With its multi-colour 64-button grid and dedicated scene launch buttons, Launchpad is purpose-built for triggering and manipulating clips in Live. Each button has three colour states so you can see at a glance what's loaded (orange), what's playing (green), and what's being recorded (red). Similarly, Live's interface tells you what section of the Session View the Launchpad is currently controlling. This two-way communication ensures that Launchpad and Ableton Live are always perfectly in sync.
Launchpad features a dedicated ‘Launchpad edition’ of Ableton Live 8, providing all you need to start performing and composing in Ableton Live.
Launchpad doesn’t just launch clips. Switch to ‘mixer mode’ and the same button grid offers a unique way to control Ableton Live’s mixer. Volume, pans, sends, track arming, soloing and muting can all be controlled via the grid. Using buttons instead of dials, Launchpad lets you jump to different levels across eight channels at once – great for controlling multiple effects sends.
Launchpad is also great for sketching out beats — switch to ‘user mode 1’ and the 64 buttons become drum pad triggers laid out for playing Ableton Live’s Drum Racks. However, Launchpad has two 'user' modes, and both are fully customizable. Using Live’s own learn function, they let you create your own control setup, exactly the way you want it.
Launchpad is not exclusive to Ableton Live. Outside of Live, Novation’s Automap software gives Launchpad the power to control almost any other music software.
Key Features
• Made for each other - Designed in partnership with Ableton, Launchpad and Ableton Live integrate seamlessly; just load up Live, plug-in Launchpad and you’re ready to roll.
• Launchpad and Live operate as one - Bi-directional communication between Launchpad and Ableton Live ensures that, at any given time, each knows the status of the other.
• Instant Visual Session Overview - With its backlit multi-colour 64 button grid, Launchpad gives instant feedback on your session view – see at a glance what's loaded, what's playing, and what's being recorded.
• Launch clips and scenes – Launchpad’s 64-button grid and dedicated scene launch buttons are ideal for launching and controlling your clips and scenes.
• Innovative control over your mix - Including volume, pans, sends, track arming, soloing and muting. Launchpad lets you jump to different levels across eight channels at once.
• Expand your Ableton control solution - Novation’s Automap-enabled controllers work seamlessly together – a ZeRO SL MkII to control the mix, whilst Launchpad triggers clips!
• New to Ableton Live? – Launchpad comes with “Ableton Live 8 Launchpad Edition”, fully functional for performance and production. For existing users, Ableton Live 7 and 8 are Launchpad-ready.
• Create and perform anywhere, anytime - Launchpad is USB-powered, with no need for an additional power supply. Just a single USB lead, powered from your computer.
• Go Large! - Launchpad supports multiple unit operation. Connect up to 6 Launchpads at a time! Expand your grid with multiple Launchpads, or have one Launchpad dedicated to mixer mode, and the other to launching clips.
• Jump around your Live set - Using simple page buttons and a ‘Session Overview’, Launchpad gives you an overview of the clips you have loaded across your entire Live set.
• Don’t move! - With large rubber grips to hold it steady, once you choose a performance position for Launchpad, that’s where it stays!
Features outside of Ableton Live
• Automap-enabled - For instant, intelligent control over VST/AU/RTAS/TDM plug-ins and an increasing number of standalone samplers and step-sequencers
• 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.
• Editing control maps has never been so simple - Automap lets you create, customize and delete button assignments directly from your computer screen using lightning-fast ‘click’ and ‘tap’ facilities! Click a parameter and then tap a button to assign it.
• Get to the right software fast! - Control maps are automatically placed into categories depending on type (instrument, effects, custom etc.) quick and easy browsing and selection via Launchpad.
• 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 utilise variable brightness and multi-colour LED states to their full advantage when designing new and innovative tools in Max MSP and Reaktor.
Included Software
• DVD-Rom featuring:
- Ableton Live 8 Launchpad Edition
- 1GB of Loopmaster loops and 1/2GB ‘Mike the Drummer’ drums samples
- Ableton Live demo project designed for Launchpad, utilising the above loops
