Novation Launchpad
TECH
PRICE
£150.
CONTACT
novationmusic.com
VERDICT
BUILD QUALITY 4.0
EASE OF USE 4.0
performance, and the Launchpad defi nitely
FEATURES 4.5
puts this back into the mix. Watching the
VALUE FOR MONEY 5.0
promotional video on Novation’s website
SOUND QUALITY N/A
was quite inspiring, as for quite a while the
common complaint about digital DJing was
HYPE
Novation has made the Launchpad so that the lack of performance and the dependence
A fabulous, feature-rich controller
multiple units can be linked together. This on the mouse and what was happening on the
that makes controlling Ableton
is quite an exciting prospect, as in essence, computer screen.
Live a breeze.
the ability to turn one DJ into a full-blown
DJ ensemble is now quite feasible. Using So far, we’ve only looked at using Launchpad
GRIPE
ADVENTUROUS
one computer and setting up the software, with Live. But Novation’s acclaimed Automap
None at this price!
For the more adventurous DJ, there are also one performer can control the drums whilst software makes it very readily compatible
two freely assignable user modes. The fi rst of another does the basslines, another loops with other software. We tried it with the
Big on features and with
these defaults triggers Drum Racks in Live, and samples, and so on. This opens up major latest version of Automap Standard, and it all
a low price tag, this
perfect for using as a drum machine in the possibilities for new and exciting DJ sets that worked fi ne.
could be the perfect
studio, or in a live performance, but they can go beyond the general idea of DJing, taking it The Launchpad is a great controller, but controller for all Ableton
be assigned to anything you want them to, into the realm of a live gig. some users might not like the all-in-one, Live users who wish to
in fact pretty much anything that responds do-it-all design. Some might say it’s quicker put performance back
to MIDI. Whilst playing with the Launchpad, I got on the laptop, and would prefer to control
into the mix.
Launchpad isn’t just confi ned to Ableton Live. to feel that I was really getting hands-on volume and FX instantly. The great thing here,
With Novation’s Automap software, it can be with the software, something that has been though, is that every option is now being
used to control any other MIDI-compatible missing since the days of two turntables and considered, and for the user, this can only be
software. a mixer. As a DJ, the emphasis used to be on a good thing.
4.5/5
www.djmag.com
105
DJ481.tech_launchpad.indd 105 1/12/09 15:08:04
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