Planning to implement “deep” support for the Novation Launchpad devices, specifically to control clip launching once Ardour 7.0 is released. But Novation has at least 3 levels of device: the Launchpad Pro (about US$350) Launchpad X (about US$200) and the Launchpad Mini (about US$100). Unfortunately the technical implemention details for each device are subtly differenty, so it is unlikely we can write-one-run-all.
Which level / device do you think we should support first? The cheap and cheerful Mini (Chinese clones available for even less!). The much more capable but also more expensive Pro? Or the X, similar to the Mini but larger?
If you start with the most comprehensive device, you’ll be supporting the people who invested the most money initially. However, this also works in favor of development if you’ll mostly wind up stripping features off the X so it works with Pro and then Mini. Your time to launch for each model would most likely be not long after the Launchpad X, if you’re lucky / stars align. Everybody wins.
May I suggest instead/also the Akai APC Key 25? It’s a bit old at this point, and there’s plenty of units in the used market. You get a 5x8 clip launching grid, clip control buttons, 8 potentionmeter controls, and 25 mini synth keys. All at around 100$ in most countries.
I don’t do live looping yet, but this seems like an easy starting point. You could switch between various synths in the DAW and make your loops, and then play lead alongside the loops. I’ve seen it only twice in real life, and it was EXTREMELY portable. About as wide as a 15.6" laptop.
Hello, Where can I find news on what features are supported for the launchpad pro in which Ardour 7.x version? Also happy to try and give feedback on the nightly builds from time to time.
We don’t provide “news updates” other than via release notes or the commit mailing list, which shows each and every change to the codebase, with explanations that may intrigue non-developers but might also be fairly incomprehensible.
I was considering buying the Akai Professional APC Key 25 MK2, since it has a key bed on top of pads for clip launching. I would really like to get into clip launching in Ardour. How would the current support for APC Key 25 be? Would I be able to make it work (if yes, with how much manual configurations)?
With regards to my question above, which mini keyboard should be better supported by Ardour for clip launching:
Akai Professional APC Key 25 MK2
Novation Launchkey Mini [MK3]
Is there a reason to go for the Novation one, since initial “deep” support is planned for the Novation Launchpad? Or should they both be supported equally, since both work with Ableton Live?
Thanks of the info in advance! I would appreciate any help with the type of keyboard I go for
