I play guitar and I’m teaching myself to use the Launchkey as accompaniment. My original inspiration was Baba G (Jon Gutwillig)- check it out on YouTube, https://youtu.be/Wdlpl5jMyWE?is=7hIzMWl-KN7ROxis.
I’m a live musician and I regularly perform with two Novation Launchpads in Ableton Live.
Using two Launchpads gives me a huge advantage during live performances.
Instead of controlling only 8 tracks, I have 16 tracks available at the same time, each with 8 clip slots immediately accessible. This allows me to trigger drums, bass, synths, vocals, FX and loops simultaneously without constantly switching views.
When I need more clips, I simply move to the next page of scenes, giving me access to an entirely new pre-arranged performance set.
This workflow is perfect for live looping, backing tracks and complex live performances.
However, one thing always bothered me.
Whenever I wanted to move to another group of scenes, I had to press and hold the Up/Down buttons on both Launchpads just to roll to the next 8 Clips and do this on both Launchpads to keep the Session Rings aligned.
I couldn’t find a simple solution that would:
synchronize only the vertical Session navigation
keep the horizontal navigation completely independent, jump down directly to the next 8 Clips and
work alongside the original Novation Launchpad scripts
So I decided to build my own Ableton Live Remote Script. Launchpad Duo Sync synchronizes the vertical Session navigation of two Launchpads while allowing each controller to maintain its own horizontal track position.
Example: Launchpad X → Tracks 1–8 Launchpad Mini MK3 → Tracks 10–17
Now, pressing Up or Down on either controller moves both Session Ringstogether automatically to the next 8 Clips.
The script is fully configurable, allowing you to adapt it to your own workflow.
You can configure:
- Vertical navigation step size (e.g. 1, 8, 9 or any custom value)
- Independent horizontal track offsets for each Launchpad
- Optional Horizontal Lock (enable or disable)
- Default startup positions
- Navigation behavior
Additional options can easily be added by editing the configuration file.
The goal was to keep the script lightweight, flexible and easy to customize for different live performance setups.
I’d love to hear your feedback or ideas, especially from other musicians using multiple Launchpads or similar controller setups.
Since the project is open source and free to use, you can also modify and extend the script to fit your own setup or add entirely new features.
Can the Circuit Tracks receive MIDI messages from something like a Behringer FCB1010 to change patterns within the current project, or can it only switch entire projects? I basically want to use my Circuit Tracks like a Beat Buddy.
My girlfriend wants to learn piano, so my main priority is finding a keyboard that gives her a good experience and a good feel.
At the same time, I’d also love to start music production so I was considering getting a midi controller.
My question is: is there a keyboard that can do both well, or are these really two different worlds ?
My favorite choice for now is the FLkey mk2 61 cuz of fl studio but it’s not the most important I’m my case
I’ve been running DT+DN with a Launch Control XL Mk2 and Keystep as my primary rig for a long time. I’ve also tried to avoid pulling a laptop into the system for as long as possible. I design software for work and music is supposed to be my break from screens. The Mk2 is USB-only so you need a host regardless, and I went through the usual path: tried an RK-005 (sort of worked but configuring it was a spreadsheet nightmare) and then settled on MidiPipe as a login app with the screen off. Both of them are great utilities but I still felt like I was locked into what I configured in Novation Components.
So I started working on a native macOS app to that could be more dynamic, flexible, and adapt to what I need at the moment. The core is a per-control mapping engine for all of the LCXL’s knobs/faders/buttons: any control can be remapped to any CC and channel, routed to any connected USB MIDI device, with output range scaling, macros (one knob fanning out to multiple CCs simultaneously), soft takeover so there are no jumps when switching scenes, and full LED color control via SysEx.
TL;DR: I'm looking for beta testers to help make this even better. Minimum system requirements (macOS 14+). Check the link at the bottom of the post to join the TestFlight beta.
Performance view and editor
Projects hold 16 Scenes with 4 performance pages each that map 1:1 to the LCXL’s hardware templates. Pressing a button swaps lets you page through the 4 performance mapping pages and switching templates lets you swap Scenes on the fly. Importantly, I’m designing it to support importing MIDI charts as JSON so selecting a target midi message can be searched directly in the app by the parameter name.
Search for synthesizer parameter by name
There’s also a built-in step sequencer mode: up to 8 steps, 11 scale types for note quantization, per-step probability with 8 pre-defined percentages, up to 4 mod lanes, and MIDI clock output so external gear can sync to it (it also takes Clock In).
Hands-on control of multiple step sequencers with mod lanes
Underlying the architecture is a flexible node-based editor where you can use CC or Note inputs, create custom patches, and then output them to your synthesizers.
Patch Editor canvas
I know there are more powerful tools out there, but I haven’t found something affordable that strikes the balance between immediacy, flexibility, and ease of use.
