novation launchpad pro as keyboard

[tffshtt]

High peeps,

I have been simply dying for a compact / comprehensive pad instrument to replace the traditional controller keyboards I have (and the great but zero feel 'isomorphic' layout I have been using on the ipad) so I just  thought I'd share an initial impression of the launchpad pro, used as a keyboard:

The good:

-unit weight: just right...light enough to be portable but heavy enough to bang on and not have the feeling that it is going to fly off your work surface

-aftertouch sensitivity : great- with three levels of sensitivity to choose from in the bootlaoder mode.  I can get all sorts of LFO / modulation madness going with the alpha juno and prophet 08.

-velocity sensitivity : great- as responsive as any keyboard velocity I have tried without any sort of travel / tendonitis inducing issues of synth action / semi weighted keyboards

-button feel: solid, chunky and smooth- easy to bang on OR swipe your finger across and trigger the notes that you swipe...totally mad 'free jazz' stuff here.  Four buttons have a raised dot so you can keep your place without looking at the LPP.

-octave buttons / chromatic scale shift buttons (for lack of better terminology): nice and responsive...by using scale shift, the user can shift the notes displayed on the LPP by a half step up or down (that is, a half step left or right on the LPP)

-opensource firmware https://github.com/dvhdr/launchpad-pro

-cost: made me a little wary at first but after having it in front of me for a while it seems fair, my initial impression of the quality is good.  I won't be using all the gimmicky ableton interface / 'light show' stuff (which probably contributed to the cost) but it is STM32F1 based which gives me the impression of stability /flexibilty.

the mediocre:

-without changing the firmware, the user is limited to a chromatic note layout...*but* if you are C madman you can change the open source firmware

***on that note, is there anyone else interested in figuring out how to make other note layouts?  I am addicted to the 'minor third' layout I have on my ipad but I have to keep my eyes glued to it since there is no physical feedback (making it difficult to search for the knobs I want to twiddle next with my free hand).***

 

 

Edited August 18, 2015 by tffshtt

[tffshtt]

Problem Solved: User scales and sequencer for the LPP by this genius: https://youtu.be/_G3-Z9f-Xr0