Novation Launchkey 37 MK3 - A Hip hop Producer Review

A video review about Novation's newest MIDI controllers the Launchkey MK3. I bought the 37 key version of this keyboard. Why you might ask? Well, it's very simple. This MIDI controller has a built-in chord, melody, scale, and arpeggio generators! Which means it's very user friendly and can do generative music production (which I believe is the next wave of music). Great for beginners if you don't know music theory and experienced musicians if you feel uninspired. Features like "deviate" and "mutate" will amaze you (especially if you combine them with scale mode!). This keyboard will get you up and running in you favorite DAW or you can use MIDI out with your hardware! The Launchkey MK3's are great for Ableton Live users (considering if you updated to 10.1.15 or better). Pads feel decent at best (in comparison to AKAI's offerings) and the fixed encoders are a bit disappointing (please use endless encoders guys!). At least the keys feel AMAZING and the build quality is above average for a plastic lightweight body. The biggest plus is the lengths equal to most full size 25 key (except this is a 37 key)! Overall not bad especially for the price. I would buy again and honestly want the 25 key for my MPC Live II for traveling. Stamp of approval received from me but what do you guys think? Please leave a comment below!

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0:00 intro
0:15 early impressions, pro's, and cons
3:32 where to get the software and drivers
4:27 top down impressions
5:00 scale mode
6:46 arp mode
8:34 mutate mode
10:46 other features
12:26 deviate and random mode!
13:38 closing thoughts

social media links

#Novation #Launchkey #hiphop

[createmusiktv]

can you link me to the preset pack used in this video?

[BAMac]

Great review. I copped one of these (49 key) a couple weeks ago and have been loving it. It is absolutely excellent when working with Ableton and it also pretty good with Studio One 5/Reason 11. My Komplete Kontrol S49 mk2 is in the closet now.

[umanoid]

Good to hear some of your thoughts on this keyboard. I bought one a month ago after doing a lot of research. I also have the launchpad pro mark 3 and while there is some overlap in function they both have some functionality that’s not replicated. I’ve been producing for a long time and I use chord mode and scale mode all the time. I’ve been using a 25 key controller for a long time (I used to use full size outboard keyboard) and slowly I somehow started using my mouse and computer keyboard to write more and more instead of playing and jamming. The 37 inch key bed was a nice change and it was basically $ 20 more than the 25 key one. The price is great for this keyboard. I mostly use Ableton so after spending a lot of time testing out iPad controllers I decided on something a little more tactile. I’ve had novation gear before and always liked their approach to Ableton control so for me it’s a huge plus. I also looked closely at the NI keyboards but my love for them as a company and software has fallen off.

[BD-zgis]

damn this looks totally worth the extra $30 over the 25 key. extra features look great too. thanks for the video my dude!

[ciaranfitzgerald]

Great video. Just ordered one as my first midi controller. Thanks for this

[WycliffStudios]

Hi ! Thank you for pointing out the portability angle. I really wanted a 49 key but I am a nomad and I have to keep moving. Guess 37 Key is the sweet spot to throw it into my suitcase

[thisisalbe]

Man you are like one step ahead of me always. Got mine Tuesday but can't review until Saturday.

[ZombCity]

It’s nice for the price just wish it had the endless encoders like you said.

[notofimportance]

Glad I watched it till the end, me too! I want it for my MPC One. It would be perfect.

[dudemanismadcool]

I just tested turning the volume all the way down in volume mode for the midi input, then switched to pan, cranked the same knob all the way clockwise, and the volume was still muted, I had to actually move the knob for the volume to register the new position of the knob. Perhaps originally it wasn't like this, but it sounds like the issue you are talking about at 2:50 has been resolved in firmware.

[diedforurwins]

ableton has a "pickup" option so the fixed encoders aren't great but they wont cause the issues you mentioned (in ableton at least)

[kareemabdube]

Just got mines today. 👌🏾 Just waiting on a review with you using it with the mpc 60/live. That would be dope!

[WycliffStudios]

thanks for the viedo! Can you please make more videos on this keyboard?

[Jisooee]

First time hearing someone said that the key feel of the novation's key bed is really good.

[john-sidcapalungan]

You can make a great voice impression of Samuel Jackson.

[basedvato]

This makes scale and chord function on Komplete Kontrol unnecessary - why run a plug in, when you can do it direct from the board. Also it will record the midi, instead of kontrol midi not matching the output if that makes sense. Probably going to cop this to replace my keystep.

[doug]

i feel you on the endless encoders, but i don't mind these regular knobs too much. obviously endless would be better but there's something nice about feeling them physically hit the end of their range. and as long as you set them to pickup mode you don't get those parameter jumps like you mentioned. the whole pickup thing is kind of annoying but for how cheap this is and how dope the other features are i'll put up with it.

[BigMacBook]

The biggest advantage to this is that it has full-size piano keys and not those little dinky ass keys they usually come with✊🏿

[jamesjr]

Well I'm buying this I had ordered an akai fire but I canceled that order to get the 49 key version of this 👍🏻

[TrainImagination]

I feel your being too critical for the value & almost $300 worth of VST Instruments and deals! I'm very happy with my purchase! ...Not to mention the CP-80 Electric Grand Piano (1978) VST Plugin. They sell for $2k! It sounds just like the real instrument!