An absolute newbie/first time post here--PLEASE BE NICE. :)

[ScullyZ]

Hey, guys.....

I am posting this finally after exhausting all my resources and scouring the web for the best answer.

I have Live Intro installed on a PC and have the Launchpad as my controller. I have the MIDI mapped out in User mode 2 for Ping Pong Delay, Flanger, and Lo, Mid, and Hi of EQ Three.

All of these are mapped for an entire ROW in User 2 so I can control it from 0% value to 100% value.

Two problems I'm experiencing:

1) The LEDs do not light up at all in User 2 mode when I'm using those control pads. Is there a reason for this that I'm not seeing?

2) There is a noticeable pause/delay/blip in the music when I switch from Session mode to User 2 mode. Again, is there something I am not seeing?

Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated!

[ScullyZ]

Hi, Peter!

Thanks for such a warm welcome, much appreciated!

Okay. What I meant was that I MIDI-mapped the gear control for Hi, Mid, and Lo by clicking "MIDI", then selecting a gear (control, where you use your mouse normally to turn it up or down). After selecting, I then pushed the first button and then the last button on the row. Voila! I can control the whole gear on my Launchpad! I found that tip on my trawling the web for tricks.

It is lovely---it's almost like playing a musical instrument!--but I just wish the sodding pads would light up when I touch them. Bleah.

[Warrior Bob]

Hi there ScullyZ, welcome to the forum and hope we can be of some help to you!

Just a heads up, when you post a thread in a support forum, make sure to put something in the thread title about what the problem is, otherwise the people with your answers might not realize from the title that they could help.

Anyway, on to your questions...

1) The LEDs do not light up at all in User 2 mode when I'm using those control pads. Is there a reason for this that I'm not seeing?

If this is anything like the problem I had with the LEDs not lighting up when I used MIDI mapping with User Mode 1, then the solution is to enable "remote" in MIDI preferences for the Launchpad output (in addition to its input, which you must already have if your mappings are working). This switch allows Live to send MIDI data to devices instead of just receiving it, and those lights require this data.

2) There is a noticeable pause/delay/blip in the music when I switch from Session mode to User 2 mode. Again, is there something I am not seeing?

This should not be the case. Does this still happen if you use a higher audio buffer setting? I can't imagine why enabling another mode on a MIDI controller could affect playback. I suspect this might be a tricky problem to solve... sorry I couldn't be of more help here.

[oddstep]

I can't get light feedback from user2 midimap either. I don't think it happens. A way back I created a user configuration script that used automap as the midi device... rather than the launchpad. I got lightfeedback from that. But other people have found that it didn't work for them... and to be honest it was too complicated to use in high stress situations... when it would have counted most. So i can't recommend doing that.
I use a nanokontrol for device control and mixer stuff and a launchpad for clip control, i find that I have to be incredibly clear minded to use the mixer modes on the launchpad without launching a scene accidently.... and i am usually listening to the other performers/total mix too intently to spare much mind to the launchpad's submenus.
The pause when switching pages hasn't happened to me, I would check the audio settings in preferences.

[Ableton_David]

Hi, in order to get LED feedback on the Launchpad, you'll need to have MIDI going out to it. The easiest way to do this is with a dummy track, as outlined in this tutorial video from Novation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nOAtX_U2gk

[oddstep]

cheers for pointing out that link David, however it doesn't describe how to use midi feedback routing to communicate ranges of values (eg 0 - 100%) for midi mapped devices, which is what the the op was inquiring about. Do you know how to achieve this?

[Ableton_David]

cheers for pointing out that link David, however it doesn't describe how to use midi feedback routing to communicate ranges of values (eg 0 - 100%) for midi mapped devices, which is what the the op was inquiring about. Do you know how to achieve this?

In order to map a range of buttons to an effect, go into MIDI mapping mode, then hold down the first button you want for the range, then hold down the last at the same time. This will map a range of buttons to one MIDI effect - e.g. the grid on a Beat Repeat.

As to getting LED feedback from a range of values on one parameter, that sounds like a job for Max for Live. There is a simple workaround for that one, though, which is to create a series of Beat Repeats, identical except for the grid (or other parameter(s) that you want to modify), and map a row of Launchpad buttons to the Device On switch for each of them. This way, you can get LED feedback on which one is on.

