Novation Launchpad X MIDI Grid Controller for Ableton Live/Logic Pro — Easy Controls, Dynamic Note Playing, Scale Modes

Product Information

If you're using Windows, and you'd like to use the Launchpad with Components and Ableton simultaneously, please install the driver found here (the same driver is used for both). Updates

This is a well-designed evolution of a classic Live controller. The hardware looks and feels better than ever, and the upgraded features make it more flexible for modern uses. When finished, you can either send it to one of the Custom Modes using the button at the top right: In Logic Pro 10.6, Launchpad X and Launchpad Mini [MK3] devices no longer need to be rotated to properly display the Live Loops grid, as was required in v10.5. However, there are orientation options in Logic’s settings that allow you to choose vertical or rotated arrangement, to suit your preference. This flexibility provides a much more cohesive experience, allowing you to seamlessly jump between different modes. Features When dragging a Widget onto a slot with a Widget already in place, the previous Widget will be removed:

Probably the highlight of this updated Launchpad is its four Custom Modes. As with previous Launchpads, these are user-configurable setups whereby the pad grid can be assigned to send out a variety of different MIDI messages. And then set the Launchpad X DAW Out and DAW In (Launchpad_X_Input on Windows) for the Input and Output ports and then match the settings below:

Although Ableton Live remains the Launchpad’s primary focus, the X also comes ready-made for use with two other Novation-built tools.

As we said in the introduction, the basic Launchpad design is over a decade old now, and that says something about how popular and adaptable the platform is. Launchpads work for newcomers or more seasoned types who need a portable way to trigger clips and scenes. These maybe aren’t worth abandoning your current grid controller for, unless you really want the Mini’s clip colours (or the X’s MIDI out), but they are viable candidates if you’re starting out and budget and/or mobility is important to you. The Launchpad is a well-established name and the inclusion of Ableton Live Lite means that you can get busy immediately. These two ‘pads are incredibly compact and portable. Who knows, perhaps the next incarnations of these will have to be foldable! Do I really need this? The first is Ampify Launchpad, the company’s accessible, DJ-style music-making app that allows users to trigger, manipulate and perform with loops from their mobile device. Naturally though, things have moved on significantly over the past ten years, and the slightly simplistic nature of those original Launchpads now looks rather dated. Extending Launchpad X and Launchpad Mini’s remit beyond Ableton Live, you can customise the MIDI mappings of each within three (Mini) or four (X) custom modes using Novation Components, for control of almost anything. Send out MIDI CCs, notes and program change messages, and even use rows or columns as faders – the only limit is your imagination. And both models come complete with a comprehensive bundle of included software, including Ableton Live Lite, a range of plug-ins by AAS, XLN Audio, Klevgrand and Softube. As with previous incarnations, this is still primarily an Ableton Live controller, and users of that DAW benefit from simple plug-and-play compatibility. Used with Live, engaging Note mode from the top row of buttons will configure the pad grid to one of two layouts.