Novation Launchpad Available Soon so Pre Order Today
Ableton and Novation have worked in partnership to produce what promises to be a popular DJ and producer tool. The Novation Launchpad.
If you’re familiar with Ableton Live and the various controller interfaces that are available for this popular piece of music production software you might be asking what is so special about this new one. However, if you had just seen the live demonstration that I have just seen you would be as keen as I am to get your hands on one.
They really have captured what is needed in a truly intuitive interface. I can’t wait to get one of these in my studio and my DJ partner says he’ll definitely be using one of these in his live sets.
The controller provides a matrix of 64 trigger pads that can be configured to trigger sound clips in Ableton, or control the Ableton Mixer or indeed any other aspect of the Ableton software. Here’s a summary of the key features:
- 64 (8×8 grid) square multi-colour back-lit buttons
- 8 round multi-colour back-lit system buttons (assignable)
- 8 round multi-colour back-lit function buttons (not assignable)
- L-shaped USB 1.1 connector.
- Made for each other – Designed in partnership with Ableton, Launchpad and Ableton Live integrate seamlessly; just load up Live, plug-in Launchpad and
you’re ready to roll. - Launch clips and scenes – Launchpad’s 64-button grid and dedicated scene
launch buttons are ideal for launching and controlling your clips and
scenes. - Ableton Live Controller for
DJ Performance and Studio Composition includes Ableton Live 8 Launch
Pad Edition. - On the go – Launchpad is perfect for the truly mobile performer, weighing in at under 750g and filling a space smaller than a 13″ laptop.
- Launchpad and Live operate as one – Bi-directional communication between Launchpad and Ableton Live ensures that, at any given time, each knows the status of the other.
- Instant Visual Session Overview – With its backlit multi-colour 64 button grid, Launchpad gives instant feedback on your session view – see at a glance
what’s loaded, what’s playing, and what’s being recorded. - Innovative control over your
mix – Including volume, pans, sends, track arming, soloing
and muting. Launchpad lets you jump to different levels across eight
channels at once. - Expand your Ableton control
solution – Novation’s Automap-enabled controllers work
seamlessly together – A ZeRO SL MkII to control the mix,
whilst Launchpad triggers clips! - Ableton Live 8 Launchpad Edition – Fully functional for performance and production. For existing users, Ableton Live 7 and 8 are Launchpad-ready.
- Create and perform anywhere, anytime – Launchpad is USB-powered, with no need for an additional
power supply. Just a single USB lead, powered from your computer. - Go Large! – Launchpad
supports multiple unit operation. Connect up to 6 Launchpads at a time!
Expand your grid with multiple Launchpads, or have one Launchpad
dedicated to mixer mode, and the other to launching clips. - Jump around your Live set -
Using simple page buttons and a ‘Session Overview’,
Launchpad gives you an overview of the clips you have loaded across
your entire Live set. - Don’t move! – With
large rubber grips to hold it steady, once you choose a performance
position for Launchpad, that’s where it stays! - Windows Minimum Requirements: Windows XP or Vista, 1.5 GHz or faster, 512 MB RAM / 1 GB recommended
- MAC Minimum Requirements: 10.4, or later recommended, G4 or faster / Intel Mac, 512 MB RAM / 1 GB recommended
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 239 mm / 9.41 “, 24 mm / 0.945“, 239 mm / 9.41 “
- Weight: 717g / 1.58 lbs
But you’re going to have to wait until November 1st to get your mits on one of these. And you’ll only get one then if you pre-rder from the first batch that are to be delivered to DV247.com.
The really gob-smacking thing about this really cool product is the price. Only £149.99 – and this price even includes a bundled version of Ableton Live 8. Incredible.
Check it out in this demo video and you’ll be pre-ordering yours today:
