Serialismo turns a Novation Launchpad X into a pitch-class–aware twelve-tone keyboard.

It enforces Schoenberg-style serial constraints: each pitch class can be used only once until all 12 have appeared.

LEDs provide immediate visual feedback (by changing colour).

• serialismo.py — Python script
• Serialismo_LPX.syx — Launchpad X custom mode (four-octave chromatic layout, LED-ready)
• README.md — this file
  

You can download it from Gumroad.

Features

• First time a pitch class is played → note is forwarded to the DAW
• All octaves of that pitch class instantly turn off
• Repeating that pitch class → blocked (silent)
• After all 12 pitch classes used → automatic reset
• LED logic fully controlled by Python (the colour chages when the note is used)
  

Compatible with any DAW; tested with Logic Pro.

Works with the Launchpad X in a Custom Mode designed for external LED feedback.

Requirements

• macOS
• Python 3
• Novation Launchpad X
• A DAW (Logic Pro, Ableton Live, etc.)
• Python packages:
  

pip3 install mido python-rtmidi

You must also enable the macOS IAC Driver to create a virtual MIDI port.

Setup

1. Enable the macOS IAC Driver

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup
2. Menu → Window → Show MIDI Studio
3. Double-click IAC Driver
4. Check Device is online
5. Add one port, e.g., SerialBus
   

Your DAW will receive notes from this virtual port.

2. Load the Launchpad Custom Mode

Use Novation Components to load:

Serialismo_LPX.syx

This mode provides:

• A four-octave chromatic layout
• Clean LED behaviour (no factory colour scheme)
• Fully external LED feedback
  

Then on the Launchpad:

• Press Custom
• Select the slot where you stored the mode
  

3. Set Launchpad LED Feedback

On the Launchpad:

1. Hold Session (to enter settings)
2. Go to the LED page
3. Set:
   

• Internal LED feedback → OFF
• External LED feedback → ON
  

This lets Python completely control the colours.

4. DAW Configuration (Logic Example)

• Logic Pro → Settings → MIDI → Inputs
  
• Enable: IAC Driver Bus 1
• Disable: Launchpad X (optional, avoids duplicated input)
  
• On your track:
  
• Set MIDI Input to IAC Driver Bus 1
  

Running Serialismo

From Terminal:

python3 serialismo.py

You should see messages like:

Using Launchpad IN  : Launchpad X LPX MIDI Out
Using Launchpad OUT : Launchpad X LPX MIDI In
Using DAW OUT       : IAC Driver Bus 1

At this point:

• All notes in the configured MIDI range light green
• First press of a pitch class → forwarded + that class turns off
• Repressing → blocked
• When all 12 pitch classes used → full reset → all green again
  

Configuration

Inside serialismo.py you can change:

Note Range

If you want the full Launchpad:

LOW_NOTE = 1
HIGH_NOTE = 127

LED Colours

LED_AVAILABLE = 60   # bright green
LED_OFF       = 0    # off

MIDI Routing

The script auto-detects Launchpad X ports using substrings:

"LPX MIDI Out"
"LPX MIDI In"
"IAC Driver"

You can edit these if your system uses different names.

Testing Note Numbers

To identify any pad’s note number:

python3 - << 'EOF'
import mido
name = [n for n in mido.get_input_names() if "LPX MIDI Out" in n][0]
print("Listening on:", name)
with mido.open_input(name) as inp:
    for msg in inp:
        if msg.type == "note_on" and msg.velocity > 0:
            print("Note:", msg.note)
EOF

Stopping

Press Ctrl-C in Terminal.

The script turns all LEDs off before exiting.