Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 61-key Keyboard Controller Reviews

I was doing some shopping for a keyboard since I've been self learning to play the electric & acoustic bass, ukulele, electric guitar so, I actually bought this because I'm trying to learn music theory, piano, and wanted to learn DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). I know, I feel like I'm falling down the rabbit hole but I've taken up quite a hobby in learning new things musically, and instrumentally.

At this time of writing, I've only been learning the piano for about 2 weeks and I am happy how the keyboard responds... no latency or anything that could be annoying, and beautiful keyboard I should say.

In the coming weeks, I'm looking forward to learn how to use Ableton (DAW) and incorporate the use of this keyboard controller.

Bottom line, I think this keyboard controller is perfect for anybody that would like to learn (almost) full size keyboard and the controller features for DAW.

I was given this for my birthday and it works really well for everything I want to do! I even sent it back after it stopped working and they fixed it for me. Amazing keyboard and amazing service on Sweetwater's part!

Fantastic controller for control of my Cubase 12 Pro system. Very easy to set up and use for all my recording needs. I highly recommend this keyboard. Plenty of great tutorials from Novation, Cubase and Sweetwater on set up and use of the keyboard with Cubase.

First and foremost, I'm not a keyboardist nor do I ever plan to be. My experiences are based on my needs and your milage may vary. I picked this up for mainly two reasons:
- to work on music theory
- control my DAW

I had a Launchkey Mini MK3 prior to purchasing this. I used it mainly for controlling my DAW, MIDI recording, and working on basic theory. Since I've been getting deeper into theory, I needed a larger keyboard to work on chord extensions. The added DAW controls make this purchase even better.

I bought this midi controller to replace all my midi controllers (hardware and software remote) for Cubase Pro 12. I had to reach out to novation customer support for clarity on how to add extra key commands (add track, open mixer, edit channel settings, edit instrument) to the custom pads but other than that it provided pretty much almost everything I needed to control cubase out of the box. Plug and play. I used Novation components stand alone app to add the additional key commands which was very easy once I looked around the app a few times.
All in all it is a great controller. I can play VST instruments while controlling keys switches, control track volume, pan, mute, select, record, quick controls, transport, drum pads, plus some other functions. Great piece of hardware to get my hands off the mouse and get ideas down quick since I prefer hands on and not the mouse. I also like the small LCD that updates to show what parameter I'm controlling.

Before I bought this I had an iRig Keys I/O 49 which was a nice keyboard especially with the fact it had an interface built in, SORRY SIDETRACKED THIS REVIEW IS FOR A NOVATION NOT AN IRIG OKAY, This keyboard, mmm the novation launch key 61 is freakin amazing, it's so seamless with Logic Pro and has so many amazing features, I discover a new one every day.

The keys feel really good. Basically plug and play. I have no cons for this product

I've really enjoyed the Novation launchkey mk3 61 since my purchase over six months ago. I'm using it with Studio one 5.2 and it pairs nicely with the daw. Love the feel of the pads and the keys. I'm new to the midi world and I feel this was a perfect midi to start with! I really have fun with this midi controller! And as always sweetwater and Dontae Harris are amazing support. And always there to help with your needs!

I bought this specifically to control my iPad synths and keys, which it does flawlessly. (My setup includes powering the keyboard via a usb power adapter and using a midi out to lightning converter.)

The keyboard is very responsive and the velocity control is great, and easy to program. The onboard arpeggiator is easy to use, and the pads, faders, and pots all feel great. So far it appears to have soft takeover as well, which is a huge plus when switching presets and instruments so you don't get a knob or fader response until you hit the original saved value.

I chose this over the arturia controller in the same price range because of the layout, and so far that has proven to be a great decision. I can easily reach what I need and there's a bit of blank panel on the right side just big enough for a botique module or a volca.

It is light but sturdy, ergonomic, and uses space well. All in all a great purchase and a great way to turn an iPad into a full fledged keyboard instrument.