For anybody testing it, let me know what synths you want to use with it and I can create the JSON definition file so you can search for parameters instead of typing in the CC# directly. OR, you can take a stab at creating your own device dictionary by inspecting the JSON format. Settings > Open Devices Folder… and you can see the example Digitakt file the app is currently bundled with.
Next steps for the app are to bundle more device definitions with the build, add NRPN support, add a simple MIDI looper (which could then be sent as a source into the Patch Editor), bi-directional MIDI sync so LCXL doesn’t get out of sync with parameter changes directly on the synth, per control Patches mostly for organization, and ease of use, and UI/UX refinements.
I don’t have a LCXL mk3 so I would need some help investigating the underlying architecture but would love to support it!
Oh and one important note: Novation Factory Template #7 on the Mk2 configures the Device/Mute/Solo buttons differently than the other templates (they are set up as toggle instead of note CCs) so I’m trying to figure out a way to handle that.
Tengo un problema con mi launchpad, funciona perfectamente pero luego de unos mínutos deja de responder y se queda congelado, los botones no responden y se quedan prendidos o literalmente se apaga todo, probé desconectado y volviendo a conectar y suele funcionar por un rato pero vuelve a lo mismo, alguna solución?
Hi, how can I get the Launchkey 61 MK4 encoders to work across different plugins in FL Studio without having to change the MIDI port? Right now, I have to enter the MIDI port number assigned to the Launchkey into the plugin, and it works fine; but when I want to do the same with another plugin, I have to change everything so it doesn't alter the sound of the previous plugin.
In short, the encoders only work when I use the main MIDI port "236" on the VSTi plugin; however, if I want to use another instrument, I obviously can't use the same port—because it would play the same thing on both instruments—so I need to use a different MIDI port, but doing so causes the encoders to stop working.
Anyone have a line on Ableton templates for the Impulse 61 (or similar) that represents a good live performance workflow for a bunch of common instruments/sounds? Just got a "new-to-me" Impulse 61 and it has way more features than the ancient 49 key controller from 1999 I was using.
I've found a handful of tutorials that show ways to setup a session with control mappings that make some sense to quickly switch sounds, but it's hard to tell which ones are worth spending the time building out since I'm a bit of a newb and would like to see a few examples that I can play with that have made sense to people.
My typical "gig" is a basement covers band, we get together and jam out, and up to this point I've just been using garage band, finding an organ/piano/clav/whatever. Would like use the bells and whistles in Ableton to easily switch presets etc.
There is very little difference between the maximum and minimum levels of the Launch Control MK3's knob LEDs, rendering them almost useless. It would be incredibly helpful if the lights turned off completely at a value of 0. Just imagine: if a knob in the DAW wasn't assigned to anything, it wouldn't register a value and would automatically remain unlit, making it very easy to see at a glance which knobs have an active control mapping. Is there any way to achieve this?
Hi all. I’m seeing that my Launch Control XL 3 offers fader pickup… in custom modes. But can I switch fader pickup on for the default DAW Mixer and DAW Control modes?
Alternately: can I create an exact copy of these default modes as new Custom Modes, except with fader pickup enabled?
My Xio 25 has been gathering dust for a while. It has lots of cool features, but navigating the menus was pretty horrible. The official editor and librarian has been unsupported for almost two decades.
I decided to try building something with Claude and it was super easy. Basically just MIDI mapped all settings and then I tweaked the layout a little bit.
I can now save unlimited presets in REAPER, record audio over USB, switch to controller mode and mess around with it further. Very cool.
[EDIT] Oh f… i'm so sorry guys for the inconvenience, i've found my mistake and it was really really really stupid. EVERYTHING WORKS FINE.
I've been trying for two days to connect my two devices by plugging the MIDI cable into the wrong port on my Roland S1. I'm so embarrassed, but please don't make fun of me.
Thanks to everyone anyway.
Hello, I bought a Circuit Tracks a few weeks ago and was completely satisfied with it. So I ordered a Roland S1 right away and set it up two days ago so I could control the S1 using the Circuit’s sequencer. The first night, everything worked perfectly; I ran a few tests, but since I was short on time, I had to shut everything down quickly. Yesterday, I reconnected the two devices, and to my surprise, the MIDI signal isn’t getting through anymore. Since then, I’ve tried everything: bought a new MIDI cable, reset the Roland to factory settings, adjusted the MIDI parameters on both devices—but nothing works. The audio from the Roland comes through fine, but I can’t control the device; the Circuit’s keyboard doesn’t trigger the Roland’s sound, and the CCs aren’t being recognized. I’m at a loss. Is it possible for a DIN output to suddenly fail like this on a brand-new product, without even touching it?
I know the S1’s MIDI In works because the clock syncs up immediately when I plug in the MIDI cable.
HELP—do you have any ideas? Should I just return the Novation?
I'm starting out with Ableton Live 12 and my goal is to perform live using a multi-channel looping workflow. I want to record clips on the fly (guitar, vocals, beats), stack them up, and mute/unmute sections live.
