Applies to Launch Control XL 3 with Cubase 12 or above on macOS or Windows.
Update needed
Before proceeding, make sure your Launch Control XL'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 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 in Cubase on Windows, first you need to install the latest Novation USB Driver from the Launch Control XL 3 downloads page:
Next, 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 XL 3 should be set up automatically.
Launch Control XL 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 Launch Control XL 3 to your computer, ensure the firmware is up-to-date (via components.novationmusic.com), and open Cubase.
Next, create or open a Cubase project; Launch Control XL 3 should be automatically recognised by Cubase and appear in the Lower Zone's MIDI Remote tab.
If you've completed the setup correctly, the screen on Launch Control XL 3 should read “Cubase”. Also, 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, 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.
If you don't see any of the above after completing the automatic setup steps, you may need to set up Launch Control XL 3 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 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:
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
*MIDIIN2 and OUT2 may also be labelled (Port 2).
In MIDI Remote check that Launch Control XL 3 appears as below:
Input should be set to MIDIIN2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI), and Output should be set to MIDIOUT2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI).
If Launch Control XL 3 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:
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 Launch Control XL 3's Device ID).
Input Port — MIDIIN2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI)*
Output Port — MIDIOUT2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI)*
*MIDIIN2 and OUT2 may also be labelled (Port 2).
Then click Activate MIDI Controller Surface to complete the setup. Your Launch Control XL 3 should now be functioning as described above in Automatic Cubase Setup on Windows.
Mac Setup
Automatic Cubase Setup on Mac
Launch Control XL 3 uses the macOS Core MIDI driver, so you do not need to download or install a driver to use Launch Control XL 3 with a Mac. To set up Launch Control XL 3 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 XL 3 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 Launch Control XL 3 to your Mac, ensure the firmware is up to date (via components.novationmusic.com), and open Cubase.
Next, create or open a Cubase project; Launch Control XL 3 should be automatically recognised by Cubase and appear in the Lower Zone's MIDI Remote tab.
If you've completed the setup correctly, the screen on Launch Control XL 3 should read “Cubase”. Also, 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, 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.
If you don't see any of the above after completing the automatic setup steps, you may need to set up Launch Control XL 3 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 Launch Control XL 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:
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
In MIDI Remote check that Launch Control XL 3 appears as below:
Input should be set to LCXL3 1 DAW Out, and Output should be set to LCXL3 1 DAW In.
If Launch Control XL 3 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:
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 Launch Control XL 3's Device ID).
Input Port — LCXL3 1 DAW Out
Output Port — LCXL3 1 DAW In
Then click Activate MIDI Controller Surface to complete the setup. Your Launch Control XL 3 should now be functioning as described above in Automatic Cubase Setup on Mac.
Using Launch Control XL 3 in Cubase
Full details of all the functions and controls available when using Launch Control XL 3 with Cubase can be found in the user guide:
Controlling Cubase | Launch Control XL 3 User Guide
You can find additional guides for your Launch Control XL here:
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