Novation Launchkey 37From real comments

Verdict distilled from 31 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment61%
PROS 61%
CONS 39%

Rank based on 31 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want the best portability-to-full-size-key ratio for travel or small desks
  • You primarily produce in Ableton Live and want deep native scale/chord/transport integration
  • You value the bundled software (including the CP-80 VST) as part of the price

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need endless/infinite encoders for smooth parameter control
  • You're a trained pianist who wants a weighted, premium-feeling keybed
  • You need reliable multi-chord arpeggio input without note overlap issues

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
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
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
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
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
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
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
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
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
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
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
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 Launchkey 37
Great value for price37-key size is a portability sweet spotStrong Ableton Live integrationNon-endless encodersInconsistent keybed feelArpeggiator issues with overlapping notes
Novation Launchkey 37
Great value for price
37-key size is a portability sweet spot
Strong Ableton Live integration
Non-endless encoders
Inconsistent keybed feel
Arpeggiator issues with overlapping notes

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The 37-key size hits a sweet spot most buyers are happy with. Multiple commenters chose the 37-key over the 25 or 49 versions specifically for balancing desktop footprint, travel portability, and two-handed playability. Several noted it costs only $20-30 more than the 25-key model, making it an easy upgrade. Nomadic and small-studio users especially valued that it fits in a suitcase or stays permanently on a cramped desk without needing to be put away.

Ableton integration and built-in performance features are the standout strength. Commenters repeatedly highlight native scale, chord, and arpeggio generators that eliminate the need for third-party plugins like Komplete Kontrol's scale mode. Users report it working excellently with Ableton Live, and decently with Studio One, Reason, and MPC Beats. One user replaced their Komplete Kontrol S49 and another their Keystep because this covered the same ground natively and with better MIDI recording behavior.

Keybed quality and fixed encoders are the most debated aspects. Opinions on the keybed split sharply: some say spring-action keys suit synth work fine, while others, including one who returned the unit, call the keys cheap compared to Arturia or Akai. A couple of users also noticed uneven resistance between black and white keys. Separately, several commenters wished for endless encoders instead of fixed ones, since these cause parameter jumps unless pickup mode is enabled.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?