Launchpad Pro Fader Mode

[ianski]

*This concerns the original MK1 Launchpad Pro... I don't know if any other Launchpads have this functionality*

This might be obvious already for Launchpad Pro users, but you can use the Fader mode (pink light) to control all sorts of things inside and outside the Nerdseq utilising the mapping screen.

The 8 virtual faders seem to output on channel 1 (regardless what channel is set in notes mode), CC's 21~28 and can be routed to any of the available destinations.
I've tested using these while also swapping over to control mode to launch patterns and notes mode to enter notes etc. and haven't come across any problems.

The only limitation is the faders only have 8 settings, but on the launchpad pro the speed of the fade up or down is controlled by velocity which is a nice feature. Of course in mapping you can change these values, perform calculations etc. so its not as limiting as it seems.

The settings of the faders are also remembered when swapping between control/notes/fader mode.

As a small bonus the top 8 lights also function as track mutes but the lights will go out on the Launchpad if you press them.

I've been playing around with trigger probabilities on tracks and controlling external midi CC's, its great fun

Hope this helps someone.

[ianski]

A quick correction to the above...the fader mode can also operate on ALL midi channels, so there is a potential 128 fader destinations available!

The caveat being that you only get 1 group of faders and stay at whatever position they are at regardless of the channel selected, so switching channels will probably cause "jumps" in settings.

With careful consideration and making sure your faders are always zero'ed after use, you could still use 8 fader CC's on each midi channel. Considering there are only 70 lines of mapping available this is a bit impractical though!

[heyitsme]

*This concerns the original MK1 Launchpad Pro... I don't know if any other Launchpads have this functionality*

This might be obvious already for Launchpad Pro users, but you can use the Fader mode (pink light) to control all sorts of things inside and outside the Nerdseq utilising the mapping screen.

The 8 virtual faders seem to output on channel 1 (regardless what channel is set in notes mode), CC's 21~28 and can be routed to any of the available destinations.
I've tested using these while also swapping over to control mode to launch patterns and notes mode to enter notes etc. and haven't come across any problems.

The only limitation is the faders only have 8 settings, but on the launchpad pro the speed of the fade up or down is controlled by velocity which is a nice feature. Of course in mapping you can change these values, perform calculations etc. so its not as limiting as it seems.

The settings of the faders are also remembered when swapping between control/notes/fader mode.

As a small bonus the top 8 lights also function as track mutes but the lights will go out on the Launchpad if you press them.

I've been playing around with trigger probabilities on tracks and controlling external midi CC's, its great fun

Hope this helps someone.

Thank you for this information. I am currently on the fence between choosing Launchpad Pro or Mini, leaning toward the Mini due to it’s size, but to the Pro since it has more features. I wasn’t aware that the different modes on the Launchpad could be used together with Nerdseq, can all modes of the Launchapd Pro be used or only a few? Also, do you have a mapping example or further elaboration on how exactly you use the extra buttons on the Pro, the modes, as well as the velocity/aftertouch features?

[ianski]

You're very welcome!

The modes I know work and use are LIVE, NOTES, and FADER. Not sure how useful the drum mode actually is - maybe I should try it sometime!

Notes mode is awesome - a great alternative way to play and record notes on the fly while live as well as a midi keyboard. The good thing is you don't have to leave the launchpad and can jump around between modes to select /add new patterns, jump back to notes mode, fill them in live etc. This video basically convinced me to get a Pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLoKOoYwuRM

For notes I just use the MIDI/I2C Setup page. I'm using channels 9~16 (bottom row of launchpad in notes mode) to play/record notes on tracks 1~8, and channel 8 as master transpose.    
I only tend to use velocity and if you are using a MIDI track then it will just record that automatically (or you can change it to record aftertouch / cc's etc.) but you can do lots more with mapping ofc.

Mapping can do almost anything. I'm not using it too much for my current project but here's an example. This is 8 faders set up on MIDI channel 7. Fader 1 changes track 4's trigger probability, and faders 2~8 values are being output to the device port to control other gear I have. Nerdseq is great as a hub as well as a tracker.    

I would say its a no brainer to have the Pro if you can fit it on your desk

[ianski]

Just realised the link didn't work. Fixed link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLoKOoYwuRM

[heyitsme]

You're very welcome!

The modes I know work and use are LIVE, NOTES, and FADER. Not sure how useful the drum mode actually is - maybe I should try it sometime!

