Novation Launchkey’s Arpeggiator: From Basslines to Glitch—A Workflow Deep Dive

Novation positions the Launchkey as more than a standard MIDI keyboard—it’s a platform for sparking musical ideas, with the arpeggiator front and center. The video opens with a clear mission: use the arp not just for ornamentation, but as a primary tool for composition and track development. The presenter sets up a session in Ableton Live, emphasizing that the Launchkey’s creative features are designed to help users move quickly from inspiration to arrangement. This isn’t about deep menu diving or technical setup; it’s about hands-on, immediate results. The arpeggiator is introduced as a flexible engine, ready to drive everything from bass lines to melodic and percussive elements.

The first practical demonstration zeroes in on building a bass line using the Launchkey’s arpeggiator. With a simple drum loop as the foundation, the presenter activates the arp and tweaks the rate to 16th notes, instantly injecting rhythmic drive. Adjusting the octave range to two allows the bass to step across a wider register, while changing the arp type to ‘up and down two’ creates a pendulum-like motion, doubling each note for added movement. This hands-on approach highlights how a few parameter changes can transform a static idea into a dynamic sequence.

Moving to melodic content, the workflow shifts to layering a higher arpeggio. Here, the rhythm control comes into play, breaking away from strict metronomic patterns and introducing more complex, varied timing. Increasing the octave spread to three further expands the melodic range, resulting in a part that feels both intricate and expansive. The video makes it clear: the Launchkey’s arp isn’t just a one-trick pony—it’s a versatile tool for shaping both foundational and decorative elements in a track.

The creative use cases escalate as the arpeggiator is repurposed for percussion. By setting the rhythm back to straight and limiting the octave to one, the arp becomes a rapid-fire trigger for drum hits. Changing the arp type to ‘up’ ensures a consistent, repeatable pattern—ideal for generating drum grooves that might be difficult to program manually. The presenter demonstrates how holding multiple notes cycles through them, opening up new rhythmic possibilities for percussion tracks.

The video then dives into more experimental territory, using the arp to create glitchy fills and IDM-style sequences. Recording longer takes while tweaking parameters in real time, the workflow encourages capturing wild, unpredictable moments. The key insight is to record freely, then sift through the material to find the most compelling fragments—turning chaos into structure. This section underscores the Launchkey’s potential as a performance and sound design tool, not just a conventional MIDI controller.