How do I set up my Launchpad S or original Launchpad with FL Studio? – Novation

Applies to: Original Launchpad, Launchpad S, Launchpad Mini, and Launchpad Mini MK2

Here is a guide to setting up the Launchpad and Launchpad S with FL Studio (Original guide here)

Supported since: FL Studio 10.5 beta

Controller works as a clip launcher and note or parameter controller with user scriptable pages.

Setup Launchpad S, Launchpad Mini, and Launchpad Mini MK2:

1. Either do not install Automap or exit Automap from the task bar (or exclude Automap for the Launchpad S by holding '+Scene/User 2' and pressing the down arrow after its connected).

2. Connect the device via USB. FL Studio will auto detect the device.

3. Ensure the Launchpad S is enabled in the MIDI Settings.

Setup Original Launchpad:

1. Install the latest version of Automap 4.x that includes the latest Launchpad drivers from here.

2. Exit Automap from the task bar (or exclude Automap for the Launchpad by holding '+Scene/User 2' and pressing the down arrow after its connected).

3. Connect the device via USB. FL Studio will auto detect the device.

4. Ensure the Launchpad is enabled in the MIDI Settings.

Mapping:

CLIPS/OVERVIEW/CONTROLLERS: trigger clips in the Performance zone, displays an overview of 8x8 zones or controller layouts.

NAVIGATION: navigates the playlist zone by 1 clip/track increments. (Hold all 4 to change mode, to navigate by 8 clip/track increments).

OVERVIEW: displays an overview of 8x8 zones, press a button to jump to the corresponding zone.

SCENE: triggers vertical columns or grouped clips.

+SCENE: triggers vertical columns or grouped clips but adds to the existing triggered clips.

(Hold SCENE and +SCENE together for SAME MODE: triggers only clips in tracks that are set to the same Press mode).

GLOBAL SNAP: will use FL's global snap setting instead of the per track Trigger snap setting.

(Double tap SCENE, +SCENE or GLOBAL SNAP to 'lock' them on).

Settings page:

See custom setup/page info here

Navigate left, from the left most clip zone or press OVERVIEW then the top right most round button to jump to the realtime settings page.

On this page the buttons change and display each tracks settings even during playback in Performance mode. Navigate vertically to access other tracks.

Column 1 & 2: Track activity.
Column 3 & 4: Position sync (up/down).
Column 5 & 6: Trigger sync (up/down).
Column 7 & 8: Motion mode (up/down).
Column 9: Press mode (cycle).

Controller pages:

Continue to navigate left from the settings page or press OVERVIEW then one of the other round buttons on the right hand side of the Launchpad, to jump to note and controller layout pages.

Note layouts control the currently selected channel in the step sequencer window. Use the Prev/Next Channel buttons on the right to change the target channel. Select two channels at the same time in the step sequencer window of FL Studio to use the C Major + Slicex page for two different instruments at the same time.

Controller layouts allow parameters to be controlled by a group of buttons. To link a controller to a parameter in FL Studio, right click the knob or fader, select 'Link to controller', enable 'Auto detect', then press a button on the layout on the Launchpad. Use the smoothing knob in the controller link window to smooth the parameter changes as you press between buttons.

The XY Controller page is actually only one controller, but link it twice to two different parameters, disable 'Remove conflicts' and use the coresponding mapping formula presets, so X and Y position are mapped to each link.

Hold (or double-tap to lock) user1 to hold notes, or to enter "temporary" fader mode. Press user2 to release all held notes.

There are 8 preset layouts, but you can also create your own with a simple scripting system described here.

Here are diagrams of the notes, controllers and system commands that are sent by each page. All have the same transport commands on the round buttons on the right hand side of the Launchpad, see the 'System' diagram below, (except for the XY Controller page).

Chromatic Keyboard: