BeatBridge.

Overview

BeatBridge is a local bridge between Ableton Live and an AI assistant. You describe the change you want — a loop, a clip, a mix move, an arrangement — and the assistant uses BeatBridge's tools to make the edit in the open project.

The product includes a Mac app, a VST3 and an AU. The app is the control surface and the place where the assistant connects. The audio engine does not process or colour your sound.

What it is good for

• Starting a playable loop from a reference, a key or a short prompt.
• Editing clips and MIDI without leaving the session.
• Building a template and filling it with sections.
• Moving faster through repeatable arrangement and mix tasks.

BeatBridge is an assistant-driven tool. You stay in charge of the musical decisions; the bridge executes the edits in Live.

Requirements

BeatBridge talks to Live on 127.0.0.1. The connected assistant may send prompts, tool results or files to its model provider according to its settings and terms. Review those settings when working with private material.

Installation

1. Download the current BeatBridge package from the download page.
2. Open the DMG and run the PKG. The installer places the app, BeatBridge.vst3 and BeatBridge.component.
3. Open the BeatBridge app once. macOS may ask for permission to control Live; allow it.
4. In Live, open Preferences → Link, Tempo & MIDI and select BeatBridge as a Control Surface.
5. Return to the app. The Dashboard should show Live as connected.

Install locations

/Applications/BeatBridge.app
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/BeatBridge/BeatBridge.vst3
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/BeatBridge.component

If the plugins do not appear, rescan the VST3 folder in Live and restart the app.

Connect Ableton Live

The Live connection is local and does not require a browser. Use the app's Test connection button after selecting the control surface.

1. Open Live before or after the app — either order is fine.
2. Confirm Live's control surface is set to BeatBridge.
3. Check the port shown in the app; the default is 39031.
4. Press Test connection. A green state means the bridge can read and edit the session.

If Live does not respond, Repair installation reinstalls the remote script. Restart both apps after a repair.

Connect an assistant

BeatBridge exposes one MCP server. Connect Claude Code or Codex CLI to that server; the app can register it for you from the assistant section.

Claude Code

1. Open the BeatBridge app.
2. Go to Assistants.
3. Choose Claude Code and run the displayed registration command if it is not already registered.
4. Start a new Claude Code session in the project folder you want it to work in.

Codex CLI

The same flow applies: register the MCP server once, then start a session. The app shows whether each assistant is connected.

Keep the assistant and BeatBridge in the same user session. Do not expose the MCP server to the public internet.

Quick Loop and Full Track

Quick Loop

Quick Loop creates a new scene and fills it with drums, bass and chords. Use it when you want a starting point that is already playable in Live.

1. Choose a style, key, BPM and bar length.
2. Press Prepare request.
3. Run it through your connected assistant, or start it from the app.
4. Press play in Live. Use Shuffle for variations in timing, velocity and pitch.

Full Track

Build Template creates named tracks, FX buses and locators. Generate fills the template with a complete arrangement through your assistant. Steps stream live and the process can be stopped.

Treat the result as a draft: audition the parts, replace sounds, and keep only what serves the record.

Controls and status

The status panel shows Live, the plugin and each assistant separately. Fix the first red state before looking at the next one.

Trial and license

BeatBridge includes a 7-day trial with all features. A purchased license is perpetual and covers two computers.

• Activate from the app's License page.
• Keep the checkout email — it contains the key.
• Use Manage license to release an old Mac.
• Paid access is cached for offline use after a successful activation or renewal.

If the key is not accepted, see license troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting

Live shows as disconnected

• Confirm BeatBridge is selected as the Control Surface in Live.
• Run Repair installation, then restart both apps.
• Check that another process is not using port 39031.

The assistant cannot see the MCP tools

• Open a new assistant session after registering the MCP server.
• Check the assistant is running as the same macOS user.
• Re-register the server from the Assistants page.

A generated note or clip is wrong

Generation is a draft, not a guarantee. Undo in Live or ask for a smaller edit. Keep one change per request when learning the workflow.

Technical specifications

Contact support with your macOS version, Live version, BeatBridge version and a screenshot.