Novation Launchpad Pro MIDI Pad Controller (Discontinued / Superseded)

Submitted by Raphael Pulgar on Jul. 21, 2020..

GEARANK

90 out of 100. Incorporating 125+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price:

$300

Manufacturer:

Novation

Gearank Recommendation

The Launchpad Pro appeared on our recommended list for MIDI Pad Controllers from August 2017 through July 2020.

Note: This has been superseded and many stores no longer sell it. To see our current recommendations look at our guide to The Best MIDI Pad Controllers.

Overview

The Launchpad Pro goes several steps beyond its predecessors.

New features included RGB pad lighting, velocity and pressure sensitive pads with aftertouch, expanded note modes for virtual instruments with custom scales where it mutes notes outside the scales you set to prevent off notes and more.

Although it didn't come with faders, the pads are velocity sensitive.

It has MIDI I/O for use as a grid based controller for other MIDI instruments outside Ableton.

Although at it's best when controlling Ableton Live, it integrates with other software reasonably well.

Seasoned pros appreciate the depth of customization as well because of the open source nature of the product's firmware. This makes it easy to "hack" and put in additional features that aren't available out of the box.

Using the device well dose take practice especially for live performances as it's easy to miss a hit or press the wrong pad to trigger the wrong clip because of the tightness of the layout. If this is your first controller, it may take time getting used to the workflow especially if you aren't an Ableton Live user, but once you're over the learning curve, the creative freedom and expression it allows can be very satisfying.

If you're looking for a MIDI Pad Controller to upgrade your existing rig with additional features, workflow and performance options, the Launchpad Pro is a reasonable option.

Specifications

Pads: 64 RGB backlit velocity and pressure sensitive button grid
Buttons and Knobs: 1 x Setup button, 32 x RGB Backlit round mode buttons
Standalone Mode: Yes
Power: USB bus powered, 12V DC Power supply (included) and camera connection kit or USB camera adapter (not included)
Connectivity: 1 USB Connector, 2 MIDI sockets, 1 Power Supply Connector
Compatibility: USB Class Compliant
Software Bundle: Ableton Live Lite 9.5 music-making software, 4GB of Loopmasters sounds and samples, Bass Station VST and AU plug-in synthesizer, V Station VST and AU plug-in synthesizer
Dimensions: 10.3" x 1.1" x 10.3"
Weight: 5.5 lbs