Novation Launchkey 88 MK4

Be inspired by the Launchkey 88 – a powerful all-in-one DAW controller featuring 88 semi-weighted keys and 16 patented Force-Sensitive Resistor (FSR) pads for finger drumming, launching clips and much more. You’ll also have nine faders and eight endless encoders at your disposal, allowing you to create mixes, control plug-ins and utilise the built-in creative tools.

Alongside completely redesigned hardware and a fresh, minimalist design, the next generation of Launchkey offers you new ways to get creative in your DAW, with hardware synthesisers, or on your iPhone and iPad. The Chord, Scale and Arpeggiator modes have been further developed so you can always stay in the right key and play with even greater expression – all with detailed feedback via the new, crystal-clear OLED display.

Enhanced DAW integration

Launchkey offers instant compatibility with all leading DAWs – with seamless, customised integration into Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase, FL Studio, Reason, Bitwig and Ardour. This enables a hardware-driven workflow with full control over transport functions, timeline navigation, mixing and EQ, clip starts, and instrument and effect parameters. And when you’re using Ableton Live’s Session View or Live Loops in Logic, the 16 drum pads become Launchpad-style clip triggers – with RGB backlighting that perfectly matches what you see on screen.

Our keyboard with the best playing feel ever

Launchkey 88’s improved keyboard is sensitive enough for the most delicate passages and dynamic enough for the most powerful ones. With 88 specially designed, semi-weighted keys in a waterfall layout, Launchkey combines the flexibility of a software-based workflow with the playing feel of a high-quality, durable hardware instrument.

Versatile, velocity-sensitive pads

For finger-drumming, Launchkey now features our patented Force-Sensitive Resistor (FSR) drum pads – velocity-sensitive and with polyphonic aftertouch. Unlike standard pads, each one features a unique radial sensor that increases sensitivity and ensures smoother, more precise performances.

More powerful creative tools

Launchkey 88’s creative tools are integrated into the hardware itself – so they work in exactly the same way in your DAW, with your hardware synthesisers or on your mobile devices. With Scale Modes, you can now set your keyboard to one of 30 scales and filter out wrong notes whilst practising. Fixed Chord mode allows you to trigger full chords with a single key, and thanks to the new Chord Maps, you can create expressive progressions directly via the Launchkey pads. The latest version of our popular arpeggiator also makes it easier than ever to alter and vary sequences, keeping you inspired time and time again.

Want to control more than one instrument at the same time? You can split the Launchkey 88’s keyboard into two zones and play each with one hand. Or you can layer two MIDI channels across all 88 keys and send the same notes to both simultaneously.

Play by your own rules – with Custom Modes

Launchkey’s controls aren’t limited to their default assignments – simply open the free Components software in your browser and customise the controls exactly as you want them for your software or hardware. You can save up to four custom assignments for Launchkey’s faders, pads and encoders at any one time, and recall them instantly via the hardware to send the notes, MIDI CCs or programme change commands you’ve defined. Want to speed up your DAW workflow? Then assign your own shortcuts directly to the pads.

Beyond the computer  

With the Launchkey 88’s 5-pin MIDI output, you can effortlessly connect hardware synthesisers – without needing a DAW at all. Combined with Components and custom assignments, you can control key functions directly from your keyboard. And thanks to the bright, easy-to-read OLED display, you can see exactly what you’re adjusting in real time – no guesswork or sticky-note labels required.

Launchkey is powered directly via USB and is class-compliant – making it compatible with countless music apps for iPhone and iPad.

Everything you need to get creative

Launchkey 88 comes with everything you need to start making music straight away. The included Ableton Live 12 Lite lets you record and perform with up to eight MIDI or audio tracks, as well as a range of instruments, effects and creative tools – all optimised for Launchkey. You’ll also get a selection of additional studio-quality effects and sounds from Novation and Focusrite.

Novation Play: Your gateway to new inspiration

Novation Play transforms the controller into an inspiring instrument. In an exclusive collaboration with Klevgrand, you’ll have access to over 80 carefully crafted sounds, including basses, leads, pads, pianos, drum kits and more – all sampled from vintage synthesisers by Novation, Sequential and Oberheim. Screen off, creativity on: thanks to pre-assigned knobs, you can intuitively shape sounds; four built-in pad effects can be activated via separate pads; and the buttons on the knob bank allow for quick preset changes. Play can be run either as a standalone application or as a VST/AU plug-in within a DAW.