Bath With it, you can control basic functions, VST,s, and even automation lanes. On the down side, it does not have an off switch. Home. Dynamic InControl mappings. It fully integrates with Cubase 8, as promised, with its "InControl" functionality (panning knobs and volume faders assign automatically to tracks 1-8 to the mix console, and one can shift up/down tracks using button clicks. The packaging was pretty solid... it came with usb cables and a warranty card. In addition the other buttons do not feel very tactile and feel rather lose at times but they have held up and seam to function just fine. The Launchkey 49 MK2 makes its case because it’s a powerful tool for Ableton Live, first and foremost, nearly as capable for Reason and FL Studio, and functional for any other MIDI software. That said, we found that our featherweight LK49 review unit would slide about a bit on the keyboard stand. When you select instruments, effects, or instrument and effect Rack devices, the knobs will map to the eight Macro controls of a Rack or to certain parameters of instruments and effects, while the pads may play notes from a Drum Rack, for example. It installed quickly. Novation Launchkey 49 MK3. All the Launchkey versions come packed with Ableton Live 9 Lite for seamless pairing and performance. Founded in 1992, Novation is best known for its production of MIDI controllers that the professional music world is all too familiar with. The pitch and mod wheels are sturdy and responsive. Novation is no stranger when it comes to making affordable, yet high-quality MIDI keyboards.. Finally, the new Launchkeys are also appropriate for operating iPad music apps through Apple Camera Connection adapters. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. BA1 1UA. Review: Novation Launchkey 49 and Launchpad S Controllers — By Erin Barra. Launchkey 49 MK2: $199 street iOS compliant, with special integration with Novation apps. Use the Launchkey MK2’s hardware pads to launch sample and trigger effects from the Launchpad app, all while the Launchkey app’s synth sounds are still available on the keyboard. While at first it seams to be a light plasticy product that may be prone to braking. The Launchkey 49 MK2 makes its case because it’s a powerful tool for Ableton Live, first and foremost, nearly as capable for Reason and FL Studio, and functional for any other MIDI software. Electronic Music Instruments and Electronic Music Production. one word of warning... Ableton has a learning curve... so be familiar with it before buying this controller... its seamless with ableton 9, Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2016. fantastic little thing. The main complaint about the build quality would be the rather light keys that don't have that satisfying piano feel and the light knobs that don't feel very precise or tactile. Please refresh the page and try again. Why? Plasticy and Light but Afordable and Functional, Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2017. Novation Impulse 49 ⭐ review. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The included documentation is a little light on explaining how to do everything in Live, but once you have it figured out, the Launchkey MK2 goes a long way to streamline the process of recording and playing back clips in the Session View, although the two rows of launch pads don’t fully substitute for larger pad grids of the aforementioned Live controllers; the Launchkey is really best for keyboard players who still want some Live performance features. It has a button grid populated with loop or one-shot samples (which you can expand with in-app download purchases), as well as eight channels of mixing with filters, levels, and highly editable tempo-based effects. Why? Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Scale and Chord Modes expand your musical vocabulary, velocity-sensitive pads and keys provide expressive control. You will receive a verification email shortly. First of all, the Launchkey 49 is lovely to look at. Thank you for signing up to Musicradar. I want a midi keyboard both for production and performance. Three InControl buttons toggle the fader, knob, and pad sections from the custom Live control to standard MIDI controls, so you can use Live’s MIDI Map mode to set them to whichever controls you want. **, This is my first midi controller and to be honest i didnt know what to expect... i got it because i just wanted to mess around and make some tunes. We were lucky enough to test out their Summit and Peak synths in action, both for review in the mag and at a few tradeshows in the past year. It's in the top 3 bestselling MIDI controllers and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as M-Audio Hammer 88 or Akai Professional MPK261.. Novation Launchkey 49 MkII is $327.30 more expensive than an average MIDI controller ($149.95). For example, the keys are