Novation Launchpad Pro Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Novation Launchpad Pro is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

This tutorial will teach you everything needed in order to use the Novation Launchpad Pro with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Launchpad Pro.

Article Contents

Does the Novation Launchpad Pro work with Ableton Live?
Does the Novation Launchpad Pro come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Launchpad Pro to ableton
How to midi map the Novation Launchpad Pro in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Launchpad Pro
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Novation Launchpad Pro work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Novation Launchpad Pro is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

The Launchpad Pro is equipped with a standard midi remote script in Ableton Live, so you just need to connect it (see instructions below) to get it working.

All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. This is applicable to all releases of Live, such as 9, 10, and 11. As the Launchpad Pro is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

Creating your own midi mappings in Ableton is simple, and gives you the ability to control a variety of Ableton Live’s components with your Launchpad Pro.

Does the Novation Launchpad Pro come with ableton Live included?

The Launchpad Pro offers a complimentary copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are limited in comparison to Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared to Standard’s 10GB.

If you prefer to have all the Audio and MIDI effects, we recommend getting Ableton Live Suite, because it comes with much more of them than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Launchpad Pro to ableton

Linking the Novation Launchpad Pro to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software’s parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Launchpad Pro to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Launchpad Pro and your computer.
2. Launch Ableton Live and open the MIDI preferences.
Double click the Ableton Live icon to launch the software. Then, in the top menu of Ableton, go to the Preferences menu by opening the ‘Live’ menu and clicking ‘Preferences’.
3. Select the Launchpad Pro from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Launchpad Pro are checked.
4. Ensure that the proper ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are checked for both input and output.

Track: When checked, this allows MIDI notes and CC messages to be sent/received.
Sync: This option enables MIDI clock syncing between Ableton live and the external device.
Remote: Allows external MIDI controllers to remotely control parameters within Ableton Live.

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In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Launchpad Pro (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Launchpad Pro with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Novation Launchpad Pro to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

1. Select the MIDI Map Mode button in the top right corner of the Live window. The button should turn orange, indicating that the MIDI Map Mode is enabled.
2. Select the parameter you wish to control in Ableton by clicking it with the cursor, the parameter will become highlighted.
3. Move a control on the Launchpad Pro, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Launchpad Pro.
5. Moving the physical control on your Launchpad Pro will now move the position of the corresponding parameter in Ableton.
6. Repeat steps 2 – 4 for any other parameters you wish to map.
7. When you’re finished mapping, press the MIDI Map Mode button again to disable it.

The Limitations of midi mapping the Launchpad Pro

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Launchpad Pro, there are however, some limitations to be aware of…

Saving your Launchpad Pro Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your Launchpad Pro can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

When using Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode, unfortunately now all options are available, controls such as selected track and selected device control aren’t currently possible. View a full list of Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Launchpad Pro, our Ableton Midi Script Creator tool ‘Control Surface Studio‘ is exactly what you need!
With it, you’ll be able to:
– save and re-use your Launchpad Pro’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Launchpad Pro,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Launchpad Pro, than Live’s internal midi mapping mode allows.

Learn more about Control Surface Studio and see how it can help you by clicking here!

FAQ / Troubleshooting

Why can’t I hear my Launchpad Pro in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Launchpad Pro is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Launchpad Pro is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Launchpad Pro.
4. Make sure that the Launchpad Pro is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.