Novation Launchpad Pro Review

We take a look at the latest in the Launchpad familly - Gaz Williams does the honours

[foodforthegods]

I'm always psyched when there's a new Gaz review.

[Exsurdo]

Gaz has great screen presence, it was a great review. I mean, really. I rarely watch a reviews of something I don't want beyond 5 minutes. Here, it was over 15 minutes before I skipped a bit. The guy got me for over 15 minutes in a review of something I don't need or want, just because he's interesting. And he's got a really good musical angle at things, very practical. Top reviewer I've seen.

[polypatchmaster]

Gaz that was an exceptionally good overview
And you're bang on about them minijacks!

[nazlfrag]

There's an open source sequencer and more update called Subsequencely, perfect for no computer setups.

[garyturner]

Gas this is an awesome overview! Love that you demonstrated that we can use this as a controller directly into a synth like the Roland JD-XA!

[mCKENIC]

Thanks for this Gaz! The Launchpad Pro deserves serious consideration for me. The added midi really makes it viable as a stand alone controller! Great stuff!

[Artek]

I was smiling the whole review. Such a great, lovable guy! :) The LaunchPad PRO ain't half bad either...

[kierenmoore]

For anyone watching this now, Launchpad Pro now DOES have "in key" modes, like the Push (32 of them, actually) ... this was effected by way of a firmware update (in 2016, I think). Makes it better than the Push 1 in all respects, except for the lack of a screen (sample editing on it, etc), really.

[MarctheDarc]

Excellent in depth review! Seemed to me like you covered all the bases.
Looks like they've really thought this one through, though as a Push user, i'm not impressed with the note mode. There's so much more they could've done with it, and the transposing strikes me as kinda dumb.
Pretty much all other functions make perfect use of the available resources.
The velocity sensitive "faders" are particularly clever. While ultimately still a "fix" for the lack of real faders and/or knobs, as backpack-fodder i can really see the point of not having pots or faders sticking out. And that's probably the point, they're aiming to make a cheap, light Push that's much easier to toss in a pack and go.
For the MIDI on mini jack dongle, i agree. When there's actually room for proper MIDI DINs, it makes no sense. But i'd rather have the dongle than no MIDI at all. And with this there _is_ room, so not good enough in my book.

Personally, i think they're about 60% of the way to "replicating" the Push they so desparately wanna steal market shares from. And it's about 60% of the price, so i guess that's all good and well.
I don't like the way they've implemented note mode, and i'd really miss the step sequencing. There's ofc quite a few other minor details where the Push is more elaborate, and keeps your head out of the computer more of the time. But if they bring those 2 major points up closer to Push with a software update, then they got a *real hit* on their hands!
Untill then i think most people that can afford the Push, will still go that way unless the size/weight means a lot. I know i'll keep dragging my Push along for the ride.

[janminor]

I couldn't care less about this device, but great presentation, Gaz, very entertaining!

[djbv]

Gaz seems like the guy who trips up over your tent a 7 in the morning at a festival and you ended up sniffing Ket and having morning Tea with around your fire !

[Thedogsbiscuit]

shoutout to Gaz for being the fucking bomb

[discotechwreck]

Great demo Gaz!
The polyphonic aftertouch is particularly exciting.

Looking forward to what people do with the open API and if any templates become available for Bitwig.

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

who else loves that new launch pad smell?

[theorgandude]

fantastic review, thx! i sold my launchpad S because it lacked many vital functions, for example undo. great to see it implemented here.

[Jiiri]

For some reason, I totally love that this guy's name is Gaz Williams.

[phaedrus]

launchpad... PRO! haha that intro cracks me up

[JSprayaEntertainment]

so with the price being so much lower than the push ...
LP Pro or Push ?

[calebisenor]

Can you give me more details on how you progrmmed user mode (16:00), a link for the manual for the launchpad pro and how the midi in/ out port works?

[thegodpig]

Ok Gaz. After your first 6 words, I was instantly in love with your voice XD