AbleSet 3 by Leolabs

Professional setlist management transforms how you deliver live performances with Ableton Live. AbleSet 3 turns your arrangement view into a powerful, flexible control system accessible from any device on your network—no internet connection required. Whether you’re a solo artist running tracks from a laptop or a touring act with redundant playback systems, AbleSet streamlines every aspect of live performance control.

From synchronized lyrics and chord charts to custom control surfaces and redundant playback systems, AbleSet 3 delivers the tools professional performers demand. Control volume, manage setlists, trigger sections, and coordinate multiple computers—all from your phone, tablet, or computer. The browser-based interface means zero software installation on control devices, and the flexible licensing lets you activate on up to three computers depending on your edition.

Core Performance Features

Instant Setlist Creation: AbleSet reads your Ableton Live locators and converts them into an interactive setlist automatically. Place a locator at each song’s start, and AbleSet does the rest. Reorder songs on the fly without touching your Ableton session, add colors and notes for quick visual reference, and see your total set duration updated in real time.

Multi-Device Control: Since AbleSet runs in any modern browser, control your set from any device on the same network. Your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop becomes a control surface. Multiple devices can connect simultaneously—singers see lyrics while your MD monitors timecode and controls playback.

Smart Setlist Management: Drag and drop songs to reorder your set. Add colors, descriptions, and custom notes to each song. Save multiple setlists for different shows and swap between them instantly. Import and export setlists as plain text. The setlist editor shows total duration and lets you customize every detail without reopening Ableton.

Multi-File Projects: Split large sessions into one Ableton project per song. Load only what you need for each track, reducing memory overhead and improving stability. AbleSet handles the file switching automatically, maintaining setlist order and allowing seamless song-to-song transitions.

Advanced Control & Customization

Flexible MIDI Mapping: Map any MIDI controller to AbleSet functions. Support for notes, CC, and program change messages. Create press, hold, and double-press mappings for maximum efficiency. Add mappings manually or learn them from your controller. Control playback, jump between songs and sections, enable loops, and trigger custom actions—all from your existing hardware.

Guide Tracks: Dynamic guide track management automatically mutes count-in or cue tracks when you jump to unexpected sections, preventing confusion on stage. Create loop guide tracks that only unmute when looping a section. Mark tracks with +GUIDE, +LOOPGUIDE, or +JUMPGUIDE flags and let AbleSet handle the rest.

Intelligent Looping: Use Ableton’s native loop bracket with AbleSet’s enhanced control. Auto-loop current sections with a single click. Set pre-defined loop counts (e.g., +LOOP:4 to loop four times). Choose between standard loops and “loop full” mode that always completes the current loop before moving on. Perfect for extending improvisation or practice sessions.

Performance View: Customize what each device displays. Show song titles, section names, remaining time, timecode, and quick-jump buttons. Lock the view to prevent accidental changes during performance. Singers see lyrics, musicians see song structure, and technical crew monitors timecode and system status—all from the same setlist.

Professional Features by Edition

AbleSet 3 comes in three editions to match your needs and workflow complexity. All editions include core setlist management, multi-file projects, MIDI mapping, and guide tracks. Standard and Pro editions add redundancy support, unlimited lyrics tracks, and advanced control options. Pro edition delivers ultimate flexibility with Canvas, Mixer, and comprehensive scripting capabilities.

Lyrics & Chords (Standard/Pro)

Synchronized Lyrics Display: Create synchronized lyrics using MIDI tracks in Ableton Live. AbleSet displays them in real time, perfectly synced to your arrangement. Support for multiple lyrics tracks means lead vocals, backing vocals, and chord charts can each have their own dedicated display. The included Lyrics Track Generator tool lets you paste lyrics, sync them to your backing track, and export them as ready-to-use Ableton clips.

Chord Transposition: Display chords using ChordPro syntax and transpose them per song or per track. Transpose up for sharps or down for flats. Color-code chords, show only chords, or hide them entirely. Support for complex chord types and automatic formatting ensures your chord charts stay readable on any device.

Flexible Styling: Use Markdown for bold and italic text. Add colors, change text size and alignment, switch to monospaced fonts, and display progress bars for each line. Top-align lyrics with adjustable preview lines, insert images and sheet music, and customize every visual aspect to match your performance needs.

