Move4Live

Manual · Version 1.0 · April 2026

This manual covers the installation, setup, and operation of Move4Live, the Max for Live device that builds a ready-to-play session scaffold in Ableton Live at the press of a button.

1 Requirements

  • Ableton Live 11 or 12 Suite (older versions not tested)
  • Max for Live
  • Windows 10+ (older versions not tested)
  • macOS (manual installation should work, but untested due to lack of a Mac)

2 Installation

2.1 Automatic Installation (Windows)

  1. Extract the ZIP file to any folder.
  2. Double-click the installer file install_windows.bat.
Windows may display a security warning before running the installer. Click Run to proceed. This is normal for unsigned scripts like this one.
Windows 11: security warning

Windows 11: security warning before running the installer.

  1. Confirm the suggested Ableton User Library path by typing "y" for "yes", or enter a custom path.
  2. If an existing installation is found, you will be asked to confirm overwriting it with "y". Otherwise the installation process will be aborted.

The installer copies all three components to the correct locations automatically. Continue with Chapter 3: Setup.

2.2 Manual Installation (Windows & macOS)

Extract the ZIP file to any folder and copy the following files manually to the corresponding locations in your Ableton User Library.

2.2.1 M4L file "Move4Live.amxd"

Device/Move4Live.amxd → User Library/Presets/Audio Effects/Max Audio Effect/

Windows Explorer: Move4Live.amxd in the Max Audio Effect folder

Move4Live.amxd belongs in the Max Audio Effect folder of your User Library.

2.2.2 Preset file "PunchGlue.adg"

Device/PunchGlue.adg → User Library/Presets/Audio Effects/Audio Effect Rack/

Windows Explorer: PunchGlue.adg in the Audio Effect Rack folder

PunchGlue.adg belongs in the Audio Effect Rack folder.

2.2.3 Remote Script files

Remote Script/init.py and Move4Live.py → User Library/Remote Scripts/Move4Live/

You may need to create the Move4Live folder first if it does not exist.

Windows Explorer: Remote Scripts folder with Move4Live subfolder

The Move4Live folder inside Remote Scripts contains init.py and Move4Live.py.

Default User Library locations

  • Windows: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Ableton\User Library
  • macOS: ~/Music/Ableton/User Library

3 Setup in Ableton Live

  1. Launch Ableton Live.
  2. Open Settings and navigate to the Link, Tempo & MIDI page.
  3. Under MIDI → Control Surfaces, select Move4Live in any free slot. Input and output can remain set to None or their previous values.
Ableton Live 12 Preferences: Move4Live selected as a control surface

Move4Live selected as a control surface in slot 2.

  1. Close Preferences.
  2. Open your User Library in the Ableton browser and navigate to Presets → Audio Effects → Max Audio Effect.
  3. Drag Move4Live.amxd onto the Main track of your set.
Ableton Live browser: Move4Live.amxd in the Max Audio Effect folder of the User Library

Move4Live.amxd in the User Library under Presets → Audio Effects → Max Audio Effect.

Move4Live must be placed on the Main track. On any other track (MIDI, audio, return) the device displays a warning instead of its controls.
Move4Live on a non-Main track: warning 'Move it to the Main track!'

The device on a non-Main track: only the warning is visible.

4 Controls & Operation

Move4Live device on the Main track – full interface

The Move4Live device with all controls on the Main track.

4.0 Overview

  1. "Move It!" button
  2. Modes
  3. Instrument tracks
  4. Send/return tracks
  5. Mastering chain

4.1 The "Move It!" Button

As the motto "Move It!" suggests, the pentagon logo is the main trigger. One click builds the session scaffold according to the current settings – just like starting a new set on the Ableton Move.

One exception: any devices already on the Main track are left untouched, preserving monitoring and mastering devices you may have set up there.

4.2 Modes: Replace / Add

Unlike the Ableton Move, Move4Live supports two distinct modes:

  • Replace – removes all existing tracks in the set and replaces them with the new randomly chosen tracks. Just like the Ableton Move.
    In Replace mode, existing tracks (except devices on the Main track) are deleted permanently. Move4Live assumes you know what you're doing.
  • Add – adds the new randomly chosen tracks alongside any tracks already in the set.

4.3 Instrument Tracks

The four slots (e.g. Drums, Bass, Pad, Synth Keys) determine how many instrument tracks are built and what kind they are. Each slot can be enabled (orange) or disabled (grey) via its checkbox. The dropdown menu lets you choose the instrument category; the preset within that category is selected at random from your installed Ableton library. The dice button next to each slot re-rolls only that slot's preset without touching the rest of the set – you can also switch to a different category before rolling.

4.4 Send/Return Tracks

Two slots for return tracks with randomly chosen effect presets drawn from a curated selection (chosen for compatibility between Live 11 and Live 12). Each slot has its own dice button for individual re-rolls – including the option to switch to a different effect category beforehand.

4.5 Mastering Chain

An optional mastering chain on the Main track, modeled after the default Main track of the Ableton Move: Punch Glue → Compressor → Analog Clip → Limiter. Toggle it on or off via its checkbox.

5 Support this project

Move4Live is donationware. The download is free, but a voluntary contribution via Ko-fi – the artist-to-artist support platform – is always welcome. A coffee, a patch cable, whatever feels right. Every donation helps fund more tools like this one. Thank you!

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