Novation Launchpad
The Novation Launchpad is a pad controller designed for launching clips and controlling instruments and effects in Ableton Live. It features an 8x8 grid of RGB backlit pads, allowing users to trigger and sequence clips, play drums and melodies, and more.
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clip-launcher
Novation Launchpad: A Powerful Pad Controller for Ableton Live
The Novation Launchpad is a pad controller designed for launching clips and controlling instruments and effects in Ableton Live. It features an 8x8 grid of RGB backlit pads, allowing users to trigger and sequence clips, play drums and melodies, and more.
What is Novation Launchpad?
The Novation Launchpad is an Ableton Live controller designed for clip launching and performance. It features an 8x8 grid of RGB backlit pads that allow users to trigger clips, scenes, and instruments in their Live sets. The pads can be programmed with different colors to visually organize clips and loops.
The Launchpad integrates tightly with Ableton Live and acts as a clip matrix, allowing users to launch clips by pressing the pads. Pads light up different colors to indicate what's playing. The Launchpad Pro and Launchpad Mini models add more trigger pads and other features for deeper control.
Beyond launching clips, the Novation Launchpad allows users to play instruments and drums using the grid pads. The pads can be mapped to trigger different MIDI notes and sounds. This allows the Launchpad to be used as a simple instrument or drum trigger in Live.
The Launchpad also enables control of other Live parameters. Users can map the pads and buttons to functions like transport controls, track levels, device parameters, and more. This allows for mixing and effects tweaking directly from the Launchpad hardware.
Some other features of the Novation Launchpad line include custom programmed pad setups, MIDI/CV conversion, Ableton control via USB or MIDI, battery/wireless operation on some models, iOS connectivity, and portability for use in mobile DJ/production rigs.
Novation Launchpad Features
Features
- 8x8 grid of RGB backlit velocity-sensitive pads
- Able to launch clips and control instruments/effects in Ableton Live
- Pad sensitivity and aftertouch can be customized
- Includes Ableton Live Lite software
- USB-powered, class compliant MIDI controller
- Compatible with iOS devices
Pricing
- One-time Purchase
Pros
Tight integration with Ableton Live
Responsive and velocity-sensitive pads
Affordable price
Portable and easy to setup
Fun and intuitive performance controller
Cons
Works best with Ableton Live, less integration with other DAWs
No faders, knobs or displays for controlling mixer
Not as many features as higher-end controllers
Small pads not ideal for playing drums
The Best Novation Launchpad Alternatives
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