New from Novation at NAMM 2020 is the Launchpad Pro MKIII Production Grid Controller. This powerful, colorful, and dynamic Production Grid Controller for Ableton Live was designed for those artists who need a one-stop audio controller unit for creating and performing their songs quickly and without compromise. The Launchpad Pro MKIII incorporates some previous design and layout elements from Novation’s earlier Launchpad models, but includes a plethora of new controls that are perfect for musicians who find themselves at home creating in Ableton Live.
Novation Launchpad Pro MKIII ()
If you’re familiar with the design and intent of Novation’s Launchpad series in general, then further-integrated functionality of Launchpad Pro MKIII will come as no surprise. Featuring 64 super-sensitive RGB pads, these large velocity- and pressure-sensitive controls produce a stunning reflection of the user’s Ableton Live session, which decreases the gap between the artist and their DAW which can often inhibit the user-friendliness of other controllers. The Launchpad Pro MKIII was designed with dedicated buttons for launching clips, scenes, accessing the mixer, quantising, duplicating, and doubling, as well as device and transport controls, all without needing to touch a mouse. On top of that, the on-device access to Ableton Live’s Capture MIDI function ensures that the user never loses even the smallest idea with creative potential.
Additionally, the Launchpad Pro MKIII also features a powerful four-track, 32-step sequencer for creating fleshed-out tracks inside the controller. With options like eight-note polyphony, pattern chaining and scenes for creating and triggering longer sequences, and probability/mutation controls for further audio experimentation, the Launchpad Pro MKIII hits all the marks in terms of functionality and creativity, maximizing the potential for creating music on the spot.
“The Launchpad Pro MKIII has all the great functionality that you’re used to with Launchpad. If you’ve seen Launchpad before, it’s basically a one-to-one controller for Ableton Live,” Novation representative Kody Standridge, tell us from the 2020 NAMM show. “You can do things like launch clips, control volumes. We have these great new velocity-sensitive pads, so depending on how hard you hit the faders [it will control] how quickly they move to where they want to be. It’s a cool feature for bringing things down slowly or if you want to do filters, sweeps, etc.”
With Dynamic Note and Scale Modes (to create and play in-key melodies, leads, chords, and basslines), MIDI I/O and Out 2/Thru to control any and all MIDI functions from your studio directly from the Launchpad Pro MKIII, and Novation’s Chord Mode (the ability to build and perform complex chords completely from the RGB pad grid), it’s all wrapped up in a slick, lightweight and durable housing. The Launchpad Pro MKIII from Novation is one of the best production grid controllers available for Ableton Live users and creatives who want a bit more out of their MIDI controllers than the average musician.
Feature image via Novation
