Novation Launchpad Mini [MK3] User manual
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Trade Marks
The Novation trade mark is owned by Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. All other brand, product and
company names and any other registered names or trade marks mentioned in this manual belong to
their respective owners.
Disclaimer
Novation has taken all possible steps to ensure that the information given here is both correct and
complete. In no event can Novation accept any liability or responsibility for any loss or damage to the
owner of the equipment, any third party, or any equipment which may result from use of this manual
or the equipment which it describes. The information provided in this document may be modified
at any time without prior warning. Specifications and appearance may differ from those listed and
illustrated.
Copyright and Legal Notices
Novation is a registered trade mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. Launchkey Mini is a trade
mark of Focusrite Audio Engineering Plc.
2019 © Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All rights reserved.
Novation
A division of Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd.
Windsor House, Turnpike Road
Cressex Business Park , High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire , HP12 3FX
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1494 462246
Fax: +44 1494 459920
e-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.novationmusic.com
Caution:
The normal operation of this product may be affected by a strong electrostatic discharge (ESD).
In the event of this happening, simply reset the unit by removing and then replugging the USB
cable. Normal operation should return.
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Contents
Introduction ..............................................................................................................................4
Key Features...................................................................................................................................4
What’s in the Box............................................................................................................................5
Getting Started with your Launchkey Mini [MK3]...........................................................................5
Getting Connected ........................................................................................................................7
Connecting to a Computer ............................................................................................................7
Connecting to Mobile Devices ......................................................................................................7
Using as a Standalone MIDI Controller .........................................................................................7
Hardware Overview........................................................................................................................8
Rear View .......................................................................................................................................9
Top Panel........................................................................................................................................9
Using the Launchkey Mini [MK3] ............................................................................................10
Working with Ableton Live 10................................................................................................10
Installation ....................................................................................................................................10
Setup............................................................................................................................................10
Session Mode...............................................................................................................................11
Launching Clips............................................................................................................................15
Launching Scenes.........................................................................................................................15
Stop, Solo, Mute ..........................................................................................................................16
Record / Capture MIDI .................................................................................................................17
Playing and Recording Drums......................................................................................................18
Using Ableton Live Devices..........................................................................................................19
Using Ableton Live’s Mixer...........................................................................................................20
Arp..........................................................................................................................................21
Arpeggiator Rotary Knobs ...........................................................................................................21
Arp Modes ...................................................................................................................................22
Arp Rates......................................................................................................................................23
Arp Octaves .................................................................................................................................23
Arp Rhythms.................................................................................................................................24
Latch ............................................................................................................................................24
Arp pads ......................................................................................................................................25
Fixed Chord ............................................................................................................................26
Custom Modes and Components............................................................................................27
Setting up Custom Modes ...........................................................................................................27
Working with Logic Pro X.......................................................................................................28
Working with Reason 10.........................................................................................................32
Working with HUI (Pro Tools, Cubase)....................................................................................34
Vegas Mode............................................................................................................................37
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Introduction
The Launchkey Mini [MK3] is Novation’s most portable MIDI keyboard controller. Though compact in
size, Launchkey Mini is packed with powerful features and a streamlined workflow that will
elevate your music production and performance.
Launchkey Mini integrates perfectly with Ableton Live (and other DAWs) for both production and
performance. You can navigate and control Live’s Session View, play and record clips, adjust effects
and much more without ever looking at your computer. Additionally, we provide you with a license for
Ableton Live Lite should you need one.
Launchkey Mini features a creative arpeggiator (‘Arp’), as well as ‘Fixed Chord’ mode – both of which
make finding new musical ideas easier. Launchkey Mini’s pads bring your Ableton Session to your
fingertips in full RGB colour, so you know exactly which clips you’re launching. Finally, you can make
Launchkey Mini the perfect controller for your studio or on the go with Custom modes, where you can
customise knobs and pads using Novation Components.
The Launchkey Mini also features a standard TRS MIDI Out 3.5mm jack* for connecting to your
hardware synths and drum machines. This means you can use many of the Launchkey Mini’s functions
without a computer!
If you need any support please contact us at support.novationmusic.com.
Key Features
• Ableton Live integration – Launch clips and
scenes, control Live’s mixer, play instruments
and Drum Racks, capture MIDI, and more.
• Integration with other DAWs (Apple Logic
Pro X, Propellerhead’s Reason, etc. and HUI)
• Connect to your hardware with a standard
TRS MIDI Out 3.5mm jack *
• 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keys
• 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads
• 8 rotary knobs
• Powerful and creative Arpeggiator for
generating ideas quickly
• Fixed Chord mode
• Play and Record transport control
• Custom modes for user-defined mappings of
knobs and pads
* TRS MIDI Out 3.5mm to MIDI DIN converters are available for purchase at
novationmusic.com
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Mass Storage
Device icon
What’s in the Box
• Launchkey Mini
• USB Type-A to B cable (1.5 meters)
• Safety Instructions
Getting Sarted with your Launchkey Mini [MK3]
We’ve made getting up and running with Launchkey Mini as easy as possible, whether you’re a brand
new beatmaker or a seasoned producer. Our ‘Easy Start Tool’ provides a step-by-step guide on
getting set up that is tailored to your needs.
