Novation Launchkey 49 MK3 49-Key MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Novation Launchkey 49 MK3 is a four-octave MIDI keyboard controller that adds nine faders to its pads and knobs, so you can mix a song with your fingers instead of the mouse. It is the model in the range for producers who spend as much time balancing tracks as they do playing.
What sets it apart
- 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys
- 9 × 45 mm faders for track levels or envelopes
- 16 RGB pads and 8 assignable knobs
- Integration with Ableton Live, Logic and Reason; Cubase, Studio One and Pro Tools via HUI
- Chord Modes, Scale Mode and an arpeggiator with Strum Mode
- 5-pin MIDI output and sustain pedal input
Nine faders, one mixing desk
Faders change the way you work. In your DAW they follow track volumes: bring the vocal up while pulling the guitar down, just like on a real console. Assigned to a software synth, they can become the attack and release controls of an envelope.
They have 45 mm of travel, enough to ride a fade with precision.
Four octaves to play
With 49 keys, each hand gets two octaves: enough for a simple piano part, an accompaniment or a synth line that wanders. The pads are still there for drums, and Strum Mode rolls out held chords.
The unit is 78.9 cm wide, so it needs real space on the table, or a keyboard stand.
Specifications
| Key count | 49, full-size, synth action |
|---|---|
| Performance pads | 16 RGB backlit, velocity-sensitive pads |
| Faders | 9 × 45 mm faders |
| Rotary encoders | 8 |
| Readout | 16 × 2 character LCD |
| Inputs and outputs | USB-B; 5-pin MIDI DIN out; 1/4-inch sustain pedal jack; Kensington |
| Power source | Powered over USB |
| Footprint (W × D × H) | 789 × 258 × 77 mm |
What it's for
- Mixing tracks with the faders in your DAW
- Full production: keys for playing, pads for drums
- Hands-on control of soft synths (filters, envelopes)
- A home studio running Cubase, Studio One or FL Studio
Compared with other manufacturers
Other manufacturers make 49-key keyboards with faders; here is how they differ from the Launchkey 49 MK3:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Arturia | KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 | 8 pads, 9 faders and 9 encoders, bundled with Analog Lab |
| M-Audio | Oxygen Pro 49 | 16 pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders |
| Nektar | Impact LX49+ | 8 pads, 9 faders and 8 pots |
| Akai Professional | MPK249 | Semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 16 pads and 8 faders |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Launchkey 49 MK3 work with Cubase?
- Yes. Novation publishes a dedicated Cubase integration guide for Launchkey MK3: transport, mixer and instrument controls respond from the keyboard.
- What about Studio One or Pro Tools?
- Yes, through the HUI protocol: add the Launchkey as a Mackie HUI device in your DAW's settings. Faders, transport and navigation work; the integration is less deep than with Ableton Live or Logic.
- Can I use it with FL Studio?
- Yes. FL Studio supports Launchkey MK3 from version 20.9.2. The track buttons select the MIDI channel, and therefore which Channel Rack instrument you play.
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