Novation’s Launchkey Meets Klevgrand: Two Hours, One Track, Infinite Workflow Lessons

The first technical deep dive comes with drum programming, using Klevgrand’s OneShot plugin as the drum engine. The Launchkey’s drum pad mode is leveraged for finger drumming, with the team layering kick, snare, and hi-hat patterns. OneShot’s velocity layering (up to 40 layers per drum) is highlighted for its dynamic response, and the workflow is kept intentionally simple to match the challenge’s time constraints.

Next, the focus shifts to harmonic content. Klevgrand’s Tomofon—a hybrid between wavetable synth and sampler, dubbed a ‘real audio synth’—is chosen for chords. The producers select a paddy, steel guitar-inspired preset and introduce Klevgrand’s Chord Map, which automates chord voicings and strumming effects. The Chord Map’s parameters like ‘roll,’ ‘adventure,’ and ‘explore’ are demonstrated, allowing for everything from simple block chords to jazzy, wide inversions. The ability to set a scale (G Mixolydian in this case) and morph chord complexity on the fly is a clear workflow win.

This section underscores how digital tools can accelerate harmonic experimentation. The Launchkey’s integration with these plugins makes it possible to quickly sketch ideas, tweak voicings, and build a harmonic foundation without getting lost in menu-diving or manual MIDI editing.

With the rhythm and chords in place, attention turns to the bass line. Here, the Launchkey’s built-in arpeggiator becomes a creative tool for generating rhythmic and melodic bass patterns. The producers demonstrate how latching, tempo adjustment, and mutation features allow for rapid experimentation—changing gate lengths, note density, and rhythmic feel on the fly.

This approach highlights how performance-oriented features in modern MIDI controllers can blur the line between composition and live improvisation. Rather than programming a static bass part, the arpeggiator encourages real-time discovery, making it easy to test variations and lock in grooves that complement the evolving track.

With the track finished, the producers reflect on the experience. They acknowledge the constraints of the setup—limited plugin selection, a single MIDI controller, and a tight deadline—but also note how these very limitations fostered creativity and forced decisive action. Not every idea gelled perfectly, and some plugins went unused, but the process revealed the strengths of both the Launchkey and Klevgrand’s ecosystem.

Their closing thoughts advocate for the value of self-imposed boundaries in music production. By stripping back to essentials, they discovered new workflows, unexpected sounds, and a sense of accomplishment that comes from finishing a track under pressure. For anyone tempted by endless options, this video is a compelling case study in the creative benefits of working within a box.