Novation Launch Controlchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

A large number of commenters wish the encoders had LED rings like the APC40 or Midi Fighter Twister to show value at a glance, especially since switching patches or channels makes single-LED or dimming indicators mismatch the actual parameter value.

@NOR44-Sessions

Agree with the knobs statement, the knob doesn't align with the knob in the software. The old skool Behringer BCR2000 had little LEDS around each encoder that would update to whatever the current setting of the knob was, so even when you changed scenes it would update and you would get the current status of knob. MidiFighter Twister does same kind of thing and Livid Instruments with Code and other controllers a decade or more ago. The XL would be perfect if it had this, I guess it'd bump up the price a fair bit but would be well worth it.launch

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August 6, 2026

@questtttttttt

My favorite style knob are the infinite encoders with light rings like on the APC 40. It's the best of both worlds. I wish my LCXL3 had those light rings.launch

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May 21, 2026

@ZeitfrakturDE

But your yellow knobs only match the value as long as you touched them all. Once you change a patch, track, project etc, they completely mismatch.\nThis is why I usually prefer endless encoders as they do not indicate false values. Of course, better indication would be nice and not just a single LED brightness but at least a few around the knob (this is probably where the Drop controller comes in).launch

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May 20, 2026

@SEQNK

Great vid, really wish they had rotary LEDS like the midi fighter twister it's so helpful. I feel like it's a must with rotary encoders as it's then the best of both worlds, like a pot where u can see where it is but is also an endless encoder. The screen is too small to see where the encoders are at a glancelaunch

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March 4, 2026

Multiple users point out large unused empty space between the encoder and button rows, speculating a row of controls was cut during development, and feel it undermines the design for a 2025-era product.

@ughpoor

Wth are these companies smoking… they take like a decade to update a product, this is what they come up with? No around-the-encoder leds, no touch sensitivity, baffling amount of wasted space, clearly some set of buttons/pots/pads were removed from the lower portion of the chassis in their prototype stage and they were probably too far along production with another component to change the overall form factor. What a waste! Just the cheapest half-satisfactory thing they can make I guess. Thanks Novation, for adding another useless generation of the product for consumers to buy as we wait another ten years for all the updates you left out. Does it come with a label maker at least?launch

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March 4, 2026

@summerWTFE

Looks like it’s made for the YouTube producer with his one device clean desk and plant in the corner. I need to use every inch available and I’m seeing a whole lot of wasted space on that thing.launch

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March 3, 2026

@theblowupdollsmusic

Not really enjoying the design, they should've put screens below or above every knob, so you know what you're controlling, that would've pushed the knobs down and removed the negative space between the encoders and the buttons. This looks like a prototype still in development.launch

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March 3, 2026

@camreese1444

I am somewhat baffled at the decision to exclude dedicated transport controls. There’s a huge, juicy, empty space that wants to have additional controls there.launch

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March 3, 2026

Several commenters report the endless encoders send speed-dependent, non-relative values rather than clean 1-to-1 movement, making precise control unpredictable and requiring users to watch the plugin onscreen. Multiple users say Novation has not addressed this despite repeated firmware requests across product generations.

@linzkirk

I take it this has same encoder aceletation as the Launchkey mk 4 & launch control XL. Modern Novation encoders are terrible. They vary everytime you use them depending on how fast you turn them, they are not relitive. 180 degrees turn does not turn 180 degrees. if you turn 180 slowly it may move 15 degres, if you turn 180 fast you may get 270. \nThis is fine for volume sliders to get acutate small adjustments. But controlling cutoff on a synth is really unatural & requires you to have the plugin up on screen and look at the parameter on screen. \nIf this is the same on this device, which i imagine it is i would avoid it. \nIs also never mentioned in reviews like this.launch

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March 8, 2026

@linzkirk

The same Hiddious encoders as the Lanuchkey Mk4 , The worst thing about that controller has now been made in to its own device, same as the Launch Control XL. They are not a 1 to 1 movement relitive to how much the knob is turned, infact you get a different result everytime you turn the encoder as it varys to what speed you turn it. You pretty much have to have your plugin on screen to see how much its moving. Defeting the object using a controller IMO. \nI have spent hours in Support chat with novation trying to get them to give an option for relitive control in the next firmware update. but nothing has happed and the unit has been out for a year now. I have many contollers and all my Arturia devices with endles encoders do not have this issue it is novation. \n\nYou can see in the vid how many times he has to re grip the encoder to make a movment that shoud be a simple turn. and he doesnt even mention it, which is misleading. \nI use the NanoKontrol 2 with my Launchkey Mk4 because the encoders are so bad on it. you can set ablton mode to pickup so it doesnt jump.launch

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March 6, 2026

@linzkirk

I hope the encoders are not the same as the launch key mk4. stupid acceleration that makes them un unusable and dont send relitive to knob position. So you cant even get the same results moving the knob twice.launch

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March 3, 2026

@chrisknights5853

No relative mode is just pure bs in this day and age, come on novation, get it sorted, what's the point of endless encoders if theyre hobbled in user mode..launch

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March 3, 2026

Commenters note the faders are not motorized, so switching channel groups or banks can leave fader positions mismatched with actual values, which several feel undermines its usefulness for serious mixing.

