Applies to:
- Launch Control XL 3
- Launch Control 3
with Cubase 12 or above on macOS or Windows.
Update needed
Before proceeding, make sure your Launch Control's firmware is up-to-date using Novation Components.
components.novationmusic.com
If you are using Cubase AI, Artist, or Elements, please see this article first to ensure you can use the Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 script for Cubase: Installing Novation scripts for Cubase LE/AI/Elements/Artist.
Windows Setup
Automatic Cubase Setup on Windows
To set up Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 in Cubase on Windows, first you need to install the latest Novation USB Driver from the Launch Control downloads page:
Next, download the Cubase script installer from the link below, depending on your product:
If you are using Cubase 14.0.32 or later, you don't need to download or install the script. Your Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 should be set up automatically.
Launch Control XL 3 Cubase Script Integration Windows
Launch Control 3 Cubase Script Integration Windows
Quit Cubase, then run the script installer. During the installation, you can also select to install the script for Nuendo.
Once the installer is finished, connect your Launch Control to your computer over USB, ensure the firmware is up-to-date (Updating Launch Control XL 3 Firmware / Updating Launch Control 3 Firmware) and open Cubase.
Next, create or open a Cubase project; your Launch Control should be automatically recognised by Cubase and appear in the Lower Zone's MIDI Remote tab (below shown for a Launch Control XL 3).
If you've completed the setup correctly, the Launch Control screen should read “Cubase”.
The Page, Track, Record, Play, Solo / Arm, and Mute / Select buttons will light up along with encoders and fader buttons for any tracks in the current Cubase project.
Additionally, when you press Mode to enter mode selection on Launch Control XL 3, Solo / Arm (DAW Control) and Mute / Select (DAW Mixer) should light up, indicating that the DAW modes are available. They will be lit dimly if another mode is selected, or brightly if a DAW mode is selected.
On Launch Control 3, Function should light up, indicating that the DAW modes are available.
If you don't see any of the above after completing the automatic setup steps, you may need to set up your Launch Control manually. Follow the Manual Cubase Setup on Windows steps below.
Manual Cubase Setup on Windows
Before proceeding with manual setup, ensure you have tried the Automatic Cubase Setup on Windows steps above first.
To set up Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 manually in Cubase on Windows, create or open a Cubase project, and go to Cubase's MIDI settings.
Studio → Studio Setup… → MIDI
In MIDI Port Setup, ensure the tick boxes match this configuration:
For Launch Control XL 3:
MIDI Port Setup
LCXL3 1 MIDI — Visible On, In 'All MIDI Inputs' On
MIDIIN2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI)* — Visible On, In 'All MIDI Inputs' On
LCXL3 1 MIDI — Visible On
MIDIOUT2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI)* — Visible On
For Launch Control 3:
MIDI Port Setup
LC3 1 MIDI — Visible On, In 'All MIDI Inputs' On
MIDIIN2 (LC3 1 MIDI)* — Visible On, In 'All MIDI Inputs' On
LC3 1 MIDI — Visible On
MIDIOUT2 (LC3 1 MIDI)* — Visible On
*MIDIIN2 and OUT2 may also be labelled (Port 2).
In MIDI Remote check that Launch Control appears as below (here shown for a Launch Control XL 3):
The Input and Output entries should be set to the DAW ports, appearing on Windows as MIDIIN2 and MIDIOUT2.
For Launch Control XL 3 these are:
- Input: MIDIIN2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI)*
- Output: MIDOUT2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI)*
For Launch Control 3 these are:
- Input: MIDIIN2 (LC3 1 MIDI)*
- Output: MIDOUT2 (LC3 1 MIDI)*
*MIDIIN2 and OUT2 may also be labelled (Port 2).
If your Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 does not appear in MIDI Remote, you can try adding it manually. To do so, click Open MIDI Remote Manager ⚙️then Add Surface +, and configure the surface as follows:
Launch Control XL 3:
Add MIDI Controller Surface
Vendor — Novation
Model — Launch Control XL Device 1 — select a different number if using multiple Launch Control XL 3s (see Change Device ID on Launch Control products).
Input Port — MIDIIN2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI)*
Output Port — MIDIOUT2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI)*
Launch Control 3:
Add MIDI Controller Surface
Vendor — Novation
Model — Launch Control Device 1 — select a different number if using multiple Launch Control 3s (see Change Device ID on Launch Control products).
Input Port — MIDIIN2 (LC3 1 MIDI)*
Output Port — MIDIOUT2 (LC3 1 MIDI)*
*MIDIIN2 and OUT2 may also be labelled (Port 2).
Then click Activate MIDI Controller Surface to complete the setup. Your Launch Control should now be functioning as described above in Automatic Cubase Setup on Windows.
