Looks like a sweet little add-on to the Launchpad.
Perfect for those who are clip based but wanted some real knobs to twist on instead of a mode-change for the buttons. Cool stuff, and I’ll bet it gets hijacked into other use cases as well. And given the LaunchPad is so cheap, I’m betting this thing ends up being around $69.
I don’t understand how novation could bungle the launchcontrol THIS BADLY. Why does it have knobs instead of endless encoders with LED rings to jump between layers or devices the way the APC40 does? It has buttons to navigate between channels - do they expect the user to limit themselves to only several devices and knobs? It’s not as if novation is new to LED ring encoders either. I just don’t get it…
When it comes to Ableton controllers, APC4- style device control really should be the gold standard, again LED rings around endless encoders, instead of limited knobs.
Maybe their use case is different than yours. Maybe they don’t want to have to worry about making an encoder based product that either (a) has encoders that don’t change values as quickly as a user would expect, but doesn’t require middleware, or (b) works fine as long as the user is also running AutoMap or similar middleware.
Ableton has poor support for encoders. There is no sensitivity setting unless you’re tweaking it via middleware or writing a script that hooks into the Live API. Either option is a problem for many users. These problems go away when you switch to absolute controls.
For a small, probably inexpensive controller the simpler solution is probably going to be the best one for most people.
Has anyone ever seen the launchpad? Its very basic, just as this controller is. No bells and whistles, just buttons and knobs. I really like this controller, when I had a launchpad, i was wanting something like this to come out. Might get one anyways, I think I’ve got some uses for it.
Nocturn would have fit the bill if it was a normal USB class-compliant MIDI controller that could be used on iOS/dekstop without having to run the darn Automap Server software.
I have been wanting something like this since I got my launchpad…The Nocturn would have been great, but Automap is awful. I am sure that Novation realized that there was a demand for a product like this to pair with the Launchpad and decided to fill it. I got a Korg nanoKontrol-2, and that is nice, but more knobs makes controlling FX params inAbleton much nicer.
And for what it’s worth, for the price ($99), I am ok with no encoders. I’d rather this at $99 retail with no encoders than something much more expensive with them. If you want faders, grab a nanoKontrol for like $50 and there you go. I will likely grab one when they come out to pair with Launchpad and my nanoKontrol.
I agree about the nocturn. I had one and it seemed promising, but I just couldn’t stand having to use that damned middleman automap software. I’d much rather just have class-complient midi and map it myself.
Are we talking about the launchpad mini in here as well? I’m rather interested in it. Class compliant, smaller footprint, great price, what’s not to like? I just hope the build is as good as with the previous launchpads and that it has a little spindle hole so it fits on a turntable nicely.
sorry guys to bump this thread, been looking to get the launchpad mini and launch control for christmas. do you recommend it? will use it for ableton(obviously) but will also map it for traktor