@FabiolousMusicWorld

What I don't get is. Without motorised faders, every time you switch the channels groups you mess up everythinglaunch

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February 6, 2026

@FractalWavesAmbience

in 2025 when you have faders that you are supposed to use for \"mixing/volume\" and they aren't motorized...I move along. It's mostly pointless for mixing, no recall and \"pickup\" MIDI blows too. It looks great like all the new Novation stuff, I'd rather have it without the gimmicky faders. The Nektar Panorama CS12 is the move right now if you have Logic/Nuendo/Cakewalk...and they have coding for Reaper and Studio One coming out any day now. Walks all over this thing with less knobs and one motorized fader.launch

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May 9, 2025

@AFireInAsa

No motorized faders, no LED rings around the encoders. What a miss, Novation. Those dimming RGB lights suck.launch

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May 8, 2025

@claudiobackoficial

Novation could have added motorized faders and a larger, more intuitive display. The guys seem to just want to reduce costs and offer beautiful, cheap products, but even more functionality becomes a pain in the ass.launch

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May 8, 2025

Several users are baffled by the lack of dedicated transport buttons (play, stop, record, undo) on a DAW controller, calling it a strange omission given the available space.

@camreese1444

I am somewhat baffled at the decision to exclude dedicated transport controls. There’s a huge, juicy, empty space that wants to have additional controls there.launch

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March 3, 2026

@samprock

How come DAW controller has no dedicated transport control? I need micro control that only has Play/Stop/Rec/Undo, Next/Prev preset, and maybe a single endless encoder 😂launch

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March 3, 2026

@williamshaneblyth

There's a few things that are missing that are a pain... A master fader. Transport controls rather than play record I mean come on . It's like they wanted to hobble it. The only thing really interesting is the custom modes which you showed fantastically how to do. But the kicker is this. I contacted Logic support I'm in New Zealand cause logic remote didn't connect on logic 12. They updated it to work and then range me from Singapore and had a nice long chat. Logic support is so good . So logic remote now works and it has so much more in it than this controller on an iPad everything is in there.launch

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February 6, 2026

Longtime users note the newer model dropped the pads and launch-style functionality that gave the original line its name, feeling the MK3 doesn't build on what made earlier Launch Control units useful.

@BeniRoseMusic

I always found it pretty funny that the Launch Control XL line seemed to have left behind the functionality that it was named after, and now it seems the entire product line no longer launches natively without mapping!launch

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March 4, 2026

@tobimm2

A launch control that, according to the manual, can't launch anything. Why they didn't just use the pad rows + encoder row from the Launchkeys? Even that would have been better than... this.\nI don't understand modern novation... they don't get what made the original one so great (like they didn't got the DAW-Modes on the XL3 right), so... i'll cherish my two old ones and let this one be cherished by people who need the hardware connections, as those are an update from the old one... just not useful for me.launch

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March 3, 2026

@r1chm

Great review. No thanks. It is a step backwards as a controller. The old model had pads. Should had pads with polyaftertouch. If novation was moving forward with Launch control or XL they need only to look at the Zero SL mk 1 or mkII which has displays about knobs and faders. Presets, the ability to display and map vst parameters automatically with led lights around the knobs type feedback.\nBut to expand on what you said. You can get a referb launchkey 25 mk4 mini for $100 with warr or a new one for 30 dollars more. At 129 the mini has knobs two rows (16) of polyaftertouch pads, two touch strips, 2 banks of knob assignments and 4 user custom program assignments.\n\nFrom a price perspective, at $40 less the launchkey 25 mini mk4 makes more sense and has more features like sequencer, pads (which is an egregious omission on the control mk3) touch strips.\nIf small size is a requirement, ok but I would think in most cases the launchkey is still small enough to put in a backpack and 338mm vs 251 mm is not that much. IMHOlaunch

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March 3, 2026

Commenters describe the OLED screen as too small and low-legibility to show encoder values clearly at a glance, especially in live or dark settings, wishing for larger or multiple displays.

@grproteus

You know what would be better, device manufacturers? Adding a proper, legible screen instead of a $5 oled screen with zero legibility, There is a big empty space right below the knobs, you can afford a slightly bigger, or - what an idea - three $5 oled screens so that your fonts can be slightly bigger and readable.launch

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March 4, 2026

@SEQNK

Great vid, really wish they had rotary LEDS like the midi fighter twister it's so helpful. I feel like it's a must with rotary encoders as it's then the best of both worlds, like a pot where u can see where it is but is also an endless encoder. The screen is too small to see where the encoders are at a glancelaunch

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March 4, 2026

@coolo73

I hope Novation gets enough negative feedback and goes back to regular encoders. Endless is fine sitting at a desk and working with a DAW, but squinting at a postage stamp-size display and shade of a LED color is horrible on stage or in a dark DJ booth. What were they thinking? All they needed to do was add 5-pin DIN to the previous gen and I would upgrade. For my use, this generation seems like a step back.\n\nSide note- So I'm not being completely negative, I do have one possible suggestion to make the parameter feedback better: What if as you turn the encoder, the parameter value used the max-size font and filled the whole screen? I guess that would be 3-4x the current size.launch

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March 3, 2026

Some commenters feel the pricing is high relative to the missing features, suggesting a lower price point or comparing it unfavorably to cheaper alternatives with more functionality.

@chakko007

Bit on the pricey side. 99 € would have been better. And, once again, the custom modes don't allow multiple pages of parameters. I wonder why every manufacturer is omitting that, or even removes it, like Arturia did on their Keylab series. Missed potential, in my eyes.launch

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March 4, 2026

@rolandbudin

Looks cool... BUT: I really would like to see a 16 channel + master controler. Also 4 rotary knobs rows for send fx + PAN row of rotary knobs.(5 rows in total) A small display underneath every channel and under every rotary knob to see exactly what am I tweaking. ( just like the NI KONTROL S) I would call it Novation Launch Control XXL And I would pay a price of 300€ since Novation Launch Control XL is a bit to small to decide to buy it. :/ Also one thing more that I am wondering Novation did not take care. If I want to put the launchPAD to my right and the launchcontrol to my left which seems to be the natural position for me,... I cannot align them tight one beside another because of the usb connectors are badly positioned.launch

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September 7, 2014