SeriesNovation Launchpad

The Novation Launchpad is a USB MIDI control only for Ableton Live, it has a 64 button set up that call are back lit. It can be used with either PC or Mac. It connects to your computer via USB, that is the only way it can connect. There are not audio ins or outs. This unit is pretty light, I would say it only weights about 2 pounds or so, and when you purchase it comes with a copy of Ableton Live 8 now. I have used this for a few months before selling it because I just was not a fan of the workflow of Ableton itself. But the Novation Launchpad really did give an amazing amount of control with Ableton. I used the Launchpad to control my mixes and also as a trigger function for audio clips. It does come with a manual, that I don’t think was very good. I learned how to use it and all of the functions basically on my own and from watching tutorials online. The manual was very confusing and to “wordy”. I will say that if you don’t already use Ableton and love it then don’t buy this. That is the mistake that I made, I purchased this because I wanted to use it, and not Ableton. You can not use this without using it in Ableton. The price of it is very affordable and it is a great device and I can see why anyone who is an Ableton lover would buy it. But it just wasn’t for me. It was very difficult to set up and understand and the manual was horrible. It would be better if it had some fader sliders and some sort of transport controls. Also if they could make it a more versatile device that can be used in multiple software programs that would change everything for me. I think the Novation Launchpad is a must have for someone who loves Ableton, its just not for me.