I got this to use with ableton and the set up was incredibly easy,and the amount of control gained with this is very handy

I must say, I was genuinely surprised when I got this thing. The overall look and feel is spot on, although the keybed is nothing special.
Pros:
- Pads and knobs are responsive
- Custom modes are deeply integrated
- Included software is great
- Can be mapped to any DAW, not just Ableton(I use it in FL)
- Different modes are all easy to use
- RGB lighting looks fantastic, with adjustable brightness
Cons:
- Keybed feels low-quality
- Plastic exterior can feel cheap depending on preference
- Midi controls on the controller don't always work on DAW's other than Ableton

I use this to control some hardware synths. Setting up the CC in Components is super easy. I went with this because the keys feel similar to my Bass Station 2. I would say just go for the 61 key version because the extended range is nice to have & shouts out to the small space on the top right of the controller, you can fit 1 medium sized module there for sure. I'm actually ready to let go of some other hardware now since this opened up some of my deeper machines via the CC. yay!

I'm a guitarist and drummer mostly, not a pianist. I purchased this controller thinking it had aftertouch. It does not. Absolutely on me for buying, but would have kept if it felt more sturdy.

The good: seamlessly integrated with Cubase 13. Mapping was easy.

The bad: keys were cheap feeling - toy like, which I didn't care for. No aftertouch.

This keyboard has great integration with ableton live great features and everything , but the built quality could be better, the modulation knob just broke after 2 months of use. But for the for the price i cant really complain. Great keobard for some one getting starter!

I'm not extremely tech savvy, but am patient enough to stay with the technology until I make sense of it all.

This seems to work great and seamlessly with Ableton Live. I could changes settings and parameters pretty quickly, and the online videos are quite a necessary reference. Some of the videos go a bit fast and skim over the processes, but thankfully you can stop the video and tweak the knobs a minute or two on the Novation to see what they are talking about.

No aftertouch on the keys is a bummer, but the colored squares apparently do have aftertouch.

I'm looking forward to making some music with this Novation, Ableton Live, and Propellerhead Reason.

This has plenty of features and is great for a non piano player. I have been playing piano for 36 years and have played many midi keyboards and the sensitivity on this isn't the best. Some octaves react very loudly and others insanely quiet. Adjusting the levels aren't very helpful either. Other then that its a solid controller.

Love the unit mostly. They seem to have intelligently considered the placement of the pads this time in light of the function they serve with ableton., which just made sense. Actually should have been done in the second generation if not the first. Knobs and faders are much more secure/stable.

However the main function of the unit is the keyboard. You'll likely interact with the 61 keys more than anything else. Unfortunately, in my slightly experienced opinion (from the mk2) the actual keys are three times worse than the previous generation. It takes very little to break a black tea and separated from its grouped arrangement. I've had this unit in less than a year. The MK2 I've had for years and have yet to see a broken key. All said I don't treat either unit differently, the keys are just genuinely worse. As such, I'm being forced to consider a new brand when otherwise, these units have everything I'm looking for.

There is a ton of functionality for integration with a DAW (especially Ableton), but as a keyboard, it is one of the worst that I've used. The keys are very flimsy imho (though I've been assured that they are stronger than they feel) and have a lot of play side-to-side. If you are rough with your keys (organ players!), pass this one by. The faders and pots are OK, but also flimsy; if traveling/gigging, you will likely need a case that costs more than the controller, and even then . . . I'd suggest just keeping this in the studio/office. The RGB pads were solid, and I imagine would do great for midi beats and such.
Bottom line: if you really play keys, I'd suggest perhaps grabbing one of the miniature controllers for the DAW (I might even still grab the 25-key version myself for control and percussion) and coupling that with a premium option for playing--I nabbed a Yamaha CK61, which has sturdy keys with quick (short travel) synth action, though it's not a controller. If you really just want one device to do it all, and you're working in Ableton, the semi-weighted keybed in Novation's SL line might fare better as a standalone keyboard+controller, but I can't say myself as I have not tried the SL.

As a MIDI controller it is actually quite nice. The keys and action are decent. The pads are responsive. Integration with Ableton Live is good. I could even get it to integrate with Studio One fairly simply.

BUT.

In Live, it forces any MIDI track that is selected to be armed with no way to have unarm it. This makes it impossible to record automation into a pre existing midi clip. I do this - a lot. It makes in unusable for my purposes.