How to use the Launchpad (Mini mk3) as a Step Sequencer

With a simple free MaxForLive device you can use the Launchpad as a stepsequencer. Much like Push oder Beatstep. In this video I'll explain how to install and use the device. I only tried the Launchpad mini mk3, but I think other Launchpads will work as well. Maybe with a few adjustments.
To download the Max4Live device for free:
maxforlive.com...
version 2 working in Live11:
ko-fi.com/leon...

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Hi everyone! It's been a while, but I finally made an update to this. Ableton changed some things in Live 11 which caused problems in this Max4Live device. I decided to rebuild it from scratch. It works in Live 11now, has 4 Pages (up to 8 bars Loop), a duplicate button and with a little work around, you can still use the other modes now. To be honest, it was quite some work. That's why this time, I put it here: ko-fi.com/leonhardkuhn It's still free, you can try it as long as you want and if you like it, please consider buying me a coffee ;) Thanks @Theo Meier for the idea :)If I find the time, I'll do a new instruction video. For now, try the included help-button. But the old functions are more or less still there as in the video. Have fun!

[@gelaberde22]

Hey Leonhard, I'm trying to download your Step Sequencer from the link but when I open it, an error message appears. Corrupt file... "Int64metadatum" found... Anyone here with this problem? thanks!

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

@@gelaberde22 hm. Too bad. Sorry to hear that. I tried a fresh install and it worked for me. Maybe just try again? I have no idea, what that is. Would be good to know if anyone else has this problem.

[@agustinaLofi]

Hi Leonard, I'm trying to make it works, but in my case, the INIT button just doesn't appear, so I can't map it. Do you know why? Thank you for your work.

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Hi @@agustinaLofi , the new version doesn't have an init button. It is automatically mapped to the "User" Button. So, when you go into User-mode, all lights should appear. Does the device work on your system? I've had mixed responses and I am not sure if it works everywhere as it should.

[@khngkhan]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 Hello Leonard thanks for the hard work , the lights arn't working properly for me , it seems when the cursor plays the note , the according light swtches off however it still plays and appears on ableton . Do you know what could be the souce of this problem?

[@lafarfade6411]

the script does not work on ableton 11

[@m4n4l0]

It works! Thanks!!

[@joaneramirezacosta6569]

Could it be used instead of a drum rack, a synth or piano plugin?

[@quentinpinot1338]

hey Leonhard, thanks for sharing this! i try to do it with a launchpad mk3mini, i follow each step right but at the end when i press User touch, nothing happend, i'm confuse what i miss ?

[@khngkhan]

Hello Leonard thanks for the hard work , the lights arn't working properly for me , it seems when the cursor plays the note , the according light swtches off however it still plays and appears on ableton . Do you know what could be the souce of this problem?

[@rodrigodelcampo9663]

thanks a lot, very useful

[@orceans]

Hello! is there something like this for the Launchkey Mini MK3? Thank you!

[@agusote]

This is awesome ! thanks

[@agusote]

Do you have a configuration to arm easily tracks on the launchpad mini mk3 since the bottom right button only mutes solos or stop

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

I only use the LP as a step sequencer, so I only use the arm button for the track with my drumset on. But I think there should be some easy configuration for that. Not sure.

[@nizelannabi3032]

Can you do note repeat with this like ableton push ?

[@lilaitch705]

It seems that it doesnt work with LaunchPad mini mk1/2? As they are not supported by Novation Components?

