Novation Launchpad uses in music production?

[goodbytes]

I decided to pick up a Novation Launchpad so i could lay down some drums n stuff.. I seen some software Novation released for Ableton (StepSeq for Max Live) that allowed it to be used as a step sequencer and i thought it looked great, but after playing with it found it extremely limiting (granted, i don't really know how to use Ableton).

I have absolutely no interest in live performance modes and most of the guides and youtube videos seem to focus on this... have i wasted my money? I would love to hear how some of you producers use control pad controllers in your software?

I'm thinking of try FL Studio next or running through a few Ableton guides to see if i can pick up it's workflow.

This is the video i seen for the step sequencer: while it looks good it feels restricted and i don't know how to get my patterns into midi and use them on the arrangement view, i may be missing something but it seems to be adding clips to the session view.

[DjQurt]

This is exactly what happened when i got my cmd dc-01, just made for launching clips not for production

[goodbytes]

I got it going well in Bitwig it has a built in script that allows you to do amazing things with controllers

[muffintop]

I use it w/ nonome and some Monome sequencers.

http://monome.org/community/discussi....24a-7up_v2/p1
http://monome.org/docs/app:sum
http://monome.org/docs/app:xor
http://monome.org/docs/app:mark-eats-sequencer
http://monome.org/docs/app:nodes
http://monome.org/docs/app:rgss

You can use these w/ any soft/hardware synth.
Usually, I just dick around making sequences for a while, record it all... Pick out the golden parts later. With a tiny bit of prep, they would be good live too.

[Kwal]

I wanted the Launchpad so bad at first but then I thought long and hard about what I was trying to do... I am not into live performance and already have my own ways of going about doing my drums to I never really had essential use for the Launchpad. I knew I was going to be writing melodies in my tracks so I wanted a keyboard, so I found the Novation Launchkey Mini and bought that. I haven't regretted it once. But that's me.

[lose311]

I did a similar thing when the first Launchpad came out..it was cheap so I grabbed it without much though as to how it would fit into my workflow. I never really liked it much until I discovered Launchpad95:

.

It's an updated script for the Launchpad/Ableton that completely changes how it can be used (while still maintaining it's stock functionality). You can use it to write melodies, basslines, or harmonies within a given scale/key or do drum/melody sequencing in real time (much like the Ableton Push). Definitely look into it.. when I discovered L95 I almost decided not to get the Push, but I ended up getting the Push anyway for a few other reasons. I am not much of a keyboard player so the Push or Launchpad95 is a great way to come up with ideas that are all in key.. I just like the velocity sensitivity and the feel of the pads on the Push a bit more, but for $500 extra it's not really worth it once you have a Launchpad95.

[lose311]

Also, the StepSeq from Max you linked to isn't so great, and I never had much luck with all the Monome/Nonome/mlrV and Max For Live stuff for the Launchpad..It all looks super cool on Youtube but I could never get the config right with a Launchpad. I'm an engineer and I couldn't get most of it working after a lot of work and research. That's part of the beauty of Launchpad95, you just drop the files into Ableton's scripts folder and you're all set..works right out of the box.

Launchpad95 download and instructions

It's also worth looking into the mixer mode of the stock Launchpad..that was more useful to me than all the clip launching, but I have a MIDI keyboard with knobs and sliders so I didn't need an extra mixer.. but if the Launchpad is your only MIDI interface it can be pretty useful ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMgxLPcq-3o ). I like using the mixer mode to mess with my channel sends to do effects and such. Also User Mode 1 is nice to just input notes or play a drum rack. The pads aren't perfect for finger-drumming or expressive playing (as they aren't velocity sensitive), but they work if it's all you got.

[calgarc]

it makes total sense when recording audio in a proper setting. just keep one next to a drum kit or microphone so you can launch and record tracks in the studio without having to go to your computer.

[xoxopowo]

I use the launchpad95 thing (see above), I tweaked it a little bit to fit my use (and kill the RANDOMIZE BUTTON) (in my case it's more of a screw it all up)
You'll gain more time learning how ableton work than using a launchpad. (it's like owning a ferrari, without a driver license, if i dare the analogy)