If you’ve just started and you want the largest amount of pad real estate for the least spend, you can’t go wrong with the Launchpad Mini. This is the revision of the Launchpad Mini, which removes a few function buttons but retains primary features that made the original Launchpad a big hit. Novation’s Launchpad was one of the very first 64-pad grid controllers that addressed clip launching and Session View navigation in Ableton Live. Price: US$99 The Launchpad Mini Mk2 is an update of the scaled-down grid pad favourite.

So here we’ve listed five of our favourite controllers that won’t break the bank: Our top 5 for beginners 1. But if you’ve already been bit by the Ableton bug (and would like to compose live, DJ or gig), you will start to find that triggering clips and performing with a controller is more intuitive than clicking with a mouse. If you’re just starting out, I always recommend learning Ableton Live on its own first without a controller – that way, you’re focused on learning on thing at a time.

It used to be that you bought Ableton Live first and then mapped your controller or downloaded a mapping for it next, but these days a lot of fantastic, budget controllers are out in the market that come pre-mapped and are good to go with Live.

We list five of our favourite Ableton Live budget controllers for beginners who want hands-on control either for bedroom studio or live gig purposes.Ībleton Live’s a unique piece of software: You can make music with it, you can DJ with it, and you can even perform your songs live, all just using your laptop.

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