Please extend a warm welcome to our newest team member, Christine O’Keefe, MT-BC!  Read on for her review and recommendations for using the app Launchpad Arcade in music therapy!
Technology plays an important role in our daily lives, and has become an integral part of current music. Sounds that once needed to be performed and recorded live can now be reproduced and manipulated using music software. The development of music software has enabled professional musicians and self-taught music producers alike to create complex music from their own computers. The accessibility and limitless potential of music technology provides an excellent opportunity for music therapists to include music technology in their everyday work. A favorite and FREE resource I like to use in music therapy is Launchpad Arcade.
Launchpad Arcade enables users to create original beats using pre-recorded loops. Launchpad Arcade’s website features a variety of loop packs based on different genres and is updated often, so there are always fresh beats to create (see Image 1 above). Each loop pack features an 8×8 grid of colorful buttons to click on – each button triggers a loop to start playing (see Image 2 below). The loops are programmed to always align musically, so there is no need to worry about timing when triggering a loop.
Launchpad Arcade can be a fantastic resource for clients who want to create their own beats in a way that cannot be replicated using acoustic instruments. Clients can choose to improvise vocally over their loops by singing or rapping. Additionally, Launchpad Arcade can be easier to utilize than acoustic instruments for clients who have physical limitations. Clients can experience success and satisfaction using music technology like Launchpad Arcade because it enables them to create intricate music that sounds like it was professionally produced. What apps do you like to use in music therapy? Leave a comment and let us know!