Applies to:
- Launchkey MK4
- Launchkey MK4 Mini
This article describes the various functions of the editor for Launchkey MK4 and Launchkey MK4 Mini.
Components is a tool used to manage the firmware and templates on many of our products.
You can download a standalone version (see: Novation Components Standalone installers), or access the web-based version in browsers that support Web MIDI, such as Chrome, Opera, and Microsoft Edge, from this link:
If using a browser, you may need to allow the page access to your MIDI devices, as prompted when first loading the page:
You do not need to log in to use Components, but doing so allows you to back up all of your data to your account.
You can make templates in the editor whether the Launchkey is connected to Components or not. To see if the Launchkey is connected, check the indicator in the top right corner - this can be one of three colours:
Red: means that the device cannot be seen by Components.
In this case, it could either mean the device is not connected, not powered, or you are using a browser which does not support Web MIDI.
Yellow: means the device is connected and recognised, but is in the wrong state.
In this case, it could mean the Launchkey is in Bootloader mode. Pressing the Play button will let it start as normal. If not, please try reinstalling the firmware from the 'Updates' tab in the User Menu:
Green: The Launchkey is connected and is ready to use.
You can click the Connection icon to find out more information.
In Components, you can create and edit Custom Modes. This is divided into three sections for the Encoders, Pads, Faders & Buttons (for 49/61 only). There are also separate tabs for the Pedal and Mod Wheel/Strip.
Custom Modes
When you create a new Custom Mode, you'll be asked to select the type of Custom Mode you want to manage. Each of these is separate and relates to a different set of controls on the keyboard:
Encoders
This screen lets you edit the encoders at the top of the Launchkey with 16 customisable controls divided into two pages. Encoders can be set to send a Control Change (CC) or Non-Registered Parameter Number (NRPN) message, or set to Off. You can also select the resolution (7 or 14 bits), the maximum and minimum values, and the MIDI channel for each encoder (1-16 or Global).
When you send your Custom Mode to your Launchkey it will be selected automatically. To access each of the four Encoder Custom Modes on Launchkey at any time, hold the Shift button and press one of the top-right four pads (Custom 1-4):
The Encoder Bank Next (down) and Bank Previous (up) buttons allow you to switch between the two sets of Custom Encoders (1-8 and 9-16):
Pads
On this screen, you can edit the messages the pads send, the colour they turn when pressed (On Colour) and the colour they are when not pressed (Off Colour).
Pads can be set to send a Note, Control Change (CC), Program Change (Prog), NRPN, or Keystroke message, or set to Off. You can also select the resolution (7 or 14 bits), the On and Off values, the behaviour (Momentary or Toggle), and the MIDI channel for each pad (1-16 or Global).
When you send your Custom Mode to your Launchkey it will be selected automatically. To access each of the four Pad Custom Modes on Launchkey at any time, hold the Shift button and press one of the bottom-right four pads (Custom 1-4):
Faders & Buttons
Faders can be set to send a Control Change (CC) or NRPN message, or set to Off. You can also select the resolution (7 or 14 bits), the maximum and minimum values, the pickup behaviour (Jump, Pickup, or match the device settings), and the MIDI channel for each fader (1-16 or Global).
Fader buttons can be set to send a Note, Control Change (CC), Program Change (Prog), NRPN, or Keystroke message, or set to Off. You can also select the resolution (7 or 14 bits), the On and Off values, the behaviour (Momentary or Toggle), and the MIDI channel for each button (1-16 or Global).
When you send your Custom Mode to your Launchkey it will be selected automatically. To access each of the four Fader & Button Custom Modes on Launchkey 49/61 at any time, hold the Shift button and press Pads 2-5 (Custom 1-4):
Pedal
The Pedal section lets you change the behaviour of any footpedal connected to your Launchkey's Sustain port, or reset it to its default value.
You can customise the type of message sent by the sustain pedal by choosing between Note, Control Change (CC), Program Change, or NRPN, the corresponding values (default is CC 64), the resolution (7 or 14 bits), the On and Off values, and the behaviour (Momentary or Toggle).
Mod Wheel/Strip
The Mod Wheel/Strip section lets you change the behaviour of the Modulation Wheel for Launchkey MK4 or the Modulation Strip for Lauchkey MK4 Mini. You can also reset them to their default value.
You can customise the type of message sent by the Mod Wheel/Strip by choosing between Control Change (CC) or NRPN, the corresponding values (default is CC 1), the resolution (7 or 14 bits), the maximum and minimum values, and the MIDI channel (1-16 or Global).
User Menu
On the top-right corner of the Components window, you'll find the User Menu. You can use this menu to check the firmware is up-to-date, calibrate the wheels, and reset the Launchkey to its Factory Settings:
On the Updates page, you can update and reinstall the firmware of your Launchkey. When you first get the Launchkey, it is worth checking here to see that you have the latest firmware. This will list all the changes we've made to the firmware, as well as the Release Notes. See this article for reference:
Updating firmware using Novation Components
A Factory Reset will restore all settings to their default state, reset all Custom Modes to their factory state, and enable the Mass Storage Device mode (MSD) used for Easy Start. See this article for reference:
For more detailed information about MIDI Messages, see this MIDI Association article: https://midi.org/about-midi-part-3midi-messages
If this article hasn't helped you, please feel free to search again at the top of this page or, to contact support, please click here.