To control Novation Play we need to make use of the DAW port on the Launchkey. To access this, we need to make sure FL Studio is setup to use the DAW port.

To set this up:

• Navigate to Options > MIDI Settings as shown in the image below
• Select Launchkey MK4 MIDI in the input section and set the "Controller type" to "Novation Launchkey MK4 MIDI
• Select MIDIIN2 (Launchkey MK4 MIDI) in the input section and set the "Controller type" to "Novation Launchkey MK4 DAW
• Set the port numbers for both MIDI ports to an unused high number. Make sure to match the MIDI and DAW port numbers as shown below

If you are using macOS, the secondary port will appear as Launchkey MK4 DAW.

If you are unable to get the Launchkey setup in FL Studio, please take a look at our dedicated setup article linked below.

Launchkey MK4 FL Studio Setup

Setup Encoders

Mapping the encoders allows you to have instant control over the parameters of Novation Play. With these controls, you can quickly shape the sounds to your taste and add movement to your performance.

To set this up:

• First, add Novation Play to your channel rack as shown in the gif below

• Then, in FL's browser, navigate to All > Generators > Play to view all available parameters
• Right-click "Knob 1" and select "Override Global Link" as shown in the gif below
• Move the first encoder on the Launchkey to assign the control. Once done, the global link settings window will automatically close

• If this does not work automatically, you can manually enter the mappings in this window as shown below. Please note that the port number corresponds to the DAW port you setup in FL Studio's MIDI settings. You can also use this window to double check any mappings that you have made.

• Click on Novation Play to select the window. You should see as you move the first encoder on the Launchkey, the first knob in Novation Play moves alongside
• Then repeat the process above to map the remaining encoders on the Launchkey to knobs 2-8 in Novation Play

Setup Pads

When detected by Novation Play, 4 pads will light up on your Launchkey as shown below. These 4 pads let you turn on and off 4 different effects that are applied to the output. Playing with these can alter the sound and add more interest.

To set this up:

• Like when setting up the encoders, navigate to All > Generators > Play in FL's browser to view all available parameters
• Scroll down until you see "MIDI CC #80", right-click and select "Override Global Link" as shown in the image below

• Tap the red pad to assign the chorus to this pad. Once done, the global link settings window will automatically close
• Click on Novation Play to select the window. You should see as you press the red chorus pad on the Launchkey, the effect activates within Novation Play. Pressing a second time disables the effect
• Repeat this process to assign the remaining effects using the MIDI CCs shown below

Setup Patch Changing

Novation Play is filled with a range of preset patches from classic Novation, Sequential and Oberheim synths. To quickly change between them to audition sounds, we can setup patch changing.

To set this up:

• Again, navigate to All > Generators > Play in FL's browser to view all available parameters
• Scroll down until you see "MIDI CC #51", right-click and select "Override Global Link" as shown in the image below

• Press the up encoder bank button as shown below to assign the button to load the previous patch. Once done, the global link settings window will automatically close

• Click on Novation Play to select the window. You should see as you press the encoder bank up button on the Launchkey, the patch will change to the previous patch
• Repeat this process for MIDI CC #52, to assign the down encoder bank button to load the next patch 

You can continue to link additional parameters of Novation Play using the same method by finding the parameter under the Generators tab, right-clicking and selecting "Override Global Link". Moving a physical control on your Launchkey will make the mapping. This is a great use of Custom Modes on your Launchkey if you want to add further control.

Once you have made the changes within Novation Play and want to go back to using the standard FL Studio integration, please hold down the shift button and select the desired mode on the Launchkey from the pads as shown below.

To return to controlling Novation Play, open the Novation Play plugin within FL Studio and select the window. Then enter Play mode on the Launchkey by holding down Shift and press the "Plugin" and "Drum" pads until both encoder and pad mode is set to "Play 2/2". The mode selected will be reflected on the Launchkey's screen.