Applies to Launchkey MK3
This article describes the various functions of the editor for the Launchkey MK3.
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 49/61/88 only).
Custom Modes
Down the left-hand side of Components, you'll have access to your templates as well as the factory templates we have provided:
Selecting a template shows you the details of this. For example, as below, when you select the 'Factory Pad Custom Mode 1', this tells you the pads are layout with the notes of the C Minor Scale.
When you first go to manage a Custom Mode, you'll be asked to select the type of Custom Mode you want to manage. Each of these is separate and relate to a different set of controls on the keyboard.
Pots
This screen lets you edit the dials at the top of the Launchkey, you can set custom CC messages to be used for controlling hardware and software. These values can be accessed by holding 'Shift' and pressing one of the top-right four pads (one for each Custom Mode).
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). To access each of the four Pad Custom Modes, press, and hold 'Shift' and select one of the bottom-right four pads:
You can set each pad to send a Note, Control Change, or keystroke message.
You can also set the MIDI channel for each of the pads and select the behaviour between Momentary and Toggle.
Faders and Buttons
On this screen, you can edit the CC value per Fader and change the MIDI Channel + minimum-maximum range of the fader between 0-127. For the Buttons, you can change the message type, again between Note/CC/Program Change, the MIDI Channel, Behaviour, On/Off Colour and the Value:
Sustain Pedal
This lets you customise the CC message sent by the sustain pedal, which by default is 64. Note that changing this message will change how it is received, so if it is not set to 64 it may not be interpreted as a sustain/hold command.
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