Novation Launch Control XL 3 User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Novation Manuals
  4. DJ Equipment
  5. Launch Control XL 3
  6. User manual
Novation Launch Control XL 3 User Manual

Novation Launch Control XL 3 User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
ENGLISH
Launch Control XL 3 User Guide
Version 1.0

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Launch Control XL 3 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Novation Launch Control XL 3

Summary of Contents for Novation Launch Control XL 3

  • Page 1 ENGLISH Launch Control XL 3 User Guide Version 1.0...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Using Custom Modes on the Launch Control XL 3 ............20 Custom Mode Settings Edit ..................20 Creating Launch Control XL 3 Custom Modes in Novation Components ....21 Using Launch Control XL 3 outside of a DAW ..............22 Controlling another device with Launch Control XL 3 ..........

  • Page 3: Introduction To The Launch Control Xl 3

    Introduction to the Launch Control XL 3 Launch Control XL 3 is a MIDI control surface designed to provide hands-on control of DAWs, software synths, effects, and external hardware through USB and MIDI I/O, eight faders, 24 endless encoders, 16 programmable buttons, dedicated transport controls, and an OLED display.

  • Page 4: Getting Started With Your Launch Control Xl 3

    Your Launch Control XL 3 is USB bus-powered; it's powered when you connect it to your computer or to a mains USB power adaptor using the included USB cable. When you connect your Launch Control XL 3 to a computer, it sends and receives MIDI data via the USB port.
  • Page 5 Using your Launch Control XL 3 to control a hardware setup using MIDI DIN, powering the Launch Control XL 3 using a mains USB power adaptor Connect your Launch Control XL 3 to a mains USB power adaptor (not included).

  • Page 6: Easy Start

    Easy Start or not. If you don't update the firmware of your Launch Control, it's likely many features won't work. To update your Launch Control's firmware, you need to use Novation Components. Go to components.novationmusic.com to update your firmware.

  • Page 7: Troubleshooting

    For help getting started with your Launch Control XL 3, visit: novationmusic.com/get-started If you have any questions or need any help at any time with your Launch Control XL 3, visit our Help Centre. Here you can also contact our support team: support.novationmusic.com...

  • Page 8: Launch Control Xl 3 Hardware Overview

    Launch Control XL 3 hardware overview The next few pages give you an idea of what the controls on Launch Control XL 3 do. For DAW integration see Controlling your DAW with the Launch Control XL 3 [28], for using Launch...
  • Page 9 Launch Control XL 3. The buttons light when they're available and allow you to navigate through many areas of the Launch Control XL 3. For example, if you're at the first or last page, only one of the two buttons lights.
  • Page 10 Launch Control XL 3. The buttons light when they're available and allow you to navigate through many areas of the Launch Control XL 3. For example, if you're at the first or last page, only one of the two buttons lights.
  • Page 11 For more information, see Controlling your DAW with the Launch Control XL 3 [28]. Launch Control XL 3's Shift button Shift allows access to secondary functions on many buttons. Hold Shift, and press any button with a secondary shift function.
  • Page 12 Mode button (Edit) Mode lets you choose which mode the Launch Control XL 3 is in. The Mode defines the function of all the controls. Your Launch Control XL 3 has two DAW modes (DAW Control and DAW Mixer), 15 Custom Modes, and one Default mode (slot 16).
  • Page 13 Custom Mode Settings Edit The Edit half of the Mode button accesses the Custom Mode Settings Edit menu. Each Custom Mode on Launch Control XL 3 has it's own Edit menu to configure how the Custom Mode interacts with the MIDI ports.
  • Page 14 Using the Launch Control XL 3's faders The Launch Control XL 3 has eight faders. You can use the faders to control the mixer levels in your DAW or send custom MIDI messages to control other devices, like hardware or plugins.
  • Page 15 Using the Launch Control XL 3's buttons At the bottom of your Launch Control XL 3 top panel are two rows of buttons, 19 in total. When your Launch Control XL 3 is controlling a DAW, the buttons under the faders act as Solo/Arm (top row) or Mute/Select (bottom row) buttons.

  • Page 16: Mute Mode

    Using the Launch Control XL 3 's Solo and Arm DAW buttons Press the Solo/Arm button, to the left of the top button row, to change the top button row between track Solo and record Arm controls. Solo mode When the buttons are in Solo mode, pressing a button changes the Solo state of the corresponding DAW track.

