Novation Launchpad SNovation made quite a splash back in 2009 when they introduced their astonishingly affordable Launchpad controller for Live. Just type 'Novation Launchpad' into YouTube's search engine and you'll find around 100'000 videos of producers, DJs and musicians using Novation's 64-button controller.
The Launchpad S is an update to their best-selling design and adds brighter LED backlights for use in all lighting conditions, a faster refresh rate for more dynamic reflection of Live's interface and iPad compatibility with Novation's free Launchpad app. Interestingly, the Launchpad S now also works with FL Studio out of the box as well, and even ships with custom overlays for software platforms other than Ableton Live.
Here's more from Novation. Check out the video they've posted too. It's rather good.
Press Release: Launchpad S is an update to the best-selling grid controller for Ableton Live: the Novation Launchpad. The 64 tri-colour pads can launch loops and clips, trigger drums and samples, and also control effects, volumes, mutes, solos and more. Launchpad S can do all this but has vastly brighter LEDs, a significantly faster refresh rate and is now plug and play with other software such as FL Studio. It also now works with iPad!
Launchpad S is an evoluton of the ubiquitous Launchpad, the Ableton Live controller that re-defined the way we perform music with computers. A grid of 64 ‘launch’ pads allows hands-on control of music software such as Ableton Live and FL Studio. It is especially designed for launching loops/clips and triggering effects as well as getting full mixer control including volume, effects sends, pan, mute, solo and track arm. The grid can also trigger drums and one-shot samples. A second user mode allows users to freely assign pads to control other software parameters.
KEY FEATURES
64-button music software controller Launch loops/clips, trigger drums and samples, and control effects and volumes.
Brighter, faster and works with more software Launchpad S is an update to the best selling original Launchpad.
Comes with Ableton Live Launchpad Edition Feature-packed version of Ableton Live lets you create music straight out of the box.
Plug and play with FL Studio and other software Now including custom software control overlays in the box.
Now supports iPad Launchpad S connects to iPad® with the Apple Camera Connection Kit — no drivers required!
New #1 iPad music app Trigger loops and remix on the fly with just a Launchpad S and your iPad
Create and perform anywhere Launchpad S is bus powered, even from an iPad, so you don’t need to connect it to mains power!
Launchpad S comes with the Launchpad Edition of Ableton Live, so you can start making music straight away. It also comes with custom overlays for using other grid-based music software such as FL Studio.
Novation has developed a Launchpad iPad app that enables loop triggering and effects from your iPad, independent of Ableton Live. Launchpad S can be connected to, and powered by, an iPad using a standard Camera Connection Kit. The app features a 1GB sample pack of brand new hand-picked loops curated by Loopmasters, ranging from drum samples to artist packs across a variety of modern genres.