Notes mode is awesome - a great alternative way to play and record notes on the fly while live as well as a midi keyboard. The good thing is you don't have to leave the launchpad and can jump around between modes to select /add new patterns, jump back to notes mode, fill them in live etc. This video basically convinced me to get a Pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLoKOoYwuRM

For notes I just use the MIDI/I2C Setup page. I'm using channels 9~16 (bottom row of launchpad in notes mode) to play/record notes on tracks 1~8, and channel 8 as master transpose.
I only tend to use velocity and if you are using a MIDI track then it will just record that automatically (or you can change it to record aftertouch / cc's etc.) but you can do lots more with mapping ofc.

Mapping can do almost anything. I'm not using it too much for my current project but here's an example. This is 8 faders set up on MIDI channel 7. Fader 1 changes track 4's trigger probability, and faders 2~8 values are being output to the device port to control other gear I have. Nerdseq is great as a hub as well as a tracker.

I would say its a no brainer to have the Pro if you can fit it on your desk

Sounds awesome, thank you for providing the pictures and give more info. I've only had performance-oriented sequencers in eurorack before getting the Nerdseq. I've had the DROID MFPS, René 2, Seaside Modular Proteus and Vermona Melodicer, WMD Metron.. But I realized after a while that I actually wanted to compose longer sets. After switching to Nerdseq it was instant love, but something that I've missed is the occasional jamming and performance aspect of modular, so getting the Launchpad Pro will give me the best of both worlds, deep programmability and flexibility of the Nerdseq itself, and performing/jamming with the LP Pro. I also got the Multi I/O so dialing in notes on the fly will also be more fun. Will definitely get the Pro! I do have space for it if I keep it just beside my rack lol

[ianski]

Cool! Yeah you definitely want it next to your rack, it becomes an extension of the Nerdseq so deserves to be near it really. It was a total game changer when I got it, amazing integration and flexibility.

Wow you've had a lot of nice sequencers! I have a Marbles clone and a 4ms Metamodule so plenty of opportunities for both random/performance and compositional sequencing. Don't forget you can also feed CV & trigs into the Nerd's inputs and real time record/loop etc.

[heyitsme]

Cool! Yeah you definitely want it next to your rack, it becomes an extension of the Nerdseq so deserves to be near it really. It was a total game changer when I got it, amazing integration and flexibility.

Wow you've had a lot of nice sequencers! I have a Marbles clone and a 4ms Metamodule so plenty of opportunities for both random/performance and compositional sequencing. Don't forget you can also feed CV & trigs into the Nerd's inputs and real time record/loop etc.

Sweet, pulled the trigger. Arriving tomorrow so looking forward giving it a go ?

[heyitsme]

You're very welcome!

The modes I know work and use are LIVE, NOTES, and FADER. Not sure how useful the drum mode actually is - maybe I should try it sometime!

Notes mode is awesome - a great alternative way to play and record notes on the fly while live as well as a midi keyboard. The good thing is you don't have to leave the launchpad and can jump around between modes to select /add new patterns, jump back to notes mode, fill them in live etc. This video basically convinced me to get a Pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLoKOoYwuRM

For notes I just use the MIDI/I2C Setup page. I'm using channels 9~16 (bottom row of launchpad in notes mode) to play/record notes on tracks 1~8, and channel 8 as master transpose.
I only tend to use velocity and if you are using a MIDI track then it will just record that automatically (or you can change it to record aftertouch / cc's etc.) but you can do lots more with mapping ofc.

Mapping can do almost anything. I'm not using it too much for my current project but here's an example. This is 8 faders set up on MIDI channel 7. Fader 1 changes track 4's trigger probability, and faders 2~8 values are being output to the device port to control other gear I have. Nerdseq is great as a hub as well as a tracker.

I would say its a no brainer to have the Pro if you can fit it on your desk

Sounds awesome, thank you for providing the pictures and give more info. I've only had performance-oriented sequencers in eurorack before getting the Nerdseq. I've had the DROID MFPS, René 2, Seaside Modular Proteus and Vermona Melodicer, WMD Metron.. But I realized after a while that I actually wanted to compose longer sets. After switching to Nerdseq it was instant love, but something that I've missed is the occasional jamming and performance aspect of modular, so getting the Launchpad Pro will give me the best of both worlds, deep programmability and flexibility of the Nerdseq itself, and performing/jamming with the LP Pro. I also got the Multi I/O so dialing in notes on the fly will also be more fun. Will definitely get the Pro! I do have space for it if I keep it just beside my rack lol

Here comes a noob question since I’m a total noob when it comes to Launchpad, how do I enter the different modes of the LP Pro? I have the MK3 connected via USB host.

[ianski]

I don't know about the Mk3 sorry. It should be documented on Novation's site if you look for the manual. Should be easy enough to find out.