All user reviews for the Novation Launchpad

Features. Well it's very basic here. It's a USB midi controller for Ableton. 64 buttons. How it works is another feature entirely. In essence, you can control almost any aspect of Ableton with this device using a bit of clever programming and some quick hands.

First of all, this unit is not as easy to learn or use as some of the youtube vids you've probably seen will have you think. I feel like I need to get that out there for anyone who's in the same boat as I was before I bought it. I have used tons of devices and have a lot of DAW and midi experience so I know it's not me. Perhaps I'm just used to keyboard style controllers but in my mind, this unit has nothing in common with anything I've ever used. It's like learning a new instrument. However, once the (steep) learning curve is over, it makes perfect sense and becomes arguably one of the most useful tools you will ever have at your desk. There are other more expensive controllers with a much easier learning phase, but I think this ones is ultimately more useful and more compact than the others. Obviously if you need sliders and don't like the way the Novation's "sliders" feel, look elsewhere. Maybe an Akai unit or something.

The launchpad probably won't replace your keyboard if you're a keyboard guy. It's not really meant to do that anyway. I actually use this more as a DJ or producer than I do as a musician. It's not an instrument in the classical sense. What's special about it is how flexible it can be. I think everyone uses it differently. Some guys use it as a songwriting tool, others use it to keep themselves on their toes creatively, and some guys just like to use one live. I like it for all these things. But it isn't the end all be all. Just a great and original unit.

unrestrained use for 30 hours, be comfortable to handle, very correct end up (hopefully I have no problems as with my night), small footprint, light weight. Conveying side could not do much better <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_lol.gif" alt="" />
The buttons respond well (some people rail against the twin pressures of buttons, just c it's done openly in support).
Utiisation and Ergonomics hair with Ableton, and a lot of possibilities with the automap (especially with the pro version because keystroke !!!). But where is it in giant monome emulation, it works to hell, kudos to the designer of nonome! I hate to push integration with maxforlive when my budget will allow.

Negative aspects: Main Page mixer, which fades a bit of confusion LEDs passive and active planting, and in general the LEDs in bright environments, but hey ....

Very good interface which I think will in the near future to see this apply all sorts of transformations between emulations monomials, patches, and fully integrate maxforlive.
Very well Ableton remote home, even better for followers of customization of interfaces.

Value for great price, paid 175 euros, but hey no exaggeration, it is not double either (although I see him 2 times cheaper elsewhere).

So 8 / 10, 10/10 because it's for the monome, the real <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_lol.gif" alt="" />

Bought yesterday, I'm tweaking the brain for 4 hours today to find out why it did not work properly with my live!
After a brief question on the forum, I learned that it was recognized only with a minimum of version 8.0.9 live! Also with the latest version of 7 but I have not the info!

So all attention has to do a live update to the latest available for the 8 is 8.1.1!

I did it and finally I could work on Bécanne

For the automap, I do the update to the 3.4 and it works nikel I also have a remote sl zero which is not recognized by the automap but it works perfectly as before so no worries! !

Good then to talk about this nifty little toy, the pads are very pleasant to the touch!

The automap is nikel, and travel mode session are very practical when you approach the 100 runs ..

in terms of Section mixer is pretty intuitive too!

For user modes 1 and 2 you make your sauce by direct assignment or user mode 1 for vst and 2 seem to live for mx!

Triggering scenes on the right arrow pads nikel!

I took a new 175 euro and I'm really not disappointed!

Not having the fellowship for the akai, I think it's a good compromise, I'll refourguer my remote sl zero, because I do not need to fade, but I need more cons of 2x8 pots for my stuff, so I'll probably take me a 3x8 to enjoy the BCR2000 knobs Gangable!

If not OCCAZ we find a 150 euro is really ideal for live since AC has been done for!

Coming a lite version of APC40, to see if it's worth it or if this innovation will take the road still long enough on the market!

Very good Bécanne in any case, I am absolutely convinced and referred this choice!

For how long have you been using it?
1 week. I struggled at first. Driver to install mac (poorly used), it will need the latest version of Live 7. Once installed all bingo! The machine lights up and opens our eyes. Plastoc but a little good for the price it is running. The knobs are very nice under the fingers.

What thing do you like most/least about it?
The +: Its direct integration with live, happiness! Super fun, there is a touch interface which opens the possibilities of the software.
Logic and its versatility with the Automap software is just huge for MIDI with the acquisition of software other than Live.
A priori there is a version of the software that exists for iphone / ipod touch.
A touch controller with a more Ipad instead one can dream of a tactile surface that handles extra comfortable automap when other software ...
The - I do not know yet ...
Did you try many other models before getting this one?
A CPU 33 that I keep for the use of faders and knobs ...
With both there is a sort of mini APC40 most versatile for my taste ...
I may be falling for a remote zero SL to be in line with Novation automap pro and my ipod.

What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Very correct

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...
Certainly ...

Fortunately it was a test version at the store, suddenly I have not bought.

basic modes are certainly well if used with live and in the manner prescribed. but then next customization is bogus. when one wants to do its own config we realize that it is highly limited.

The automap is ridiculous, very few options for customization of the controller. we can not even specify a MIDI channel for a key, or easily navigate between multiple presets / programs. impossible to regulate in detail the behavior of the pads. one funny thing: the ability to easily simulate the faders (AC can still be used).

then novation agreement provides for sysex codes can reprogram the launchpad thanks to apps like Max. but there is something else, touch the ball a minimum of programming.

wholesale in the end there is a gap at the target users. it is for programmers aspiring to be noobs who know nothing about noon or who merely use it as intended. but for users who like to tinker a little MIDI is a hell.

While individuals shall develop those apps to use the launchpad in different ways, but it is not enough for serious use (even if that level of stability).

and I thought he had found that the controller of my dreams. I'm going back on a block livid. double the price, monochrome, bulkier but totally flexible in terms of adjustment options, and more class in the end.

I use it for a few months

I wanted it as soon as I knew we could emulate a monome with ...

The quality looks good to me, especially given that the creature can ... Assuming only nonome, which is free, you can control all applications (free) developed for the monomial on the version of Max MSP Runtime (free), it makes a helluva lot of opportunities to make music for less 200 euros ...

The integration with Live is also impressive, it installs the drivers, is connected, it launches live, and all lights ... Part one side effect gadget but it is Gaul, without having to configure anything.
In all cases, the laucnhpad + another controller (like faders + UC33 to combine pots, found in OCCAZ very affordable) makes it fly ... And personally I prefer this option (LP + 2nd controller) rather than the APC just to have a monome emulation with a real grid of 64 buttons, but after it is a matter of taste ...

So yes, I would do the same choice with experience, and I think innovation has hit pretty hard with this product ...

Easily accessible, cheap, full of lights, lots of features ... the first 1 sympa.Installation Sounds easy except that the classic version of Live 8 that gives you with is limited to 8 master .... great, we feel good kick-ableton trying to put their new sequencer ... it almost forces you to buy the latest version is 400 euros, otherwise it calls functions nul.Les clip with the pads are good but the rest of the volume function as the pan to be zero since it is cranté.Dernier point, if you want to configure it for you diode pads do not work ... So if you look an electric garland making and can even control them (yes I assure you I have seen it on daily motion) is for you ..
Seriously do not buy this m; of unless you have no other midi controller.

Hello to you. I use the launchpad since June 2010.
I had numerous midi controller but none allow me to get to do what I wanted to live.

When I saw the advertisement of Dreaming launchpad because I thought it was exactly what I was looking for.
And indeed, for me this little creature filled his exemplary part of the contract, ie controller so infinite and extremely simple user session Live.

For the rest (volume, pan, send etc) it really sucks I agree, but I do not even see why its use based on the launchpad while to EUR 80/100 was a BCF2000 which is ca 100 times better.

In short this machine allows me to play my live as I always wanted to do and because I love it! Being able to use it as a monomial is really nice for that matter.

Finally: if you want to go live with Live this machine is perfect if I do not even know why you think was buying it.

It's been almost a year since I use it.
I tried the Akai APC40 before.
Launchpad is automatically recognized in Live, you control clips, scenes, volume, pan, 2 FX sends, mute, solo and rec.
Coupled with the Zero SL mkII, controlling for the effects and vst Live directly.
With Automap, no loss of time to configure everything.
Launchpad can be used only to send messages noon.
Controller simple and fun, which I recommend for beginners using Ableton Live 8.
Good value for money.
I remake that choice without hesitation.

