this is the Launchkey MK3, the latest Launchkey keyboard from Novation. it
comes in 25, 37, 49, and 61 key versions. I have the 49 key version here and I've
been using it for a few days now. it's an excellent controller if you use Ableton
Live. Novation has also added extensive Logic Pro integration and standard DAW
control for Reason, Cubase, Pro Tools, Studio One, and Reaper. when the Mini
version of the Launchkey came out a few months ago, I called it the best Mini
Ableton controller you can buy. so does the new Launchkey MK3 live up to the
reputation? let's find out.
today I'm going to go through all the cool features of the Launchkey MK3
and I'll let you know if it's right for you. I'm going to compare it to a couple
other keyboards in this price range as well. I'll talk a little bit about the
generic features for most DAWs and then later we'll dive into the Ableton
features. and I'll get into some minor issues as well. you'll find the best
prices for this keyboard in the video description. if you're new around here,
I'm Sanjay C. I have lots of keyboard and gear reviews on my channel. consider
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today and in the future. so what is this the Launchkey MK3? Its a budget controller
keyboard and is similar in price to the Arturia Keylab Essential and the Native
Instruments A49 keyboards. and there are four sizes of the Launchkey which is
pretty cool - all with large keys. these are not mini keys like the ones on the
Launchkey Mini which I reviewed in a video here. all versions of this keyboard
have 16 pads, 8 knobs, and are USB powered. and have a MIDI port and pedal port in
the back. the 49 and 61 key versions add 9 faders and fader buttons which the
smaller 2 don't have. the 49 key version I've got here costs $219.
So at this price, you have other choices and keyboards and
I'll get to that later. so what can it do with most DAWs? the Launchkey provides
full integration with Logic and out-of-the-box functionality with
Reason, Studio One, Cubase, Pro Tools and some other DAWs that feature HUI
compatibility. this usually means you can control things like track volumes, pans,
play, stop, record. the basic stuff. I was able to use the Launchkey MK3 with
FL studio but it needed a lot of manual set up. Ableton is where this thing
really shines! I'll get into that in just a bit. in Logic Pro,
you've got transport control, volume, pan, arm, solo, mute, quantize, click, undo,
capture recording, track navigation. And you can also play drums on the pads. lots
of stuff. so how does the Launchkey MK3 feel? the keys are standard size with
good velocity sensitivity. the keybed is not the best I've played. I'm a
pianist so key feel really matters to me. the Launchkey MK3 feels a little too
light for my taste.
the drum pads feel good - standard for this price. honestly, I was hoping they'd
feel better than the Launchkey Mini, but it's pretty much the same. the Launchkey MK3
also works well with hardware synths
because of its awesome arpeggiator features. you've got tons of options for
arps - timing, octave, swing, gate, and the mutate and deviate settings really take
arps to the next level! these are kind of like randomizer settings for the arp.
mutate changes up the notes and deviate adjust the rests between notes. it's a lot
of fun if you've got a synth but it'll work with your computer and DAW as well!
you also have custom modes for the faders, knobs, and pads which means you
can assign different MIDI CC's, program changes, and more, with the Novation
software. By the way, if you've got more cash to spare, Novation, Native
Instruments, Arturia make premium keyboards in this size as well - with more
features. the Novation SL MK3 offers extensive sequencing
features for your hardware synths and even more Ableton features. I compared
all three of those keyboards in a video here. the Launchkey MK3 offers some
of the best Ableton integration of any keyboard out there. you can control so
much! track volume, track select, pan, sends, solo, mute, play, record - all sorts of
things. you have device control right out of the box so you can control Ableton
instruments and effects with these knobs and faders. you also have quantize, click,
undo, Capture MIDI which is a really nice feature
on Ableton. you can use the drum pads to play drums of course and use them to
launch clips and scenes in Ableton Session view. you can launch clips and
scenes using both the rows of pads or you can change the function of the
second row to solo, mute, or stop clips, with this button on the right. the knob
functions can be switched to control the Ableton device or volume, pan, or the
sends. the same goes for the faders. you can really set it up as you like. you've
got a nice screen on the top left which shows you what you're changing. this is
really nice for controlling your Ableton devices. you see it on the screen, but
you've got to move one of the knobs to activate the screen. I wish it just
showed up as soon as I touch the knob. if you're enjoying this video, don't forget
to hit the like button and leave a comment below if you have any questions.
so how does the Launchkey MK3 compare with other keyboards at this
price? I have both the Arturia Essential and Native Instruments A Series
keyboards right here. so what do you get with the Arturia and Native Instruments
keyboards that you don't get on the Novation Launchkey? well, the biggest
thing is tight integration with software instrument bundles. Arturia keyboards
offer amazing integration with their own Analog Lab software which means you get
a lot of hands-on control of their software instruments which not only
helps sound design but also helps navigating all the sounds - the presets
included. the same goes for the Native Instruments A-Series keyboard. the tight
integration with Komplete Kontrol gives you a lot of unique features you won't
find on the Novation keyboard. But there are some added benefits to the Launchkey.
the Launchkey has more intuitive and deep integration with Ableton than both
the others. and you've got 16 pads. 8 more than the Arturia and 16 more than the
Native Instruments. and the Novation gives you some added features like the
built-in arpeggiator that you can use on hardware synths without a
computer at all. the keybeds on these keyboards are all different. I have to
say the Novation keyboard is my least favorite. It is very light to the touch.
the keys on the Arturia and Native Instruments keyboards feel higher
quality and have more weight to them. in particular the Native Instruments
keyboard. but they are all quite similar.
so here are my final thoughts. there's really only one thing I'd complain about
with this keyboard - the key bed quality. and as a pianist that does make a
difference to me. but at this price, you really can't get a better Ableton
keyboard controller. it really covers all the Ableton bases and does very well for
Logic Pro too. and you've got a few nice features for hardware synths as well. if
you use Ableton, Novation really has the best keyboard controller at this price.
if you're not picky about the key feel, I would highly recommend it. I hope you
enjoyed this review. if you have a question leave it in the comments below.
keep making the music you love. and check out one of these videos next.