Novation Launchkey Review

The last time we reviewed a mini controller, we took a look at the Roland K25M- But we weren’t as impressed with the little boutique synth/ controller as we hoped we might be. Enter The Novation Launchkey. Coming in at $100 or less, this tiny controller is affordable- and most certainly worth it. 

I loved the portability of the instrument, as well as the fact that you don’t need a computer to use it. As a whole, the controller is built well, and easy to navigate. The only real con with this one in my book was the mini keys, but that’s purely a matter of preference/ feel. Oh- and it’s mainly designed to be used with Ableton. If this DAW isn’t your preferred program, it might be best to look for another brand of MIDI controller.

Novation LaunchKey Mini: Overview

In this Novation Launchkey Mini review, we will be checking out an economical stand-alone MIDI controller with mini keys. This Launchkey MK3 line was completed around 2019/2020, and continues to be popular today. And it’s no wonder- It costs $100 or less, and is super easy to use!

Novation is known for making instruments that are highly compatible with Ableton, and this little model is no different. The LaunchKey Mini comes at a low price of $100 USD and has more features than you’d expect. Move over, Roland K25-M! 

So with all that being said, let’s get into the features. 

Features

RGB Lit Drum Pads

The first thing I noticed about this Launchkey was the colorful pads at the top of the chassis. This model has a total of 16 drum pads. These bright pads are not only nice to look at but are also a dream to play on. The pad’s technology has been overhauled since the last model, meaning that they’re more sensitive and responsive than ever. The drum pads can be used for either tracking regular tracks or you can use it with clip-launch (a feature inside Ableton that lets you use data like a set of MIDI notes as a sort of sample if you will). 

Different instruments can be assigned to both these drum pads and the keys themselves. 

Versatile Arpeggiator 

According to Amazon… “Launchkey Mini’s creative arpeggiator allows you to change the rhythm, beat, pattern, octave, gate, and more to add a whole range of diversity to your ideas and melodies.” To use the arpeggiator on the Novation Launchkey Mini, all you need to do is press the arp button. 

Scale Mode

Scale mode is a feature on the controller that you can turn off and on- It ‘clicks’ or rather locks in a specific scale to the keyboard so that you always stay in that particular mode. It’s handy because once you set the scale, you can’t play any sour notes! The root and all other intervals can also be set. Check out more about this feature on the Novation site at this link.

Free Plugin Bundle and Other Software Included 

When you purchase a Novation Launchkey Mini, you can get free plugins and effects- Some of which are Launchkey exclusive. 

• XLN Audio Addictive Keys
• AAS Session Bundle. Spitfire Audio LABS 
• Expressive Strings 
• Klevgrand R0Verb 

Ableton Lite, DAW Integration 

The instrument includes a Lite version of Ableton 10, so you don’t have to purchase a DAW right away. The online magazine Sound on Sound has stated that the Novation Launchkeys have ‘Near perfect Ableton integration) (See their article on the larger Launchkey MKIII here). 

Other Features

• Two touch strips (intended for pitch and modulation)
• 8 rotary controls 
• Bus-powered hardware
• Transpose Button
• Chord mode
• Vegas mode
• Different Amazon packages

The Novation Launchkey Mini has all the features you’d expect- like the ability to appreciate chords and create one-finger chords- And then some. One fun quirky feature on this Launchkey is that the drum pads can be set to ‘Vegas Mode’- That is, the pads flash multicolors if you don’t play them for longer than 5 minutes and the instrument is still on. 

Amazon packages: There are several different options when it comes to bundling equipment on Amazon. You can add an interface, headphones, a sustain pedal, a bench, or an X-style stand. By bundling on the website, you can get the same items at a lower cost. 

Specifications

• Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Dimensions: 

Who is it Suitable for?

The Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 is best suited for beginner to intermediate producers. Launchkeys and Ableton go hand in hand, so if Ableton is your preferred DAW of choice, investing in this brand is a great idea.

The Launchkey In Action 

Check out this instrument in action with TAETRO making a beat.

Amazon Reviews 

The Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 was rated 4.7/5 stars on Amazon. So what did musicians who bought this have to say? I sifted through hundred of the 4,000 some reviews so you don’t have to.

Musicians who loved this Launchkey said it’s…

• “A Nice compact controller at a great price”
• That it was easy to learn how to use even for absolutely beginners
• That it is better than those made by competing brands (Akai and Arturia)
• The wheels feel good
• The keys have just the right level of resistance– Not too light or heavy
• It integrates really well with Ableton
• Its features work well with Logic, too 
• The scale mode helps get rid of writers block
• It saves space and optimized players workflow

While this model might be optimized for Ableton, there are dozens of reviews mentioning it working well with Logic, Fruity Loops and other DAWs. 

