Novation Launchkey 88 MK3 88-Key Semi-Weighted MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Novation Launchkey 88 MK3 is an 88-key semi-weighted MIDI keyboard controller: the full range of a piano, for players who use both hands and produce in a DAW. It makes no sound on its own; it drives the pianos, orchestras and synths on your computer, with pads, faders and knobs on top.
What sets it apart
- 88 semi-weighted keys with adjustable velocity curves
- 16 pads with polyphonic aftertouch
- 9 faders and 8 knobs with value pickup
- Integration with Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase and Reason
- Arpeggiator with Strum Mode on the modulation wheel
- Sustain pedal input and 5-pin MIDI output
A keybed built for pianists
The 88 uses a different action from the rest of the Launchkey MK3 range: semi-weighted keys, firmer than a synth keyboard, with a damped response. Velocity curves are adjustable, so the dynamics suit a light or a heavy touch.
It is not a hammer action: the feel stays lighter and shorter than an acoustic piano or a weighted digital piano. For a pianist who composes, it balances playability and weight.
More than a piano keyboard
The 16 pads respond to pressure after the strike, note by note, with instruments that support it. The faders and knobs pick up the software's current value before changing it: no sudden volume jump when you touch a fader that was out of place.
The keyboard is 1.27 m wide. Plan for a stand or a desk to match.
Specifications
| Action | 88 semi-weighted keys, adjustable velocity curves |
|---|---|
| Pads | 16, velocity-sensitive, polyphonic aftertouch |
| Faders and buttons | 9 faders with pickup, 9 fader buttons |
| Knobs | 8, with value pickup |
| Display | Two lines of 16 characters |
| Connectors | USB-B, 5-pin MIDI DIN out, sustain pedal, Kensington lock |
| Power | Over the USB cable |
| Width × depth × height | 1270 × 258 × 87 mm |
What it's for
- Virtual pianos and strings played across the full range
- Film and orchestral composition
- Production for pianists who want both hands free
- A home studio built around a single keyboard
Compared with other manufacturers
Other manufacturers make 88-key MIDI keyboards; here is how they differ from the Launchkey 88 MK3:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| M-Audio | Hammer 88 Pro | Weighted hammer action, 16 pads, 9 faders |
| Nektar | Impact LX88+ | 88 semi-weighted keys, 8 pads, 9 faders |
| Roland | A-88MKII | PHA-4 hammer action, 8 pads, 8 knobs |
| Arturia | KeyLab 88 mk2 | Hammer action, 16 pads, 9 faders and 9 encoders |
Frequently asked questions
- Do the Launchkey 88 MK3 keys have aftertouch?
- No. The keys are velocity-sensitive only. Polyphonic aftertouch is reserved for the 16 pads.
- Is it good for learning piano?
- It lets you play all 88 notes with a semi-weighted feel, but it is not a hammer action and it makes no sound without a computer. For classical technique, a weighted hammer-action keyboard is still the better choice; for writing and producing, it is right at home.
- Can I connect a sustain pedal?
- Yes, a rear jack input takes a switch-type sustain pedal.
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