Published
Mon, Oct 5, 2009, 09:45
- Designed in conjunction with Ableton, the new grid-based controller aims to let users "play" Live.
Novation have announced details of their new Live-focused control surface, Launchpad.
Designed in collaboration with Live developers Ableton, Launchpad is the latest in a line of control surfaces aiming to do away with the mouse and keyboard, allowing users to "play" their sequencers. In a similar vein to Akai's APC40, and to a slightly lesser extent Native Instruments' Maschine, Launchpad is based around an intuitive multi-coloured 8x8 buttoned grid, that, in its simplest application, can be used to launch clips and control top-level parameters (volume, pause, mute etc), while dedicated "scene" launch buttons take care of macro-level transitions. The display can also be flicked between Live's various modes for control of Session View, Mixer and Instrument Racks. And speaking of which, the potential to draft drum patterns is facilitated by Launchpad's ability to play drum racks.
Interestingly, the device ships with a slimmed down 'Launchpad Version' of Ableton Live 8 which is said to be a fairly capable rendition of its older brother, and they've even thrown in 1 GB of sample content too. We should also point out that Launchpad can be used with other sequencer software by the way of standard MIDI control.
Launchpad ships as at the beginning of November with a suggested retail price of £149.99/$199.99/€179.99.