unweighted, pure synth action, which I didn’t mind at all, though others might. Separate mod and pitch wheels allow for precision voicing of the notes you are expressing. Works great with Ableton Live 9.1.1 64bit, Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2014. Never tried on a Mac though, and they are supposed to have a faster USB behaviour for some reason. Novation says it’s a response to user requests for something between 25 and 49 keys that still retained the full size keys while remaining very portable. That’s a welcome feature for extending the reach of the Launchkey’s hardware while giving the user extra flexibility. The buttons, knobs, and keys operate with smooth action. The big upgrade here is that the 16 launch pads are now colourfully lit so that they’ll correspond exactly with the colour of the clips in Live’s Session view (rather than having just red, yellow, and green lights as in the last version). The first controller I ever purchased was the original Launchkey about 9 years ago. It can be used as a piano/keyboard/synth and a control surface for your DAW. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. A typical control layout for a Reason synth like Thor or Malstrom controls a filter and amp envelope with the first eight faders; the master volume with the ninth; filter, LFO, and effect parameters with the eight knobs; and on/off switches for oscillators, noise, LFOs, filters, and so forth for the first eight fader buttons; and for certain devices, the 9/Master fader button switches to a second bank or mode for the device, giving you a second set of hands-on controls for that device. It has the kind of sleek, low-profile form factor that is popular these days (see also recent products from Elektron and Polyend), and it looks very cool perched on our studio desk. Transport buttons also work as expected). It fully integrates with Cubase 8, as promised, with its "InControl" functionality (panning knobs and volume faders assign automatically to tracks 1-8 to the mix console, and one can shift up/down tracks using button clicks. Launchkey 37 - 258mm H, 555mm W, 77mm D; Launchkey 49 - 258mm H, 789mm W, 77mm D; Launchkey 61 - 258mm H, 952mm W, 77mm D; 16x2 char screen 16 RGB backlit velocity sensitive pads Pitch bend and modulation wheels 8 knobs 9 sliders (49/61 key models) 5 pin MIDI out socket Arm/select buttons (49/61 key models) Arp/scale/fixed chord buttons July 30th, 2013 by Erin Barra. All This Thread Reviews Gear Database Synths for sale Latest Trending. Great DAW / MIDI Controller. I upgraded my Novation Launchkey to the new mkII model, and I must say I’m very impressed. They have great options such as Ableton’s own Push, the Akai APC40 MKII, Novation Launchpad Pro, and others.Â. The unit is not too heavy to keep in your lap if you need to. The 37 key model - which I reviewed - is new, and an unusual configuration in the MIDI world. Along with the usual 25- and 49-key options there's now a 37-key version for those people who find the 49 too big or the 25 too small. The features are the same across the range except that only the 49 and 61 have the fader bank. Addictive Keys is a super-strong piano plug-in … The Launchkey 49 MK2 works as a class-compliant MIDI controller for iOS devices, so you can quickly play synth apps with it, and if the app supports MIDI Learn, map parameters to the Launchkey’s controls. The latter app is a touchscreen approximation of the Novation Launchpad hardware. Take control of any music setup with Launchkey 49, Novation's inspirational MIDI controller keyboard. Discover the key facts and see how Novation Impulse 49 performs in the keyboard controller ranking. © 3 user reviews on Novation Launchkey 49. Once the controller is set up for Live, the board’s faders, knobs, and pads adapt to the active section of the software. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, This month I was lucky enough to receive two controllers from Novation, the Launchkey 49 and the Launchpad S, for the purpose of this review. Take control of any music setup with Launchkey 49, Novation’s inspirational MIDI controller keyboard. Custom settings for Reason and FL Studio. The model under review is the largest in the range at 61 keys. The Novation Launchkey 49 MK3 is an intuitive and fully integrated 49-key USB MIDI keyboard controller optimized for portability and tight integration with Ableton Live, which now features a dedicated button for activating the Capture MIDI function, plus track arm, quantize, click, and loop controls. This setup for Reason will relieve a lot of the tedium that can come from trying to operate the program with just a mouse or trying to map all the devices on your own. The simple 3-digit display just shows the 0-127 value of the chosen knob or fader. Powerful in the Hands of the Experienced. It works fine, however there is a small latency inherent to it, to