Applies to FLkey 61, FLkey 49, FLkey 37 and FLkey Mini
This article describes the various functions of the editor for the FLkey MIDI controllers.
Components is a tool used to manage the firmware and templates on many of our products. You can download a standalone version when you register your FLkey or access our 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 FLkey is connected to Components or not. To see if the FLkey is connected, check the indicator in the top right, which can be one of 3 colours.
Red: This means that the device cannot be seen by Components.
If the device is in this state it could either mean the device is not connected, not powered, or you are using a browser which does not support Web MIDI
Yellow: This means the device is connected and recognised, but is in the wrong state, in this case, it could mean the FLkey is in Bootloader mode. Pressing the Play button will let it start as usual. If not, please try reinstalling the firmware from the Updates tab.
Green: The FLkey is connected and is ready to use.
In each case, you can click the connection icon in the top right to find out more.
In Components, you can create and edit Custom Modes. This is broken into sections for the Pots and Pads. A separate tab is available for the Sustain Pedal.
*Faders & Buttons is only used for the FLKey 49, 61 models
Custom Modes
Down the left-hand side of Components, you'll have access to your templates as well as the stock 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.
The other stock templates allow you to access special preset mappings in FL Studio, but be sure to go to 'Options > MIDI Settings' in FL Studio and follow the instructions in the template details to make these work:
When you first click 'Create Custom Mode' or 'Get Custom Mode from FLkey' you'll be asked to select the type of Custom Mode you want to manage. These are 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 FLkey, you can set custom CC messages to be used for controlling hardware and software. This customised setting for the pots can be accessed by holding 'Shift' and pressing the pad labelled 'Custom'.
Pads
On this screen, you can edit the MIDI the pads send, the colour they turn when pressed (On Colour) and the colour they are when not pressed (Off Colour). To access the Custom Mode, press and hold 'Shift' and select the pad labelled 'Custom':
You can set each pad to have a different note number, note number values correspond to a note, as listed in this image (some devices and DAWs may interpret these differently):
You can also set the MIDI channel for each pad and select the behaviour between Momentary and Toggle.
Faders
Similar to the Pot custom mode, the fader functionality can be edited for specific functions in its custom mode. The fader mode features 9 faders, but also 9 buttons that can be customised as well, in the same way as the pads.
You can edit the name of the custom mode at any time and save it to your Components account when you are logged in. You can then send it to the FLkey when you have a device connected.
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
You can use this menu to check the firmware is up-to-date, calibrate the wheels and reset the FLKey to its Factory Settings.
On the updates page, you can update and reinstall the firmware of your FLkey When you first get the FLkey 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.
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 mode used for Easy Start.
How to Factory Reset Launchpad, Launchkey and FLkey using Components