Novation Launchkey 25 MK3 25-Key MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Novation Launchkey 25 MK3 is a 25-key MIDI keyboard controller with full-size keys and 16 pads, built to run your music software from a desk where every centimetre counts. Two octaves of real keys in front of your computer keyboard, pads for beats, and everything you need to get an idea into Ableton Live without reaching for the mouse.
What sets it apart
- 25 full-size, synth-action, velocity-sensitive keys
- 16 RGB backlit pads for drums and clip launching
- Direct integration with Ableton Live, Logic and Reason
- Scale Mode and three Chord Modes to stay in key
- Arpeggiator with Strum Mode
- 5-pin MIDI output to control a hardware synth
Small footprint, normal keys
Many compact keyboards save space by shrinking the keys. The Launchkey 25 keeps standard-size keys and trims the range instead: two octaves, enough for a bass line, a melody or a right-hand chord. Your fingers find the same spacing as on a piano.
The unit is 46 cm wide, so it slips between your monitor and computer keyboard, or onto a narrow desk shelf, without moving anything else.
Pads take the lead
On a keyboard this short, the 16 pads do a lot of the work. In Ableton Live they play your drum kit or launch clips in Session View. One button triggers Capture MIDI, which grabs what you just played even if you never hit record.
The eight knobs adjust track volume, instrument parameters or effects, and the two-line screen shows the value you are changing.
Specifications
| Keybed | 25 full-size keys, synth action, velocity |
|---|---|
| Pads | 16, RGB backlit, velocity-sensitive |
| Rotary controls | 8 assignable knobs |
| Wheels | Pitch bend and modulation |
| Screen | 2-line, 16-character display |
| Sockets | USB-B, 5-pin MIDI DIN, 1/4-inch sustain pedal, Kensington slot |
| Power | USB bus powered, no separate adapter |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 463 × 258 × 77 mm |
What it's for
- A first keyboard for composing in Ableton Live
- Beats and clip launching on a narrow desk
- Bass lines and melodies for beat production
- Controlling a hardware synth through the MIDI output
Compared with other manufacturers
Other manufacturers make two-octave keyboards with pads; here is how they differ from the Launchkey 25 MK3:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Akai Professional | MPK Mini MK3 | 25 mini keys, 8 pads and a four-way joystick |
| M-Audio | Oxygen Pro 25 | 25 full-size keys, 16 pads and a single fader |
| Nektar | Impact LX25+ | 25 full-size keys, 8 pads, Nektar's own DAW integration |
| Arturia | MiniLab 3 | 25 slim keys, 8 pads and 4 faders |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Launchkey 25 MK3 work without a computer?
- Yes, for controlling hardware: its 5-pin MIDI output sends notes and controls to a synth or drum machine. It still needs power through its USB port, since it has no separate power input.
- Which version of Ableton Live do I need?
- Novation specifies Live 10 or later for full integration. Older versions only see it as a basic MIDI keyboard, without the dedicated features.
- Can I create my own control setups?
- Yes. Novation's free Components software lets you program Custom Modes: which message each pad or knob sends, and on which channel.
Avis clients
Making your first beats on the Launchkey 25? Tell us about it.
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.