Chord progressions in Ableton Live
LIA writes chord progressions as editable MIDI inside Ableton Live through LIA Bridge, the small helper app that connects LIA to Ableton Live. Ask for chords in conversation, or get them as the pad layer of a full beat. The notes land in a clip you can open and re-voice.
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LIA writes chord progressions as editable MIDI into your Ableton Live session. You ask for chords in the conversation, or you get them as the pad and lead layers of a full beat. There is no standalone one-click chord button: progressions live inside the conversational flow and the beat. New to LIA? Start with getting started, then connect LIA Bridge, the small helper app that connects LIA to Ableton Live, on macOS or Windows.
Everything here runs in Ableton Live through LIA Bridge on macOS and Windows. Keep the Bridge connected while you work. You talk to LIA from your browser, on desktop or phone.
How it works
- Open LIA in your browser and connect LIA Bridge to Ableton Live on macOS or Windows.
- Ask for a progression in the conversation, giving a key, mood or the style you want.
- LIA writes the chords as editable MIDI into a clip, shaped by the genre profile you name.
- Open the clip, audition it, and edit voicings note by note. Ask for a jazzier or simpler version to rework it in place.
- Or ask for a full beat, and the chords arrive as the pad layer alongside drums, bass and lead.
Example prompts
"Write a dreamy four chord progression in D major"gives you a MIDI clip with the chords voiced out, ready to audition and re-voice."Build a lo-fi beat"gives you a full beat as editable MIDI, and the pad layer holds the chord progression you can open and edit on its own track.
Requirement: LIA Bridge connected to Ableton Live on macOS or Windows. Chord progressions through conversation are available on the Free trial and every paid plan. Free includes 10 total trial productions. See pricing for Free, Starter, Pro, Studio, Studio Max and Founder.
One honest limitation
There is no standalone one-click chord generator. Progressions come from the conversation and from the pad and lead layers of a beat, and they arrive as editable MIDI rather than as an audio render. LIA does not export audio of any kind.
Related guides
Pair chords with a melody and a bassline, or get every layer at once with the beat builder. See how MIDI generation works overall in MIDI generation, and the full catalog in commands.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a one-click chord button?
No. Chord progressions arrive through the conversation and as the pad and lead layers of a full beat, not from a standalone one-click generator. You describe the mood and key and LIA writes the chords as editable MIDI.
Can I edit the chords LIA writes?
Yes. The progression arrives as MIDI in a clip, so you can change voicings, swap chords, move inversions and refine it in conversation. Ask for a jazzier or simpler version and LIA reworks it in place.
Can LIA match chords to a melody or vibe?
Yes. Describe the feel, the key or a reference in the conversation, and LIA writes a progression that fits. Genre profiles shape the harmony so the chords sit in the style you asked for.
Do I need LIA Bridge for chords?
Yes, for the progression to land in your session. LIA Bridge connects LIA to Ableton Live on macOS and Windows. You talk to LIA from your browser, on desktop or phone, and the chords write into the connected session.
Does LIA output audio or MIDI?
Editable MIDI. The chords arrive as notes in a clip for you to voice with your own instruments, not as a finished audio render. Everything stays editable inside Ableton Live.
Next: set up in getting started, browse the full command catalog, or compare plans on pricing.