Novation has added new features to Launchpad Mini and Launchpad X with its firmware version 2.0 update. This update brings more customisation options to Launchpad owners than ever before, allowing them to explore new ideas and produce music with ease.

Firmware version 2.0 introduces the exciting Custom Mode keystroke widget. Launchpad owners can keep creativity flowing while making music by assigning essential DAW shortcuts using Novation’s Components software for a faster, more intuitive workflow and endless creative options.

Launchpad X goes even bigger with an additional four Custom Mode slots added in version 2.0. Now with a total of eight slots, Launchpad X owners can take their music to new heights and experiment with the versatile new Custom Mode key stroke widget, without compromising on the space they have to create.

The Launchpad Mini and X firmware version 2.0 is compatible with the following products: Launchpad Mini [MK3] Launchpad X [MK3]. Launchpad Mini and X owners can download firmware version 2.0 from Novation Components.

Novation has announced Launchkey 88 — Novation’s first 88-key MIDI keyboard controller. Designed for the player, Launchkey 88 elevates musical performance and song writing with unique inspirational features, 16 velocity-sensitive pads, and an 88-key semi-weighted keybed designed to capture every detail of the player’s expression.

The highly successful Launchkey range has garnered a dedicated community of creators of all abilities thanks to its unmatched deep integration with Ableton and sizes including the portable Launchkey Mini, 25-, 37-, 49- and 61-key models. As an 88-key MIDI keyboard has often been requested by the Novation community, Launchkey 88 fulfils this need and brings a premium 88-key keybed created with Novation’s 30-year history of innovative MIDI keyboard design.

Launchkey 88’s premium semi-weighted keybed sets it apart from the rest of the Launchkey range with the best feeling keymech to date — the result of meticulous refinement and testing.

Launchkey 88’s versatile connectivity makes for dynamic live performances when controlling external synths and hardware, and in the studio Launchkey 88 shines as a powerful centrepiece that enhances artistic creativity. Inspirational features unlock new melodic potential. Bring out unexpected melodies with the powerful Arpeggiator, always stay in key with Scale mode, and three Chord modes make it easy to trigger complex chords with a single finger.

Deep integration with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase and more lets creators work uninterrupted, and essential mixer, transport and navigation controls aide in easy music making for all other major DAWs including Studio One, Pro Tools and Reaper, via HUI. With a comprehensive software bundle — including Ableton Live 11 Lite, virtual instruments, plug-ins and sample packs — musicians can start creating immediately and jumpstart their inspiration.

Novation’s award-winning MIDI keyboard controllers empower artists to excel with their creativity and make music without barriers. Whether it’s in the studio or on the stage, Launchkey 88 gives musicians all the tools they need to play expressively and say more with their music.

Firmware v2.0 brings in a range of improvements and new features across stereo controls, modulation, unpredictability, and effects, that give Summit and Peak owners new tools to shape their sound. Summit is a two-part, 16-voice, 61-key synthesiser with great harmonic depth, while Peak is an eight-voice polyphonic synthesiser that boasts rich and warm sounds. 

Owners will now be able to create bigger, wider, and more intricately textured soundscapes with updated stereo controls, and a range of effects improvements brings new tonalities with the addition of Chorus Modes, Flanger, Phlanger, new effects modulation destinations, and Lo-Fi delay.

New Feature Details:
Stereo
New spread modes, panning per voice, and panning in the mod matrix give additional control and allows for sound design in the stereo field. 

Modulation and unpredictability
Create deeper and more experimental sounds with new mod destinations, noise as a mod source, and additional LFO 3 and 4 parameters.
Animate Envelopes and Arpeggiator Chance open more creative performance possibilities.

Effects
New effects, including Chorus Modes, Flanger, and Phlanger. Additional effects modulation destinations open up more experimental sound design.
A new Lo-Fi delay mode enables a more vintage style sound.

Bug Fixes
The firmware update v2.0 includes a number of bug fixes, the full details of which can be found in the release notes. 

Firmware v2.0 is the last addition to the legacy of Chris Huggett’s innovative synth design work with Novation. Having shaped the sound of Novation’s iconic synths – including Bass Station, Supernova, Bass Station II, Summit and Peak, Chris has left an indelible imprint of influence and inspiration on Novation’s heritage.

Novation introduce their newest range of MIDI keyboard controllers, the FLkey Mini and FLkey 37. The range is a first for Novation offering full integration with FL Studio, subsequently bringing FL Studio’s mixer off-screen. 

The FLkey Mini format provides a portable option for FL Studio users on the move. This compact 25 mini-key MIDI keyboard combines tactile control of the most important FL Studio features. 

FLkey 37 expands on its Mini counterpart, giving creators a full-size keyboard for a larger octave range, and includes extra features. It allows manual programming of beats with FL Studio’s Step Sequencer, and tracks with Channel Rack through the pads. Mixes can also be tweaked directly via Mixer hardware controls, as well as control of instruments and automation, browsing of presets from Image Line plug-ins, and assignment of custom controls with Custom Modes for tailored workflows in FL Studio. Fixed Chord mode and User Chord mode allows users to play custom chords with one finger, and Scale Chord mode lets creators play pre-made chords in eight different scales straight from FLkey’s pads.

They are suitable for any level of FL Studio user, with essential controls at their fingertips, and with musical features to keep creativity spontaneous. FLkey’s intuitive features also provide a tool to help aspiring producers develop skills and learn while they create.

From 20th January to 17th March, Novation product owners can download Baby Audio’s Parallel Aggressor, for Mac and Windows. Normally sold for $49.00, Parallel Aggressor is free to download for Sound Collective members. 

Parallel Aggressor is all about punch. The parallel processing works by duplicating the same track into multiple copies and processing each duplicate with different levels of intensity. By blending these duplicates together, add more power while still preserving your track’s natural dynamics. 

The plugin hosts three parallel busses internally: Dry is your original signal, Spank is heavily compressed duplicate for extra punchy transients, and Heat is a heavily saturated duplicate of the original audio signal and adds harmonics. Combine all three signals to squeeze every drop of sonic juice out of your track. 

Sound Collective is a community hub that brings you, Novation and the most innovative software brands together. If you want to find great virtual instruments and effects, keeping up to date with the constant stream of new releases is essential, and Sound Collective makes it easy, with regular free software downloads and discounts on high-end plug-ins.