How well does the new NOVATION Launchkey integrate with Ableton Live?

Discover how the creative tools that come with the new Launchkey offer extensive integration with Ableton Live.

Control of Ableton Live has become even more extensive with the new Novation Launchkey, offering brand new sequencing features, in addition to control of the session view grid, mixer, devices, arrangement navigation, and much more.

Drum Pad Mode

In Drum mode, the newly designed unique patented Launchpad-style FSR pads are perfect for laying down drum beats. Worflow buttons, such as metronome are close by to help you keep track of timing. Use the Quantise button for tidying up timing of your playing, while the Capture MIDI button ensures you can retrieve what you’ve played on armed tracks even if you forgot to press Record.

DAW Mode - Sequencer

As an alternative to manually playing drums, Launchkey now features an Ableton sequencer mode for live drum programming, where the pads turn into a grid of 16 steps. This mode also works for melodic sounds, such as bass, arpeggios, and 303s. 
Edit steps by holding down a pad, which allows you to adjust Note Velocity, Note Length, Fine Adjust, and Nudge. To quickly add variation to your sequence, use the Duplicate function by pressing the Function and Down buttons. Navigate through the sequence using the Up and Down arrows, and select a clip to add by pressing the > button located to the right of the pads.
You can easily sequence intervals and chords by playing multiple notes, and thanks to Easy Scale mode, you don't need to be an expert in music theory. Launchkey syncs automatically with the scale you’ve selected in Ableton Live, keeping your harmonies and rhythms aligned. This feature pairs perfectly with Launchkey’s Creative Tools, like Fixed Chord, which lets you create ‘sampler-style’ chord patterns with just a single finger. Plus, you can duplicate steps and tweak them using the encoders to adjust their position, duration, and velocity.

DAW Mode - Clip

In Clip mode, pads can be used to launch clips. The Up and Down buttons to the left of the pads move up and down the grid, and the > button located to the right of the pads launches the selected scene. The lower row of pads can also be toggled to various modes for muting, soloing, and stopping clips.

Mixer and Plugin Encoder Mode

The faders on the  Launchkey 49 and Launchkey 61 can be used to adjust mixer levels if required, with the encoders switchable to other mixer controls such as panning and sends. Encoders can also be used for mixer levels on every Launchkey in the range. Additionally, encoders can control plugins and easily switch from one device to another from using the Launchkey controls.

Transport Encoder Mode

Use Launchkey’s encoders to easily navigate through your arrangement in Ableton Live, enabling playhead scrubbing or the ability to jump from one marker to another. Also, when capturing a lengthy jam in chord map mode, being able to zoom in and out and adjust loop position and length helps you engage with your recording in a more enjoyable and hands-on fashion.

Whether composing, producing, or performing, Launchkey’s new step sequencing, scale locking, clip launching, mixer and device control, and transport navigation will help you take control of Ableton Live and your music.