As a 50-something prog-rocker, I have to say that this thing has me more excited than most of the new stuff I've tried in YEARS. I've dabbled with 'Live' and it INSTANTLY took my music down new, more interesting paths. Mine arrives on Monday. I can hardly wait.
I can't understand why are some people so negative about this product. It looks like a really interesting way of controlling samples with a great looking control surface. And anyway, anything, any method of creating musical sounds is totally valid. Give people the choice and they will go for what interest them, and why not!
i just bought the apc and i like the fact it has knobs and other controls, plus we'll soon be able to use the pads for entering drum patterns like this thing with max for live
You're not the only one! I held off on the akai thinking that a lot more controllers will be coming our way for live, i just didnt think it would happen so soon.
I've pre-ordered one. £150 is amazing value for money. My Axiom 49 has sliders and rotaries which I'm able to MIDI assign, it was just the grid of the APC40 that I wanted. And now I can get it. For much less money.
It's just a tool to aid in creativity. Some people are going to be able to do wonderful things with it, and others not so much... I've played keys and guitar in bands before.. Now, I'm doing my own solo fun project using mostly ableton an acp40 and a guitar + some looping/delay/reverb pedals. And I've got to say, the amount of work I put into midi mapping and prep for live shows is way tougher than just being a guitarist in a band..
I'd wanna be able to turn like for example: the Delay up and volume for track down at the same time. It looks like you wouldn't be able to do that on this thing because you would have to keep switching between button groups and stuff.
Check out mixer mode in the related videos section, in my case i use an m-audio projectmix I/O, and an axiom 61 for controlling plug-ins, so the lack of those features on the novation are a good thing imo. Adding controls would have incresed the price (obviously) and it would then be much less attractive to someone like me who already has midi controllers.
Max for live will be the next future of how people play out in live situation. I think they just released it. give it 3 years and everyone will know why max for live is the future of live performing....JMO
@ace101guy You can, but I wouldn't really suggest it. The pads are not velocity-sensitive, so that's a bummer for creating with it (unless you use midi-effects for either fixed or "random" velocity). I bought mine so I could play my stuff live, and I love it, but I only use it to get a feel of things when creating (mostly for percussion), then edit everything later on (but I don't mind working with a screen and a mouse, so that's a factor for me:P).
Google is your friend... but anyway, have a look at how Live works. It's different from FL, Reason and other DAWs. There's the Clip View and basically the Launchpad is like the physical replica of that. Live can pick up any samples you already use as well, you just put them in each of their own clips, and each button will correspond to a clip (a kick or snare, loop, midi clip etc.) in Live. Download a demo of Live and learn a little about it. I use it as my main DAW for making music now.
its good for us apc users aswell, its essentially a cheap grid extension :) and for monome lovers, its again a cheap monome :D if it was velocity sensitive it would be perfect as it is though its still incredible
@SigmaStrain "Instruments use acoustic (and sometimes digital) elements" what did people say about the first instruments which integrated digital technology? This is most definitely an instrument
i was considering the apc40, but that would just duplicate a lot of controls i already have, i use an projectmix I/O, and an axiom 61 for controlling mixer settings and plug-ins. don't need the extra knobs/sliders, this is perfect fro my needs/wants
i have to apologize. i saw the tutorial from fletch, and now i know how to get a led feedback while playing drums. so everything is fine now. i think im gonna buy a second launchpad next year^^
it does use automap, but its preprogrammed to control ableton out of the box, automap functionality appears mainly to be for other daws such as... erm.. reason for instance. :D
@diamonddust22 you mean you can play this with your instrument? you've got some nice instrument there let me tell ya ... this is tho, a controller, for sending midi messages to a computer in wich you have spent some long hours programing (composing) music. and of course you deserve credit for it !
Oh thanks for that info. However I've recently acquired a steinberg usb interface and cubase 6, so I will stick with that for now, maybe when I get some money I'll look into this :D
do you think it would conflict with my nocturn? maybe you do need to use automap and do some customizations/assignments if you want to assign a row of buttons to a parameter.
@JohnChaseClayton It will work with a simple virtual midi controller like Sythesia but it is best to use a program with it (ableton is included if you buy onee new)
@SigmaStrain @SigmaStrain "Instruments use acoustic (and sometimes digital) elements" what did people say about the first instruments which integrated digital technology? This is most definitely an instrument
go to user 1 mode> press the midi learn button in ableton> click on a record button in ableton> press the key you want to assign on the launchpad>press the midi learn button in ableton to exit. :)
To everyone who wants to buy it: DO IT. I have one. It's great. You just need to be dedicated enough to learn how to use it. Just note, it's not as easy as 1, 2, 3.
yeah i thought > £200.. I watched some more videos on it, and it appears to be the perfect controller for live users who have midi controllers already..