On the other hand, there were some players who say the instrument could stand some improvements: 

• One non-pianist didn’t like the heavier feel of the keys
•  Another musician was really upset it didn’t come with any cables and that the MIDI A was hard to find
• Novation is hard to get ahold of
• Most other issues were were with delivery themselves. 
• Some comments include ‘Feels very cheap’ and ‘Just doesn’t work’ and even worse ‘Garbage’

Instruments not coming with all the cables they need is relatively standard, so be sure to expect to purchase one separately! However, I was a bit surprised to see all the verified buyers who had issues and were unable to get ahold of anyone at Novation. Lastly, seeing all the one-star heroes cracks me up. This is an economical piece of equipment- But if you ask me, it’s truly not as bad as the handful 1-star reviews might have you believing. 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Portable, lightweight, and compact
• (Small enough to fit in a backpack, even!)
• It’s economical
• It works as a standalone (you can use it without a computer)
• Sometimes comes with a free plugin bundle 
• Has many upgrades that make it better than the previous models
• The strips are easier to use than wheels on a controller as small as this one
• It has a sustain input
• Really easy to use with Ableton Live
• Include Ableton Lite 10
• Includes a MIDI out
• The drum pads are more sensitive than the MKIII’s predecessor
• It has a one-finger chord feature, so making music is accessible and fun

One of the things I love about this little controller is the sustain input. A lot of the times, entry-level keyboard makers include a button, but a sustain input is far better- Especially if you play the piano already. There’s nothing like being able to put your foot down and have notes sustained while your hands remain free to make music. 

The entire design on this Launchekey is very well thought out and it’s intuitive, too. The strips can be used with a single finger to bend a note and adjust things to your liking- And it’s faster and easier than using a tiny knob. 

The one-finger chord feature and scale feature help players prioritize music-making, without having to worry about being exact. Because sometimes, all you want to do is make something!

Cons

• The miniature size of keys can prove difficult to play
• The instrument will likely be retired soon, as the company will be rolling out the MK4 line sooner rather than later
• No aftertouch 
• Not as ideal for non-Ableton DAWs
• No built-in sounds

The biggest real con I’ve run into with some of the instruments/controllers in the Launchkey line is the lack of aftertouch. Aftertouch is always a dream to have, but it’s no surprise that it’s not included on a controller as economical as this one. Another con to consider is that this controller is about 3-4 years old. In the recording world, that’s a pretty long time. While I personally don’t have many qualms about getting an instrument that is about to be updated (isn’t everything always being updated so that you have to get a new one?! Ugh!) some folks may want to wait for the MK4 mini.

Another thing worth considering is compatibility. While the instrument can work well with Reason, Cubase, Pro Tools, etc… it is ultimately designed to be used with Ableton. Rather than this being a big con, I think of the Novation Launchkey Mini as being optimized to serve a specific audience. 

Comparable Instruments

There are many configurations of ‘Launchkeys’. Since I’m used to playing on a regular piano, playing on the Novation Launchkey mini feels a bit cumbersome and unnatural. That is to say that the most comparable instrument to the Novation Launchkey mini (25 key) is simply the regular 25-key Novation Launchkey. 

The 25-key Novation Launchkey has Ableton Live integration, a MIDI out port, custom modes (4), and a really nice arpeggiator (which has mutate and deviate). However, like this model we reviewed today, this controller also lacks aftertouch. 

The MKII mini was the earlier iteration of this MKIII mini– You may be able to find this model used for cheaper. The MKII mini has a bit of a bigger chassis as well as fewer buttons and knobs than this one…but it’s still of a nice quality. 

Other brands that have economical models of MIDI controllers that are worth looking into include Akai and Arturia.  Akai has a Mini that is even cheaper than this one (it’s just $85) and has 8 drums pads and production software included- But the overall rating is just a tiny bit lower.

If you are looking for an economical piano that can act as a MIDI controller, consider something like the Casio CT S200.

The CTS200 is a comparable instrument in price, and offers up 61 lightweight keys and 400 sounds. While it’s main objective is to be an entry-level piano, it does have a USB to MIDI out. If you are both a budding producer and a beginning pianist on a budget, it’s worth considering. 

Quick View 

Novation Launchkey Mini: Conclusion

In conclusion, the Novation Launchkey Mini is an excellent jumping-off point for beginner producers–and is an economical instrument bundle that will serve intermediate players well, too. It has just enough bells and whistles to make producing not just easy- but enjoyable, too. 

Music quote of the week: 

“There’s a very curious and – and almost sadistic lust for blood that overcomes the concert listener, and there’s a waiting for it to happen: a waiting for the horn to fluff; a waiting for the strings to become ragged; a waiting for the conductor to forget the subdivide, you know? And it’s dreadful!’ -Glenn Gould

10Expert Score

The last time we reviewed a mini controller, we took a look at the Roland K25M- But we weren’t as impressed with the little boutique synth/ controller as we hoped we might be. Enter The Novation Launchkey. Coming in at $100 or less, this tiny controller is affordable- and most certainly worth it. I loved the portability of the instrument, as well as the fact that you don’t need a computer to use it. As a whole, the controller is built well, and easy to navigate. The only real con with this one in my book was the mini keys, but that’s purely a matter of preference/ feel. Oh- and it’s mainly designed to be used with Ableton. If this DAW isn’t your preferred program, it might be best to look for another brand of MIDI controller.

PROS

• Portable, lightweight, and compact
• (Small enough to fit in a backpack, even!)
• It’s economical
• It works as a standalone (you can use it without a computer)
• Sometimes comes with a free plugin bundle
• Has many upgrades that make it better than the previous models
• The strips are easier to use than wheels on a controller as small as this one
• It has a sustain input
• Really easy to use with Ableton Live
• Include Ableton Lite 10
• Includes a MIDI out
• The drum pads are more sensitive than the MKIII’s predecessor
• It has a one-finger chord feature, so making music is accessible and fun

CONS

• The miniature size of keys can prove difficult to play
• The instrument will likely be retired soon, as the company will be rolling out the MK4 line sooner rather than later
• No aftertouch
• Not as ideal for non-Ableton DAWs
• No built-in sounds