the point that I cannot use it as a live controller. Novation says it’s a response to user requests for something between 25 and 49 keys that still retained the full size keys while remaining very portable. This kind of iPad/controller synergy is what it takes to make the iPad a stronger force for live performance and music production, and you can come up with some strong results from the Launchkey app’s excellent sounds and the Launchpad app’s deep loop-remixing abilities. Before getting started, you’re advised to install the Launchkey MK2’s software package, which includes control surface scripts, Ableton Live Lite, Novation’s Bass Station and V-Station plug-in synths, and 1GB of Loopmasters sample content. Create and play with Ableton Live, and connect external MIDI gear. I purchased the Launchkey 49 after enjoying Novation's Launchpad S controller for a few months. the "in control" think is kinda ehhh anti-climatic so i turned it off and programmed each pad for a sound cue or sound sample. But they are also available in 25-key and 49-key models. However, where it really counts, as in the quality of the pads, buttons, and other controls, the family of Launchkey MK2 controllers do not disappoint. To start with the Launchkey is an awesome MIDI keyboard and on top of that it … I tested it with Reason 8.3, and the controller has mappings for every Reason stock instrument, effect, and mixer device. Packed with a ton of inspirational music-making features, more expressive pads and keys, and deeper Ableton Live integration than ever before, the Launchkey MK3 is offered in a variety of sizes, including 25, 37, 49, and 61 keys. The middle-of-the-range model, the four-octave Launchkey 49 was the one supplied for review and, upon unboxing, I was immediately taken by its newt-like orange underbelly beneath the more conservative panel of dark grey. It’s a smart move; the Launchkey 37 is compact and convenient but doesn’t feel as limited as a 25-note keyboard. This new version looks sedate and serious. Create and play with Ableton Live and connect external MIDI gear. What’s more, three InControl toggle buttons let you switch sections of the Launchkey from their InControl settings to standard MIDI controls that you can map to whatever you want. All rights reserved. This is a very nice keyboard. Programmable using the Novation Components browser-based tool, Custom Modes let you design the behavior of your Launchkey, with control over control assignments, MIDI routing, pad color and much more. 7 ratings . the octave and mod wheels are also nice features. The keyboard’s Track keys will also switch back and forth from the Launchkey app to the Lauchpad app. Novation provides tech support and a thriving forum to help you learn and resolve issues. It does not have a real Midi Port. I have had no success using this with USB 3.0. And at this price, it also won’t sink your finances—it’s about as low as a 49-key controller gets with this much functionality, and as a trade-off, the keyboard’s construction is of acceptable lightweight quality, but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles and physical robustness of more expensive options. Although far short of a full-sized 88-key behemoth, the Launchkey 49 seems completely adequate. (emusician) 01 April 2020, The colours of the rainbow are in control, It’s an embarrassment of riches for Ableton Live users who want MIDI controllers that are dedicated to that software. novationmusic.com, Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials. And with the InControl toggle keys effectively doubling up the amount of hands-on control, the Launchkey 48 MK2 makes a strong case for an affordable Live controller that also works for other DAWs and iOS apps. To have some flexibility in mapping screen controls, in Mainstage and assigning them to physical midi controls, I predicted that I would need a reasonable number of knobs and sliders. Launchkey 49 [MK3] is equipped with a full-size five-pin MIDI DIN output, enabling simple connection to the universe of MIDI devices — new and old. Tweet. USB MIDI kKeyboard. Meet the Novation Launchkey 49 MK3. While it’s mainly featured as a Live-focused controller, the Launchkey MK2 also has scripts for controlling the devices of Reason and FL Studio. You can make your own with an active USB 2.0 hub. To plug into an iPad, you have to use a powered USB hub. The Novation Launchkey 49-note is the middle size of the Launchkey line and is a sibling of the 25 and 61-note versions. This has really opened up my creativity and it fits very well into my home studio. The 37 key model - which I reviewed - is new, and an unusual configuration in the MIDI world. The rubberized treads on the button keep the Launchkey Mini stable and precent sliding when you it is in use. But those are just pad controllers: For those who want a low-priced Ableton Live controller with