AbleNet: Redundant Playback Systems (Standard/Pro)

Control Multiple Computers: AbleNet allows simultaneous control of two or more computers running identical Ableton sessions. Commands sent from any device control all connected machines in perfect sync. If your main computer crashes, your backup continues playing without interruption. The system is decentralized—any computer can crash while the show continues.

Automatic Drift Correction: When computers start playback at slightly different times due to network or disk latency, AbleNet’s drift correction automatically nudges them back into sync using Ableton’s Phase Nudge feature. Configure which computer performs correction to maintain your main machine as the timing reference.

Audio Interface Integration: Supports redundant audio interfaces from iConnectivity (PlayAUDIO12, PlayAUDIO1U, PlayAUDIO2U), DirectOut (EXBOX.MD, PRODIGY, MAVEN.A), and DAD (Core256, AX64, AX Center). View interface status in real time, control scene switching, and configure which computer connects to which port. AbleSet can automatically switch your browser to display the currently active computer, ensuring you always monitor the machine sending audio to FOH.

Canvas: Custom Control Surfaces (Pro)

Build Your Own Interface: Canvas lets you create completely custom control interfaces using pre-made elements and customizable buttons, sliders, and labels. Arrange elements freely on your screen, create multiple pages for different use cases, and control everything via touch, mouse, or keyboard. Perfect for creating dedicated control surfaces on tablets or touch displays.

Available Elements: Choose from setlist display, lyrics, audio interface status, buttons, sliders, input fields, labels, images, timecode, visual metronome, song/section progress, clock, and more. Elements can send OSC commands, run JavaScript, navigate to pages, or link to external URLs. Template strings and dynamic variables let you create responsive interfaces that update based on your set’s current state.

Scripting Integration: Elements support JavaScript for ultimate control. Access OSC values, local and shared variables, MIDI output, and browser navigation. Create countdown timers, broadcast messages to specific devices, control external lighting or video systems, and build complex conditional behaviors—all within your custom interface.

Mixer: Track Group Control (Pro)

Create track groups using the +G: flag in Ableton Live track names. Control volume, mute, and solo for entire groups from any device. Assign tracks to multiple groups for flexible routing. Fade groups in or out over time, sync group states between songs in multi-file projects, and ensure critical tracks never mute using the +NEVERMUTE flag. Click tracks are automatically grouped for easy control during count-in or rehearsal.

OSC Integration (Standard/Pro)

Control from External Apps: Full OSC support lets you control AbleSet from TouchOSC, Open Stage Control, Stream Deck (via Companion), or any OSC-capable application. Start playback, jump between songs and sections, enable loops, control mixer groups, trigger notifications, and access every AbleSet function remotely.

OSC Tracks (Pro): Send timed OSC commands from MIDI tracks in your Ableton session. Trigger lighting cues, control video playback, adjust mixer settings, or communicate with external devices—all synced perfectly to your arrangement timeline. Commands can target AbleSet or external applications via IP and port specification.

Advanced Scripting (Pro): The Project Script runs on AbleSet startup and responds to OSC value changes. Send MIDI, control external devices, create complex automation, and build custom workflows. Local and shared variables persist between script runs and sync across all devices on your network.

System Requirements

Operating System: macOS 12 (Monterey) or higher, Windows 10 or higher

Ableton Live: Live 10, 11, or 12 (all editions). Some features require Live 11 or 12 (section clips, lyrics tracks). Max for Live Controller requires Live Suite or Max for Live add-on for Live Standard.

Control Devices: Any device with a modern web browser (iOS 15+, Android 7+, macOS, Windows, Linux). No app installation required on control devices.

Network: Local network connection between computer running Ableton and control devices. No internet connection required for operation.

Trusted by Top Artists

AbleSet powers live performances for Shawn Mendes, Twenty One Pilots, Tame Impala, Foo Fighters, Jonas Brothers, Pink, Kesha, Bastille, and hundreds more touring artists worldwide. Playback engineers, music directors, and technical teams trust AbleSet for festival main stages, arena tours, theater productions, and broadcast performances.

One year of free updates included with every license. Licenses never expire—continue using your purchased version forever, or renew to access new features as they’re released. Offline activation supported for air-gapped systems.