Ableton Live engineers on macOS and Windows want to hear their mix on their phone without stopping to bounce, export, or AirDrop anything. Here's how to get real-time audio streaming from Live to your phone set up in under 60 seconds using Auxfeed — a free plugin that runs directly on your Master track.

What You Need

  • Ableton Live (any edition — Intro, Standard, Suite) on macOS or Windows
  • Auxfeed plugin installed (auxfeed.com — AU/VST3/AAX on macOS, VST3/AAX on Windows)
  • Auxfeed app on your iPhone or Android phone, connected to the same Wi-Fi

Steps

1. Download and Install the Plugin

Go to auxfeed.com and download the Auxfeed plugin installer for your platform. Run it, then relaunch Ableton Live. On macOS, install AU or VST3 — either format works. On Windows, install VST3.

2. Open the Master Track and Add Auxfeed

In Ableton Live's Session or Arrangement view, click the Master track to select it. Open the browser panel (B), then navigate to Plug-Ins. On macOS you'll see an Audio Units folder and a VST3 folder — Auxfeed will appear under whichever format you installed. Drag Auxfeed from the browser directly onto the Master track's device chain, or double-click it to insert at the end of the chain. The plugin window opens automatically.

3. Configure the Plugin

In the Auxfeed plugin window, select your codec. PCM Lossless gives you the highest quality — use it when your phone is close to the router. Opus compresses efficiently and works well across the room or on a congested network. On iPhone, AAC is also available. Leave the PIN field empty for open access on the same Wi-Fi.

4. Open the Auxfeed App

Launch the Auxfeed app on your phone. It uses Bonjour to auto-discover the plugin — your session should appear in the app within a second or two. Tap it to connect. No IP addresses, no pairing codes needed when you're on the same Wi-Fi.

5. Press Play in Ableton Live

Hit play in Ableton Live. Audio streams instantly to your phone. Walk around the room and listen through your phone speakers, plug in your headphones, or route to a Bluetooth device. The Auxfeed app shows real-time LUFS metering while you listen.

Ableton Live Tip: Put Auxfeed Last in the Master Chain

Ableton Live processes the Master device chain in order, left to right. Place Auxfeed after any limiting or mastering plugins on the Master track — that way you're hearing exactly what would be exported, including all your final-stage processing. If you're A/B testing a limiter, you can temporarily bypass earlier devices without affecting what Auxfeed streams.

For a complete guide to using your phone as a reference monitor while mixing, see Phone as Studio Monitor — The Engineer’s Guide.

Start Hearing What Your Listeners Hear

Download the free Auxfeed plugin at auxfeed.com and the Auxfeed app on your phone. No account, no subscription required — just install and press play.