Looking forward to mine arriving... if you wanna really unlock what the launchpad can do, google the katapault software. I've seen some amazing videos of it.
@Niekfollings Of course thats talent just look at the guy here I dont think you understood me this pad is taking the whole dj thing to another level what I was commenting about was comparing this to a live instruments which is two different worlds
@jps4you there is software on the disc that you have to use to basically map it withother programs but deifnately its possible to link it to fl studio etc.. hope that helps
yeah i found the tutorial as well :) really good one i'd say ^^ now there's one more thing that i'm curious about.. in this video, apparently the guy, when in user mode 2, uses the bottom row of pads to record/overdub or sth like that, and gets visual feedback on the clip that's playing as well... now i want to know how he does that too... this might me a maxforlive thing...
Getting music out of anything is talent. I now people that can extract music from anything they can find in any kitchen better than thousand people can do using a guitar.
The $199 version of the launchpad comes with "Ableton Live Launchpad Edition". It has limitations compared to the full version of Live but is probably sufficient for casual users on-professionals.
I agree with you that there's better things to do for everyone, (like music) & I'm sadened myself by the way some people choose to express themselves in whatever lamguage. No insult intended, no insult taken. Have you ever looked up the Lemur from Jazzmutant? That's a mad controller for any DAW.
@acidogio This is NOT an instrument. It is an audio playback device. It may require skill to play and skill to perform with but that does not make it an instrument. It makes it a good TOOL. Instruments use acoustic (and sometimes digital) elements to create analog output signals in real time. Instruments do not play back sampled audio. It is still possible to apply elements of musical theory in the operation of this device so it can be said that it may require musicianship. It's no saxophone tho
@diamonddust22 Well actually I've played drums for 10 years and tour the world as a front of house and monitor engineer but that aside... I really dont think it makes a difference where the noises come from, the majority of big songs these days have at least some sampling in them. "Umbrella" by Rihanna uses a stock beat from garageband that comes free with every mac. Doesn't stop that song being a beast and one of the biggest hits in recent years. Makes no difference where the noises came from.
No, I hear what you're saying man. But the Xponent is not a controller, it's an interface. This device here, the Launchpad, is assuming you already have a dope interface. Which every musician I know does.
I just don't understand how you access recording and playback in user 1 mode like on the video. It's only sounds for me. Didn't find anything that records in the drum rack menu or something among those lines
Ok you're right. Anyway if we are not in joke mode, good and dynamic mix shoud not clip with no dynamic processing, next I use comps and stuff like that to put on the top choosen tracks. It just my way to do it. But i agree that limiting master channel and having no care abt the levels is not good way at all :)
I can't grasp my head around this thing.. here's my view of it.. is it like a beatpad but with waaayy pads on it and with the controls and layers on the side?
The Ableton Live version that comes with it is the standard or it is some different version? Im used to Reason + FL Studio, but Im whilling to use this little baby and learn how to play with Ableton Live, and I dont want to buy all the stuff again! =) Another question, is it MIDI, MIDI/USB or USB? USB Powered? Thanks, man
Hi! I have a question... I'm a dj for almost 5 years now but i've come to the point where i want to experiment more. Not just playing one song into another but be a little more creative... Now that i've seen the launchpad it seems a fun way to work on that. But here is my question. I have no experience with Ableton at all and i don't play an instrument so i don't know any notes... Are there things i must try first? Is this a good thing for me? Thx!
@anatolinicolae search for 'Launchpad Promo Explained' video from Novation and then scan to the end of the video to see the link. I can't enter the link here it would seem....
so i heard that the Launchpad comes with its own special version of Ableton live 8. my question is, can you export your music on this version? or is it just a demo?.......getting Ableton for $150 is a fairly good price, considering that thats how much the launcpad costs.
