Novation Launch Control XLchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

By far the most repeated complaint: faders don't recall automatically, causing value jumps or 'messed up' mixes when switching channel banks or loading tracks with different saved levels. Several users call it pointless for serious mixing or compare it unfavorably to motorized alternatives like the Behringer X-Touch.

@j.juarez9526

Without motorized faders, this device becomes more cumbersome than it's worth. Thank you, great video!launch

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February 7, 2026

@ChrisAbbate

I use the Behringer X-Touch since it has motorized faders and more control. I'm not a big fan of Behringer, but the X-Touch works well with Logic.launch

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February 6, 2026

@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

@SalComposer

No motorized faders, its pointless, can do the same with korg nano for 50 buckslaunch

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October 19, 2025

Long-time MK2 users say the new endless rotary encoders lack the secure end-stop feel needed to snap FX on/off quickly in live performance, and prefer the previous fixed-knob design overall.

@jackdenis_eu

No sense at all the endless rotary knob encoder in a controller born as a virtual mixer. Classic example of when the new is worse than the previous one. I'm sticking with my MK2, perfect and functional.\nWhat they needed for a MK3, was a controller with more channels, longer faders, and still a small, lightweight package...in my opinion, as a daily live user of Launch Control XL MK2.launch

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September 7, 2025

@rsaganr

A lot of this a lot of that but dude: How do you work with 3EQ (Hi, Mid, Low) on encoders? The simpler task makes no sense with this control on infinite rotation. Lets see that when its released and how you work out that. I'll probably buy if I get some kind of quick EQ control... looking for quickness more than the accuracylaunch

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May 12, 2025

@akawave

I was waiting big time to replace my travel beaten xl. But i cant do with endless encoders. Some fx in a live situation need to snappy and turned on and off fast. The end of the knob turning feels secure and intuitive. I guess the xl 2 will drop in price now.launch

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May 10, 2025

@Endelyon_Jikken

I don't really see whats the use of endless encoders? The previous version looks much betterlaunch

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May 9, 2025

Users say the lack of LED rings around the encoders and no on-screen indicator of current page/mode/bank forces constant jiggling and screen-checking to know what's currently mapped.

@davidbaker231

It's cool, but suffers from the basic shortcoming that theres no way to look at the LCXL3 and see at a glance exactly what it's controlling at the moment. You'll be constantly jiggling an encoder a teeny bit and looking the screen to see what moves just to know what is currently mapped. There's no visual feedback on the unit that tells you what page or mode or bank you're on until you actually move an encoder. If there were a message on the screen like \"AF 1-8\" or \"ABL 6-13\" or \"Nym P1\" to tell you what the current mapping is, you would at least know that you were on Audiofuse channels 1 thru 8 or Ableton channels 6-13 or Nymphes page 1 parameters without having to jiggle, look at screen, scroll around, jiggle, check screen, ah there it is... every time you actually want to control something. And I can't believe they didn't put a shift function on there. You shouldn't have to sacrifice Mute/Solo/Arm buttons to repurpose them as parameter page select buttons. In fact, if you're on a custom user config you should just be able to use the page buttons to select multiple pages of mappings. Stuff like that seems obvious and simple to implement. Would have made it a lot more useful. But they didn't do it.launch

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August 23, 2025

@soulchild-forever

Not having LEDs around the encoders or motorized faders is a massive fail, the price point should be around $99 but even then it’s still not practicallaunch

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May 12, 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

Users controlling more than 8-16 channels find the 8 faders limiting for bigger projects, with requests for a 16-channel version or toggle switches to extend track control.

@22nakul

hello, \nif i have like more than 12 or max 24 channels in a project… n i want to control all channels through these 8 faders… how z it possible here? can u explain it… really looking to buy it.launch

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December 19, 2014

@rolandbudin

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. :/launch

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September 7, 2014

@T4Cification

Thing needs 16 faders, not 8..how many songs you written recently with 8 tracks. At the very least it needs a toggle switch so you can use the 8 faders for min 16 tracks..otherwise it's not really gonna be much of a mixerlaunch

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August 31, 2014

A commenter notes the fixed knobs default to pan control, which is rarely needed for quick access, and wishes for encoders that could pick up parameters automatically like competing brands offer.

@studio4ffofficial

Why does Novation not build in endless/infinite rotary knobs that can pick-up a parameter by themselves like Behringer (cheap) or Akai (with the higher priced stuff) do? Changing a parameter and then changing the knob-function, rotating it again and going back to the original parameter means you’ll sooner or later get literally LOST in a live-set where a controller should actually help you to avoid looking at the screen.launch

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March 1, 2016

@ubahnrider1337

would work for me if it werent fixed knobs but encoders. if youre playing live its annyoing to always move the pots back to 0 or whatever value is needed.\nalso why is it always pan as default? maybe im doing something wrong but i NEVER need a quick access to pan control! i am a huge fan of novation but someday i think i have to build my own controller - for example why is the launchpad not being shipped with a template like launchpad95 - which is fantastic and really really expands the functionality of the device by 500% ;)\n\nanyways, thanks for the video and keep up the good work!launch

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August 6, 2014

One user feels the MK3 doesn't look modern enough for a 2025 release, while another criticizes excess wasted space between controls versus larger fader paths.

@starluxstudio619

Lots of great functions, but maaaaannnn.... So much wasted space. Shave off a few inches from top to bottom, or if its gonna be that big give us larger fader paths. I don't need over an inch between rotary knobs. We're getting closer but these budget mix controllers just aren't there yet.launch

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October 24, 2025

@JZScreatives8212

After all this time creating and marketing musical equiptments you would have thought by now Novation would understand how aesthetic plays a major part in helping a product sales. \n\nIf Novation Launch Control XL 3 was released 15 years ago it probably would have been consider cool to look at, at that time. Yeah, i should be more concern abouts its performance but anything i put on my desk i like it to make my desk look cool as f***. For a product that's released in 2025 the Novation Launch Control XL 3 looks like a boring looking $50 device and doesn't project the sense of evolving technology.launch

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May 9, 2025

A user asks why there's no built-in MIDI Learn without a computer, and another reports MIDI Learn assigning two tracks to the same fader unexpectedly when used with an Akai Force.

@alvinn.wav.techno

I’m using the new Launch Control XL 3 with an Akai Force. I assign the faders to different track volumes using MIDI Learn. Everything works fine at first, but after assigning several faders, two different track volumes sometimes end up being controlled by the same fader. Has anyone experienced this or knows how to fix it?\n\nThanks😢❤launch

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September 1, 2026

@user-c9x4y

Thank you for all the thorough gear tutorials… so helpful! One question: why does this device does not have midi learn function to map with other gear? You do need a computer and use the companion app… would be so great not to have to use a computer. Some other controllers support this feature, why not this one? 🤷‍♂️launch

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April 11, 2026

A commenter points out the transport controls only function with DAW software and cannot be remapped or used with external hardware gear, calling it a mistake needing a fix.

@iNdepth-Music

First thing I noticed is you pressed play on the LXR-02 Why did you not press play on the Novation?\nI’ll tell you why as others might not know. The transport on the Novation only works with DAWS, it cannot be remapped in Novations Software and DOES NOT support external hardware gear. A huge mistake by Novation that needs fixing.\nBut you are using it in Ableton so it’s not a Daw less set up as you state, now try it it without a PC.launch

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September 1, 2025