Novation Launchpad basics

May 2010

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Novation Launchpad basics

I have just received a Launchpad from the good people at Novation and I am really enjoying it so far. I have already done a first impressions review comparing the Launchpad vs APC40 so I thought a tutorial might be more interesting. So in this episode I am going to cover the basics of how the different modes work. Comment if you want to see more Launchpad tutorials and I might dig in deeper!

What next?

  1. Midi Controller Basics
  2. Akai APC20 basics
  3. Novation Launchpad advanced configuration – Part 1
  4. Novation Launchpad advanced configuration (fine control) – Part 3
  5. Novation Launchpad vs Akai APC40
  • Jake the mus

    awesome Rupert! that was a really good walk through brother, nice to get a step by step rather than some elaborate button mashing jiggery pokery. Looking forward to the next edition.

  • http://best-franchise-advice.com/42609/channel-pro-the-launch-pad-session-2-part-5/ Channel Pro: The Launch Pad Session 2 Part 5 | Best Franchise Advice

    [...] Novation Launchpad basics tutorial video [...]

  • Jzwart

    I was very happy to find this tutorial. Just gat me a Launchpad and this was a excellent starting point.

  • Jan nystrøm

    When i add a drum rack, i can only use 4 the lowest left buttons on the Launchpad. I dont know whats wrong…

  • RupertBrown

    ok first things:
    You add a drum rack, do you have the LP in user1 mode?
    Do you have samples loaded into all of the slots in the drumrack?

  • Chris

    I noticed you don't have led feedback when you are on the user modes, is that possible? Is it just that you didn't have the midi data being sent back to the launchpad?

    Is it possible for example to user User 1 for a drum rack and see the notes in a midi clip and edit them via the User presets?

  • RupertBrown

    Yes its possible, your bang on it – no midi sent back to the LP. I have had a bunch of questions on LED feed back so expect some episodes focused on just that.

    You can jam on the drum rack via LP and record a midi clip. As far as editing from the LP your limited in options. Can you tell me exactly what you would like to achieve?

  • http://djgirish.com DJ Girish Khatiwada

    Awesome. Very well done. I own a APC40. I love it for my recording and studio productions, but this video just made me wanna purchase a Launchpad for performing live.

  • Tomasbona

    Hey. i just ordered my 1st launchpad and have started to look for good tutorials. Just wanted to say a BIG THANX for your effort to help such rookies as me ;-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/christina.horn2 Christina Horn

    Very nice video..this is one of the clearest i have seen in a sea of frustratingly complex mumbo-jumbo! Thank you! 

  • Guest

    I DONT FUCKING GET HOW TO GET THAT MENU YOU’VE GOT OMG SO CONFUSING

  • Hhg

    Nice video, thanks a lot bro. Simple and clean cut message, i guess only dumb ppl can’t get the demonstration, oops.

  • Anonymous

    Hey Guest, if that is your real name. If your looking for help you need to:
    A) Use your inside voice.
    B) Give me more information. Which menu? At what time in the video do you get lost?

  • Anonymous

    Thanks.

  • Beboxer829

    I have This problem with my launchpad.
    The only way I can get it to work with ABLETON LIVE
    is by upgrading to version 8.0.6 or higher of ableton.
    Is there anyway to get the launchpad to work with a version prior to version 8.06 that is still in the perimeters of version 8.
    is there a default or a way to configure the automap program to work with how ableton will naturally run the program
    if so how and it would be greatly appreciated with as much detail as possible

  • Anonymous

    I think the most important question is why wouldn’t you want to run the latest version?

  • Sole

    What is going on when you use the User 2, is that an effect or another drum kit? Also my launchpad doesn’t seem to go along with that vertical column for the drum kit, it matches up directly to the 4 by 4 drum kit within live. 

  • Anonymous

    In the demo at the end? I am using the bottom bar to control a cutoff filter effect.
    As for using drum racks in User 1 mode. You can have more then the 4×4 grid. Look at the bar on the right on the drum rack you will see when you put higher pads they will light up. You can use the scroll wheel on your mouse to move up and load in more samples.
     I hope that makes sense?

  • anonymous

    im new at this music stuff but whats the difference between this and a mpc?  can you sample with this pad like any regular mpc?

  • MkC

    The launchpad is just a MIDI controller

  • Anonymous

    As MkC says the launchpad is a MIDI controller so doesn’t make any sound. This might be confusing at first but watch my midi controller basics video http://thedspproject.com/midi-controller-basics and it should all make sense.
    MPC is a self contained audio workstation “Studio in a box”
    A laptop running Live can do all the MPC stuff and more, then you can use the Launchpad to CONTROL the laptop (Kind of like a mouse and keyboard).

    Hope that helps. 

  • Guest

    Quick question, is it possible to make a custom drum rack on the launchpad with your own wav files?

  • Anonymous

    Yes of course! Just drag your own samples into a blank drum rack and away you go.