a keyboard, Novation offers a newly updated Launchkey 49 MK2 (also referred to in some places as Launchkey 49 RGB), as well as 25- and 61- key versions. I got used to them quickly though, no complaints for $200. Great for Beginners. Good feature set for the money. I got my hands on the 61-key model. Novation Launchkey 49 Review Novation has been crushing it lately in the MIDI and synth space. To achieve this they moved the … Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2018. cheap plastic, came warped and doesn't stay flat on a hard surface. Discover the key facts and see how Novation Launchkey 49 performs in the keyboard controller ranking. Like the original, you get 16 multi-coloured pads, buttons (including Octave and Transport controls) and eight rotaries, but now you also get touch pitch-ben… (This review is from my use with Abelton Live 9), Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2014, **This review is based on my use with Abelton Live 9. Buttons navigate the track selected and the row of clips selected. No 5-pin MIDI I/O ports here: USB, a sustain pedal input, and a socket for an optional power adapter are all you find around back. For this hands-on review, I was sent the 49-key version. I spent a fair amount of time researching this purchase and I believe the Launchkey is the best product in this market segment. Faders control track volume. I purchased the Launchkey 49 after enjoying Novation's Launchpad S controller for a few months. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. Visit our corporate site. ... i am going to buy novation launchkey 49 mk2.Is it a wise purchase? Of course, since this is the small version, the range of the keyboard you wish to play on is selectable and on the fly too. The Launchkey app is an analog-modeling synth that locates eight “nodes,” or clusters of parameter values across the touchscreen. The keys have nice tactile feed back and all the knobs are smooth and robust. But yeah, let's keep that price down. There was a problem. It has built-in InControl technology for adapting its controls to all major music software, with custom scripts for Propellerhead Reason and Image-Line FL Studio, and HUI control for other software. the faders aren't as high quality as you'd get on a soundboard or a NORD keyboard for example. The Forums. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. I am glad that I did. I have to say, there have been major improvements in both MIDI technology & functionality since then.. For the price of the Launchkey 37 MK3, I am very surprised at what you get. Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. To achieve this they moved the pitch and mod wheels to allow for the extra keys. Just a few minor problems. View Single Page. the controller sucks with fruityloops however its awesome with ableton 9... i really think it was optimized for ableton. Novation Launchkey 49, 49-key USB/iOS MIDI Keyboard Controller with... Novation Launchkey 49, 49-key USB/iOS MIDI Keyboard Controller with Synth-weighted Keys, M-Audio SP-2 Sustain Pedal with Piano Style Action for Keyboards, Single Laptop / Notebook Desk Mount / Stand Fully Adjustable Extension with Clamp STAND-V001L (by VIVO), Gator 14 x 14 Inches up to 22 x 22 Inches Mixer Cover (GMC-2222), CAD Audio MH310 Closed-Back Studio Headphones. Now the only regret I have is not getting the next size up. Though this wouldn’t be an issue were it sat flat on a desk with its protective rubber feet grounding its position. There's a problem loading this menu right now. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2017 style: 49 Keys Verified Purchase Great DAW / MIDI Controller. Electronic Musician actually had to put cardboard under one corner. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2015. With so many MIDI keyboard controllers in the world, it’s a challenge for any of them to stand out. Drag the nodes across the screen to morph the sounds, or use the hardware controller’s pads to cycle around the nodes and then use the eight hardware knobs to adjust their values for the filter, noise, effects, amp level, and more. That’s where the new velocity-sensitive pads come in very handy. The one caveat is that, because the Launchkey controllers draw USB bus power from computers or from an AC adapter (sold separately), to work with an iPad, it has to draw juice from a powered USB hub and then connect to an Apple Camera Connection adapter going into the iPad. The “Impulse” series is a range of controllers available in 25, 49, and 61 keys; each version promising a high-end, versatile performance. I really like the Launchpad S and thought the idea of a keyboard controller with its own pads would be a wonderful device. New for the Mk3 Launchkeys is a 37-note version, on review here, adding a fourth option to the range alongside the 25, 49 and 61-key variants. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Documentation could use more specifics. Build quality: 7/10 After having this product for a few years now I have to say I am impressed with the build quality. The knobs and faders are sturdy, and the launch pads, while smaller than MPC-type drum pads, are very playable. The pads are also velocity-sensitive for better expression when using them to trigger drums and other MIDI notes. Launchkey 61 MK2: $249 street The Launchkey 25 MK2 loses the nine fader/button pairings of the other controllers to save space.Â, Buyers' guides to all the best music gear, The 25 best VST/AU plugin synths in the world right now: all the best soft synths you need in your DAW, In pictures: 68 pro guitarists' pedalboards, The 20 hottest bassists in the world today, How to position your right hand when you're playing the keyboard, Drum kits of the pros: stars' live and studio drum setups in pictures. The Novation Launchkey 49 competes in the crowded mid price midi controller market segment with the Nektar Impulse, Novations upmarket Impulse and a number of M-audio and Akai boards. Why? The original Launchkey Mini came with a bundle of both desktop and iOS software, although we thought it well suited to the latter format. Since the size is not too big, and the weight is not too heavy, I've mounted mine, with Velcro, to an articulating laptop table. I bought the launchkey 49 as my main midi controller as I'm slowly learning music production. A must have for recording midi with Abelton. And interfaced with Abelton Lite right away. Launchkey 25 MK2: $149 street This page works best with JavaScript. Great all around keyboard! It is very durable and the light build allows for ease of transport. I imagined that having the pads and keys all on one controller would make for a quick workflow and would be more … The Novation Launchkey 49 is your quick and easy solution for producing and performing electronic music using Ableton Live. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. I looked at all the MIDI keyboards in this price range and settled on this one. I really like the Launchpad S and thought the idea of a keyboard controller with its own pads would be a wonderful device. Just keep in mind, it is intended to be used with a program such as Abelton or equiv on some sort of a PC. With so many MIDI keyboard controllers in the world, it’s a challenge for any of them to stand out. Holding down an InControl key will also let you choose to control Live’s device, pan, Send A, and Send B settings as another layer of control. I wanted the 25 key size because it is compact, but I really could have used the sliders you get with the 49. Novation Launchkey 49 MkII is a very popular and one of the most expensive options. I’m honestly shocked that Novation includes this using their Launchkey 49 MKII. The new Launchkey Mini is out-and-out aimed at Ableton Liveusers, but will also control any HUI compatible DAW, and also mobile devices. But also with the InControl technology (which is completely firmware based), the Launchkey integrates more intimately with Novation’s own free (with in-app purchases) Launchpad and Launchkey apps. the system is really nice. The Launchkey 49 MK2 doesn’t stop at Live control, however. The keys are a bit springy but I think that's just how it goes with semi-weighted KB's. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2017. A green underside and matching green USB cable give the Launchkey 49 MK2 an added bit of visual flair.Â, The MK2 version of the Launchkey is available with a 25-, 49-, and 61-note keyboard. I have never played a keyed instrument before but the all in one system makes it easy for novices to have awesome jam sessions. In the Session view, the 16 pads provide a top row for launching clips and a bottom row for stopping them. Today, our object of review is the Novation Impulse 49. I have tested in a few different laptops, and it was always the same thing. Scale and Chord Modes expand your musical vocabulary, velocity-sensitive pads and keys provide expressive control. Active hubs use a separate power source. This controller was built specifically with Abelton Live in mind, and if you buy it new if should come with Abelton Live Lite (an intro version of the full software. The pads and keys can be setup to different instruments. Novation Launchkey 49 ⭐ review. This is a costly plug-in in case you need to purchase it. This is not too basic or complex. Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2014. It's not a demo, so you can use it forever). It's perfect for Ableton Live 10, it really is plug and play and the layout is very convenient to have all you need under your fingers! Good controller if you can live with latency, Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2016. By But even if you use another DAW, you’ll appreciate the Launchkey’s ergonomic layout and just-right feel.