Question: I'm in a band and we want to insert samples into live performances such as movie clip sounds or a sample beat I've created... Would this be useful for that?
does this work with torq? or without a program/computer? i wanna just take it to class and use it as a drum pad.. cause i dont want to buy maschine. ive never bought one befor but i am starting with my traktor xponent and i wanna do fancier stuff that is more involved.. i have a microkorg too
@paulsaysboom It does come with abelton live if you buy a certain package, but you might be able to get the better performance if you buy the latest abelton live and then get launch pad. Ya know? Check in with abelton for the best compatibility.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
As a 50-something prog-rocker, I have to say that this thing has me more excited than most of the new stuff I've tried in YEARS. I've dabbled with 'Live' and it INSTANTLY took my music down new, more interesting paths. Mine arrives on Monday. I can hardly wait.
This video got me into making music
I can't understand why are some people so negative about this product. It looks like a really interesting way of controlling samples with a great looking control surface. And anyway, anything, any method of creating musical sounds is totally valid. Give people the choice and they will go for what interest them, and why not!
WOW THIS ROCKS!! Novation does the best controllers, i know what i want for my birthday in november :-)
i just bought the apc and i like the fact it has knobs and other controls, plus we'll soon be able to use the pads for entering drum patterns like this thing with max for live
You're not the only one! I held off on the akai thinking that a lot more controllers will be coming our way for live, i just didnt think it would happen so soon.
I've pre-ordered one. £150 is amazing value for money. My Axiom 49 has sliders and rotaries which I'm able to MIDI assign, it was just the grid of the APC40 that I wanted. And now I can get it. For much less money.
comes with a ableton live lite launchpad software where it already has samples, you can add your own samples as well.
It's just a tool to aid in creativity. Some people are going to be able to do wonderful things with it, and others not so much...
I've played keys and guitar in bands before.. Now, I'm doing my own solo fun project using mostly ableton an acp40 and a guitar + some looping/delay/reverb pedals. And I've got to say, the amount of work I put into midi mapping and prep for live shows is way tougher than just being a guitarist in a band..
Getting it tomorrow for my birthday. Pretty stoked.
@LeisureCentury
you can only see 8 clips at a time,but with the arrows on the right you can start als clips of a scene at once
I'd wanna be able to turn like for example: the Delay up and volume for track down at the same time.
It looks like you wouldn't be able to do that on this thing because you would have to keep switching between button groups and stuff.
Check out mixer mode in the related videos section, in my case i use an m-audio projectmix I/O, and an axiom 61 for controlling plug-ins, so the lack of those features on the novation are a good thing imo. Adding controls would have incresed the price (obviously) and it would then be much less attractive to someone like me who already has midi controllers.
@LeisureCentury
dont know exactly know what you mean,but can use the arrows on the top to scroll between more loops
Max for live will be the next future of how people play out in live situation. I think they just released it. give it 3 years and everyone will know why max for live is the future of live performing....JMO
Will be picking one of these baby's up on saturday along with a Zero SL! :P Can't wait...
@ace101guy You can, but I wouldn't really suggest it. The pads are not velocity-sensitive, so that's a bummer for creating with it (unless you use midi-effects for either fixed or "random" velocity). I bought mine so I could play my stuff live, and I love it, but I only use it to get a feel of things when creating (mostly for percussion), then edit everything later on (but I don't mind working with a screen and a mouse, so that's a factor for me:P).
Google is your friend... but anyway, have a look at how Live works. It's different from FL, Reason and other DAWs. There's the Clip View and basically the Launchpad is like the physical replica of that. Live can pick up any samples you already use as well, you just put them in each of their own clips, and each button will correspond to a clip (a kick or snare, loop, midi clip etc.) in Live.
Download a demo of Live and learn a little about it. I use it as my main DAW for making music now.
This man has blessed fingers.
So I can actually make music from that beat I was tapping against the desk in class today? SWEET
And the toys just keep on coming...
Very nice controller indeed.
RRKS
@jimmyscabs Thank you! Someone who understands Computer music for once! Hopefully getting one of these soon, cant wait!
its good for us apc users aswell, its essentially a cheap grid extension :) and for monome lovers, its again a cheap monome :D if it was velocity sensitive it would be perfect as it is though its still incredible
Its USB powered. Comes with Ableton Live Lite Launchpad Edition software. Pretty sure you can use Reason with the launchpad.