  • Page 17: Launch Control Xl 3'S Back Panel

    - Kensington Lock, use a lock to secure your Launch Control and deter theft. Using the Launch Control XL 3's MIDI Ports The MIDI ports allow you to use the Launch Control XL 3 in hardware and hybrid setups. For example, expanding or adapting the physical controls on a synthesiser, drum machine, or groovebox.
  • Page 18 Launch Control XL 3's MIDI In DIN port. This is useful when: • your Launch Control XL 3 is part of a larger MIDI chain, and you need to transmit MIDI messages from both your Launch Control XL 3 and another device earlier in the chain such as a controller keyboard.
  • Page 19 • It provides the Launch Control XL 3 with power, both when connecting to a computer, or in standalone mode. • It sends and receives MIDI data, either to your DAW, MIDI applications or via a USB MIDI host. • It allows you to install firmware updates and manage Custom Modes for your Launch...

  • Page 20: Using Custom Modes On The Launch Control Xl 3

    Custom Mode Settings Edit The Edit half of the Mode button accesses the Custom Mode Settings Edit menu. Each Custom Mode on Launch Control XL 3 has it's own Edit menu to configure how the Custom Mode interacts with the MIDI ports.

  • Page 21: Creating Launch Control Xl 3 Custom Modes In Novation Components

    Novation Components (web-based and standalone) lets you create, modify, save, and load Custom Modes for your product Launch Control XL 3. Go here to use or download Components: components.novationmusic.com You can create Custom Modes with or without your Launch Control XL 3 connected and send them when you do connect it.

  • Page 22: Using Launch Control Xl 3 Outside Of A Daw

    MIDI Out ports to work with other MIDI-capable software or hardware, in both musical and non-musical applications. To send MIDI data from the Launch Control XL 3 you need to use one of the Custom Modes. In each Custom Mode, you can assign different MIDI CC, Note, program change, NRPN , keystroke data to controls on the Launch Control XL 3 and send this to the corresponding software or hardware.

  • Page 23: Controlling Another Device With Launch Control Xl 3

    Controlling another device with Launch Control XL 3 The simplest setup is using the Launch Control XL 3 to control one device with a single MIDI cable. This is useful if the device you're controlling doesn't have any controls, or you're looking to expand the number of controls.

  • Page 24: Controlling Multiple Devices With Launch Control Xl 3

    Controlling multiple devices with Launch Control XL 3 In this setup, the Launch Control XL 3 is a controller for two devices. It's controls are assigned to control synth on Custom Mode 1 and a drum machine on Custom Mode 2. Also connected to the MIDI In is a keyboard controller using the Launch Control XL 3‘s MIDI merge function (see...
  • Page 25 Set the controls to map to the drum machine for example, encoders for pitch, decay etc. and faders for the main level for each drum. You could also use the Launch Control XL 3's buttons to send note data to trigger drums sounds or control drum mutes.

  • Page 26: Using The Launch Control Xl 3 In A Hybrid Setup

    Using the Launch Control XL 3 in a hybrid setup In this setup, the Launch Control XL 3 acts as a controller and MIDI router in a hybrid setup (computer and hardware). You can connect a MIDI keyboard to Launch Control XL 3's MIDI In and as you select different Custom Modes, the incoming keyboard MIDI data is merged with the Launch Control XL 3's controls and routed to different hardware devices.

  • Page 27: Using Your Launch Control Xl 3 In Non-Musical Applications

    Connecting a MIDI keyboard to your synths via the Launch Control XL 3 allows you to route the incoming MIDI data to either MIDI Out ports on the Launch Control XL 3. For example, if you set Custom Mode 1 to route to DIN Out, both the MIDI keyboard and the Launch Control XL 3's controls route to the Peak.

  • Page 28: Controlling Your Daw With The Launch Control Xl 3

    The following sections explains the Launch Control XL 3's Ableton Live integration. Connecting your Launch Control XL 3 to Ableton Live When you connect your Launch Control XL 3 to Ableton Live it is automatically set up as a Control Surface.
  • Page 29 Shift lets you preview controls. Hold Shift and move a control; the screen shows you the value without changing it. You can preview controls in any mode on the Launch Control XL 3. Using the encoders in Ableton Live The Launch Control XL 3 has two DAW encoder modes.
  • Page 30 These modes change what the encoders map to. The faders and buttons always control the same elements. Ableton Live's DAW Mixer encoder mode In DAW Mixer mode, each encoder row controls a different set of mixer settings: Send levels for the current track bank. Send levels for the current track bank.
  • Page 31 When you move a Pan encoder, the screen shows you the track name and Pan position, L for Left, C for Centre and R for right. The encoder LED changes colour to show the Pan position: Blue for left. Dim white for centre. Orange for right.
  • Page 32 For more information see Ableton's Live user guide here. For more information see Ableton's Live user guide here. When your Launch Control XL 3 is in DAW Control mode, the top two encoder rows map to 16 controls in the currently selected device.
  • Page 33 In this example, Launch Control XL 3 controls the device highlighted. If your Device has more than 16 controls, move through them using the Page buttons. Moving between Devices If your Track has more than one Device, hold Shift and press a Page button to move to the next Device (Page down) or previous Device (Page up).

