Novation FLkey 37From real comments

Verdict distilled from 44 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment54%
PROS 54%
CONS 46%

Rank based on 44 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You use FL Studio and want a controller that maps to it out of the box
  • You value the bundled plugin software (XLN, Klevgrand, AAS) as part of the deal
  • You're a newer producer who wants fewer manual MIDI mapping steps

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need more than 37 keys for advanced compositions
  • You want faders or a built-in arpeggiator
  • You already own a Launchkey and don't need the extra FL branding

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Novation FLkey 37
Seamless FL Studio integrationStrong bundled software valueWorks well once set upLimited to 37 keysEssentially a rebadged LaunchkeySetup and reliability issues
Novation FLkey 37
Seamless FL Studio integration
Strong bundled software value
Works well once set up
Limited to 37 keys
Essentially a rebadged Launchkey
Setup and reliability issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

FL Studio integration finally exists and mostly works well. Numerous commenters describe the FLkey 37 as the first controller truly built for FL Studio, eliminating tedious manual parameter linking that plagued older setups. Users highlight channel rack control, mixer mapping, and piano roll interaction as major workflow improvements. Several long-time FL producers, some using the DAW since the 90s or 2000s, call it long overdue and say it brought them back into regular beat-making after using minimal equipment.

Bundled software and unique features add real value beyond the hardware. Commenters point out that the included plugins (XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Klevgrand, AAS Session bundle) alone exceed the keyboard's price, calling it a crazy deal. Standout features like the Score Log button, which captures unsaved recent playing into the Piano Roll, and 5-pin MIDI out for connecting external synths and Volcas are praised as unexpectedly powerful additions that reviewers didn't fully cover.

Key count, missing arpeggiator, and setup problems frustrate some buyers. Many users wish for 49, 61, or 88-key versions, finding 37 keys limiting for advanced compositions. Critics note the missing arpeggiator despite its sibling Launchkey having one, and call it essentially a rebadged Launchkey with an FL script, lacking faders. Some report frustrating setup failures, third-party plugin control issues, or FL Studio freezing when using the keyboard, though others say it worked right out of the box.

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