[@sagessedj]

Good for drums but I realise that for my midi instruments the program is way to complicated. Thanks anyway Leonhard. If someone has already done another program tell me (I got 8 different midi channel sending signal to my modular sequencer). Cheers

[@martinpar05]

Hey Leonhard, do you happen to still have the Live 10 version ? I'm running this version, and the only file I can download from your link, when I load it, tells me that it was created with a newer version of Live and so I cannot use it

[@alchemistrpm82]

Cool

[@charliemurphy8067]

When I try to doo this in Live 11 Standard, I get the following message. "The Operator instrument is not available. The following devices can not be used: launchpad sequencer drum lights launchpad stepsequencer" I can get around the Operator restriction temporarily by reauthorizing Live and reloading the Live Set, but any ideas on how to get the launchpad options to work? Also, I don't know if this is because of attempting this with Live 11, but now, when I try to go back to using the Launchpad Mini MK3 with normal profiles, some of the buttons in drum and keys views launch clips?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

This is a Max for Live Device. I think You need the ableton live suite to use Max. But with Live 11 something else changed and I need to update this device. I’m working on it

[@arnaucvidal]

Awesome men. It works perfect with the LaunchpadX. Only one question, its posible to erase the notes meanwhile you are playing? Thank you so much!

[@giuseppebandiera255]

How did you get it to work on the launchpad X? For me the INIT button is greyed out and pressing it won't do anything

[@eldefectuosopodcast]

You Are The Best!! Thanks Do you think it can be used to make a light show?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

thank you! Probably yes. But I've never used Ableton with lights. I think you can somehow control lights via midi. Or write another max patch for that. Good luck with that!

[@jumanjidnbuk6152]

Can this be done on a apc mini

[@focusinner2826]

当我使用鼓和键盘模式时，音序器会被影响，所以我设置一个开关，然后灯什么的就会出现问题。8×4也许会更好一点吧...🤐但是还是超级棒，非常感谢。 when i use the drum and key mode, the sequenser will be effected, so i set a switch, and than there will be fault with the light or something. and 8×4 may be better??...🤐 it is still a useful m4l, thanks a lot for this.

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Yes, it will effect the drum and piano mode. But in the editor you can build them in midi channel 2 or another and route the m4l device only to channel 1. then you can still use the other modes, I guess. But I haven’t tried. I actually use the LP only for the step sequencer.

[@focusinner2826]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 thank you. It's useful! i use the CC of the same number (set on different channels) to control ableton, everything is ok but the light is uncannily sync in Lemur and Launchpad. i really lack the knowledge in this.😓😓and excuses me, my english is not good.

[@danielmassey4179]

Is this possible in logic pro x using the same launchpad model? Or is this for ableton only?

[@VoodooChipFiend]

Does loading groove into this work to give it some swing?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Yes, sure! I usually have the NY cut loaded and the global amount mapped to another controller. That way I can always dial in the amount of swing I want to have.

[@milanguedec3808]

Thanks for the device it works well ! I wondered if it was possible to record the drums with finger drumming on top of the sequence, I tried and when I it the record button, I can't play the drum rack anymore. Any idea why this happens ?

[@zqwwwiel8996]

using it in normal launchpad mode?

[@aleksrutar8839]

Hey Leonhard, i love this device that you made. Is there a way to reprogram it to have 64 steps? I tried to extend the clip length to 64 steps, and it does a funny thing, the lights start cycling through the side buttons. 64 steps would be a cherry on the top :)

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Hey! I think, it shouldn’t be too hard. A little work in Max needed, though. I guess you would map one of the free buttons to access a „2nd page“ of the grid, because the LP would be to small for 64 steps. I’ll keep that in mind, when I’m doing improvements on this device.

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

hello! I finally got to it and made it up to 8 bars long. Let me know, if it works for you! Have fun

[@davecarottimusic]

Hi! I need Your help because i'm totally beginner in m4l. I'm trying to use my launchpad mini mk2 in 3 ways at the same time and it almost works. I want to use it normally in session view, on user 2 i have step sequencer for synthesizer and it works perfectly but the problem is with user 1. I downloaded Your device to stepsequence drums. Its totally cool but i have a problem with session view and user 2, because there is still metronome light going and switching off my other buttons lights. Can You tell me if it is possible to fix it?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Well, I just Bly managed to program the sequencer for a blank preset. That way it interferes with other presets, eg user 1. if you can move the other presets to other midi channels, it works. If they also have to be on channel 1 or also use a blank preset, I’m afraid it won’t work. I didn’t try using different things at the same time, as I only use the LP as a stepsequencer.