  • Page 34: Playback Position

    Ableton Live's Transport encoder controls In DAW Control mode, the third encoder row controls Transport. Transport mode brings controls of your DAW's arrangement view onto your encoders, giving you hands-on control of your project's navigation. The encoder LEDs light to show which encoders are available and related. Encoder Function Screen name...
  • Page 35 Ableton's Zoom Control There are two encoders assigned to zoom in Live: Zoom Horizontal and Zoom Vertical. Zoom Horizontal In Arrangement view, Zoom Horizontal keeps the track heights the same but zooms in and out keeping the playback position central to the zoom. In Session view, the Zoom Horizontal encoder moves between tracks.
  • Page 36 Using the Launch Control XL 3's faders in Ableton Live The faders only have one function; to control the volume level of the current track bank. In both DAW modes, the Launch Control XL 3 faders control the Track Volume of the current track bank.

  • Page 37: Solo Mode

    Solo and Arm buttons You can change the top button row between Solo and Record Arm. Solo mode In Solo mode, the buttons toggle the solo state of tracks. Track 2 is soloed. In Solo mode, the buttons light blue; bright blue when the track is soloed and dim blue when they aren't.

  • Page 38: Mute Mode

    If your project is set to Cue mode, instead of Solo, the Solo function activates Cue. This allows you to preview tracks from a separate Cue output. Learn more in Ableton Live's user manual here Soloing and Cueing. Record Arm mode In Arm mode, the buttons toggle the record arm state of their respective tracks.

  • Page 39: Select Mode

    Tracks 4, 7, and 8 are muted (buttons 12, 15, and 16 are dim). In Mute mode, the buttons light orange; bright orange when the track is active and dim yellow for muted tracks. Select mode In Select mode, the buttons select tracks in your DAW for playback and deeper device control. The Select button lights match the Track colours in Live.
  • Page 40 The selected track lights full brightness, the other tracks are dim. When you select a track, the screen shows the track's name. Using the Play button in Ableton Live Play controls Live's play function: • If playback is stopped, play starts playback from the beginning of the session or the start marker.
  • Page 41 By default, pressing record in Live starts the transport and recording. You can change this, so pressing the record button arms recording, but won't start until you press play. To do this, right click Ableton Live's record button and choose disabled Start Transport With Record.

  • Page 42: Controlling Logic Pro With The Launch Control Xl 3

    The following sections explain the integration the Launch Control XL 3 has in Logic Pro. Connecting your Launch Control XL 3 to Logic Pro When you connect your Launch Control XL 3 to Logic Pro and you have the script installed it is automatically set up as a Control Surface.
  • Page 43 Navigating with Track buttons in Logic Pro Press the Track buttons to move to the next/previous track in Logic Pro. When you move tracks, your Launch Control XL 3 's screen temporarily shows the new track's name. Track buttons light to show you when you're able to move track. For example, if you're on Track 1, the <...
  • Page 44 Logic Pro Send controls in DAW Mixer mode In DAW Mixer mode, the top two encoder rows control the Send levels for the current track bank. If you have more than two sends, the Page buttons navigate through the different Sends. The encoders LEDs light yellow for the top row and amber for the second row.
  • Page 45 Logic Pro DAW Control encoder mode In DAW Control mode, each encoder row controls a different set of Logic Pro settings: Encoder row: Smart controls for the currently selected plugin or Logic EQ controls. Smart controls for the currently selected plugin or Logic EQ controls. Transport controls.
  • Page 46 EQ encoder control To access the EQ encoder control, use the Page down button until the screen shows EQ. Mixer EQ mode adds an EQ plugin to the selected track if one isn't already present. When you're in EQ Mixer mode, the encoders map to the following EQ controls: Encoder Parameter Screen Name...

