I have a Novation Launchkey MK4 in the 61-key version and use Cubase 14 Pro.
I have used Novation’s Components software to assign various simple keyboard commands to the pads.
Now I would also like to personalize the faders and encoders, but I don’t understand how to do this. Unfortunately, I haven’t found anything on Google or YouTube on how to create custom modes for Cubase.
For example, I would like to put the focus quick controls on the encoders and faders, or pre-gain of the active track group on the faders (like the factory volume mode but with pre-gain).
As I understand it, I should create Custom Modes in Components, but I don’t know how to make a Fader 1 control Track 1, Fader 2 control Track 2 and so on.
I can’t seem to use the MIDI remote editor because I’d probably be interfering with the included script, but I don’t want to jeopardize the factory modes.
Does anyone have any tips or links that could help me?
Use the MIDI Remote Manager to create your devices. With this, you can visually create the faders, encoders, etc. You will assign the MIDI Message (by simply using the Learn function), which is sent by the given control.
Once you are done, use the MIDI Remote Mapping Assistant, where you will assign Cubase functions to the given controls.
If I use the MIDI Remote Manager, do I have to recreate the whole device? And won’t I lose the factory functions? The Launchkey comes with a lot of factory modes that are extremely practical, such as the volume on the faders, the transport functions on the encoders, the track selection on the pads, etc.
How would I then reproduce the multiple assignments of the faders, encoders and pads? At the moment, I can even select the modes for faders, encoders and pads separately. I can hardly imagine that with the “assignment pages” of the MIDI remote editor.
I already understood that I could code my own script, but I’m not quite there yet. Of course, I would like the whole thing to be as simple as possible.
I believe, there is MIDI Remote script for this device already. I would use it. But I don’t know, how is it compatible with the Components software (I don’t know it). If you use already existing MIDI Remote, you can create your own page on top of already existing pages and customise it.
Yes, there is a MIDI Remote Script solution. I have exported a file from the MIDI Remote Manager and attached it, even if I couldn’t do anything with it myself. I think the script is ultimately made up of several JS files.
However, the functions provided by the controller are only partially mapped by Cubase in the MIDI Remote Assignment Wizard. When operating the encoders in transport mode, it says ‘undefined value’. However, I can actually use them to move the position pointer, change the tempo or select the loop range, etc.
I also saw that I can create new assignment pages in the MIDI Remote Assignment Wizard. This would allow me to assign Cubase functions to all pads, faders, controllers and keys myself, which I think would be great.
However, I would probably also lose the option of being able to assign different functions to the faders, encoders and pads.
For example, I can use the encoders in plug-in mode to change the Quick Controls track, the volume in mixer mode or the sends in sends mode without changing the functions of the pads or faders.
How nice it would be if I could also control the focus quick controls via the encoders! Or something other than the volume with the faders.
The keyboard still seems to have a lot of potential and I wish I could utilise it.
If this ist not possible, it won´t stop me from making music.
When it comes to the Launchkeys, you pick one or the other. You either use it as a MIDI Remote, or you turn that off and use Components as its set internally.
Components is for you to set it up when its used as a dummy MIDI controller. If you use MIDI Remote, this is now your ‘Components’. Any customization you want done, needs to be done using the MIDI Remote script and editor.
The two are completely separate and have nothing to do with one another.
Thank you, that makes it easier for me to understand. I now know that I can either spend a lot of time recreating the previous functions and customising the device for myself (I have ideas), or I can just use it as it is or what I can manage with components.
I’ll try out what works for me
That’s not what I understood before I bought it, but I’ll still have fun.
I’m uploading my slightly modified script here. It’s based on the official Novation script, with only one line changed. I have no real programming knowledge, but I somehow managed to cobble it together—and it works for me. Instead of controlling the Quick Controls, the encoders now steer the Focused Control. Everything else remains unchanged. Feel free to have someone with more expertise take a closer look.
Files goes to: “documents\Steinberg\Cubase\MIDI Remote\Driver Scripts\Local\novation\launchkey_mk4” host_bindings.zip (7.3 KB)