Why the Novation Launchkey 61 MK4 is the best keyboard for music producers

In my Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 review, I found the modern features such as the OLED display and Chord mode excellent for new music producers. My only gripe? The small, unweighted keys. Well, now I’ve got my hands on the bigger brother to that keyboard, the Novation Launchkey 61 MK4. This version has full-size, semi-weighted keys along with a few extra octaves to work with. Does that make this the perfect keyboard for bedroom music producers? Let’s dive into the review to find out.

What I like about the Novation Launchkey 61 MK4

The Novation Launchkey 61 MK4 is a MIDI keyboard designed for all major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Reaper, Reason, Ardour, and more. I tested the Launchkey 61 MK4 with Ableton Live 12 Suite and found I could start playing simply by plugging in the USB to my computer. That said, for other DAWs, you may need to download the script integration from the Novation website.

Since you get 5 octaves to work with, and the keys are both full-size and semi-weighted, I felt right at home playing piano parts. If you are serious about performing or composing piano parts, you’ll want to look for a full-size keyboard, but for bedroom music producers like myself, the Launchkey 61 MK4 is the perfect size. You can split the keyboard into two channels, to play a bass sound with your left hand and a completely different melody sound with your right hand. Despite that functionality, at a length of only 35 inches, I find the Launchkey 61 fits well on my L-shaped desk setup, making it easy to go back and forth between the keyboard and monitor.

In addition to more (and larger) keys, you get a few other hardware upgrades when you go from the Launchkey Mini to the full-size Launchkey. Instead of a touch-strip for pitch and modulation control, there are tactile wheels that provide more control. You also get faders with dedicated fader buttons, which is great for live mixing and performing. While the keyboard is made from plastic, the build quality feels solid, and I really like the modern, minimal design aesthetic Novation has adopted. The faders and encoders feel especially nice with a soft, matte texture.

For my use as a music producer, the standout feature of the Launchkey MK4 is the Chord Map mode. You can select a scale that you want to work in on the keyboard, and then map chords from that scale to the performance pads. By pressing a few of the pads, you can quickly build a chord progression. Looking for more complex chords beyond a basic triad? You can twist the knobs above the pads to scroll through Adventure, Explore, Spread, and Roll, each of which tweaks the chords generated. This makes it extremely easy for anyone to start writing music. If you don’t know much music theory, but want to produce music, the Launchkey MK4 series is a great choice.

Another reason the Launchkey MK4 is a great choice for new musicians is the plethora of production software that comes with the keyboard. Included with the Launchkey 61 MK4 is:

• Ableton Live Lite (DAW)
• Cubase LE (DAW)
• Klevgrand plugins for mixing, effects, and drums
• GForce heritage synth instruments
• Native Instruments instruments (with NKS support for seamless integration)
• Melodics lessons (to teach you how to play the keyboard and pads)

This gives you all you need to get started making your first track using your Launchkey 61 MK4, your laptop, and nothing else.

What I don’t like about the Novation Launchkey 61 MK4

Unlike the Akai MPK Mini Plus, the Novation Launchkey 61 MK4 does not have CV/Gate outputs. While this means the Launchkey isn’t quite as flexible at controlling modular synth setups, it does have a 5-pin MIDI output, so you can still use this keyboard to control all your MIDI gear. While we’re on the topic of outputs, I’m disappointed by the USB-C to USB-A cable included with the keyboard. If you are like me and have a modern Macbook Air, that means having to use a dongle to connect the keyboard to your computer.

While it might seem obvious from the name of the product, it’s worth pointing out that this only a 61-key keyboard. If you are a piano player and you want a full-size keyboard, you’ll need a Launchkey 88. Unfortunately, the Launchkey 88 is still only available in the outdated MK3 version, and not the updated MK4 spec. That means sacrificing the new Chord Map Mode, updated sequencer pad modes for Ableton Live, the Arp Rhythm feature, and a few other upgrades that come with the latest model.

With these larger Launchkey models, I would love to see a larger onboard display in the future. If the screen was bigger, it would be easier to see context on what mode you are currently in, and all the features available to you in that mode. There is a steep learning curve to discovering all the features of the Launchkey 61 MK4 that involves diving into the (93-page!) user manual. Perhaps with a larger display, I could skip the user guide and learn all the functionality of the keyboard directly on the keyboard itself.

Should you buy the Novation Launchkey 61 MK4?

The Novation Launchkey 61 MK4 is an excellent MIDI keyboard option for music producers. Even if you have limited music theory knowledge, you can have a lot of fun creating music with it using the Scale and Chord modes. It is the perfect size keyboard for bedroom music producers, as it is large enough to play both chords and melodies, while small enough to fit on a desk. I like the design and build quality of the keyboard, and didn’t run into any major issues while using it. While the price is a bit high for a MIDI keyboard that can’t be used standalone, there are enough features here to justify the price for serious music producers.

Novation Launchkey MK4 vs Akai MPK Mini Plus: Which should you buy?

If you want a keyboard that is a bit smaller, more portable, and more affordable, consider the Akai MPK Mini Plus ($169 at Amazon). While you only get 37 mini-keys with the Akai MPK Mini Plus, it offers CV/Gate control, which is great for studio professionals with modular synth setups. The XY joystick also offers an additional input of expression while playing. On the other hand, I don’t find the display or Chord modes of the Akai controllers as intuitive as the Novation Launchkey MK4.

Novation Launchkey 61 MK4 review: FAQs