Cool performance with Ableton Live, Novations zero SL MKII and two launchpads. Looks like the guys using the follow action or a step sequencer on the left launchpad. The right one is used for normal track and clip control, as is the zero SL MKII
Automap 3.4
Novation have updated Automap to v3.4. The update brings doesn’t bring any new features but instead improves compatability with plugins and hosts. Logic, Pro-tools and Reason have all been remapped and should work fully straight out of the box now. Novation have also updated all the on board mappings meaning better compatability with lots of new plugins & DAWS.
The other part of the update brings firmware updates for a lot of Novations midi controllers in cluding the remote SL, zero SL, compact SL, SL MKII and Nocturn keyboards.
Nice video showing the APC40 and Launchpad working together in harmony. Putting these two together could be a winning combination. Kind of an add on for APC40 users.
Nomome - Launchpad as monome
Well the internet moves fast! While I was sleeping Novation anouced the release of the programmers reference, a break down of how the launchpad handles midi. Within a couple of hours there was a post on the monome forums by Matt DiFonzo introducing the nomome. The nomome is a monome emulator for the launchpad, allowing you to use the launchpad as, you guessed it, a monome.
The nomome is in early development but if your the proud owner of a new launchpad download it and try it out. Don’t forget to rep Matt DiFonzo and send him any bugs you get. You need max/msp runtime and a virtual midi port to run it. All available for free.
Have fun.
Zander
Excerpt of Novation Launchpad programmers reference
Along with the first shipment of launchpads going out, Novation released the programmers reference, a document that shows exactly how the Launchpad works with midi.
12 pages of a programmers dream as the PDF really explains the detailed inner workings of the Launchpad. Not only that but they have gone out of their way to put it in easy to understand terms. The release of this document is sure to set developers a light with ideas of creating open source apps and software. You can download the PDF from their site. Some interesting notes are that the Launchpad uses a slightly slower USB connection to transfer data.
I must admit I get the feeling Novation are learning from Akai’s mistakes as Akai didn’t release any midi documentation or give away any hints as to how the APC40 handles midi. Akai didn’t even release a driver, you don’t need one but the APC40 and windows users are having a few niggling problems that a dedicated driver would fix, the launchpad has it’s own driver 
Akai holding back has not stopped open source apps such as the monomulatorbeing released but it does slow development down. So this is a call for Akai to release the midi information. That said they will only tell you to wait for Max for live to come out and then buy it to completely manipulate the APC40. These are luxuries not everyone can afford.
With this release I’m expecting to see some open source apps and software popping up very soon. Probably some max/msp patches too. Seems like Novation are trying to align themselves with the open source community and maybe trying to make the launchpad a poor mans monome. For now it’s too early to tell but the future is looking bright for the launchpad and the button matrix controller as a whole.
Zander
Novation Launchpad
Well it’s official the first batch of the Novation Luanchpad shipped and it’s now available to buy. Good luck trying to find it though as I bet a lot of pre orders were taken. If you can find one they will set you back £150, very good price considering the APC40 is £370. It’s Christmas soon too, well played Novation.
Along with the officail release came a whole host of surprises.
Excited?
You should be.
Zander
No major changes here, many bug fixes covered but the improved support for logic, protools and RTAS will mke quite a few people smile.
Novation 25 SL MKII
Well I’ve been quite quiet on here recently but the other day I got a chance to review Novations new 25 SL MKII midi controller, the update to the popular SL series controllers.
The update sees some features removed such as the second LED display but new features added such as LED rings around the knobs, touch sensitive knobs, buttons and faders plus improved drum pads. Theres loads of other little things that make this controller great so check out the review for the full picture.
Zander
Novation Launchpad
Novation put there left foot into the Ableton Live controller market this week and announced the release of the Launchpad. The Launchpad is an Ableton Live controller based around an 8×8 button matrix similar to an Akai APC40 or a monome. The controller has been developed in conjunction with Ableton and is officially supported and endorsed by Ableton.
The controller itself bares an incredible resemblance to an Akai APC40 without buttons and a monome with menu buttons and a plastic case. The 8×8 matrix works the same as an APC40′s, launching, stopping and arming clips and is fully backlit with different colours for different functions.
Along the top and right hand side of the unit are buttons for editing parameters with the pads. The top has the grid navigation, i.e. that red box you get in Ableton + APC40 around the 8×8 clips being used. You also get buttons for selecting between the mixer, FX and user mappings so you can use the pans to input data. The right side you have vol, pan sends, solo, track on and track arm buttons. The idea is that you use the pads as a vertical button fader to make adjustments. See the video below for more details.
The Launchpad runs on USB which has a little L shaped USB lead which connects on the right hand side. Novation have said that they you can use Launchpads together to create more control, definitely an interesting note so as you could get two people performing together. The Launchpad also runs on Novations Automap which gives it the edge over the APC40 which has no dedicated editor yet.
Now heres the really important part. The Launchpad retails at £150,which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a monome or Akai APC40. Could the Launchpad be a monome or APC40 killer? Well I’ve just purchased an APC40 and I’m not worried about losing out to the launchpad, no buyers remorse here as I really wanted some knobs to twiddle. Monome might be a bit worried but that said a monome is a very powerful tool and totally customizable so maybe not.
Createdigitalmusic.com got to twiddle and fiddle with a prototype so check out there post and so did musicradar.com.
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Automap 3.2
Novation have updated there excellent automap software to version 3.2. Some of the new features include…
Theres some important features included in the update, my favourite being the new button types (going to have some fun with the momentary type) and the control range editing could be very useful.
It was also anounced that logic pro’s update to 9.0.1 would inlcude full intergration between logic, automap and Novation hardware.
You can download the update for free from Novation site.
Zander