[@chengary299]

max for live is too expensive ... is pd (pure data)can work on it?

[@YOUrDEAlerwiThHell]

Is this possible with the launchpad X too?

[@ronniearch2001]

which version of Ableton does this program works with? I downloaded it and i got error saying i needed the operator instrument

[@eva.h2621]

Ableton live 10 or11

[@horus380]

Please help. I've gotten the template loaded in to live and plug in installed. EVery setting as shown in the video. But the sequencer is mismatched in buttons(They are not showing lined up like in the video). WHen I pres session on the LP my controller is just acting as a normal clip selector, when I click user everything goes blank because the user template is empty. What am I doing wrong?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Paul Coughlan have you tried the mute button? This one should reset all lights. (Or maybe it was another one?) just to be safe, try every button in user mode and at one point the buttons should light up corrrectly. If that doesn’t help - How exactly are the buttons mismatched? Maybe I can guess what’s wrong.

[@javinofx]

Does it work for a launchkey mk3?

[@tomsiddhmainardi1436]

VERY COOL! Anyone knows if there is a similar thing for the Launchkey Mini mk3? THANKS

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

If you know a little Max/msp. it's probably easy to adapt. You probably just have to change the numbers to match the pads on that device. My patch is not too clean tho. Probably takes a bit to find the right numbers ;)

[@javinofx]

Nice job!! If you know a similar thing for the launchkey mk3 (37 keys or similar), please write me here! Thanks!!

[@Cambaudio]

@@javinofx I've got one working using an iPad only, but it can output to whatever including Live over Ableton Link.

[@javinofx]

@@Cambaudio can you share it?

[@Sirius-qr4vu]

That looks awesome! Does it work with the launchpad pro original version?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

I can't test it, since I only own the LPmini. But I guess it might work, or should at least be easy to adjust, if you are fit in M4L. It's a M4L patch, that works via Midi. So it could potentially work with every 8x8 grid, that can send and receive midi.

[@Sirius-qr4vu]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 I have downloaded it and it works great! thanks for your great work it's really awesome!

[@pedrolara3864]

work in launchpad pro and ableton 11?

[@goldein7777]

Hi Leo, I would love to know how can i record and clip once the stepsequencer is playing? Thx

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Hi! You mean recording the sequence, that you’ve done with the sequencer? I would suggest just having another midi track set midi in to the track with the sequencer on and record it there to a new clip. Or, if you don’t need the Progress of getting to this sequence, you can just copy the clip in the sequencer track, as the sequence is always stored in the clip. Hope that helped.

[@samuelo.4663]

Hi! How do you got the red box session in Ableton? It comes by default?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Yes, I think so. You probably have to select the same options in the ableton midi preferences as I did. But I think the usual session mode won’t work as it uses the same buttons. Maybe another user has figured that out? I’m using an apc40 for that, so I didn’t care to much about the default LP functions.

[@nmbc3437]

is there a way to make the sequencer only run through one custom user mode and not all of them? i'm on a launchpad x.

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

I know, that is a thing all of us want. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do that because I didn’t find a way for the buttons to light up in any of the mappings. So until now there is only a workaround to map the other modes to midi channels >=2 in order to use at least a bit of the other functionality. Maybe with firmware updates it becomes possible in a better way.

[@nmbc3437]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 thanks ! x

[@damarkomodo1085]

Hi, how make the button for the record arm in launchpad mini mk3? Very confused

[@Al-wf9bv]

DamarKomodo you can’t :( I’ve tried everywhere but as far as I could find you cant

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Didn't I include this in the new version? If not, just midi-map it! (cmd+M) > click on the record arm button in Live > push the free button you want to map it to on the LP >ready!

[@ralfjojo4829]

Does IT work on Launchpad x?

[@njigyfd]

Same question? Does this work for the Launchpad X and Ableton 10?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

I’m pretty positive that at least it’s easy to adapt for other launch pads. But I don’t own any, so I can’t test. Maybe ask in the M4L forum. Maybe someone has already tried.