Mac Setup
Automatic Cubase Setup on Mac
Launch Control XL 3 and Launch Control 3 use the macOS Core MIDI driver, so you do not need to download or install a driver to use them with a Mac. To set up them up with Cubase on Mac, first download the Cubase script installer from the link below:
If you are using Cubase 14.0.32, or later, you don't need to download or install the script. Your Launch Control should be set up automatically.
Launch Control XL 3 Cubase Script Integration Mac
Quit Cubase, then run the script installer.
Once the installer is finished, connect your Launch Control to your Mac over USB, ensure the firmware is up-to-date (Updating Launch Control XL 3 Firmware / Updating Launch Control 3 Firmware), and open Cubase.
Next, create or open a Cubase project; Launch Control should be automatically recognised by Cubase and appear in the Lower Zone's MIDI Remote tab (below shown for a Launch Control XL 3).
If you've completed the setup correctly, the Launch Control screen should read “Cubase”.
The Page, Track, Record, Play, Solo / Arm, and Mute / Select buttons will light up along with encoders and fader buttons for any tracks in the current Cubase project.
Additionally, when you press Mode to enter mode selection on Launch Control XL 3, Solo / Arm (DAW Control) and Mute / Select (DAW Mixer) should light up, indicating that the DAW modes are available. They will be lit dimly if another mode is selected, or brightly if a DAW mode is selected.
On Launch Control 3, Function should light up, indicating that the DAW modes are available.
If you don't see any of the above after completing the automatic setup steps, you may need to set up your Launch Control manually. Follow the Manual Cubase Setup on Mac steps below.
Manual Cubase Setup on Mac
Before proceeding with manual setup, ensure you have tried the Automatic Cubase Setup on Mac steps above first.
To set up your Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 manually in Cubase, create or open a Cubase project, and go to Cubase's MIDI settings.
Studio → Studio Setup… → MIDI
In MIDI Port Setup, ensure the tick boxes match this configuration:
For Launch Control XL 3:
MIDI Port Setup
LCXL3 1 DAW Out — Visible On, In 'All MIDI Inputs' On
LCXL3 1 MIDI Out — Visible On, In 'All MIDI Inputs' On
LCXL3 1 DAW In — Visible On
LCXL3 1 MIDI In — Visible On
For Launch Control 3:
MIDI Port Setup
LC3 1 DAW Out — Visible On, In 'All MIDI Inputs' On
LC3 1 MIDI Out — Visible On, In 'All MIDI Inputs' On
LC3 1 DAW In — Visible On
LC3 1 MIDI In — Visible On
In MIDI Remote check that Launch Control XL 3 appears as below:
The Input and Output entries should be set to the DAW ports.
For Launch Control XL 3 these are:
- Input: LCXL3 1 DAW Out
- Output: LCXL3 1 DAW In
For Launch Control 3 these are:
- Input: LC3 1 DAW Out
- Output: LC3 1 DAW In
If your Launch Control does not appear in MIDI Remote, you can try adding it manually. Click Open MIDI Remote Manager ⚙️then Add Surface +, and configure the surface as follows:
Launch Control XL 3:
Add MIDI Controller Surface
Vendor — Novation
Model — Launch Control XL Device 1 — select a different number if using multiple Launch Control XL 3s (see Change Device ID on Launch Control products).
Input Port — LCXL3 1 DAW Out
Output Port — LCXL3 1 DAW In
Launch Control 3:
Add MIDI Controller Surface
Vendor — Novation
Model — Launch Control Device 1 — select a different number if using multiple Launch Control 3s (see Change Device ID on Launch Control products).
Input Port — LC3 1 DAW Out
Output Port — LC3 1 DAW In
Then click Activate MIDI Controller Surface to complete the setup. Your Launch Control should now be functioning as described above in Automatic Cubase Setup on Mac.
Using Launch Control 3 in Cubase
A video summary of Launch Control's control of Cubase can be found here:
Launch Control 3's DAW Modes and Function Button in Cubase
Once you've configured Launch Control 3 as described above, Launch Control 3 will default to DAW Mixer mode when you open Cubase. Press the Function button to switch between the four Button Modes: Select, Solo, Arm, and Mute (the default mode).
In DAW Mixer mode, you can use the Page Up and Down buttons to switch between controlling Pan and Sends with the top row of encoders.
If you want to switch between DAW Mixer and DAW Control modes, press Mode, then press the Function button. Press Mode again to exit mode selection.
Full details of these modes, and the functions and controls available when using Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 with Cubase can be found in the user guide:
Controlling Cubase | Launch Control XL 3 User Guide
Controlling Cubase | Launch Control 3 User Guide
You can find additional guides for your Launch Control here:
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