[ScullyZ]

You guys are all made of win! I am going to do all that has been suggested and I will report back as to how it goes.


Did any of you people find, when you started learning Ableton and everything with it, that it ate your brain and you spent every free hour you could with your nose to the Live grindstone?
*raises hand* Because I have. Yikes!

[ScullyZ]

cheers for pointing out that link David, however it doesn't describe how to use midi feedback routing to communicate ranges of values (eg 0 - 100%) for midi mapped devices, which is what the the op was inquiring about. Do you know how to achieve this?

In order to map a range of buttons to an effect, go into MIDI mapping mode, then hold down the first button you want for the range, then hold down the last at the same time. This will map a range of buttons to one MIDI effect - e.g. the grid on a Beat Repeat.

As to getting LED feedback from a range of values on one parameter, that sounds like a job for Max for Live. There is a simple workaround for that one, though, which is to create a series of Beat Repeats, identical except for the grid (or other parameter(s) that you want to modify), and map a row of Launchpad buttons to the Device On switch for each of them. This way, you can get LED feedback on which one is on.

I tried doing this per the video in order to get LED feedback in User 2 mode. However, I have INTRO. I do not have a drum rack. Also, I am DJing and not producing music. What do I assign the MIDI from? My only choices are "All Ins", "Computer Keyboard", "Launchpad", or "Configure".

Thanks!

[Ableton_David]

I tried doing this per the video in order to get LED feedback in User 2 mode. However, I have INTRO. I do not have a drum rack. Also, I am DJing and not producing music. What do I assign the MIDI from? My only choices are "All Ins", "Computer Keyboard", "Launchpad", or "Configure".

Thanks!

Hi, you don't need Drum Racks to get LED feedback. You want to make sure that the "MIDI from" on the dummy track is coming from the track with with the MIDI clips/input that you want to get feedback from. Also, make sure that you have it set to go out to the Launchpad, and that you have "Monitor" set to "In."

Here's a simple setup to test out getting LED feedback:

1) Make a new MIDI track - put the instrument you'd like to use in this track.

2) Make another MIDI track, and set it to receive MIDI from the first track. Set it to send MIDI to the Launchpad, with Monitor set to In.

3) Play some notes on the Launchpad in User Mode 1 - you should now see the buttons light up when you press them. If you record or draw a MIDI clip and play it back, you should also see the corresponding notes light up on the Launchpad.

[ScullyZ]

Oh my God, David, I swear to you I'm not this stupid normally. I still am having trouble.

Okay. I am not using instruments, but songs.

I've got "Technologic" by Daft Punk loaded into Audio 1. Underneath it, in I/O mode, it says,
Audio From. Underneath it it says, Ext.In. Monitor is set to Auto.

In the dummy MIDI track I've created, it says in I/O mode, Audio From: All Ins. The other choices are Launchpad, Computer Keyboard, or Configure. The monitor on the dummy track is set to In, and the MIDI to: Launchpad. Underneath that, it says, Ch.1.

I'm wondering if it is not possible to get LED feedback when DJing an actual song, not an instrument or a drum, or a MIDI track I've just recorded myself.

I am so sorry I am such a noob. I swear, my IQ is not 10.

[Ableton_David]

Hi ScullyZ, first off, no need to apologize - that's what this place is here for!

Second, what kind of LED feedback are you looking to get from an audio track? Using the Session mode in the Launchpad, you can see when is a clip is loaded, recording, or playing. Make sure you have the latest version of Live 8 or Live 8 Launchpad edition, and that you have the Launchpad selected as a control surface, under Preferences->MIDI.

If you're looking to get more feedback from an audio clip, such as for the LED to blink with the transients, then you'll need to use Max for Live.

[ScullyZ]

Well, crappity-crap. That's not good. *sigh*

Yeah--that is the type of feedback I was looking for. I've got Live Intro, not Live 8 or Max. It is, however, the most current edition. But yeah, I wanted LED feedback for the transients. Like, for example, I mapped the crossfader to be in User 2 mode. So, when I would start to fade and press the buttons to start fading from A to B, the Launchpad would light up.

At least I now know that I'm capable and know how to use this software and controller and am not 5 yrs. old--sometimes I think I make it more complicated than it actually is. LOL