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Novation Launchpad Control Surface for Ableton Live  

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Novation

A compact controller designed to give electronic music makers of today the most interactive experience possible in Ableton Live.

The Novation Launchpad Control Surface communicates bi-directionally with Ableton Live software to give you real-time session feedback. Now you really can Play Live. Launchpad ships with a dedicated 'Launchpad edition' of Ableton Live 8, but can control almost any other music software using Novation's award-winning Automap control software.

Launchpad was jointly designed by Novation and Ableton to bring the features of Live to modern musician's fingertips. The 8x8 grid of backlit buttons addresses a multitude of functions with the help of mode selectors that transport you around the Live interface.

Flip from launching clips to tweaking mixer settings in a stroke. Launch your song into a heavy buildup, then switch to a synth or a drum machine for an impromptu solo at the touch of a button. It's all possible on Novation Launchpad, and all without touching the mouse or keyboard!

Novation Launchpad is bus-powered from a single USB connection, and has a 10" square desktop footprint. Rubber feet ensure Launchpad stays secure on the surface on which it's placed, and an optional padded neoprene travel sleeve is available. It ships with a USB cable, plus a DVD ROM with Mac and PC installers for a special 'Launchpad Version' of Ableton Live 8, as well as 1GB of sample content from Loopmasters and Mike The Drummer. It also comes Automap enabled.

Automap Control
A Novation Launchpad can also control other DAWs and plug-ins using Novation's Automap control software. Automap can assign controls to software parameters on VST/AU/RTAS/TDM plug-ins by simply clicking on them, and touching a controller!

• Automap-enabled – For instant, intelligent control over VST/AU/RTAS/TDM plug-ins and all MIDI compatible standalone software applications.

• See what you're triggering –
Automap provides a customizable heads-up transparent display across your computer screen. Ideal for seeing at a glance samples that you're about to trigger.

• Unleash the power of QWERTY keyboard shortcuts – Automap PRO, an optional upgrade available to purchase online, lets you assign almost any computer keyboard shortcut, and combinations thereof, to Launchpads buttons.

• Old-school MIDI control – Utilising Automap, Launchpad can operate as a standard MIDI controller, creating custom MIDI maps with 72 of its buttons transmitting either CC or MIDI note data.

• Flexible trigger platform for Max MSP and Reaktor programmers – Programmers can utilize variable brightness and multicolor LED states to their full advantage when designing new and innovative tools in Max MSP and Reaktor.

Launchpad and Max for Live
Max is a visual programming environment which allows you to custom build instruments and effects. Ableton announced 'Max for Live' when they launched Live 8. This means that Max and Ableton are now integrated, so you can build your own instruments (or tweak other people's) within Live.

Launchpad can be used to control these instruments. For example, parameters on Max for Live's step sequencer can be triggered using Launchpad's buttons. Launchpad gives you a huge amount of visual feedback. Multiple colors and brightnesses across different buttons display visual information about whether the note is on, the velocity, note length, pitch, and whatever else you want to see!

Novation have created a Max for Live step sequencer patch utilizing Launchpad's multicolor and brightness variations, available to download from: www.novationmusic.com

Launchpad supports multiple unit operation. Connect up to 3 Launchpads at a time. Expand your grid with multiple Launchpads, or have one Launchpad dedicated to mixer mode, and the other to launching clips.

Multiple units
Launchpad supports multiple unit operation. Connect up to 3 Launchpads at a time. Expand your grid with multiple Launchpads, or have one Launchpad dedicated to mixer mode, and the other to launching clips.

Novation's Automap-enabled controllers work seamlessly together—a ZeRO SL MkII to control the mix, whilst Launchpad triggers clips!

Features

  • A compact controller designed to give the most interactive experience possible in Ableton Live
  • An 8x8 grid of square multi-colour back-lit buttons allows you to communicate bi-directionally with the software
  • Launch Clips and Scenes provides shortcuts to the different areas of Ableton's control window
  • Dedicated Ableton Live Modes provide shortcuts to the different areas of Ableton's control window
  • Session Overview allows the user to jump around eight-channel sections of the Live session
  • Max for Live control
  • Works with any DAW software as a standard MIDI controller

Get the tool that allows you to finally play Live!

Launchpad Control Surface for Ableton Live Specifications:

  • Physical controls and Indicators
  • 64 (8x8 grid) square multicolor backlit buttons
  • 8 round multicolor backlit system buttons (assignable)
  • 8 round multicolor backlit function buttons (not assignable)
  • Connectivity: L-shaped USB 1.1 connector.
  • Minimum Operational Requirements
  • Macintosh
  • OS: 10.4, or later recommended
  • Computer: G4 or faster/Intel Mac
  • Memory (RAM): 512MB RAM/1GB recommended
  • Windows
  • OS: Windows XP or Vista
  • Computer: 1.5GHz or faster
  • Memory (RAM): 512MB RAM/1GB recommended
  • Dimensions: W = 240 mm / 9.45", H = 20 mm / 0.79", D = 240 mm / 9.45"
  • Weight: 717gms /unit
Write a Review Overall Rating Customer Reviews 4 See all 4 customer reviews...

