Ableton Forum

Thinking about picking up a Launchpad for mobile use. Im aware when entering/playing notes the keys arn't velocity sensitive (which is a drawback & perhaps not entirely important however would make it the most current badass Ableton controller). So how would some of you current users rate it? Do the buttons perform well when actually pressing & playing?

A little voice in my head tells me to hold off & wait for Korg/M-Audio/etc. to release a full on Live controller in the likings of the Launchpad but with velocity sensitive buttons---Then again fuck it---Velocity sensitive isn't always necessary...

Thanks guys

Well I love the Launchpad but I would say no to using it as my primary note input device.

You are right, velocity isn't always necessary, but it is very hard to be expressive without it.

My recommendations would be to get yourself a small MIDI keyboard to accompany your Launchpad.

Something like the Korg Nano series or even better the Edirol ones as they are very slim and can fit in a gig bag no worries.

+1 I'd try a Korg Nano before buying one, some models aren't built too well.

velocity sensitivity aside, the LP feels good. you can even slide your finger across pads to make it slider-like. I'd get a keyboard first, velocity brings a LOT to a good feel of a recording.

Whats the deal with the notes being on diff MIDI channels? It kinda screws with my whole setup.

The LP is fine for me to mess around with sub basses or dubstep basses, but I wouldn't use it for leads and that kind of thing.

I have used User mode 1 which maps to Drum Racks nicely.
Compared to my LPD8 Akai sure lacks velocity but I prefer having
all the pads in front of me rather that switching between two presets
or more on the LPD8. I'd use the Launchpad instead. When it comes a time
when I need more velocity feel control I'll use LPD8 (which sensitiveness
it's on the hard edge). Moreover there are Drum racks specifically programmed
with Velocity Sensitivity equal to zero...
So yes I'm pleased about the way I can easily program drums on Launchpad.
Adding a little velocity FX here and there with random I can humanize a little..

- Best
- Pasha

outershpongolia - it must be in the water. my User1 are all belong to channel 5. but I always select the port for the Launch Pad.

my Launch Pad made me eggs this morning.

I can't select Launchpad cause I wan't to control this track with multiple controllers, same with pretty much any track I'd be playing into as far as studio stuff goes..

All of them are channel 5, except for like 4 pads, I'll have to plug it in to make sure I'm not crazy..

For me User1 switches back and forth between ch1 and ch5. not every 4th pad but it goes back and forth up the scale the whole way up.. Is there some way to change that?

User2 is all on ch6 which works great btw

outershpongolia wrote:For me User1 switches back and forth between ch1 and ch5. not every 4th pad but it goes back and forth up the scale the whole way up.. Is there some way to change that?

User2 is all on ch6 which works great btw

Are you able to trigger notes with User2 mode?
Mine sends notes on ch6 but I guess with no volume.
Good for controlling stuff (which I'm perfectly able to)
but not to play. Nothing plays at all.

- Best
- Pasha

its definitely usable, and if your looking for portability its a good option, but doesn't beat a keyboard at all

Thanks for the feedback guys---I already own a Novation Remote & a APC40, but I was thinking about having a Launchpad so I can move around alot easier when working w/ a few differnt projects on the go. And In one case there is literally NO room for gear---So I figured a Launchpad would work great as a VERY slimmed down rig of a APC40 & midi controller---Seeing how I could launch clips as well as enter notes....But I'm still not sure if it'll work as great as hope it would--Perhaps I should just get it anyhow & if it doesn't work out I'll just move on

Pasha wrote:

outershpongolia wrote:For me User1 switches back and forth between ch1 and ch5. not every 4th pad but it goes back and forth up the scale the whole way up.. Is there some way to change that?

User2 is all on ch6 which works great btw

Are you able to trigger notes with User2 mode?
Mine sends notes on ch6 but I guess with no volume.
Good for controlling stuff (which I'm perfectly able to)
but not to play. Nothing plays at all.

- Best
- Pasha

I noticed that too.. You can map it to things, and it uses notes, but it won't come up for playing instruments.. Strange.

In User2 I have the top 4 rows mapped to a chain selector.. which is great because that's how I switch between reason racks, ableton instruments, vsts, etc so each one gets it's own button.. Then switch back to user1 to play.


I don't have much traditional music training, so my skills playing a keyboard vs. skills playing notes on a grid are pretty much the same so I don't mind using the launchpad for notes if needed, and it's nice when riffs make some sort of pattern which makes them a little easier to play around with and elaborate especially for someone who doesn't really know music.

Using a velocity plug with a bit of randomness is a nice way to give it a more human feel.

Hi, Sorry not answering the original question but I have the reverse problem maybe someone on here could help with?
I'm using a launchpad to trigger clips, alongside a midi keyboard to play soft-synths. I need the synth track on ableton to be record enabled to use the keyboard but this means that when I press anything on the launchpad a note is sounded as well. How do I stop the launchpad sending midi notes to the synth?
Thanks!

If you *are* going to use the launchpad for note entry, you might think about getting the Nativekontrol LPC script:
http://www.nativekontrol.com/LPC-Live.html
the scale mode lets you change between 4 velocity levels, and play 40 different types of scales in any key, as well as all sorts of other useful stuff, like a step-sequencer, a drum sequencer, chord learn, etc...