General
- Product Name: Launchkey 49 [MK3] USB MIDI Controller
- Brand: Novation
- Model Number: AMS-LAUNCHKEY-49-MK3
- Color: Black
- Color Category: Black
Other
- Product Width: 31.06 inches (The out of box width of the item. Width is measured as the horizontal distance from one side of the item to the other as it would be primarily used or placed.)
- Product Height: 10.16 inches (The out of box height of the item. Height is measured as the vertical distance from the bottom of the item to the top as it would be primarily used or placed.)
- Product Weight: 6.68 pounds (The out of box weight of the item.)
- Product Length: 3.03 inches (The out of box length of the item. Length is measured as the longest dimension of the item.)
- USB Port(s): true
- USB Cable Included: true
- Number Of Keys: 49
- Integrated Speaker(s): false
- MIDI: Output (Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is a technical standard used to connect a variety of electronic instruments, audio devices, and computers for playing, recording, and editing music.)
- Key Size: Full
- Velocity-Sensitive Keys: true
- Drum Pads: true
- Lighted Keys: false
- Tempo Control: true
- Software Compatibility: Ableton Live Lite, Spitfire Audio, XLN Addictive Keys, Klevgrand R0Verb and DAW Cassette, AAS, Logic, Reason or any HUI compatible DAW.
- Media Card Slot: false
- UPC: 815301001270

The Launchkey 49 [MK3] is the perfect MIDI controller for Ableton Live as well as any other DAW that supports HUI. Designed to give you immediate access to all needed controls in Ableton Live, the velocity-sensitive keyboard and pads enable you to play your most expressive and dynamic performances. With three-chord modes, you can trigger chords with a single finger or use the Scale mode to ensure you never play a wrong note. Never worry about forgetting an idea as you practice with the Capture MIDI button, that allows you access to Ableton’s MIDI capture feature.

Whats Included

Novation Launchkey 49 [MK3]
USB A to B type cable
Safety information sheet

Q: Does this product come with any software?

A: undefined

Q: Does this come with the keyboard cover and foot pedal?

A: No foot pedal. Has the quarter-inch input jack for a sustain pedal in back though.

The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Good Value and Construction, It's Nice.
I got the Novation Launchkey 49-key MK3 controller to replace my older Oxygen II -49-key. I wasn't expecting a big jump in features and quality, but the MK3 is a whole lot better than what I was using. The Novation LaunchkeyMK3 49 blended with Ableton 11 on first plug-in great. I watched a few videos and could already get down some new and useful features, mainly centered around the drum pad area. The keys have a fluid, smooth press. I'm not an accomplished keyboard player, so the whole weighted keys thing isn't something on my radar. These keys move great coming from an electronics-type person that just wants a positive, good key press. The pitch and modulator wheels have good, basic construction and feel. The pitch wheel returns to it's 'zero' with smooth, quick locked-in movement and don't have a rubbery toy-feel. The sliders move good, and have longer paths than my Oxygen II. I like the way the track buttons under the sliders light up exactly like the color of the Ableton tracks on-screen. There is a lot of communication behind the scenes that goes on between the Launchkey controller and Ableton. And, it really shows when learning all the modes the drum pad area can be used. I would say the one negative I noticed right off, and ongoing, is the placement and size of the LCD two-line display. One, they definitely should have placed it above the right-hand side track stop/start/record control buttons. And two, they should have made it larger. This is a glaring design error that screams out at the user. Having a distant, small lcd display makes looking up at the computer screen to read values a necessity and habit, and basically negates it's regular use, relegating it to assignment functions and utility, non-musical use. Which is maybe what the designers settled on. Overall, I would say this is a good expenditure of the $239 I spent on it. It breathes new life into my Ableton use. I've re-gained an eagerness to sit down and play that disappeared with my Oxygen II, Radium, and Oxygen II-Air controllers. I had though about the Oxygen Pro 49, with it's after-touch keyboard ability, and I wanted that. But in the end, the Novation's seamless plug n' play integration into Ableton sold me. I've learned to stick with one DAW, and just get better with it. Ableton is my DAW. I highly value less tinkering with midi-controller settings to get started, and more quick playing and putting tinkering towards the music creation itself.
Posted 2 years ago by BeginnerNoviceUser
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Value and Solid Quality
This thing is incredible! The integration with Ableton is seamless. Within minutes of installing Ableton, I was able to quickly pick 3 or 4 VSTs, set up a drum track and put down several parts with little effort. Once I learn more, it will be the perfect songwriting and performing tool. Highly recommend.
Posted 2 years ago by Zack
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
LaunchKey is a must have!
I love the built in arpeggiator, global controls that work seamlessly with Logic Pro and Ableton, and faders that integrate well with the DAW mixer. Way to go, Novation!!!
Posted 2 years ago by Ledos