I use a M-Audio Interface (Fast Track pro) with my laptop. Works great, and has a cue function, Balanced Inputs, MIDI. :D
@Spunjo1221 It came and, after some initial trouble, it is fun beyond belief. I love it. Hope you enjoy yours as much. :-)
@Beckett125 its a controller... it controls everything thats on the computer. You need a program for it to work
@SigmaStrain "Instruments use acoustic (and sometimes digital) elements" what did people say about the first instruments which integrated digital technology? This is most definitely an instrument
i was considering the apc40, but that would just duplicate a lot of controls i already have, i use an projectmix I/O, and an axiom 61 for controlling mixer settings and plug-ins. don't need the extra knobs/sliders, this is perfect fro my needs/wants
Nice demo.
no matter what you will never look as cool as the guy in the video.
i have to apologize. i saw the tutorial from fletch, and now i know how to get a led feedback while playing drums. so everything is fine now. i think im gonna buy a second launchpad next year^^
of joy about this beautiful device :D
it does use automap, but its preprogrammed to control ableton out of the box, automap functionality appears mainly to be for other daws such as... erm.. reason for instance. :D
This is very interesting new product. It is a bit shame Monome was not able or even willing to develop their product to achieve wider markets.
@diamonddust22 you mean you can play this with your instrument? you've got some nice instrument there let me tell ya ... this is tho, a controller, for sending midi messages to a computer in wich you have spent some long hours programing (composing) music. and of course you deserve credit for it !
Oh thanks for that info. However I've recently acquired a steinberg usb interface and cubase 6, so I will stick with that for now, maybe when I get some money I'll look into this :D
Just ordered mine today!
do you think it would conflict with my nocturn?
maybe you do need to use automap and do some customizations/assignments if you want to assign a row of buttons to a parameter.
@JohnChaseClayton It will work with a simple virtual midi controller like Sythesia but it is best to use a program with it (ableton is included if you buy onee new)
@SigmaStrain @SigmaStrain "Instruments use acoustic (and sometimes digital) elements" what did people say about the first instruments which integrated digital technology? This is most definitely an instrument
go to user 1 mode> press the midi learn button in ableton> click on a record button in ableton> press the key you want to assign on the launchpad>press the midi learn button in ableton to exit. :)
@GuitarFreak1901 There is a plug-in on the Ableton website, I believe.
@PSV7200 you can only lick one thing at a time though..with this you can click 10 things at a time (10 fingers)
im going to buy this piece of hardware ...nice work
I just ordered one of these from eBay USA - £110 delivered to the UK..not bad :D
To everyone who wants to buy it: DO IT. I have one. It's great. You just need to be dedicated enough to learn how to use it. Just note, it's not as easy as 1, 2, 3.
yeah i thought > £200.. I watched some more videos on it, and it appears to be the perfect controller for live users who have midi controllers already..
Looking forward to mine arriving... if you wanna really unlock what the launchpad can do, google the katapault software. I've seen some amazing videos of it.
@Niekfollings Of course thats talent just look at the guy here I dont think you understood me this pad is taking the whole dj thing to another level what I was commenting about was comparing this to a live instruments which is two different worlds
@jps4you there is software on the disc that you have to use to basically map it withother programs but deifnately its possible to link it to fl studio etc.. hope that helps
@Evgenyus77 You just have to push the 4 circular buttons on the top right plus the down arrow key ;)
gold.. i hope you don't regret it... theres much better out there you know..
yeah i found the tutorial as well :) really good one i'd say ^^ now there's one more thing that i'm curious about.. in this video, apparently the guy, when in user mode 2, uses the bottom row of pads to record/overdub or sth like that, and gets visual feedback on the clip that's playing as well... now i want to know how he does that too... this might me a maxforlive thing...
i already have mine, how in the hell do you do awesome stuff like this?
Getting music out of anything is talent. I now people that can extract music from anything they can find in any kitchen better than thousand people can do using a guitar.
there are basic editions of Live. In fact one comes with the LaunchPad when you buy it.
The $199 version of the launchpad comes with "Ableton Live Launchpad Edition". It has limitations compared to the full version of Live but is probably sufficient for casual users
on-professionals.
I agree with you that there's better things to do for everyone, (like music) & I'm sadened myself by the way some people choose to express themselves in whatever lamguage. No insult intended, no insult taken. Have you ever looked up the Lemur from Jazzmutant? That's a mad controller for any DAW.
got this in a x-mas present
@acidogio This is NOT an instrument. It is an audio playback device. It may require skill to play and skill to perform with but that does not make it an instrument. It makes it a good TOOL. Instruments use acoustic (and sometimes digital) elements to create analog output signals in real time. Instruments do not play back sampled audio. It is still possible to apply elements of musical theory in the operation of this device so it can be said that it may require musicianship. It's no saxophone tho
@diamonddust22 Well actually I've played drums for 10 years and tour the world as a front of house and monitor engineer but that aside... I really dont think it makes a difference where the noises come from, the majority of big songs these days have at least some sampling in them. "Umbrella" by Rihanna uses a stock beat from garageband that comes free with every mac. Doesn't stop that song being a beast and one of the biggest hits in recent years. Makes no difference where the noises came from.
