Turn a Novation Launchpad Mini MK3 into a 64-pad Windows macro deck for streaming, gaming, soundboards, and everyday shortcuts.
Download | Quick Start | Wiki | Troubleshooting
OpenLaunchDeck is an installable PySide6 desktop app for the Novation Launchpad Mini MK3. It listens for USB MIDI pad presses, runs the action assigned to each pad, and keeps the 8x8 RGB grid synchronized with the active profile and page.
No Launchpad yet? The full editor works in Simulation mode, so profiles can be built and tested before the hardware is connected.
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| OBS | Save replay-buffer clips, take screenshots, switch scenes, show or hide sources, mute inputs, start or stop recording |
| Soundboard | Play local .wav and .mp3 clips, loop or overlap sounds, control volume, stop one page or every sound |
| Voice chat | Send selected clips to a configured Windows voice route while monitoring them locally |
| Hotkeys | Build shortcuts with modifier controls and a searchable key list covering navigation, media keys, and F1 through F24 |
| Windows | Open websites, apps, folders, files, commands, PowerShell, and typed text |
| Automation | Send HTTP requests, run key-based SSH commands, and combine actions with delays |
| Deck organization | Create profiles, pages, labels, colors, page-switch buttons, and dangerous-action confirmations |
- Native Windows desktop application with a system tray
- Editable 8x8 grid that mirrors the Launchpad layout
- Multiple profiles and pages with autosave and backups
- MIDI auto-detection, manual port selection, live debug logs, and pad calibration
- Batched RGB lighting with press, success, error, armed, and playing feedback
- Background action execution so commands and network requests do not block the interface
- Checksum-verified update downloads with user confirmation before installation
- User data stored outside the install folder in
%APPDATA%\OpenLaunchDeck - Optional native helper for focused mapping and checksum utilities; the app works without it
- Windows 11
- Novation Launchpad Mini MK3 for physical control
- USB MIDI connection
- Programmer Mode is recommended for predictable pad messages
- OBS Studio with its WebSocket server enabled for OBS actions
- A compatible Windows recording/output route for soundboard audio in voice chat
The Launchpad is optional for editing and testing. Tests and Simulation mode do not require hardware.
- Download
OpenLaunchDeckSetup-<version>.exefrom the latest release. - Install and open OpenLaunchDeck.
- Pick a starter profile or start with a blank deck.
- Click a grid pad to select it, then configure the button in the editor.
- Use Test Action to run the selected action from the app.
- Connect the Launchpad, press Reconnect, and verify the MIDI ports in Device > MIDI Debug.
Clicking a grid pad in the app selects it for editing. It does not run the assigned action. Actions run from the physical Launchpad or from Test Action.
Continue with the beginner Quick Start.
| Goal | Guide |
|---|---|
| Learn the interface | Using the App |
| Connect and calibrate the Launchpad | Launchpad Mini MK3 Setup |
| See every available action | Actions Reference |
| Copy proven button configurations | Button Recipes |
| Configure OBS | OBS WebSocket Setup |
| Configure the soundboard | Soundboard and Voice Chat |
| Find settings and data folders | Settings and Data |
| Keep live controls safe | Streaming Safety |
| Diagnose a problem | Troubleshooting |
The installer places program files under Program Files. Profiles, settings, logs, backups, mappings, imported assets, and update downloads stay under:
%APPDATA%\OpenLaunchDeck
Installer upgrades do not remove this folder. Open Help > Check for Updates for a manual update check. Update downloads are stored outside the install folder and must pass SHA256 verification before the installer can run. OpenLaunchDeck does not silently install updates.
See Release and Update Flow for the user and maintainer workflows.
Python 3.11 through 3.13 is recommended for hardware MIDI development on Windows.
python -m venv .venv
.venv\Scripts\activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
python -m openlaunchdeck.mainRun the tests:
pytestBuild the portable application:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File build.ps1 -SkipInstallerBuild the installer when Inno Setup is available:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File build.ps1The build creates versioned packages and SHA256 files under dist. See CONTRIBUTING.md and docs/release_checklist.md before publishing a release.
- Launchpad mappings and lighting should be verified in MIDI Debug for the device mode in use.
- The extra Launchpad side and navigation buttons are not assigned to OpenLaunchDeck page changes by default. Use grid pads with the Switch Page action.
- Voice-chat routing needs a Windows audio route selected in both OpenLaunchDeck and the target chat application. No audio driver is bundled.
- OBS actions require OBS WebSocket. Passwords are masked in the editor but stored in local profile JSON, so exported profiles containing passwords are sensitive.
- SSH uses key-based authentication and rejects unknown host keys.
- The Windows installer is currently unsigned, so Windows may show a publisher warning.
- Read CONTRIBUTING.md before opening a pull request.
- Use the issue chooser for reproducible bugs, feature requests, and hardware reports.
- Read SUPPORT.md for the information that makes troubleshooting faster.
- Report sensitive problems through the process in SECURITY.md, not a public issue.
OpenLaunchDeck is available under the MIT License.