Novation Launchpad advanced configuration – Part 1

As I start digging into the launchpad I am trying to create a fun setup for playing with drum loops live. To achieve this I really needed momentary CC control values on some pads, as oppose to the default toggle behavior.
In order to set this up we need to use Novation’s Automap software. All the reading I could find pointed to me having to choose either the native Launchpad configuration (with session mode etc.) OR the Automap configuration to get my momentary controls. However this is not the case! There is a way to switch between the two different setups on the fly. If you have a Launchpad and dont know how to do this I highly recommend you check out this episode!

UPDATE: Big thanks to Lamptonworm for pointing out “User 2 + DOWN flips modes, one less finger than User 1 + User 2 + DOWN.”

What next?

  1. Novation Launchpad advanced configuration (fine control) – Part 3
  2. Novation Launchpad advanced configuration (cutting fx) – Part 4
  3. Novation Launchpad advanced configuration (LaunchDrum) – Part 2
  4. Novation Launchpad vs Akai APC40
  5. Novation Launchpad basics
  • Kevin

    Thanks a lot Rupert! Your last three video's are like ya took it to another level. Very pro and a better description of Automap than Novation gave in their video. Your right it is hard to find launchpad info right now, especially tutorials. Hope you make lots more, hope other people do too. One Request, it would be so cool if you could get Alvaro Lopez to do a video about “Programing Syncopation and Polyrhythms in a Sequencer” to a 4/4 beat? That video would be the bomb, especially because of his time spent in Cuba. Maybe a little explanation on Ragtime, Jazz and early Cuban music (Rumba, Cha Cha Cha etc…). Basically how to play a little before and a little after the beat. Peace from Vancouver.

  • RupertBrown

    Thanks Kevin,
    Thats a great suggestion for another episode and I'm happy to report Alvaro said he would be keen to come back on the show. So stay tuned and I will try get him back on to give us some more in depth info on different rhythm styles.

  • Nolan_jake

    Sweet videos, love the work! just a quick question, i'm having problems getting my launchpad to work. When configuring in the preferences menue of ableton, the dropdown menue in the control surface tab doesnt display 'launchpad'; however it displays it in the input and output section.
    thakss

  • RupertBrown

    Ok so the basics first:
    1) Have you got the latest novation USB driver?
    2) Is your Live install up to date?
    3) Are you pluging the LP in BEFORE opening live? (not doing so can cause problems)

    Let me know if yes to all these ands still having trouble and I will try and replicate the problem at my end.

  • Sonic Trends

    Hi Rupert,
    I followed all the steps, but there seems to be a problem. While on the automap interface, the pad works in the momentary mode, but at the same time… on ableton it is stuck on toggle mode. So basically automap interface is showing momentary, but the effects that i have mapped are still working in toggle mode.
    Any idea whats going on?
    Btw i am using automap 3.5 standard with ableton live 8.2
    Cheers

    I tried doing this unsuccessfully though. While the momentory mode seems to work fine on the automap interface… or at least shows that its working fine, but in ableton itself it still works in the toggle mode.
    Any idea whats going on

  • Ahmedselim

    Great video! I am new to the Launchpad and was wondering, would this allow you to use the launchpad with another application? I am using live and Traktor pro, I was wondering if you can use the launchpad in midi mode, and then switch over to automap as indicated in the video, once your in automode, would you be able to switch apps and use it with Traktor?

  • RupertBrown

    hmmm not sure. In your midi setup try this:
    Control Surface + Input + Output set to Launchpad

    Midi ports
    Input: Launchpad input = Track – Remote (on)
    Input: Automap MIDI = Track – Remote (on)
    Output: Launchpad output = Track – Remote (on)

    Always start live with the LP already plugged in, if your still having trouble try starting with a completely blank template with no mappings (if your not already).
    Let me know how you get on.

  • Lowfatradio

    Hi Rupert, Is there any way in automap user mode to turn the red LED's off so that they only stay on (in toggle mode) or go on then off (in momentary mode)?

    Thank you so much for these videos far better than novation themselves

  • RupertBrown

    Hey Lowfatradio,
    Not exacty. As you know they are dim and light up when hit as the default behavour and if there is no parameter mapped to the pad LED will go off but of course it wont respond to being hit. I dont know of any way round this off the top of my head but if stuble upon anything I will let you know.

