Launchpad Mini MK3, Portable MIDI 64-Pad, USB Grid Controller for Ableton Live and Logic Pro Performances, Black

I have used this with the Launchpad apps on iPhone and iPad and also with Ableton 11 and 12. It is configured already so you just plug in and play. It is very useful and makes for a great workflow including for recording in Ableton. There are different layouts such as keyboard and drum pad as well as the main one for launching loops and you can add a custom one as there is free software available for editing the custom configurations. It is very easy to learn how to use and you could get a lot out of it as your sole MIDI controller. It is compact, good build quality. It came bundled with some decent software (Ableton live lite if I recall correctly). You could just use it as a toy with the launchpad app and kids will enjoy it for that alone but you can squeeze a lot of functionality in Ableton from it also. It won’t be much use for finer controlling of software synths and for finger drumming you may want larger pads, and there are no moving parts as such like faders or knobs, but you get what you pay for. Paired with a decent drum pad controller or something like the Midimix it is a great buy.

I've had the Mini's big brother the Launchpad MK3 for around 18 months now and use it constantly, in fact I prefer it to a keyboard when creating music. However, it is quite large and so was difficult to take around with me on occasions, especially if I had other bits and pieces with me. Had my eye on the Mini since Christmas and recently took the plunge. I was amazed on delivery at Just how "mini" it actually is. Wasn't expecting something so small. I was disappointed at first. I expected reduced functionality- no chord mode - but wasn't prepared for the keys layout, Chromatic only. When using the bigger Launchpad I don't use a Chromatic keyboard. Its set out as per my pic. Anyway, took a while, but I created my own custom mode in Components and assigned a midi note/octave per pad using the same colour scheme. Happy now. Plug and play, recognised as soon. As I plugged in the supplied USB cable. Anyway, the Mini is terrific. You really should buy one.

Superb and perfect for what I needed it for, which was clip launching, as I have another keyboard controller. Amazing little thing, works instantly with Ableton. Also I setup the mixer function on the custom slot. Wicked.

This launchpad arrives with the minimum of instruction but after plugging it in to a USB port and clicking on the ‘getting started’ link, the walk-through set-up is very good. I have Ableton Live 11 installed and the product configured itself automatically for use after starting the software. If you don't have a copy of Ableton Live, a free 'Lite' version is available to download after product registration. I carry the launchpad in a pocket of my laptop case. The pads are a nice size and are velocity sensitive. I can easily use them to play notes or create drum patterns. They also reflect the colour of the clips loaded into Ableton Live’s session view when not playing (Green when the clip is active). There are 3 modes of operation: Session, Note and Custom with everything well labelled and most of the function pads are nicely backlit. I would say that a working knowledge of Ableton Live is preferred to get the full benefit of the Launchpad. However, the basics are relatively easy to learn. The user guide for this product can be downloaded before purchase so you can see if it’s right for you. This is NOT a stand-alone musical instrument and must be used with some music production software. I like it.

Great bit of kit which is plug and play with ableton, also a great size for live work

I bought this because my Mk2 LP, althogh lovely to look at, is a bit to big for my stage setup and occcasionally fell off the synth I generally put it on. Points to note - Has full RGB, a little fainter than a full size version, but still easily visible under stage lighting. - in clip launch mode the bottom right button is no longer a scene launcher but toggles track arm/mute/solo. I didn't find this change a problem (though I thought i might) - Components is fantastic allowing easy customisation of the user screens, really useful feature. If you configure it for faders it is more sensitive than the older models doing roughly 1.5dB increments rather than 6 if you tap repeatedly. - It's true plug and play with Ableton Live, no need to go into control surfaces to set it up - The session overview (which enables you to scroll 8 rows at a time instead of 1 seems initially to be missing (it used to be accessible on older models by holding down the session button but that now does something else). However the support team helped me out, this is now accessible by double tapping session instead of tap and hold. Obviously it's not as fully featured as the X and the Pro, and the buttons are not velocity sensitive, but if you want a very capable and cheap clip launcher that can be readily customised for other uses this is probaly it. Will also apparently work in Logic Pro X for triggering Apple Loops, there is a setup in Components to do that, but i have not tested it.

Far to much technology these days is getting bogged down and made worse by a ton of extra features that many of us don't even want. This though, this does what it does, and it does it pretty reliably i think. I wish more tech, especially music tech, took this approach. . I don't always want one device that does everything. Often, i would like a few solid devices that each do their own specific task efficiently and without unnecessary distractions and / or endless menu diving. Again, this is that. It can't be a coincidence that while performing at an all-dayer in Manchester with this, i noticed that quite a few of the other acts also had one of these in their striped down set-ups. Because if you want to play live with just a few devices, but need them all to be worth it, then as well as being simple and reliable, this is also very compact and extremely light without feeling overly fragile and delicate. But let's be clear, it IS light, thin, and easy on the wallet. So don't go treating it really badly and expect it to survive everything that you can possibly throw at it. . But life is life, and accidents happen. And if the worst happens, at this price it won't break the bank to just buy another. In fact, buy a spare before you need it. .

I upgraded to this controller from the Mark 1. Pleasantly surprised. The software for custom layouts is good. The increased range of colours for the pads is really useful. Perfect for making animated displays, if you like messing around with that kind of thing. My only gripe is that FL Studio doesn't support it out of the box like the Mark 1. That's entirely down to Image Line though. There are patches available for it made by the image line community. Works flawlessly. I wish Novation would support android and not just apple. So if you want to use this with an android powered tablet or phone you won't be able to. That being said. Great piece of kit. The price is fantastic for a solid, well built controller. Genuinely feels like it should be more expensive.