Ableton Forum

I recently purchased a Novation Launchpad for use with Ableton live and I have not been able to use it! I installed the out of the box version of Ableton which is the launchpad version and that didnt seem to work because when I followed all of the instructions the launchpad was not even lighting up. I tried it in all 3 of my USB ports but none of them seemed to work. I installed the update to my version of Ableton but it seems to have furthered the problem because now I have no sound packs! I am going to uninstall everything associated with ableton right now and install what came with the controller and start from square 1. If anybody has ANY kind of tips or known problems with the Novation Launchpad and Windows 7 and they can give me some pointers I would really really appreciate it! THANKS!!!!!



Best,
TJ

Sounds silly, but did you check it was selected as a controller device in ableton? Otherwise it doesn't show any lights.

When I have mine plugged in and nothing running on laptop, there are NO lights active on it.

The version that came with the launchpad is a cut-down starter version of live, if you actually have a full version of live, you should only have that installed, and then try to set up your launchpad, there should be no reason why one version would work over the other, the launchpad version is just there for people who don't have the full version.

Yeah, I'm having huge problems with my Launchpad on Windows 7; not saying the OS is the problem, though, as the computer is also new, but I've had it working just fine in both XP and Vista (two different computers). I'm currently exchanging e-mails with Novation's support dept., but so far I've gotten nowhere. My Launchpad lights up as it should when I launch Live, but after a few quick button-presses, it becomes sluggish, and, finally, it crashes my whole system.

EDIT: I've fixed my issue. It all boiled down to a problem with a USB port: post likely, it's not providing enough power, because externally powered devices work fine on it.

I tried everything in the book and scanned all forums and still found no useful information or anything that has lead to the launchpad working with my system which is Windows 7. I'm going to give it a try on a Vista and see if it works on there but if not then I will probably just return it for a controller with a different platform.

Have you tried plugging the Launchpad in via a powered USB hub? It could be that it's not getting enough power from your computer - this turned out to be my problem, anyway.

antarktika wrote:The version that came with the launchpad is a cut-down starter version of live, if you actually have a full version of live, you should only have that installed, and then try to set up your launchpad, there should be no reason why one version would work over the other, the launchpad version is just there for people who don't have the full version.

This is so true.
I actually just purchased the LP as well. I have been using 8.2.2 for 6 months now, with no problems. I was Trying to get the LP to work with my APC40
Last night, i installed the LP version of live. I did this, only to grab extra samples, loops or packs. I also copied the Launch Pad control surface file from the LP version to my 8.2.2. version thinking it would be more suitable and efficient control surface file
(I should have known, when the LP files were smaller then the 8.2.2 files, Needless to say)
I had to completely remove all versions of live. Then i had to reinstall Ableton 8.2.2. just in order for Ableton to recognize the Launch Pad or any controllers for that matter.
I need to note. This is not a result of copying the control surface file, as soon as i installed the LP version of live. The software quit picking up my control surfaces.

Best regards

thacity432 wrote:I tried everything in the book and scanned all forums and still found no useful information or anything that has lead to the launchpad working with my system which is Windows 7. I'm going to give it a try on a Vista and see if it works on there but if not then I will probably just return it for a controller with a different platform.

If you have the LP selected and no lights, try another midi cable.
I sometimes start Live and the LP don't light. I pull the usb at the LP and replug. Good to go...