  • RupertBrown

    Hey Ahmedselim,
    Sorry I didnt reply to this comment, thought I had. Well in answer to your question yes you can use the LP with tracktor I havent done it myself but I have seen dudes doing it. Its quite flexible bit of kit, I saw a dude using it to control a lighting rig in a theater the other day.

  • Lowfatradio

    Thanks Rupert!!

  • Dj_ice_burg

    Awesome video! Is there any way to change the color of the leds? Default is red and I want to be able to change the color so I can organize my map.

  • RupertBrown

    Hey Ice Burg,
    Havent done it yet but stay tuned as I am going to dig into this early this year when I get back to the UK.
    Thanks.

  • Sec-Def

    awesome toturial brother. very helpfull keep up the good work!

  • Gtrfan666

    I'm looking for something to control MIDI program changes globally. Guitar pre-amps, MIDI lights, loops and samples. Can this do that?

  • Sexton

    Thanks so much man excellent tutorial.

  • Otis T

    “To achieve this I really needed monetary CC control values on some pads, as oppose to the default toggle behavior.”
    I think you mean MOMENTARY (as in temporary, or in the moment), altho’ we all need some fiscal prudence.
    I would like to thank you and agree with the other comments that your videos are much more thorough than Novation, and improving in production quality. You just could use a copy editor/proofreader. Keep up the good work.

  • Anonymous

    Ha ha ha, yes I do need an editor, my spelling is particularly bad to tell you the truth. Congratulations Otis you got the job! There is no sex, drugs or rock and roll but at least you dont have to pay tax as your never paid :-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Amit-Segall/688628316 Amit Segall

    Wow man that is really great … exactly what i was looking for !  thanks…great site btw :) !

  • Beudo

    thanks man. great info.

  • Jluu

    I followed your steps but somehow ended up with my launchpad keys in a weird set up. The first pad, under the button with the upwards arrow, corresponds to cc#32 in the automap program. Have you encountered this problem before? 

  • Malvina and Carabas Barabas

    Start It Up… I had the same … And weirder still, in cc#33 i got hot ( so hot, her cloths melted away) lady in crisp HD cursing on cc#34 ugly lady also in HD. Ableton crashed. Who wouldn`t ? I started it up-everything back to normal. Cheers
                                                   Malvina and Carabas Barabas

  • http://www.facebook.com/drag0n7 Andrew Fuzzby Bierwiler

    One thing to note about the Automap software: The standard free edition only allows one device at a time to be configured. When you upgrade to the pro edition (around $30.00 usd), you can configure multiple devices.
    So say you have a Launchpad and an APC 40 hooked up to your computer. The standard edition will only recognize one of them, and tell you that there is only one device connected. Where the pro edition will see both, and tell you that you have 2 devices connected.

    This however may not be true to some extent, and there may be a work around for that in the standard edition, but I’m only speaking from personal experience from what happened to me between the two versions.

  • Anonymous

    While its true you need PRO for multiple controllers I thought Automap wont recognise the APC40 because its not made by Novation. Automap is a proprietary system for Novation controllers only. Are you saying you got Automap to regiseter your APC40?

  • Anonymous

    I dont think I understand the problem, if you want a different CC value cant you just change it in Automap?

  • timothy

    is that the korg nano kontrol on the table?

  • Malvina and Carabas Barabas

    ” … if U see something – say something ! ”
                              Cheers                   
                                 Malvina and Carabas Barabas

  • Anonymous

    Yes sir, there is a review up on it if your interested: http://thedspproject.com/korg-nanokontrol-review

  • timothy

    Thanks!

  • http://www.facebook.com/drag0n7 Andrew Fuzzby Bierwiler

    Yes, Automap won’t recognize non Novation products. I don’t own an APC40, I was using that as just an example (forgot the APC40 was Akai and not Novation). It does however recognize the Launchpad and Zero SL MkII (purchased that after your review of it. Fantastic product!). Sorry for any confusion I may have made in my previous post >.>;

  • Stouthart

    No need to press both [user1] AND [user2], [user2] (and [view] of course) is sufficient.