[@gabesnyder5711]

How do you switch pages on a launchpad mini mk3 or is it impossible?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Unfortunately I'm no expert on the LP. I really only use it as a stepsequencer, because it stays in sync (unlike the beatstep) and its light weight and tiny (unlike the push)

[@KILLALLARTISTS]

How i calibrate my launchpad like yours.?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Just use a fresh blank preset. So no buttons at all. Just as out of the box. The rest needs to be as shown in the video.

[@philosofy469]

I used my launchpad mini and did every thing but they said i had no license even though novation said i had it.

[@MacGyverGear]

Max4live license??

[@philosofy469]

@@MacGyverGear I use ableton live lite 10

[@Fonkemman]

Is there another way to do this without max4live?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

I guess it’s possible to write a midi preset script and then just select it in ableton. But I’ve forgotten which programming language to use and gave up after a short try. That was witchcraft for me. This is the easiest way for me.

[@Fonkemman]

Leonhard Kuhn thanks. Maybe someday when I can afford Live Suite. 🙂

[@rbrdias4066]

hi i download yr project but no m4l device

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

If you open the project in Live, thex should be there. They are located in the "Presets" folder. Maybe just download it again? I just checked and it worked.

[@rbrdias4066]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 i will check it again thx mate

[@rbrdias4066]

Got it thx mate nice work

[@Jodaveni06]

Do you need to have the Max for Life?

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Yes, you do. The whole thing is programmed entirely in max/msp.

[@barutsuomiei]

Check out Launchpad95 project. It is an amazing alternative to expensive solutions.

[@TheTheoMeier]

I love this, used it a lot. But now running it on Live 11.1.6 with Launchpad Mini Mk3 on Macbook Pro (with M1 Pro) causes random Live crashes. Could you maybe have a look into this? Will paypal you coffee money :D

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Thanks for the heads up! I haven’t used it in a while but might want to use it soon in an upcoming gig. I’ll try to fix it and let you know. Also when I have time I wanted to make sone updates to it. :)

[@TheTheoMeier]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 Ufff that would be amazing man :) looking forward to hear about this soon 🙏🏼

[@TheTheoMeier]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 this is what the ableton support tried to explain after I sent them a crash report: (translated from german) "To put it very simply, each 'Device' or 'Effect' in a Live Set would be assigned a specific ID. Since sets and their structure change over time, devices are added, deleted or moved, these IDs are also dynamic. However, the seen Max Device doesn't seem to go along 100%. So in some live runs it looked like there were bugs related to other devices in the set. So to speak, between the IDs of the devices that are still in the set and what the Max Device "sees". However, this would have to be verified by the programmer of the Max Device. I suspect that this can be fixed with an update."

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Hi ​@@TheTheoMeier ! I just posted an updated version. Well, a completely new version :) I kind of knew what the problem was, but I did it completely new. Hope it works for you and everyone else. The link is in the pinned comment.

[@TheTheoMeier]

​@@leonhardkuhn3990 woah amazing! :) can't wait to check it out! Is it stable? can I use it for a show tomorrow? :D

[@berkekose4359]

i ve mini mk3 too but i cannot use project files can you help me pls

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Berke Kose hi! Can you tell me more detailed, was the problem is? Can you open the demo project? Do you see the max4L plugins in Ableton?

[@berkekose4359]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 i download it a project like skrillex its seems on ableton but when i try to hit the tabs there isnt any sound or lights

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Berke Kose Try getting the demo project to work first, following the steps in this video. Then customise the drum rack in this project. When this works, I’m sure, you can adapt it into other projects.

[@berkekose4359]

@@leonhardkuhn3990 i can play sounds but no lights and there is lights in project files

[@leonhardkuhn3990]

Berke Kose hm. Sounds like a routing problem? The lights are controlled by midi messages to the LP. Maybe some midi out settings in ableton are set wrong or midi to in the channels. Hard to tell from here.. good luck figuring it out!