Novation suggests that the two can be combined to achieve a new level of hands-on control over Ableton Live. Second, I can save it with the set but if I start a new song, for example, am I supposed to map 5 VSTs out fully and then delete the ones I don't need? Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. The ideal use for this device would be the ability to treat a VST like a full-fledged hardware synth.

Launch | Novation

To be fair, I have to assume that's a limitation on Ableton's side rather than a conscious design decision by Novation. First Impressions / Setting up We take a look at Novation’s Launch Control XL controller, meant to provide hardware controls for Ableton Live’s mixer section. In factory preset mode, the knobs control pan, sends A and B; the faders control volume, and the buttons do track focus and track control, so in combination with the function keys you have access to the mute/solo/record arm controls. I think I have a workaround which is direct MIDI mapping to VSTs and saving them as rack presets but not sure if this will work yet.You can chose which parameter you want to control using the ‘Mute’, ‘Solo’ and ‘Record Arm’ buttons on the right-hand side of the unit. Spend less time peering at your screen by using hands-on controls that integrate seamlessly with Ableton Live. Actually, to be clear, you can, but you can't save those mappings, essentially crippling the use of this device. You can even control hardware directly, as Launch Control XL works standalone; all you need is a MIDI USB host, a little box that converts USB MIDI to plain, ordinary, house or garden MIDI (sold separately).

Launch Control XL - be careful - Ableton Forum Novation Launch Control XL - be careful - Ableton Forum

You can never have too many knobs in your studio, and the Launch Control is a cheap and compact way to add 16 more, along with eight pads.Novation are excited to announce an extension to the standard limited warranty, which comes with all new products. Although the aforementioned Launchkey Mini is particularly cool with Novation's iOS app, we kept gravitating back to the Control, because of the Ableton Live templates, and its perfect layout for Logic's Smart Controls. I find it invaluable to access multiple device parameters within Live tracks, and this makes it very easy. When held, the Device button also turns the Track Select buttons into Device Select buttons, which cycle through the instruments and effects on the currently selected track.

Launch Control XL HUI Support – Novation Launch Control XL HUI Support – Novation

To set the LaunchControl XL up as a HUI control surface in Pro Tools, navigate to ‘Setup’ > ‘Peripherals’ > ‘MIDI Controllers’. The Track Select buttons jump the whole controller between banks of eight channels in Live: 1-8, 9-16, 17-24 and so on. This allows these Track Control buttons to toggle the mute, solo and record-arm buttons for each track within Live, with the multicolored LEDs behind the buttons providing helpful visual cues as to which mode is currently active. The Novation LaunchControl XXL Control Surface Script for Ableton Live adds Session Control, Mix Control and advanced 24 Parameter Device Control. The Control is a perfect companion for Logic Pro X's Smart Controls - 12 on-screen knobs that take over the currently selected device.Experience an unprecedented level of freedom when playing live, by combining with a Launchpad to control Ableton’s session view. Sure, the factory preset will work out of the box but without MIDI scripts for the 8 User presets, you can't use those 24 knobs and faders to map to VSTs. The third row controls pan by default, and as one might expect, the faders map to Live's volume faders. While the Launch Control XL is a more function-centric design than the Launchpad, it carries over the same genius and functional ease. In general, the overall feel of the controller is pretty good, and like the other controllers in the Launch range it seems robust, though you should be careful with those high-profile faders which will obviously be fairly delicate in your backpack.

Launch Control XL / Produciton - Mixing, EQ etc.. Novation Launch Control XL / Produciton - Mixing, EQ etc..

The Launch Control XL is a very well thought-out controller that packs a lot into its relatively tiny surface area.Combined with Launchpad's intuitive 64-button grid, Launch Control XL provides unrivalled simultaneous control over Ableton Live's session view, mixer, effects, and instruments – it’s never been easier to craft the perfect mix. This setup would be much better if the Send A and Send B knobs could also be used for device control, but as it stands, the only way to get access to all of the controls is to create a user template - see Template of Dreams. These devices do not feature factory reset but Factory Packs can be loaded through the use of Novation Components.