Comments on: Novation Launchpad vs. Monome http://enigmafon.com/2009/11/01/novation-launchpad-vs-monome/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:03:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: admin http://enigmafon.com/2009/11/01/novation-launchpad-vs-monome/comment-page-1/#comment-187 admin Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:44:00 +0000 http://enigmafon.com/?p=937#comment-187 thanks for the info! thanks for the info!

]]> By: NiXav http://enigmafon.com/2009/11/01/novation-launchpad-vs-monome/comment-page-1/#comment-128 NiXav Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:23:06 +0000 http://enigmafon.com/?p=937#comment-128 How to use the Launchpad as a monome: http://post.monome.org/comments.php?DiscussionID=6245&page=1#Item_1 How to use the Launchpad as a monome: http://post.monome.org/comments.php?DiscussionID=6245&page=1#Item_1

]]> By: Peter Kirn http://enigmafon.com/2009/11/01/novation-launchpad-vs-monome/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Peter Kirn Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:48:59 +0000 http://enigmafon.com/?p=937#comment-127 Right, but you've still got it a bit backwards. Handshaking does indeed prevent *other* controllers from emulating the APC and monome. And no one has managed to crack that yet. The MIDI messages were copied by hand on the APC. But on the Launchpad, Novation provided the documentation - no cracking needed. If Ableton removed that handshake, then you'd be free to use any controller you wanted. Because it's there, Ableton is actually actively reducing the value of your software, by choosing the hardware you use for you rather than letting you choose. Right, but you’ve still got it a bit backwards. Handshaking does indeed prevent *other* controllers from emulating the APC and monome. And no one has managed to crack that yet.

The MIDI messages were copied by hand on the APC. But on the Launchpad, Novation provided the documentation – no cracking needed.

If Ableton removed that handshake, then you’d be free to use any controller you wanted. Because it’s there, Ableton is actually actively reducing the value of your software, by choosing the hardware you use for you rather than letting you choose.

]]> By: admin http://enigmafon.com/2009/11/01/novation-launchpad-vs-monome/comment-page-1/#comment-125 admin Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:55:14 +0000 http://enigmafon.com/?p=937#comment-125 Hi Peter. Thank you for your comment. I described the process of deciphering the handshaking process and the MIDI mapping of the unit as "cracking" since it does involve some detective work to figure out the MIDI messages exchanged between the unit and Ableton. I am sure just like the APC40 some precautions were taken by Novation and Ableton to make sure the controller cannot be faked by some other hardware unit. Maybe i could have used a better to term to describe the process, but cracking sounds sexier. :) As i wrote in the post, the Launchpad is no replacement for the monome, but its cheap appeal (under $200 for each Launchpad) more than makes up for its lack of build quality and programming abilities. The fact that i can run two or three new Launchpads for the price of one used monome 64 makes it a viable alternative in my book. Thanks Hi Peter. Thank you for your comment.
I described the process of deciphering the handshaking process and the MIDI mapping of the unit as “cracking” since it does involve some detective work to figure out the MIDI messages exchanged between the unit and Ableton. I am sure just like the APC40 some precautions were taken by Novation and Ableton to make sure the controller cannot be faked by some other hardware unit. Maybe i could have used a better to term to describe the process, but cracking sounds sexier. :)

As i wrote in the post, the Launchpad is no replacement for the monome, but its cheap appeal (under $200 for each Launchpad) more than makes up for its lack of build quality and programming abilities. The fact that i can run two or three new Launchpads for the price of one used monome 64 makes it a viable alternative in my book.
Thanks

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