- Novation launchkey 49 mk2 vs alesis vi49 mod#
- Novation launchkey 49 mk2 vs alesis vi49 manual#
- Novation launchkey 49 mk2 vs alesis vi49 software#
- Novation launchkey 49 mk2 vs alesis vi49 mac#
I'd probably still opt for an external adapter for long-term use though.
By following the simple instructions I was able to avoid the dreaded "attached accessory uses too much power” system message and although the iPad battery doesn't last quite as long as usual, it wasn't prohibitively draining. It was therefore a pleasant surprise to find the Launchkey lit up and worked just fine - and fairly reliably too, providing I always connected up in the correct sequence. I confess to being initially dubious about powering any peripheral from my iPad, mostly because of Apple's ongoing commitment to restrict the activity at iOS level. You can also glimpse its delightful orange underside. The Launchkey's rear panel is a simple affair, with just connections for USB, a sustain pedal and an optional external power supply. If rigged up to a laptop that isn't running on mains, it's recommended that you purchase and use a 9V adapter for your Launchkey frolics. Instead they offer a 2m USB cable and suggest that even an iPad (via Apple's camera kit) can power the Launchkey.
Novation launchkey 49 mk2 vs alesis vi49 mod#
I'll quickly mention the LED display, which is not massively overworked: its main function is to show the value of the current parameter being transmitted, whether from a knob, slider or mod wheel.įinally, power consumption is minimal - indeed Novation haven't even popped a power supply into the box. From the InControl protocol to the sensible choice of physical controls, it's clear the Launchkey has been well thought-through and even if neither the knobs nor the sliders occupy the luxurious end of the scale, they're no disappointment at the price. So far, so intuitive and I'm glad to report this state of affairs continues throughout. I found the keyboard's action to be light and suited to speedy synth performance, but although velocity-sensitivity is present and correct, aftertouch has sadly fallen by the wayside. A similar process involving the transpose keys allows specification of semitone transpositions rather than the usual octaves. The keyboard defaults to MIDI channel 1 on each power up, although you can temporarily change it by entering the MIDI channel menu (by holding down the two track keys simultaneously). The notes transmitted by the pads are fixed, as is the transmission channel (10) but these restrictions shouldn't be too problematic with most DAWs, although I would have preferred to choose my own notes for drum performance. The pads' velocity response is fixed, but they respond well enough provided you strike positively. Probably the most impressive addition at this price point is the 2 x 8 row of velocity-sensitive, multi-coloured pads designed for either percussion tapping or the launching of loops. It's devilishly simple but no less effective for that. The former is best suited to adjusting the parameters of soft synths, while the latter is Novation's built-in functionality to provide seamless DAW operation. standard MIDI CC transmission) and 'InControl' mode. Three buttons are provided to toggle sections of Launchkey controls between 'basic mapping' (ie. This makes Launchkey very simple to configure and use.” Even had a MIDI port been present, you'd still be unable to fully control most hardware synths due to their wildly varying CC requirements.
Novation launchkey 49 mk2 vs alesis vi49 manual#
The exclusion of hardware synths is no accident because the manual states: "Launchkey's controls are non-assignable.
Novation launchkey 49 mk2 vs alesis vi49 mac#
Connectivity is exclusively via USB, channelling Novation's ambitions firmly towards PC, Mac and iPad. Perhaps strangely for a controller keyboard, there are no standard five-pin MIDI sockets. If portability is your highest priority, the flyweight champion of the stable is the Launchkey 25 at around 2kg. When handling, you can't quite escape the rattly feel of plastic, but at less than 4kg, at least it won't be a burden to haul around. The middle-of-the-range model, the four-octave Launchkey 49 was the one supplied for review and, upon unboxing, I was immediately taken by its newt-like orange underbelly beneath the more conservative panel of dark grey.
Novation launchkey 49 mk2 vs alesis vi49 software#
The package is further sweetened by a bundle of free software and samples, including Ableton Live Lite. This means multi-coloured, multi-purpose pads and a thoughtful selection of knobs and buttons for use with soft synths and popular DAWs. We're offered a choice of two, four and five octaves, and although the smallest of these hasn't enough space for all the sliders and buttons of the others, the functionality is otherwise the same. The new Launchkey range of keyboard-based controllers is founded on three sizes of keyboard, the models named according to the number of keys.
Splendid.įor over 20 years Novation have been making controllers, synths and control surfaces, and their appetite for perfecting the species continues unabated. Novation's new controller keyboard has bright lights, friendly buttons and a newt-like orange underbelly.
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