No, I hear what you're saying man. But the Xponent is not a controller, it's an interface.
This device here, the Launchpad, is assuming you already have a dope interface. Which every musician I know does.
I got my launchpad a while and i love it but, for the life of me what dose he press at the end to make all the lights go nuts
Is 't easy making that kind of music with it? Gonna buy one!!^.^
@Music4Scott ofcourse You need, it's just a controller :)
I cant seem to get the lights to play back with the drums, also change drum track recording on the fly.
and what is that firework effect at the end?
I just don't understand how you access recording and playback in user 1 mode like on the video. It's only sounds for me. Didn't find anything that records in the drum rack menu or something among those lines
amazing device!
@jps4you its midi so can be linked to anything that supports it really :)
hope this question hasen't come that often yet - which hardware do u need besides the launchpad and a computer? cool stuff besides ;-)
Ok you're right. Anyway if we are not in joke mode, good and dynamic mix shoud not clip with no dynamic processing, next I use comps and stuff like that to put on the top choosen tracks. It just my way to do it. But i agree that limiting master channel and having no care abt the levels is not good way at all :)
I can't grasp my head around this thing.. here's my view of it.. is it like a beatpad but with waaayy pads on it and with the controls and layers on the side?
Welcome!
What is the macro command for visual explosions on pads? See 2:11 - 2:14 seconds. Thanks
What is the macro command for visual explosions on pads? See 2:11 - 2:14 seconds.
@anatolinicolae there is a link at the end of the explanation video!
Have you heard of the Native Instruments Maschine? I think that is the same thing right? Do you know which one is easier?
how would you change the crossfade with that controller? Dont see any knobs or sliders on that thing.
The Ableton Live version that comes with it is the standard or it is some different version? Im used to Reason + FL Studio, but Im whilling to use this little baby and learn how to play with Ableton Live, and I dont want to buy all the stuff again! =) Another question, is it MIDI, MIDI/USB or USB? USB Powered? Thanks, man
Hi! I have a question... I'm a dj for almost 5 years now but i've come to the point where i want to experiment more. Not just playing one song into another but be a little more creative... Now that i've seen the launchpad it seems a fun way to work on that.
But here is my question. I have no experience with Ableton at all and i don't play an instrument so i don't know any notes...
Are there things i must try first? Is this a good thing for me? Thx!
This video is such a tease. I wish it was clearer what was actually going on here.
there is a special version for the launchpad :O
great !! genial.... pero donde lo puedo comprar!! me parece un excelente control extra ;)!
no, for this action, you dont need max4live. its just midi settings and mapping.
@anatolinicolae search for 'Launchpad Promo Explained' video from Novation and then scan to the end of the video to see the link. I can't enter the link here it would seem....
@nikesb538 naah, no one can tell how many days or weeks or months...just buy ableton and explore it. Then go further. As long as you have fun ;)
so i heard that the Launchpad comes with its own special version of Ableton live 8. my question is, can you export your music on this version? or is it just a demo?.......getting Ableton for $150 is a fairly good price, considering that thats how much the launcpad costs.
Question: I'm in a band and we want to insert samples into live performances such as movie clip sounds or a sample beat I've created... Would this be useful for that?
does this work with torq? or without a program/computer? i wanna just take it to class and use it as a drum pad.. cause i dont want to buy maschine. ive never bought one befor but i am starting with my traktor xponent and i wanna do fancier stuff that is more involved.. i have a microkorg too
Erm... Music from the Novation launchpad demo video?
@CHRHN turn launch quantisation off. or turn it down to 1/16
@paulsaysboom It does come with abelton live if you buy a certain package, but you might be able to get the better performance if you buy the latest abelton live and then get launch pad. Ya know? Check in with abelton for the best compatibility.
@BathsWithPassionPit So it will just work like a regular midi controller?
how do you do the first drum beat making part on ableton...?
El launchpad incluye las manos?
@RockinguitardudeSG You CAN'T upload any sounds on it - it's just a controller, it requires a PC to play sound :P
sick man! great controller! whats the price of it?
Is that a trumpet in the beginning
yes it has to be connected