Applies to:
- Launch Control XL 3
- Launch Control 3
with FL Studio 2024 and 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
Before setting up your Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3, make sure that FL Studio is up to date by following the steps here: Updating | FL Studio Reference Manual.
Windows
Automatic FL Studio Setup on Windows
To set up Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 in FL Studio on Windows, first you need to install the latest Novation USB driver from the Launch Control downloads page:
Once the driver is installed, 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 FL Studio.
Your Launch Control should be automatically detected: the screen will read “FL Studio”, and the buttons and encoders should light up in DAW Mixer mode (below shown for a Launch Control XL 3).
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. To do so, follow the Manual FL Studio Setup on Windows steps below.
Manual FL Studio Setup on Windows
Before proceeding with manual setup, ensure you have tried the Automatic FL Studio Setup on Windows steps above first. In particular, make sure you have installed the Novation USB Driver from the Launch Control downloads page: Novation Downloads.
To set up Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 manually in FL Studio on Windows, 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 FL Studio.
Then, go to FL Studio's MIDI settings.
Options > System > MIDI settings
Click Refresh device list, then Update MIDI scripts to ensure that your Launch Control and its scripts are detected by FL Studio.
In the Input section:
- For Launch Control XL 3: select LCXL3 1 MIDI, Enable it, and set Controller type to Novation Launch Control XL 3 MIDI.
- For Launch Control 3: select LC3 1 MIDI, Enable it, and set Controller type to Novation Launch Control 3 MIDI.
- For Launch Control XL 3: select MIDIIN2 (LCXL3 1 MIDI), Enable it, and set Controller type to Novation Launch Control XL 3 DAW — MIDIIN2 may appear as LCXL3 1 (Port 2).
- For Launch Control 3: select MIDIIN2 (LC3 1 MIDI), Enable it, and set Controller type to Novation Launch Control 3 DAW — MIDIIN2 may appear as LC3 1 (Port 2).
In the Output and Input sections:
- For Launch Control XL 3: set both LCXL3 1 MIDI devices to a matching Port number, and set MIDIIN2 and MIDIOUT2 to another matching Port number.
- For Launch Control 3: set both LC3 1 MIDI devices to a matching Port number, and set MIDIIN2 and MIDIOUT2 to another matching Port number.
Do not use port 0, and make sure the ports you select are not being used by any other devices.
Finally, enable Pickup (takeover mode).
Once this is complete, the settings should appear as below (here shown for a Launch Control XL 3):
Your Launch Control should now be functioning as described above in Automatic FL Studio Setup on Windows.
Mac
Automatic FL Studio Setup on Mac
To set up Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 in FL Studio on Mac, 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 FL Studio.
Your Launch Control should be automatically detected: the screen will read “FL Studio”, and the buttons and encoders should light up in DAW Mixer mode (below shown for a Launch Control XL 3).
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 Launch Control manually. To do so, follow the Manual FL Studio Setup on Mac steps below.
Manual FL Studio Setup on Mac
Before proceeding with manual setup, ensure you have tried the Automatic FL Studio Setup on Mac steps above first.
To set up Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 manually in FL Studio on Windows, 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 FL Studio.
Then, go to FL Studio's MIDI settings.
Options > System > MIDI settings
Click Refresh device list, then Update MIDI scripts to ensure that your Launch Control and its scripts are detected in FL Studio.
In the Input section:
- For Launch Control XL 3: select LCXL3 1 MIDI Out, Enable it, and set Controller type to Novation Launch Control XL 3 MIDI.
- For Launch Control 3: select LC3 1 MIDI Out, Enable it, and set Controller type to Novation Launch Control 3 MIDI.
- For Launch Control XL 3: select LCXL3 1 DAW Out, Enable it, and set Controller type to Novation Launch Control XL 3 DAW.
- For Launch Control 3: select LC3 1 DAW Out, Enable it, and set Controller type to Novation Launch Control 3 DAW.
In the Output and Input sections:
- For Launch Control XL 3: set LCXL3 1 MIDI In and Out to a matching Port number, and set LCXL3 1 DAW In and Out to another matching Port number.
- For Launch Control 3: set LC3 1 MIDI In and Out to a matching Port number, and set LC3 1 DAW In and Out to another matching Port number.
Do not use port 0, and make sure the ports you select are not being used by any other devices.
Finally, enable Pickup (takeover mode).
Once this is complete, the settings should appear as below (here shown for a Launch Control XL 3):
Your Launch Control should now be functioning as described above in Automatic FL Studio Setup on Mac.
Using Launch Control in FL Studio
A video showing the control Launch Control has in FL Studio can be found here:
Launch Control 3's DAW Modes and Function Button in FL Studio
Once you've configured Launch Control 3 as described above, Launch Control 3 will default to DAW Mixer mode when you open FL Studio.
DAW Mixer
In this mode, you can press the Function button to switch between the three button modes in FL Studio's mixer: Select, Arm, and Mute / solo (the default mode).
In DAW Mixer mode, you can use the Page Up and Down buttons to switch between controlling Pan and Equalizer 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.
DAW Control
In DAW Control mode, you can press the Function button to switch between the two button modes in FL Studio's channel rack: Select, and Mute / solo (the default mode).
In DAW Control mode, you can use the Page Up and Down buttons to switch between controlling Pan and Plugins with the top row of encoders.
Full details of these modes, and the functions and controls available when using Launch Control XL 3 or Launch Control 3 with FL Studio can be found in the user guide:
Controlling FL Studio | Launch Control XL 3 User Guide
Controlling FL Studio | Launch Control 3 User Guide
You can find additional guides for your Launch Control XL here:
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