We’ll give you exactly what you need, whether you’ve never made music before, or if you just want to
download your included software.
When connecting Launchkey Mini to your computer, it will appear as a ‘Mass
Storage Device’, just like a USB drive. Open this up and click the link ‘Click Here to
Get Started.url’.
Easy Start Tool Welcome Page
This will open our online Easy Start Tool, which will get you up and running, or take
you straight to your included software – you choose!
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As part of this process, you may register your Launchkey Mini [MK3] to get access to your included
software. We give you everything you need to start making tracks.
Alternatively, you can also register your Launchkey Mini by going to
customer.novationmusic.com/register (pictured below). You’ll then need to make an account and
enter the serial of your Launchkey, which will give you access to the bundled software.
Launchkey Mini Registration Page
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Getting Connected
Connecting to a Computer
The Launchkey Mini is bus-powered, meaning it turns on as soon as you connect it to your
computer with a USB cable.
Using as a Standalone MIDI Controller
If you want to use the 3.5mm MIDI output on the Launchkey Mini without a computer, you can power
the unit with a standard USB power supply (5V DC, minimum 500mA).
Note that the Launchkey Mini is only compatible with Circuit using TRS MIDI Type A adapters. Many
other Novation products (such as Launchpad Pro) will also require a Type B adapter to properly
communicate with the Launchkey Mini via its Type A adapter.
Connecting to Mobile Devices
Android
To operate the Launchkey Mini with an Android
device we recommend a USB OTG
to USB adapter.
iOS
To operate the Launchkey Mini with an
iOS device, use Apple’s Lightning to USB
3 Camera Adapter with a separate 2.4A
Lightning charger.
iOS Android
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Hardware Overview
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Pitch and Modulation touch strips for bending pitch or adding
modulation.
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Press Shift and other buttons to
access secondary functions.
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Transpose lets you transpose your keyboard plus or minus 11
semitones. Press Shift and Transpose to select MIDI Channel output
for the keyboard.
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Octave + and - buttons move
the keyboard up or down across
7 octaves (C-1 to C5).
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Rotary knobs control hardware, software parameters, or settings on the Launchkey itself.
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Pads are great for triggering clips in Ableton Live’s Session View and playing drums. Holding Shift lights
up the top row of pads, with the current pad mode lit the brightest. You can then switch between the 3
pad modes:
• Session – For triggering clips and navigating Live’s Session View.
• Drum – For playing drums with the velocity-sensitive pads.
• Custom – For playing a custom selection of notes with personalised colours. Edit custom modes on
components.novationmusic.com/launchkey-mini-mk3
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Press the Arp button to enable
the Arpeggiator.
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This button controls your DAW’s playback.
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The Record button starts the recording process in
your DAW.
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While holding the Fixed Chord button, press and release the keys
that you wish to be part of the stored, ‘fixed’ chord.
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Rear View
Top Panel
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Using the Launchkey Mini [MK3]
The Launchkey Mini is designed to work seamlessly with Ableton Live, offering deep integration
through powerful production and performance controls. Launchkey Mini also boasts a powerful
arpeggiator (‘Arp’) and a ‘Fixed Chord’ mode – both of which can be used with Live, other DAWs, or
standalone with your outboard gear. In addition, you can modify the Launchkey Mini to suit your needs
with Custom Modes. Continue reading for explanations of all of Launchkey Mini’s functionality.
Working with Ableton Live 10
Installation
If you don’t yet own Ableton Live 10, register your Launchkey Mini at novationmusic.com/register to
download and install your included copy of Ableton Live 10 Lite. If you’ve never used Ableton Live
before, we recommend visiting our Easy Start Tool (see ‘Getting Started with your Launchkey Mini
[MK3]’). There you’ll find videos covering installation, the software’s basic features, and how to get
started making music with your Launchkey Mini.
Setup
With Ableton Live installed, get your Launchkey Mini up and running by plugging it into your Mac or
PC’s USB port. When you open Live your Launchkey Mini will be automatically detected and enter
Session mode.
If you press Shift on the Launchkey your pad lights should look like the image below. The first 3 pads
(orange) select pad behaviour, while the 5 pads to the right (green) select knob behaviour.
If your pads do not resemble the image above you’ll need to configure Live’s Control Surface
Preferences. To do this, find the ‘Link/MIDI’ Preferences menu in Ableton Live:
Windows: Options > Preferences > Link/MIDI
Mac: Live > Preferences > Link/MIDI
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