# Launch Buttons - Live Control — Control Ableton + Launchpad95 > MIDI controller app for live music performance and DAW control. (iPhone/iPad app by XAN Software GmbH & Co. KG.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/launch-buttons-live-control/id942090167 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [XAN Software GmbH & Co. KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/942090166) - Category: Music - Price: Free - Rating: 2.20/5 from 41 App Store ratings · 108 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 7.0 · 26 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2015-01-08 - Data updated: 2026-08-13 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/launch-buttons-live-control/id942090167/reviews.md ## What is Launch Buttons? THIS APP DOES NOT PLAY AUDIO BECAUSE IT'S A MIDI CONTROLLER FOR ABLETON LIVE Launch Buttons is a MIDI controller that lets you perform your tracks wherever you go. You don't need to carry your expensive gear; your phone/tablet is just about enough. Works with virtually any DAW after a very simple set up. Ableton + Launchpad 95 script is recommended. This free version gives you access to all 64 buttons on the 8x8 grid, 8 scene launch buttons, 8 buttons to navigate and 7 buttons for transport controls. The Launchpad95 script gives you a step sequencer, scale mode, and many more functions. The Apple Watch extension lets you access about one fifth of the Buttons. This means that you can use the app to control a 3x3 clip launchers, 3 scene launchers, and 4 arrow keys to navigate through your clips. It also can display some of the buttons used for step sequencing, good enough for a little stunt in a live set I'd say. It includes the the "old" colors (red-orange-yellow-green) - if you want to upgrade, Launch Buttons Plus provides you with - full color support (RGB) - 16 more functions buttons (in addition to the 16 you already have) - 16 freely assignable knobs Have fun :) ## Key features - MIDI controller for music production - 8x8 button grid - Scene and transport controls - Step sequencer (with script) - Scale mode (with script) - Apple Watch extension ## Recent user reviews (10 of 108) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/launch-buttons-live-control/id942090167/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Muito bom *2022-05-18* O pessoal que ta reclamando realmente nao sabe usar, esse app é incrível, so olhar o video no youtube para aprender a usar, realmente muito obrigado por criarem isso🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️ ### 1/5 — I am a 7 year old boy who has Ableton live *2022-04-18* I tried to use your app for music and it didn’t work. I should have listened to my mom and my app didn’t work ### 5/5 — MIDIHub quite inconsistent, but this isn’t the full focus, app is so good! *2021-01-30* I see all these reviews about the sound not working, just makes me laugh so much. A MIDI device is NOT supposed to play sound from it! Also MIDIHub captures Discord every time I launch it, and when I restart it to capture Ableton live, it instead doesn’t work and doesn’t connect up my iPad. When it does work though, my god it’s worth your time, the free version I’ve used is so low latency, plus I saw it doesn’t include the full colour range, therefore I’ve paid for the plus. I’d say worth it. ### 1/5 — Nul *2020-11-21* Appli très bien mais on est obligé de payer si on veut les lumières et ça ne fait que les basses😭😭😭😭 ### 2/5 — Good but *2020-11-11* This app is good it’s just that u can’t hear any noise and when I tap the buttons on the launchpad nothing happens it looks nice from the cover but when I entered it nothing worked ### 4/5 — Very good app ! *2020-10-08* Works very fine and very easy installing and connecting to Abelton Live. In fact its some sort of a virtual Novation Launchpad and its FREE !! cheers ### 5/5 — Nothing more to ask from it, it’s just easy and great! *2020-10-07, version 2.0174* Excellent app very easy to setup, works perfectly! ### 1/5 — Very hard to connect. *2020-07-25* Followed all the steps, which is quite the hassle, and still couldn’t connect. I also like many others would buy the pro full version if I could even get the free one to work. Also, You must download another file on your computer that you use Ableton with to map the midi. Looks very cool in the App Store but functions terribly. ### 4/5 — Great once set-up but a bit inconsistent *2020-06-11* Took me quite a while to get this hooking up to Ableton correctly. Had trouble getting it to receive midi notes even though I could see the notes arriving on my iPad in midi wrench. Eventually got it going and it’s really pretty good, certainly a big improvement over tea hung for the trackpad on my Mac all the time. Only issue I have is that sometimes the buttons don’t always respond correctly. For example I arm a track in mixer mode and the pad doesn’t light up so I can’t tell if it worked without checking the arm icon has lit up in Ableton. It’s free though so can’t complain. I’d