Modding a Launchpad?
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  1. #1
    Tech Wizard
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    Default Modding a Launchpad?

    So right now i love my launchpad and the custom mapping i have for it but was wondering

    has anybody ever disected a launchpad and customized it with their own buttons?
    i think the 64 button setup with sanwas or something like that would be crazy
    any tip, advice, or actual guide with doing this would be a huge help

    thanks

  2. #2
    Tech Wizard coolout's Avatar
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    Of course it's on the front page of this very site...

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/64084879...-launchpad-for

    The case looks a little too DIY for price IMO.
    Last edited by coolout; 03-09-2011 at 01:04 AM.
    Make beats. Write rhymes. Spin music. Throw parties. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

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  3. #3
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    The case does look a little cheap, but regarding the price; keep in mind that arcade buttons are expensive, $2.19 at the djtt store multiply by 80 buttons, add a launchpad (~200) and you're at $375... Keep in mind that the buttons from djtt don't come with leds. rgb leds are expensive about $1.10 each at qty's of 100+, we're now at $485.

    $100 for the seriously tedious and risky (don't want to fry a $200 launchpad) work involved seems fair to me...

    I always wondered why larger controllers are so expensive... Then I researched the parts I need to build my own... My original budget was about $250 total... after research I'm now sitting closer to $500....

  4. #4
    Tech Wizard coolout's Avatar
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    You can find launchpads much lower than $200...they average around $130 online.

    I agree he's probably not making a killing on these...i just wish the case didn't look like an 8th grade shop class project.
    Make beats. Write rhymes. Spin music. Throw parties. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

    CHECK ME OUT:
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  5. #5
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    Yeah, I'd have to agree... regardless of the cost/profit, anything expensive should at least look better. On the plus side, it looks like they're using real wood as opposed to fibreboard/particle board/etc...

  6. #6
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    i was thinking cost shouldnt be more that 50 bucks considering that build list would most likey be :
    2-20 packs of arcade buttons = $20 each pack(just for hotcues basically)
    wood from homedepot for box= 10 bucks or so...launchpads are tiny
    Launchpad has leds built in if i could still use those
    and Launchpad that i paid about $130 for after tax

    was looking for some help because i dont even want to unscrew the launchpad until i have some kind of gameplan

  7. #7
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    You can use the leds, for sure... Either by relocating them or using light pipes (solid clear tubes that direct light where you want it).. The costs for everything but the buttons seems fair, though I'd splurge a little and get some quality hardwood, for the amount you need it wouldn't be too expensive...

    I'd also estimate about $10-$20 for misc parts, wires, connectors, solder, etc. I'd say about $50 for everything minus buttons would be definitely doable... The cheapest arcade buttons I've been able to find (in lower quantities) is around $1.90 each...

    If you can find quality arcade buttons for a buck a piece, please do let us know

    As for taking it apart... just make sure to document the process with pictures, and WELL LABELED parts containers, so in the event you want to back out (before you start cutting or hacking), you can put it all back together and not have the mysterious spare part left over

  8. #8
    Tech Wizard jessevdriel's Avatar
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    Hey, could you please share your mapping. I just got my launchpad but i'm still trying to figure out a good mapping. thx in advance

  9. #9
    Tech Student le0's Avatar
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    I know this is not the right place to ask questions but im new on the forum and dont have any idea how to use it. anyway my question is simple is there a way to divide user 1 in novation launchpad into 4 sections? here's an example; les say that I want to have 4 different drum racks all playing different sound lets say drums, synths, effects. since it has 64 pads im sure this would make it very interesting. I hope im being clear since my inglish is not perfect. I wish someone responds to this
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  10. #10
    Tech Wizard
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    Quote Originally Posted by le0 View Post
    I know this is not the right place to ask questions but im new on the forum and dont have any idea how to use it. anyway my question is simple is there a way to divide user 1 in novation launchpad into 4 sections? here's an example; les say that I want to have 4 different drum racks all playing different sound lets say drums, synths, effects. since it has 64 pads im sure this would make it very interesting. I hope im being clear since my inglish is not perfect. I wish someone responds to this
    I take it you're using Ableton? What your set-up will probably look like is: 4 tracks, each with a drum rack on it. What you need is for each 4x4 section on the launchpad to send midi notes out to a different midi channel. Then you could, on tracks 1-4, select which midi channel to receive midi from so that the drum rack clips are triggered. Unfortunately, the Launchpad can't do this straight out the box, and you're going to have to use a third-party application like Bomes to re-configure the user1 page of the launchpad.

    For a simpler solution: If you're wanting to use a drum-rack to play fx and synths - you could just load the 16 clips (for the synth, for example) into a track and map the launchpad user1 buttons to trigger those clips. When you want to load up a new bank of sounds, just drag a previously saved live set from your browser into the track where you've mapped your launchpad and you should be able to launch those new clips with your previously mapped buttons.

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