I use it for almost a year and I can not imagine using Ableton without the dedicated controller.
I always find new and soft Automap function allows for increased opportunities
There it is necessary to relativize it to the "mixer", for it is a bit light and it does not replace a controller with buttons and faders, I also use a Korg Kontrol Nano hit the last bit; J ' loves the nomadic aspect of the product and readability to use, the less, the pads are not great, no sensitivity to touch. Another thing, a totally dedicated app would be ideal and it's a little frustrating not always able to fully use such as personal assignments with colors etc ...
value for money, that's okay.
I tend to buy it but I do not know the others especially in the range of Akai which is also dedicated to do with the budjet and live or studio use. Personally, I prefer not to have it all on the same controller;

Novation's LaunchPad is a USB and MIDI based controller for Ableton Live software. It was designed by both Ableton and Novation, and only will work with Ableton since it's specifically designed for it. It's designed to be used for live shows to give you easier access to Ableton without having to use your computer's keyboard and mouse. It's bus powered, so you don't need to hook it up to any power supply, making it easy to set up and go anywhere you might be. It has 64 buttons it total, with transport parameters, and a button for each track that you have playing. The LED lights are very bright, so you can see them even in the dark if you're at a show. They've made the device as simple as possible, so you can use it on the fly and without having to think too much about it. I haven't gotten very in depth with the LaunchPad, as I don't own one myself. I've used a friend's a number of times, but never for a live show myself. My friend uses it all the time when he plays out with his Ableton Live set up. If I were a bit more knowledgeable about all the ins and outs of Ableton Live, I might use some of the more in depth features on the LaunchPad, but as of now I don't have much of a use to use all of the parameters on the LaunchPad. While not necessary for all Ableton users, if you are indeed going to be bringing your rig on the go, this is a very useful tool to have in tandem with Ableton. The price is more than reasonable for a specified MIDI controller. If you do have Ableton Live, you probably already know about the LaunchPad, but if you don't I highly suggest checking it out!

What I like most about this device is it puts Ableton's Session view launch capabilities into a physical, easily accessible midi controller.  I have not used any of the Akai APC units, but this thing seems to be the perfect answer for anyone who uses Ableton in a live situation.  It makes things super easy by allowing each pad to light up yellow (to show you there is a clip that there that is not being played) Green (shows you a clip that is currently being played) Red (clip is being played and is in overdub/record mode) and of course no light to tell you there is no clip in that region.  Another great and essential option on this device is to control different areas of the session view trigger grid.  On the screen in ableton there is a green box surrounding the area that the Launchpad is currently displaying.  By using the arrows on the top, you can move this box to display any area in the session trigger screen.  This is great (and fun to watch), as you can launch any clip on your screen, and, if you are pretty familiar with your set, you can move around comfortably without looking a the computer screen.  On top of that, you can hold down the session button and the lauchpad will allow you to "jump" to different areas on your screen.  Say you are launching clips in your set at the top portion of the screen and you want to launch a clip all the way at the bottom many rows down.  Hold down that session button and select the grid (in this mode, each button represents a whole grids worth of clips) and select what "grid" you want to jump to, in this case, the bottom one.  The great thing about this option is that the Launchpad will only show you areas that have clips in them.  If thats confusing, check out videos on Youtube and it will make sense.  There are many more great features about this device, but I could spend all day talking about them. 
What I don't like most about this unit is that for some reason (and I can't understand why) when you a pad down, it will "double-click."  What I mean is that you push it down and it will "click" once, then you push a little harder and it will "click" again.  Every trigger reacts on the first click, so the second click is completely unnecessary.  In reality, its not a big deal, it just feels weird and is a little annoying.  As for my opinion on the price, I paid $180 for a brand new one shipped to my door.  Overall, its functions make it worth every penny.  But, when I first got it, it was smaller than I imagined (the person in the photo must have very small hands) and its made of very light weight plastic.  For around $200 bucks, they could have used some cheap metal or something, that would have made this thing feel like a real professional piece of gear instead of a cheap toy.  No sound quality from this device, only midi operation.  I have a couple of M-audio boards that I was using to trigger clips in ableton, but they don't even compare to this device, mainly because of the "light up" buttons.  Yes, I do wish it was made of stronger/heavier material, but I would definitely make the same choice again.