Imagine stepping into a world where your musical ideas flow effortlessly from your fingertips—this is the promise of the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller. I recently had the chance to experience this innovative gear firsthand, and its allure lies not just in its sleek design but in its powerful integration with Ableton Live.
With features like Chord Mode, Scale Mode, and an expressive Arpeggiator, this keyboard invites you to explore new sonic landscapes. If you’re on the hunt for a MIDI keyboard that sparks inspiration and elevates your production game, let’s dive into whether this one truly delivers!
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- The seamless integration with Ableton Live truly enhanced my music-making experience and boosted my productivity.
- The Capture MIDI feature is a game-changer. It ensures that no musical idea gets lost in the creative process.
- The velocity-sensitive keyboard and pads allowed for expressive and dynamic performances. They captured my playing exactly as I intended.
- The arpeggiator feature added a whole new layer of diversity to my musical ideas and melodies. This made it more dynamic and engaging.
- The Scale Mode helped remove music theory frustration. It enabled me to focus solely on my creativity and musical expression.
What Can Be Improved
- The build quality feels a bit plasticky. This makes me concerned about its durability, especially when moving it around frequently.
- It would be helpful to have more guidance on using Logic's Live Loops. Unfortunately, this feature wasn't well-documented in the provided resources.
Quick Verdict
Overall, the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller has proven to be a valuable addition to my music production setup. Its seamless integration with Ableton Live, along with the Chord Mode, Scale Mode, and Arpeggiator features, has truly elevated my creative process.
While the build quality could be better, the functionality and performance more than make up for it. If you're looking for a versatile MIDI keyboard controller with excellent software integration, this is definitely worth considering. Check it out here!
Unboxing – What's Inside?
I recently purchased the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller on Amazon to enhance my music production setup. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it was delivered. It arrived within 2 days of ordering.
Inside the box, I found the Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller, a USB cable, and a safety information sheet.
Specifications
- Model Name: 61 Keys
- Special Feature: Scale and Chord modes
- Connectivity Technology: USB, MIDI
- Number of Keys: 61
- Brand: Novation
- Date First Available: June 18, 2020
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No
- Manufacturer: Novation
- Item Weight: 7.56 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 10.16 x 37.48 x 3.03 inches
Documentation/ User Guide
The user guide that came with the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 was incredibly helpful in getting me started with the different modes and features of the MIDI keyboard. I found it easy to follow and it really enhanced my understanding of how to maximize the potential of this product.
You can find the user guide here.
Features – What We Found
Seamless Ableton Live Integration
The Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller is designed to seamlessly integrate with Ableton Live. Thanks to this, it offers a smooth and intuitive music-making experience.
Plus, it has a wide range of controls. These include device macro control, track select, record, capture MIDI, clip/scene launch, stop/mute/solo, volume, pans and send, and more. This allows you to stay focused on your creative process without being hindered by technical barriers.
This integration also includes one-touch access to Ableton Live’s Capture MIDI, ensuring that you never lose a musical idea, no matter how fleeting it may be. The feature lets you capture your ideas instantly, without disrupting your creative flow.
Pro-tip: Take full advantage of the seamless integration with Ableton Live. You can do this by exploring the various controls and features available. This will help you unleash your creativity and maximize your music-making potential.
Chord Mode, Scale Mode, and Arpeggiator
The Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller features Chord Mode, Scale Mode, and Arpeggiator. These provide you with powerful tools for musical expression and creativity.
The modes allow you to easily create and play with feeling, with velocity-sensitive keys and pads that enable expressive and dynamic performance at your fingertips. With the arpeggiator, you can easily manipulate rhythm, beat, pattern, octave, gate, and more. This helps you add diversity to your musical ideas and melodies.
Experience the freedom of never hitting a wrong note with the Scale modes. This model transposes keys and pads to notes in the selected scale. In doing so, it removes the frustration of music theory and allows you to focus on being creative.
Check out the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller on Amazon for a closer look at how these modes can enhance your music production.
DAW Integration
The Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller offers excellent integrations with several digital audio workstations (DAWs). These include the Apple Logic, Reason, and any HUI compatible DAW such as Cubase, Pro Tools, and more.
This extensive DAW integration ensures that you can seamlessly incorporate the controller into your preferred music production setup. This remains true regardless of your DAW preferences.
Whether you're a Logic user, an Ableton Live enthusiast, or a Pro Tools aficionado, the Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller provides streamlined DAW integration. This allows you to focus on your music without being limited by technical constraints.
Velocity-Sensitive Keyboard and Pads
The Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller features a velocity-sensitive keyboard and 16 velocity-sensitive pads. These features enable you to capture your playing in Ableton Live precisely as you intended.
Such level of expressiveness and dynamic performance at your fingertips allows you to infuse your music with emotion and feeling. Ultimately, this enhances the overall quality and depth of your compositions.
Pro-tip: Experiment with different levels of velocity and pressure on the keys and pads. This way, you’ll discover new ways of expressing yourself through your music. You will also be able to unlock the full potential of the controller’s velocity-sensitive features.
Capture MIDI
The Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller offers one-touch access to Ableton Live’s Capture MIDI. This ensures that you will never lose a musical idea without disrupting your creative flow. The feature helps you to effortlessly capture your musical ideas as they emerge. Thanks to this, you can preserve every moment of inspiration without any additional effort or interruption.
By seamlessly integrating with Ableton Live's Capture MIDI, the Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller empowers you to stay in the creative zone. You can rest easy knowing that every musical idea can be captured and developed without missing a beat.
Concluding Thoughts
Our Score: 89.0
Having used the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller for a few months now, I can confidently say that it has greatly enhanced my music production experience.
The seamless integration with Ableton Live has made the creative process so much smoother and more intuitive. The Chord Mode, Scale Mode, and Arpeggiator features have been incredibly useful in adding depth and complexity to my compositions.
The velocity-sensitive keyboard and 16 pads have allowed me to express myself more dynamically. They capturing my playing in Ableton Live exactly as I intended. The ability to control device macros, track select, and other parameters directly from the keyboard has significantly improved my workflow.
Overall, I have found the Novation Launchkey to be an indispensable tool for anyone serious about music production. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and feature-rich MIDI keyboard controller. You can find it here.
Best Combination
When purchasing the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller, I highly suggest adding the M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal to your cart as well.
The M-Audio SP-2 is a universal sustain pedal with piano-style action. In fact, it is suitable for MIDI keyboards, digital pianos, and more. By adding this sustain pedal to your setup, you can enhance your playing experience and add expressive dynamics to your performances.
With the M-Audio SP-2, you can simulate the pedal of an acoustic piano and produce a smooth and natural sustain effect. This is especially useful when using the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 for piano or synth performances. The pedal's durable design ensures long-lasting use. This makes it a valuable addition to your music production setup.
Similar Options
So, you're considering the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller. Well, let me tell you about some other options that might just change your mind!
First off, if you're looking for something with a similar feel and functionality, you might want to check out the KORG microKEY2 49-Key iOS-Powerable USB MIDI Micro Keyboard Controller – Black. It embodies elegant simplicity. It emphasizes basic functionality over frills to provide you with an excellently playable set of keys wherever you need them.
Want to exploremore advanced features with aftertouch and velocity-sensitive pads? If so, you might consider the Novation Impulse 61. It's designed to give you even more creative control over your music production.
So, why settle for just one option when you have so many great alternatives to choose from? Take a look at these alternatives and find the perfect MIDI keyboard controller for your needs.
Eager to explore more gear that can elevate your music production? Visit DLK Music Pro for in-depth reviews and insights that are sure to ignite your creativity and refine your sound!
