Novation Launchpad
The Novation Launchpad is an affordable MIDI controller, designed to work integratedly and smoothly with Ableton Live, a microtonally-capable DAW, though able to be used with many other choices of DAW. The MK3 versions are of interest as being reprogrammable, so that they can be used as isomorphic keyboards, as discussed in #Application as an isomorphic keyboard (though you can program them to do anything you can think of using the same code).
Application as an isomorphic keyboard
The MK3 versions of the Novation Launchpad, specifically, the Launchpad X, Launchpad Pro MK3 and Launchpad Mini, are reprogrammable, so that you can repurpose them as an isomorphic keyboard as detailed here:
User:Godtone#Novation_Launchpad_isomorphic_keyboard_code (Remember: be careful running code you see on the internet; check that the version of the code you are using wasn't authored by someone else by checking the page's history.)
Pros and cons of Novation Launchpad MK3's as isomorphic keyboards
- The Launchpad Mini MK3 is the cheapest, but is also the smallest and does not have velocity sensitivity. When used as an isomorphic keyboard (including buttons), it forms a 9x9 grid with a corner missing.
- The Launchpad X is larger and does have velocity sensitivity for the 8x8 grid of white pads, though keep in mind this isn't the same as per-pad pressure sensitivity, which no Launchpads have. However, the Launchpad X's buttons on the side are also softer, though they press deeper, which could make using them as part of a 9x9 grid a little awkward. When used as an isomorphic keyboard (including buttons), it forms a 9x9 grid with a corner missing.
- The Launchpad Pro MK3 is largest and most expensive, and like the Launchpad X has velocity sensitivity for the 8x8 grid of white pads without per-pad pressure sensitivity, however there are now hard, click-y buttons on every side, so that it forms a 10x10 grid with 3 corners missing. (The hard, click-y buttons are in contrast to the soft, deeper-press buttons of the Launchpad X.) It also has a primitive form of pressure sensitivity called "aftertouch" – the pressure applied to the surface as a – which can be useful for melodic control and contour if routed to a synthesizer that uses this information. Also, the bottom row of buttons is actually split into two rows of half-square buttons, which can be distinguished separately if desired.
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