probably upgrade to the paid version if these minor glitches were ironed out. ### 4/5 — 4/5 *2020-01-04* Das Setup ist etwas kniffelig, aber wenn es erstmal läuft klappt es sehr gut. Der Link zur Launchpad-Anleitung könnte etwas prominenter platziert sein, denn ohne die ist man doch ziemlich aufgeschmissen. Außerdem bekomme ich Send B (dafür ist der Button doch, oder?) nicht zum Laufen, der Button geht immer nur einmal - Send A klappt aber. ## Frequently asked questions about Launch Buttons ### What does Launch Buttons do? Launch Buttons is a MIDI controller app designed for live music performance and controlling Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). It allows you to trigger tracks, control transport functions, and utilize features like step sequencing and scale mode, all from your phone or tablet. ### What are the key features of Launch Buttons? The app provides an 8x8 grid of buttons, scene launch buttons, transport controls, and navigation buttons. With the recommended Launchpad95 script, it also offers a step sequencer and scale mode. An Apple Watch extension is also available for limited control. ### Is Launch Buttons free to use? The app offers a free version with core functionality, including all 64 grid buttons, scene and transport controls. For advanced features like full color support, additional function buttons, and assignable knobs, an upgrade to Launch Buttons Plus is available as a paid in-app purchase. ### What devices is Launch Buttons compatible with? The app is designed to work on phones and tablets. It also includes an Apple Watch extension for limited control. It is compatible with virtually any DAW after a simple setup, with an Ableton Live and Launchpad95 script being recommended for optimal performance. ### Can I use this app to play audio? No, this app does not play audio. It functions solely as a MIDI controller, sending control signals to your DAW or music production software. You will need a separate DAW and audio interface to produce and hear sound. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.0174 — 2017-09-14 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. - keep screen awake when app is idle ### 2.0172 — 2017-04-23 - Apple Watch support, making it the first app that lets you control Ableton Live's Session Mode via your Apple Watch for free - Added sounds: because tons of people gave the app 1* for "no sound" (they didn't read the description), I added some sounds from my Dubstep app. I am sorry about the increase in app size but whilst most people who know what it does love the app, it has an awful overall rating in the store due to all those children giving it bad reviews. This is the only way how I can counter this. Just click "MIDI" if you intend to use the app with your DAW and it will never ask you to play sounds again. ### 2.0170 — 2017-03-16 - Apple Watch support, making it the first app that lets you control Ableton Live's Session Mode via your Apple Watch for free ### 2.0164 — 2017-03-01 - made buttons look more clean ### 2.0162 — 2016-11-02 After setting it up for the first time, Launchpad95 will automatically initiate as soon as you connect the app, no need to press the purple button anymore. However, I left it there and made it send an alternative connection algorithm - just in case if the automatic one doesn't work for some reason. ## Apps similar to Launch Buttons | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Knobbler](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/knobbler/id6740183923) | 4.7 (15) | Free | Music | | [Bluetooth Midi Motion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-midi-motion/id1528246586) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Music | | [DubFilter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dubfilter/id979648058) | 4.7 (71) | Free | Music | | [WiDI MIDI Studio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widi-midi-studio/id1437308268) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Music | | [Bluetooth Midi Controller](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-midi-controller/id1526023688) | 4.2 (5) | Free | Music | | [Bluetooth Midi Pads](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetooth-midi-pads/id1527872159) | 4.0 (3) | Free | Music | ## More apps by XAN Software GmbH & Co. KG - [Launch Buttons Plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/launch-buttons-plus/id947300074) - [Maschine Scene Selector](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maschine-scene-selector/id982286738) - [Pacemaker Bike&Run](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pacemaker-bike-and-run/id1036009892) - [Kontrol for Traktor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kontrol-for-traktor/id1045782401) - [WatchChat 2: Chat on Watch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watchchat-2-chat-on-watch/id1299535391) All apps by XAN Software GmbH & Co. KG: https://appshunter.io/developer/942090166 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-13.*