Could the Novation Launchkey MK 4 become the new heart of your studio?£279.99, novationmusic.com
Novation’s family of Launchkey MIDI controllers has reached its fourth generation, the company striving to further streamline the way users perform and control their DAWs without constantly switching attention between two devices, as they recently told us.
Having already put the smallest model through its paces we were keen to experience the other end of the spectrum, the 61-key model that’s designed to be a more permanent fixture in your studio setup, and find out how and if it might be a better fit for some producers.

READ MORE: Novation on the future of MIDI control and why Launchkey MK4 is “a big step forward”

Novation was keen to explain how basically all of the MK4’s MIDI functionality is baked into the firmware and this means that the keyboards’ ‘brains’ are essentially the same, even though they have some hardware differences. So like the Minis, the 61 key model can operate in standalone mode using its MIDI output though here it’s a full size 5-pin MIDI port on the rear panel so there’s no need to use an adapter.
It powers and sends data over its USB-C connection so in standalone mode any power adapter will do, and you hook up to drum machines, modular synths or other gear over the regular MIDI port. The various MIDI tools – of which more shortly – all work independently of a computer.
The controller also has a sustain pedal input, vital for most kinds of creative keyboard playing, and full-size conventional pitch and mod wheels, where the Minis use touch strips. Indeed the 25, 37 and 49 key versions also have these and these models also use full sized keys. While the 25 and 37 have a synth action, the 49 and 61 have semi-weighted keys. This provides a significantly more tactile response that’s closer to the feel of a piano.
Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech
As any seasoned player will attest, it’s possible to play semi- or fully-weighted keys with more nuance since they behave in a more responsive way to synth action keys. They’re also somewhat heavier though. Even if these larger models are not particularly intended to be as portable as the Minis, the 61 still only weighs in at 5kg.
Like every member of the Launchkey MK4 family, the 61 works without drivers on the Mac and requires a simple download for Windows, then the controller can talk to your computer. There’s an app called Components that lets you upload and download configurations to the hardware and also create custom setups easily thanks to its graphical interface. Impressively, the system also works via a MIDI-compatible browser like Chrome so you can log in to access and tweak all your settings even if you are away from home.
Novation’s long association with Ableton means that the integration with Live is particularly tight here – it even comes with a copy of Live Lite – and the controller is automatically recognised by the software. With other DAWs – Logic, Cubase, Reason – you will need to download a script from the website and do a little setup in the DAW. By and large this is painless, with Cubase’s MIDI Remote editor in particular letting it tie in nicely to the hardware. If your DAW is a little more esoteric it will still work though there will initially be some playing around with the Mackie HUI controller protocol to make it go.
Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech
The 61 fits an impressive selection of hardware controls onto its top panel. There are 16 RGB backlit pads with velocity sensing and polyphonic aftertouch, two pad page buttons, scene launch and function buttons. The eight continuous encoders also have two page buttons for extended functionality and unlike most of the smaller models, the 61 also has nine faders and buttons, ideal for mixer channel control. There are transport controls of course as well as tool buttons like undo, quantize and metronome, plus track navigation buttons. The vast majority can be customised and in many cases a control’s behaviour will update dynamically as you move between different features or tools in your DAW.
Another feature that only the two larger models have thanks to their more expansive keyboards is zoning. This allows you to assign key ranges to different destinations, splitting or layering two instruments or MIDI channels. There’s also a generative arpeggiator with step editor, Scale mode with 30 scales so you can’t play ‘wrong’ notes outside a particular scale, Chord modes that let you trigger preset or custom chords from single keys or pads and of course octave buttons, though these are less essential than on the smaller models.
The 61 has more physical space and more controls which means there’s less learning of sub-functions like pressing a button to change the behaviour of pads or encoders. The faders and fader buttons are a big plus especially for mixing. Though the display is the same small one from every model it’s still perfectly serviceable, with backlighting providing visual feedback. There’s still a learning curve initially but it’s not arduous. Since most people will be using one or at most two DAWs it’s not like you have to keep learning different layouts.
Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech
In studios you often see a controller sitting between the computer keyboard and the screen, something on which the producer needs to play parts without getting up from their chair, but with more nuance than a synth action keyboard would allow. An 88-key beast is usually too big for this, but 61 or potentially even 49 keys is a sweet spot for many people. Throw in a bunch of DAW controls too and you have a convenient and powerful all-in one device that does its job without cluttering your space.
While the Minis are designed to be taken anywhere, the 61 is more at home front and centre in your setup, likely becoming something you play with muscle memory as you perform repeated actions – navigating a Live set, tweaking a favourite soft synth or programming beats.
The models in between represent differing trade-offs between portability and the full feature set, though admittedly, most of the core functions are common to the entire range. While a hardware controller is probably never going to be able to free you completely from a computer screen and mouse, Novation has done an excellent job here of integrating hardware and software, and also promises more software-based developments going forward. There’s a generous bundle of plugins to be had too.
Most producers need a tactile everyday keyboard hooked up permanently to their DAW and ideally some well-thought-out transport and control features too. The revamped Launchkey 61 delivers both, and at a sensible price.

Key features

61 semi-weighted piano style keys
USB data and power
16 RGB backlit pads with polyphonic aftertouch
8 continuous encoders
9 faders and buttons
MIDI out and sustain pedal input
Integration with all major DAWs
Components app and website for management
MIDI layering and zoning
Software bundle

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