  • Page 47: Playback Position

    Encoder Function Screen name Encoder LED Colour Arrangement view playback Playback Position Light Teal position Zoom horizontal (to playback Zoom Horizontal Blue position) Loop Start point Loop Start Yellow Loop End Point Loop End Yellow Loop active Yellow Marker Selection Marker Select White Tempo...
  • Page 48 Using the faders in Logic Pro The faders only have one function; to control the volume level of the current track bank. In both DAW modes, the Launch Control XL 3 faders always control the Fader Volume of the current bank of eight tracks.
  • Page 49 When you move a fader, the screen shows the track name and level in dB. Using the buttons in Logic Pro Each button row has two settings you can individually control. • The top row controls Solo or Arm. • The bottom row controls Mute or Select. To change the function, press the far left button on the corresponding row.
  • Page 50 Track 2 is soloed. In Solo mode, the buttons light bright yellow when the track is soloed and dim yellow when they aren't. Record Arm mode In Arm mode, the buttons toggle the record arm state of their respective tracks.

  • Page 51: Mute Mode

    Track 3 above is Record armed. In Arm mode, the buttons light red– dim red if the track isn't armed and bright red if the track is record armed. Mute and Select buttons in Logic Pro You can change the bottom button row between Mute and track Select. Mute mode Mute mode changes the function of the bottom row so they show the mute status of each track.
  • Page 52 The Select button lights match the Track colours in Logic Pro. In Select Mode, the buttons light up as the tracks' colours. The selected track lights full brightness, the other tracks are dim. When you select a track, the screen shows the track's name. Using the Play button in Logic Pro Play controls the play function.
  • Page 53 Using the Record button in Logic Pro Record starts the recording process. To stop recording and playback, press the Play button. To stop recording and continue playback (e.g. when punching in and out) press the record button again, or press Shift. While you're recording, the Record button is fully lit.

  • Page 54: Controlling Cubase With The Launch Control Xl 3

    The following sections explain the integration the Launch Control XL 3 has in Cubase. Connecting your Launch Control XL 3 to Cubase Cubase is set up so when you connect a Launch Control XL 3 it's automatically detected as a MIDI Remote.
  • Page 55 Shift lets you preview controls. Hold Shift and move a control; the screen shows you the value without changing it. You can preview controls in any mode on the Launch Control XL 3. Using the encoders in Cubase The Launch Control XL 3 has two DAW encoder modes.
  • Page 56 The encoders LEDs light yellow for the top row and amber for the second row. The colours don't change when you bank through your sends. If you have more than two sends, the Page buttons navigate through the different Sends. As you change Sends, the screen shows the Send's names.
  • Page 57 When you move a Pan encoder, the screen shows you the track name and Pan position, L for Left, C for Centre and R for right. The encoder LEDs light red when they're controlling Pan. Cubase DAW Control encoder mode In DAW Control mode, each row of encoder controls a different set of settings relating to Cubase: Encoder row:...
  • Page 58 You can see the Quick Controls assignments in the MIDI Remote section of Cubase. When you move an encoder, the screen shows the Quick Control's name and value. Cubase Channel EQ DAW Control mode When the encoders are in DAW control mode the second row maps to the Cubase Channel EQ for the current track.
  • Page 59 Encoder Parameter Screen Name Band 1 Frequency Lo Freq Band 1 Gain Lo Gain Band 2 Frquency LMF Freq Band 2 Gain LMF Gain Band 3 Frequency HMF Freq Band 3 Gain HMF Gain Band 4 Frequency Hi Freq Band 4 Gain Hi Gain To open the Cubase channel strip, go to the MixConsole and click the Edit Channel Settings button...
  • Page 60 Encoder Function Screen name Encoder LED Colour Arrangement view playback Scrub Light Teal position Zoom in/out Zoom Blue Loop Start point Left Locator Purple Loop End Point Right Locator Purple Loop active Cycle Activate Purple Marker Selection Marker Select White Tempo Tempo Green...
  • Page 61 Using the faders in Cubase The faders only have one function; to control the volume level of the current track bank. In both DAW modes, the Launch Control XL 3 faders always control the Volume Faders of the current bank of eight tracks.
  • Page 62 Using the buttons in Cubase Each button row has two settings you can individually control. • The top row controls Solo or Arm. • The bottom row controls Mute or Select. To change the function, press the far left button on the corresponding row. Solo and Arm buttons in Cubase You can change the top button row between Solo and Record Arm.
  • Page 63 In Solo mode, the buttons light bright pink when the track is Soloed and dim pink when they aren't. Record Arm mode In Arm mode, the buttons toggle the record arm state of their respective tracks. Track 3 above is Record armed. In Arm mode, the buttons light red–...
  • Page 64 Tracks 4, 7, and 8 are muted (buttons 12, 15, and 16 are dim). In Mute mode, the buttons light bright yellow when the track is muted and dim yellow for active tracks. Select mode In Select mode, the buttons select tracks in your DAW for playback and deeper device control.
  • Page 65 In Select Mode, the buttons light up as the tracks' colours. The selected track lights full brightness, the other tracks are dim. When you select a track, the screen shows the track's name. Using the Play button in Cubase Play controls the play function. •...