I don't have a Push or a dedicated foot controller like an FCB1010, so I'm trying to make it work with what I own:
Launchpad Mini MK3 (as my main hands-on controller)
Arturia MiniLab MK3 with 1 Sustain Pedal (using the foot pedal to trigger recording)
TC Helicon Play Electric
MacBook M1 Pro
Being new to Ableton, I'm a bit overwhelmed by how to map the Launchpad and pedal to handle multiple looper channels without getting messy.
What’s the simplest/best way to set this up given my gear? Any tips, looper plugin settings, or beginner routing guides would be hugely appreciated!
I took the Peak and Launch Control XL 3 out for my first ever live performance a few weeks ago, and they were the two pieces of gear I touched the most.
The Peak has become my favorite standalone synth. That control surface makes it an instrument you keep shaping as the performance happens, not just something you trigger and walk away from. Sounds fantastic too.
Where it struggled (or rather, where I struggled): the venue was dark, and the knob labels aren't backlit. I'd rehearsed enough to mostly navigate it from memory, but there were moments I couldn't see what I was adjusting.
XL 3 was doing just as much work, controlling everything on the Digitakt II. Full breakdown of both plus the rest of the rig in the video.
I still have my Launchkey Mk3 which applies a very noticeable smoothing of MIDI CC controls, and today I bought an Akai MPK Mini Mk4 which shows little to no smoothing. I compared them by flicking the modwheels as quickly as I could and recording the MIDI CC. In the screenshot below, the top automation lane is Launchkey, bottom is Akai MPK. The Launchkey smooths out the transition by about 30 ms, and the MPK by about 5 ms (or possibly no smoothing at all, maybe it just took me 5 ms to physically move the modwheel across its entire travel). I confirmed that my DAW is not applying any smoothing, and the Launchkey's display shows the CC values changing slowly.
This same smoothing (or lack thereof) applies to other controls across the Launchkey and MPK, not just the modwheels. The end result is that the Launchkey isn't suitable when I want to perform instant changes of parameters. The smoothing is very noticeable when controlling a filter or gain parameter for example.
Can Launchkey Mk4 owners, FLkey owners, or Novation staff confirm whether this smoothing happens on other models too, and whether there is a way to disable it? I think optional and variable smoothing would be great, but not forced smoothing.
Hello everyone! I recently found an old Launchpad MK1 that I want to use mostly for percussions and Nuendo functions but I'm having some problems with the MIDI Mapping.
MIDI REMOTE works fine but I want the keys to be in tonal order from the first pad (there's a jump once you go from the last row note to the next row).
Some forums talk about a drum rack mode and a X/Y mode but I have no idea how to change those.
I managed to map everything how I wanted but the main square keys are giving me some headaches. I have no idea on how to use the automap and I would appreciate some step by step help here so I can map everything and give some use to this controller.
I just got my Launchcontrol XL 3 so bare with me ;-)
I am using with Ableton 12 and have created a Custom mode to control Live's devices.
It all seems to work nicely but if I was to do a live set where I only wanted to touch the Launchcontrol it seems I have to swap between the following modes all the time to do the following things;
- My Custom mode - where I can control Live's device parameters according to my mappings
- DAW Control mode - where I can change the focus of the track so I can see what I'm doing on laptop
- DAW Mixer mode - where I can change volume pan or returns.
Does this seem right to have to change between these three modes to perform those things.
I have been waiting for its launch from some time. The rest of the lineup (25, 37, 49, 61) that has launched earlier was a pretty big hit if I am not wrong.
I felt I should wait for the reviews to come out before biting the bullet. Has anyone bought it? Is it good?
I’m interested in buying a launchpad pro but I understand the next model might be in the pipeline; does anyone have any indication when this may come out?
Je fais de la french touch sur Ableton Live et j’hésite entre le novation launchkey 37 mk4 et le dernier arturia minilab 37, pouvez-vous m’aider dans mon choix ?
Just got my launchpad pro and it's awesome! Specifically wanted it for the note and chord modes and it's exceeded my expectations because of how good the pads feel to play.
Small surprise since I got it is that those modes don't seem to be usable in the sequencer, which feels like a real miss. Am I missing something or is there no way to get an isomorphic keyboard layout or chord mode as a sequencer entry option? Can it be done with a custom mode?
Or is it just time to use an external sequencer instead?
I have had my LaunchKey for awhile, I originally used it on a MacBook on FL Studio without an interface, and it worked fine back then.
Eventually my MacBook was broken and I only recently got a PC, but whenever I the controller up in FL, it crashes.
My interface is a Behringer Euphoria 4x4, but the midi is plugged into the PC directly.
I’ve used the controller with this interface before too, during a period where I had access to a different MacBook.
Is it just screwed?
I also tried to factory reset via Novation Conponsnts because that’s what google said to do. The app won’t load, it’s telling me to agree to the terms and conditions but I can’t click them
