Novation - Launchkey 61 MK3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (61-Key)

New Novation Launchkey MK3 Keyboard Controllers for Ableton Live

The Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 is an intuitive and fully integrated 61-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. The 16 improved velocity-sensitive, multicolored, backlit trigger pads provide greater control over dynamics and can be used to launch loops, samples, and more, while the eight knobs and nine faders enable access to mixer functions and instrument/effect parameters. The USB-powered controller is compatible with a variety of DAWs and apps on Mac/Windows computers and iOS devices (adapter cables available separately).

The MK3 model offers expanded functionality and connectivity not found on the MK2. Pitch and modulation wheels, a flexible arpeggiator, single-finger chord triggering, and transport buttons let you spend more time creating on the controller and less time fiddling with your software. Eight Scale modes allow for deep exploration into new musical territory, by transposing keys played to notes in the scale selected. Simply choose your root note and your preferred scale, then play. Three Chord modes transform the keys and pads into an interactive surface of musical exploration, where every note played is tonally and harmonically linked. The arpeggiator lets you explore new melodies and find ideas quickly, while the mutate function reconstructs your patterns into exciting new forms.

Custom Modes simplify the relationship between controller and software. 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. Utilize the full-sized 5-pin MIDI DIN output to control hardware synthesizers, drum machines, or sound modules from the Launchkey MK3.

Launchkey also has full integration with Logic and Reason, plus out of the box functionality with other DAWs, including Studio One, Cubase, and Pro Tools, via HUI. The included software bundle provides sounds, instruments, and effects to get you started and keep you inspired.

Andrew Eisele

4 months ago

User Manual

22.7 MB

Core Features

Designed for Ableton Live – Immediate access to all the controls you need

Create and play with feeling – Velocity-sensitive keyboard and 16 velocity-sensitive pads enable expressive and dynamic performance

Get creative with chords – Three chord modes (fixed, scale, and user) let you trigger chords with one finger

Never hit a wrong note – Scale modes transpose keys and pads to notes in the selected scale

Capture MIDI – One-touch access to Ableton Live’s Capture MIDI feature means you’ll never lose an idea

Get melodies moving – Powerful arpeggiator takes you to new melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic places

Control anything MIDI – 5-pin MIDI output works with any MIDI-compatible device

Easy-to-read screen – 16x2 character screen lets you easily see the state of what you’re controlling or selecting

Make music immediately – Free software, including Ableton Live 10 Lite, virtual instruments, plugins, and sample packs let you start creating straight away

Shape your sound – Tweak instruments and effects to perfection using eight rotary encoders and nine 1.8" faders

Make Launchkey your own – Four Custom Modes enable you to create unique control setups for any performance or studio rig, using Novation Components

Ableton Integration

Volume, pan, sends A/B through knobs

Record and play

Assign custom mapping to knobs and pads

Track navigation

Device control

Capture MIDI

Clip launch

Clip stop

Scene launch

Scene navigation

Track solo/mute

DAW Integration

Scripts for Ableton, Logic, and Reason (device control for Ableton, Logic, and Reason)

HUI support for other DAWs such as Pro Tools, Reaper, and Studio One

Control volume, pan, sends, record, play, preset, and assignable custom mapping

Arpeggiator

Creative arpeggiator with Mutate and Deviate Rhythm options

Multiple modes such as up, down, up/down, played, random, chord, and mutate

Various rates including 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, and all associated triplets

1/2/3/4 octave modes

O, OXO, OXXO, random, and deviate rhythms

On/off latch

Tempo, swing, and gate via knobs when pressing the Arp button

Mutate mode allows access to all mutate possibilities through the knob while pressing the Arp button

Deviate Rhythm allows access to all deviations of the rhythm through the knob while pressing the Arp button

Three symbols at the left side reserved for future arpeggiator updates

Includes Software

Includes Ableton Live Lite and works with Logic, Reason, or any HUI-compatible DAW

Includes a powerful software bundle with sounds, instruments, and effects

Serato Sample LE

Spitfire Audio LABS Expressive Strings

XLN Audio Addictive Keys

Klevgrand Røverb and DAW Cassette

AAS Session Bundle

Two-month Splice Sounds membership

Includes access to Sound Collective for new free content every few months