating.
Hard limits
- No metering / no master audio —
ableton_render_audio is pre-FX, per audio
track; there's no post-FX/master capture and no level meters. Mix by parameter
values + musical reasoning, not by measuring output.
- No volume/sidechain automation — set static values only (see
ableton-arrangement/automation.md).
- External sidechain routing isn't settable (you can enable a comp's
S/C On but
not pick its source) — note this when asked for true sidechain pumping.
