Launchpad Mini MK3 Custom Script — Live Performance Edition
A custom MIDI Remote Script for Novation Launchpad Mini MK3 optimized for live performance situations in Ableton Live 11+.
Live Performance Features
This script provides two key improvements for stage and live performance:
1. Scene Launch Buttons Disabled
The right column of scene launch buttons (CC 19–89) is disabled in Session mode to prevent accidental scene triggering during performance. Scene launch buttons no longer fire scenes, keeping your set stable while you focus on playing clips.
2. High-Visibility Red Clip Colors
All clip slot colors are overridden to red regardless of your project’s clip colors, providing consistent, high-visibility feedback under stage lighting conditions:
- Playing clips: Blinking Red
- Stopped clips: Red
- Recording: Pulsing red
- Triggered: Blinking red
This ensures you can always see active clips clearly, even in challenging lighting environments.
3. Global Stop Button
Global Stop: The bottom scene button (last button in the right column) performs Stop All Clips. The other scene buttons are safely disabled to prevent accidental scene launches.
Installation
Step 1: Create Remote Scripts Folder
- Open Ableton Live
- Go to Browser → User Library (in the left sidebar)
- Right-click on User Library and select “New folder”
- Create a new folder named
Remote Scripts(if it does not exist) inside the User Library folder
Step 2: Copy the Script
- Copy the entire unzipped
Launchpad_Mini_MK3_KEifolder into theRemote Scriptsfolder you just created
Step 3: Restart Ableton
- Quit Ableton Live completely if it’s running
- Restart Ableton Live to load the new script
Step 4: Configure Ableton
- Open Ableton Live Preferences (Mac:
Cmd + ,/ Windows:Ctrl + ,) - Go to the Link/Tempo/MIDI tab
- In the MIDI Ports section, find an empty Control Surface slot
- Set:
- Control Surface:
Launchpad_Mini_MK3_KEi - Input:
Launchpad Mini MK3 KEi Output(orLPMiniMK3 MIDI) - Output:
Launchpad Mini MK3 KEi Input(orLPMiniMK3 MIDI)
- Control Surface:
- Enable Track and Remote for both Input and Output ports (see screenshot below)
- Click OK
- The Launchpad should light up and respond to Ableton
Example: Correct MIDI configuration showing Control Surface selection and enabled Track/Remote options
Step 5: Verify Installation
- Press the Session button (top row, 5th button labeled “Session”)
- Clip slots should light up in red
- Press any of the top 7 scene buttons (right column) – they do nothing (disabled)
- Press the bottom scene button – all playing clips stop instantly
Button Map
| Physical control | Function |
|---|---|
| 8×8 pad grid | Launch clips in Session view |
| Right column, buttons 1–7 | Disabled (no scene launch) |
| Right column, bottom button | Stop All Clips |
| Top row, 5th button (“Session”) | Toggle Session view on the device |
Notes for Live Performance
- Scene Launch Disabled: If you need to trigger scenes during your set, use Ableton’s arrangement view or map a MIDI controller to scene launch
- Consistent Feedback: Red coloring works across all your Live sets regardless of clip color choices in the project
- Quick Setup: Install once and use across all your performance sessions
Troubleshooting
Launchpad not responding?
- Verify Control Surface is set to
Launchpad_Mini_MK3_KEi(exact name) - Check Input/Output are both set to the Launchpad’s MIDI ports (Notice the IN and OUT configuration)
- Try toggling the control surface off and on again
- Restart Ableton Live
Session button not working?
- Press the top row, 5th button labeled “Session”
- Make sure you’re in DAW mode (not standalone mode)
Need to restore original behavior?
- Simply remove the script from Remote Scripts folder and restart Live
- Select the default
Launchpad Mini MK3control surface instead
Credits
Based on the original Flairuts hack that added Arm and Select functionality:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ableton/comments/ly1xfk/novation_launchpad_mini_mk3_flariuts_arm_and/
Developer Resources
For development and customization details, see the project repository.
Additional references:
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