Anybody who has used a modern pad controller will know the drill here the pads are used as a keyboard, which can be mapped to a preset selection of scales with an adjustable root note. Note is Novation’s Scale mode, which is also found on the other Launchpads. These remaining modes are labelled Note, Chord, Custom and Sequencer. While these parameters are all DAW-specific, what sets the Launchpad Pro apart is that its remaining four modes can all be used universally – either in Live, with third party software, or even independently from a computer altogether via a pair of MIDI outputs on the hardware. Like the sound of a Launchpad but don’t need the sequencer or standalone features? Check out the cheaper Launchpad X. Its screen makes navigation easier, but there’s no MIDI out or direct hardware interaction.

There’s also a Device mode that, when engaged, lets the eight pad columns control a bank of eight macro controls.Ībleton’s own controller is still the one to beat when it comes to Live control. These can be used to take control of volume, pan and send levels. The controller also allows for access to a number of mixer functions, making use of ‘virtual faders’ laid out across the pad grid. Where the Pro goes deeper is in its supplementary controls, which allow for control of Live’s transport section, record arming, mute, solo, Capture MIDI and quantisation. This works pretty much as it does on other Launch controllers, whereby individual pads are used to trigger clips and the buttons to the side, above and below allow for triggering of full scenes and navigation around the interface.

As its name suggests, this is used to interact with Live’s Session view, used for launching, recording and arranging clips and scenes. The pad grid can make use of five modes, the first of which is the Live-specific Session mode. A randomising Mutation mode is one of several smart creative controls.

Launchpad as step sequencer ableton 10