Launchpad working at random ?

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indmix
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:29 pm

Launchpad working at random ?

Post by indmix » Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:26 pm

I have just purchased the Novation Launchpad but i'm having an annoying problem.
The Launchpad lights up and works at random, i have seen no pattern in it:
Ableton DOES recognize the Launchpad, the settings in Control Preferences are exactly how they are supposed to be (triple checked) and whenever i press a button on the Launchpad, i see the 'Midi Track IN Indicator' light up (top right square next to D on Ableton)
+ I changed the Monitor of a MIDI Track to 'In' and 'MIDI To' to 'Launchpad' and whenever i press a button, it lights up on the Launchpad (it simply lights up, no command, no 'play clip', just lights up), which proves that the lights are working and the Launchpad and Ableton are connected correctly.
The only problem is, when i open Ableton, SOMETIMES the Launchpad lights up and all the buttons do what they have to do, SOMETIMES it doesn't light up at all and acts like a brick.
For example, just now i opened Ableton and i was thrilled to see that the Launchpad lit up. I closed Ableton and reopened to see if my problem was solved, and the Launchpad failed to light up and acted like a piece of granite stone. Closed/Reopened 3 to 4 times, and suddenly it works again.

I tried restarting my laptop, disconnecting/reconnecting, changing the Control Surface to None - closing - reopening and changing it to Launchpad
None of this had any effects, sometimes it lights up, sometimes it doesn't and it really works on my nerves :?
Any help is appreciated

indmix
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:29 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by indmix » Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:30 pm

Tried it already, no result

indmix
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:29 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by indmix » Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:46 pm

Yes, like right now it's working with no problems whatsoever.
When i first opened Ableton, it once again did nothing, closed and reopened and it started working. I didn't change any settings, simply closed and reopened Live.

Thanks for trying to help

H20nly
Posts: 16113
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:15 pm
Location: The Wild West

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by H20nly » Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:44 pm

are you using a USB hub?

if so, try without the hub - direct connection.



also, how old is your laptop? i ask because there are some issues with USB 3.0 to 2.0 conversions with drivers for some devices/makes/models etc.

3dot...
Posts: 9996
Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:10 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by 3dot... » Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:48 pm

I'm assuming you're on Windowz..

so go to :
contol panel -> device manager - > universal serial bus controllers
double click on the first 'USB root hub' ... go to 'power management' tab and untick 'allow the computer...'
press ok.
then do the same for the others 'hubs'..

it's also recommended to set 'power options'(in control panel) to "high performance" plan
Image

indmix
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:29 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by indmix » Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:33 pm

H20nly wrote:are you using a USB hub?

if so, try without the hub - direct connection.
also, how old is your laptop? i ask because there are some issues with USB 3.0 to 2.0 conversions with drivers for some devices/makes/models etc.
Not using a hub, not sure how old this laptop is, should check on that, i think around 3 years, but i am pretty sure it is not a problem of the USB connection.

3dot: tried your method, but the 'allow the computer...' box was already unticked for all the USB root hubs.

I just changed the Control Surface in Live's preferences to APC40 and suddenly half the buttons lit up, though the buttons didn't have any function assigned to them, also with some other Control Surfaces the buttons lit up at random.

Here are the preferences of my MIDI Sync Tab:

http://imgur.com/7FTRm

Am i doing anything wrong ?

And yes, i am running on Windows (Vista) with Live 8.1.1

indmix
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:29 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by indmix » Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:42 pm

Ok, so i seem to have solved the problem, but i'm not sure how this works..

I just changed Control Surface 3 to Launchpad and some lights lit up, no functions though, then i changed Control Surface 4 to Launchpad too and now it's working..
Only if Control Surfaces 2, 3 and 4 are on Launchpad, it works. If i turn one of them to None, it stops...

Image

Any explanation to this ?
Glad it's solved though :D

3dot...
Posts: 9996
Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:10 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by 3dot... » Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:43 pm

what version of live ?
this seems like stuff that used to happen in earlier versions..
in this case you only need 1 launchapd enabled (unless you have 3)
select 'none'.. then select the launchpad again (to restart the script)

use one of the latest versions of live..this doesn't/shouldn't happen anymore
Image

indmix
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:29 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by indmix » Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:52 pm

I'm currently using Live 8.1.1, have to update it though..
Now whenever i open Live, to enable the Launchpad i should select none+reselect the Launchpad of one of the 3 Control Surfaces for Launchpad (even though i only have 1 Launchpad)

Thanks to all who helped !

3dot...
Posts: 9996
Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:10 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by 3dot... » Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:54 pm

no... have only 1 launchpad enabled..
if it breaks.. this is the way to reset the script

there's really no reason you should be using 8.1.1
it's hella old..
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indmix
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:29 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by indmix » Fri Jul 27, 2012 10:19 pm

The thing is, when i have only one Launchpad enabled, nothing happens, by now i have closed/opened, changed to none/changed it back to Launchpad, restarted my laptop over 10 times and Launchpad stayed unlit and unfunctional, maybe once in 15 times Launchpad is being functional. I think updating would be the best solution then.

3dot...
Posts: 9996
Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:10 pm

Re: Launchpad working at random ?

Post by 3dot... » Fri Jul 27, 2012 10:31 pm

then I'm thinking maybe upgrade..
8.1.1 was I think more than a year ago..
if that doesn't solve it..
then it might be a hardware issue.. like faulty usb port/cable..etc.
Image

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