Novation Launchpad is a 64 button 'music controller' that enables you to make music or mix tracks by other artists. You don't need advanced musical knowledge, just your own creativity…
It comes with 'Ableton' music-making software which is used by some of the world's top DJs and producers.
You can use the buttons to trigger sounds and loops, change the volume of each sound, and add effects to them!
Watch this video for an introduction to making music with Launchpad:
The Ableton Live Controller
Jointly designed by Ableton and Novation, Launchpad places Ableton Live at your fingertips. Whether you’re a DJ, performing musician or studio producer, Launchpad gives you all you need to truly ‘play' Live.
Launchpad is ultra-portable. It is USB bus powered (no need for power sockets), and weighs in at just 717gms (one third the weight of a macbook!).
With a multi-colour 64-button grid and dedicated scene launch buttons, Launchpad is purpose built for triggering and manipulating clips in Live, it also offers a totally new way of controlling Ableton Live’s mixer. Launchpad's buttons can be used to sketch out beats with drum racks, and they can be assigned to other functions in Live using Ableton's 'Learn' mode.
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
Key Features
Launch clips and scenes
Launchpad’s 64-button grid and dedicated scene launch buttons are ideal for launching and controlling your clips and scenes.
Create your own control surfaces!
Set up user mode to activate or solo channels, play notes and control FX devices, all on one page. So you can create totally personalised ways of improvising with Live.
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.
Sketch out beats
Launchpad can be used to play drum racks, creating beats and triggering samples in real time.
Controlling other functions
Launchpad can be used to control other functions using Ableton's 'Learn' mode. This includes knobs and faders in Live's instruments and FX, which can be assigned to rows of buttons on Launchpad.
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.
Specifications
Physical controls and Indicators
64 (8x8 grid) square multi-colour back-lit buttons
8 round multi-colour back-lit system buttons (assignable)
8 round multi-colour back-lit 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): 512 MB RAM / 1 GB recommended
Windows
OS: Windows XP or Vista
Computer: 1.5 GHz or faster
Memory (RAM): 512 MB RAM / 1 GB recommended
Dimensions
Unit: W = 240 mm / 9.45 “, H = 20 mm / 0.79 “, D = 240 mm / 9.45 “
Box: W = 308 mm / 12.13 “, H = 90 mm / 20.98 “, D = 320 mm / 12.6 “
Weights
unit weight: 717gms /unit
boxed weight: 1kg/unit