  • Page 66: Controlling Fl Studio With The Launch Control Xl 3

    FL Studio is set up so when you connect a Launch Control XL 3 it's automatically detected. If the Launch Control XL 3 isn't automatically detected, you need to set it up in MIDI Settings. Install the latest version of FL Studio to make sure you have the latest script installed.
  • Page 67 You can preview controls in any mode on the Launch Control XL 3. Using the DAW modes in FL Studio In FL Studio, the two DAW modes on Launch Control XL 3 change the controls between FL Studio's two mixers, the main mixer and the Channel Rack.
  • Page 68 • DAW Mixer mode controls FL Studio's Mixer FL Studio's DAW Control mode Launch Control XL 3's DAW Control mode assigns the controls to FL Studio's Channel Rack. • The encoder rows control: Plugin parameters No controls assigned Channel Rack Pans.
  • Page 69 • Button row 2 controls Channel Rack mutes. Each button lights the colour of each Channel, bright when it's active, dim when muted. FL Studio's DAW Mixer mode Launch Control XL 3's DAW Mixer mode assigns the controls to FL Studio's Mixer. • The encoder rows control: Mixer Track Parametric EQ FL Studio's Transport Mixer Pans.
  • Page 70 The first six encoders light purple, to show the available controls, and map to the following EQ controls: Enocder Parameter Screen name Band 1 Frequency Low Shelf Band 1 Level Low Shelf Band 2 Frequency Peaking Band 2 Level Peaking Band 3 Frequency High Shelf Band 3 Level...
  • Page 71 Controlling FL Studio's Mixer Pan In DAW Mixer mode, the third encoder row controls Pan for the current track bank. When you move a Pan encoder, the screen shows you the track name and Pan position, L for Left, C for Centre and R for right. Controlling FL Studio's Mixer volume control The faders control the mixer volume level of the current track bank.
  • Page 72 Using the buttons in DAW Mixer mode In DAW Mixer mode, each button row controls the corresponding controls in FL Studio's Mixer. • button row 1 controls either Solo or Arm. • In Solo mode the Solo/Arm button lights white. •...

  • Page 73: Launch Control Xl 3'S Settings Page

    • To find a setting, press Page ▲▼ up and down. • Adjust the setting's value using the top-left encoder or the Track ◀▶ buttons. The screen shows the current value. To exit Settings, press the Mode button and your Launch Control XL 3 returns to its previous state. Setting...
  • Page 74 To exit bootloader • Press the Play button.

  • Page 75: Launch Control Xl 3'S Specifications

    Launch Control XL 3's Specifications Technical Specifications Controls Screen OLED Display Encoders 24 encoders with RGB LED lights. Faders Eight 60mm throw faders. buttons 16 buttons, two below each fader. Navigation Two encoder Page up and down buttons. Two Track left and right buttons.

  • Page 76: Launch Control Xl 3 Spares

    A diagram of the Launch Control XL 3 with dimensions. Launch Control XL 3 spares Part Number Description Category CBLE002141 FFC CABLE 40 WAYS P=0.5mm L=36mm Same side contacts (internal cable) Cable FFMB002415 Launch Control XL 3 | Knob cap...

  • Page 77: Launch Control Xl 3 Appendix

    Launch Control XL 3 appendix Default Mode (16) parameters You can't edit Mode 16, instead it's a default set of the following CCs that send on MIDI channel...

  • Page 78: Novation Notices

    For help getting started with your Launch Control XL 3, visit: novationmusic.com/get-started If you have any questions or need any help at any time with your Launch Control XL 3, visit our Help Centre. Here you can also contact our support team: support.novationmusic.com...

  • Page 79: Electrostatic Discharge (Esd)

    ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD) A strong electrostatic discharge (ESD) may affect the normal operation of this product. If this happens, reset the unit by removing and replugging the USB cable. Normal operation should return.

  • Page 80: Credits

    Credits Novation would like to thank the following Launch Control XL 3 team members for their hard work in bringing you this product: Mobashir Ahmed, Ben Bates, Taavi Bonny, Nick Bookman, Conor Boyd, Adam Briffa, Robert Briggs, Hannah Budworth, Mario Buoninfante, André Cerqueira, William Charlton, Jason...

Table of Contents