Kadenz for Ableton (Max for Live)

Import blueprints into Session view clips — Bridge handoff, past imports, or a JSON file.

Large blueprints (paste limit)

Max truncates very long text sent through the device’s JSON box (often near ~32k characters). If paste fails or JSON errors mention a huge length, use JSON file on the device to pick a .json from disk, or use Handoff / Past imports with Kadenz Bridge.

Handoff & Past imports

In Bridge’s tray menu, use Set Kadenz plugin folder and choose the folder where Kadenz.amxd and kadenz_ableton.js live. Bridge keeps full blueprint files under Documents/Kadenz and updates a small pointer next to the device so Live can resolve the latest handoff. After Open in Ableton, click Handoff on the device (or wait for auto-import).

Drop

Drop reads the JSON box and builds Session clips on tracks whose names match Kadenz categories (Pad, Bass, Kick, …). Use it for small JSON or after pasting a snippet.

Open in Ableton (Bridge)

Bridge does not talk to the device over a network socket. It only writes JSON under Documents/Kadenz and may launch or focus Ableton. The Kadenz device must load that file via Handoff (or auto-import for ~15 seconds after the device loads).

Install the zip so Kadenz.amxd and kadenz_ableton.js stay in the same folder. If the JS file is missing, the device will not run — you may only see unrelated Max errors in the Max window.

Errors & logging

Open the device’s Edit view, then in Max use Window → Max Console (not Live’s MIDI-map shortcut). Kadenz posts lines starting with Kadenz: there.

If you see “a project without a name is like a day without sunshine. fatal.” — that is usually Max complaining about an unsaved Live Set, not Kadenz rejecting the blueprint. Save the set and click Handoff.

If you still see missing handoff logs, confirm Bridge is running and Set Kadenz plugin folder points at the exact folder Live loaded the device from.

Download

Pro / Studio users can download the device from the Kadenz app (profile / billing). Bridge installers are linked from the product and homepage.