Novation Launch Control XL MK2 USB MIDI controller for Ableton Live with assignable controls.

Product Information

Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. The Novation LaunchControl XXL Control Surface Script for Ableton Live adds Session Control, Mix Control and advanced 24 Parameter Device Control. The face of the unit features 24 knobs, eight faders, 16 pads and ten buttons, and the build quality throughout is absolutely top notch - although the knobs might be a touch stiff for some. They can advertise that it does all of that and more and charge for a secondary software package or bundle it. Doing this requires using the Launch Control's custom template functionality, which in turn sacrifices the power yielded by Novation's controller scripts that allow you to navigate through a set with more than eight channels.

Launch Control XL — Audiobus Forum Launch Control XL — Audiobus Forum

Further parameters can then be accessed by holding down the Device button, which turns the Track Control pads into Device Bank selectors, each with its own Pan/Device knob assignments. 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). By default these knobs map to the first eight parameters of the first device on the track that's currently selected within Live.We have provided an Ableton Live project template that handles the MIDI communication between the two devices. Still, it might be possible to hack something together using a Max For Live device like Multimapper to transform the XL's device control knobs into one-knob filters.

Novation Launch Control XL MKII, Black | PMT Online Novation Launch Control XL MKII, Black | PMT Online

For something like 24 knobs, to try to have an arrangement that does this is a lot more complicated. This is great if you want to make a small adjustment but you may find you hit the end of the pot’s physical travel before the virtual control on-screen.

Also, never looked for documentation, but essentially, it loads a screen that looks like the LCXL; you select a parameter and set what it controls (just like the desktop editor, which no longer works on my OS btw so this is a life saver), and send changes to the device. The components software seems great for other Novation devices, but is pretty lacking for the Launch Control XL (generally lacking documentation/support. The Control is a perfect companion for Logic Pro X's Smart Controls - 12 on-screen knobs that take over the currently selected device. If this was just about the smaller designs, that would be interesting enough, up to a point, but it's also about compatibility.

VIDEO: Using Launch Control with Ableton Live on PC VIDEO: Using Launch Control with Ableton Live on PC

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.Ideally it would be best suited for basic mixer type functions, not that of controlling 128 automapped parameters of a beast synth. The Novation LaunchControl XLcomes with some great software too so you have more than enough to get up and running. I was debating same but lots of complaints online for both knobs and faders being cheap and small on the midi mix. Pro Tools will also not allow the 4th dial in the second row to be assigned to parameters as it treats the message as park of a bank select fine message.

Resetting a product back to its Factory Settings – Novation Resetting a product back to its Factory Settings – Novation

In terms of build quality the Launch Control doesn't feel particularly delicate, and it's not as teeny as you might think. There are no drivers to install, and there are starter templates for Live, FL Studio, and Reason to download. It helps you focus more on your music and less on your laptop, with 16 buttons, 24 knobs and eight faders, all seamlessly integrated Live to give you hands-on control. Eight rugged 60mm faders offer high-precision control over your levels, while 16 multi-colour pads offer immediate track focus and mixer control.

Mapping your Launchkey to the virtual parameters in Reason requires a few very simple steps using the REMOTE OVERRIDE EDIT feature. It very programable, almost every button, slider, and knob can be configured in Novation's control software.