Best Control surface I have ever used.

| Review By: Planet Ice | 3 months, 2 weeks ago

1 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:

The launchpad is full of attractive featrues for the modern DJ or Ableton Live user. As a user of both the APC 40 and the Launchpad, I'll try to give a clear comparison as to why I like this one over the APC.

 

1. 4 different modes for the grid- With the different modes available, workflow easily shifts from the keyboard and mouse to the more hands on rubberised buttons.

2. The scene launchers on the right side are clearly labeled with the mixer window, making it clear and easy to edit automations, cue tracks, and fx sends.   

3. The Red, Green, and Yellow LED's make it very clear and easy to distinguish parameters. clips and functions.

4. Oh yeah, did I mention that Novation has video tutorials on how to reprogram the User 2 mode for various funtions! (Step sequencer, LED Feedback, FX Triggers,

Quality:

Even though this controller is made of plasitc and is light, I still feel confident enough to DJ with it at a gig without it breaking. Granted, its not a Livid controller, or MPC/APC in wieght, but where it lacks in size and mass it makes up in portability. I couldnt take and APC 40 and a monome in a backpack, but I can take a laucnhpad, a nocturn, a USB hub, and a Trigger finger and use them all at a live gig. I've only had this product for about a month, but as long as Ableton Live is my DAW of choice for performance, I'll be keeping it around until I get my hands on a custom/modular controller.

Value:

While the launchpad is definitely not the coolest or most amazing midi controller on the market, It does have a large amount of features and options for the price. In the price range of controllers, there aren't alot of options that provide a great software/hardware interatcion like the launchpad. and oh yeah, they give you a discount on the purchase of the Full version of the software after you get it, so if you needed any other incientive to buy a launchpad, there you go.

Overall:

After using the APC 40, I understood that the ture power of Ableton Live is only unlocked with the largest clip triggering grid possible. The launchpad is the cheapest and easiest way to give you the biggest grid you will ever need. My vote on dedicated Ableton controllers is this: If your new to production, or not as experienced with midi control, and you like the way the APC handles the mapping of knobs and faders to functions, get an APC. If you wnat a more full featured and customizble setup, I find the Launchpad/Nocturn Combo to be excellent for this.

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
10 yrs.+ (Professional)
Style of music you play:
All (Electronic productions)
Where you live:
TX

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1109757

Must have for all Ableton Live users

| Review By: Brad Huggins | 5 months, 4 days ago

0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

Features:

This device really complements Ableton Live by providing an alternate level of control. the lack of actual faders and nobs is only draw-back.

Quality:

great quality and solid unit - doesn't feel like a toy; feels like a real piece of gear.

Value:

great value for price and features - Plus I purchased the device using a %off discount

Overall:

only nice to have would be to have a couple of assignable faders and nobs, otherwise great device.

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
many years...
Style of music you play:
trance, house, electronic
Where you live:
Dallas, TX

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1103303

So great!

| Review By: Graham Vasquez | 1 year, 3 weeks ago

0 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:

This is a great product, and I would suggest it to anyone on the market for a new midi controller!

It's awesome, it gives you control of so much! Plus you can use more then one together, so you can expand the capability!

When I first got it, there were problems with the drivers that gave me a lot of lag, but this has since been fixed. The buttons also seem a little flimsy, but they've held up for half a year so far, so they clearly aren't cheap!

It's totally worth the money. With everything you can do, it's definitely worth it.

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
Hobbyist
Style of music you play:
Lots
Where you live:
PA

Did you find this review helpful? yes no920615

Review

| Review By: Christopher-7kU13 | 2 years, 5 months ago

1 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:
the good: A Live control surface that makes composing a little easier and performing much better.  I applaud Novation for giving the community information to expand the Launchpad's capabilities (the community has already made a monome wrapper).  It's great that all buttons are backlit and have a nice soft rubber feel. The pad sensors are square so you can trigger them at the very corner with accuracy.  There are also a variety of ways (through MIDI) to customize the Launchpad and save your presets.  Overall it feels very sturdy. the bad: The pads have a clunky feel to them when pressed dead center so I usually have to trigger them at an angle... which isn't that big of a deal for me.  The action on the pads give a bit too much for my taste and so I have to press them slightly harder than I would prefer.  You are given a watered down version of Automap to use which slightly complicates use with other programs and VSTs. A minor quibble is that the LED colors are not 100% uniform and might vary as much as 15% (some yellows look more orange)
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
Bedroom Producer
Style of music you play:
Alternative, Electronica, Experimental
Where you live:
Seattle

Did you find this review helpful? yes no891223

See all 4 customer reviews...
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