Novation Announces Launchkey Keyboard Controller Lineup With App Integration
Novation has announced the Launchkey keyboard controller lineup. Although it looks like another boring keyboard controller entry, the Launchkey works with both computer and iPad platforms and features 16 velocity-sensitive multi-color “launch pads” capable of playing drums and triggering loops in the brand new Launchpad iPad app, as well as launching clips and scenes in Ableton Live. It is a fully featured DAW control surface with up to 50 physical controls depending on the model. Launchkey also comes with two Novation plug-in soft synths: the V-Station and the Bass Station.
Launchkey includes an entire suite of software for iPad, Mac and PC including a brand new Launchkey synth app, a Launchpad app* for triggering and improvising with loops, and the powerful V-Station and Bass Station soft synths for Mac and PC – not to mention Ableton Live Lite and a huge Loopmasters sample pack. The new controller works with all major music software, giving you hands-on control of your mixer, transport and more in Ableton Live, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reason, Logic and Cubase. With nine faders, nine buttons, eight rotary knobs and transport controls, nothing comes close to Launchkey for sheer controllability.
Features:
» Create – Integrated software/hardware instrument with apps for Mac, PC and iPad
» Launchkey comes with a brand new Launchkey app and Launchpad apps for iPad and the powerful Novation V-Station and Bass Station synth plug-ins for Mac and PC
» Control – InControl technology connects hardware controls directly to all major DAWs
» Quick, hands-on control of your mixer, transport and more in Ableton, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reason, Cubase and Logic
» Launch – 16 velocity-sensitive multi-color launch pads
» Synth-styled velocity-sensitive keyboard with 50 faders, knobs, pads and buttons (35 on 25-note version)
» DAW Control
» Instant access to major DAW control parameters – with no assignment necessary
» Bus powered – no PSU required
» One gigabyte Loopmasters sample pack
» Ableton Live Lite
16 multi-color backlit velocity-sensitive launch pads (Novation’s original Launchpad does not have velocity sensitive pads, which many regarded as a “miss.” —Ed.) can be used to play drums and trigger loops without having to go near the computer. Whatever software you use, the 16 launch pads are perfect for sketching out beats or playing in drum patterns, or triggering clips and scenes in Ableton Live. The top row of eight pads will launch clips and the bottom row will stop clips.
The Novation Launchpad is a music performance app for iPad that will have you making beats and triggering loops quickly. It’s packed full of quality loops and sounds that can be combined in the multi-color 8×6 Launchpad grid to make and remix music. The built-in time stretching always keeps you locked in to the beat, so your loops don’t go out of time. The app follows some of the key features from the ‘Launchpad’ hardware, but strips out much of the complexity. Eight volume sliders allow quick volume changes and simple FX modes offer cool DJ effects such as stutter FX and synced filter FX, adding fun ways to remix your music and make your performance unique.
The Launchpad app, along with the Launchkey app can transform your Launchkey hardware into a synth and loop triggering workstation for performing and producing music with your iPad. The launch pads on the hardware trigger loops in the app and you can get hands-on control of levels with Launchkey’s physical faders.
