Novation Launchkey 61From real comments

Verdict distilled from 22 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%
PROS 50%
CONS 50%

Rank based on 22 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You produce mainly in Logic Pro and want deep, plug-and-play DAW integration
  • You want a noticeably improved keybed feel and a built-in real-time sequencer over the MK3
  • You prefer a compact chassis without bulky side-mounted pitch/mod controls

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need polyphonic aftertouch or full MPE support for expressive playing
  • You want a sturdier, premium-feel chassis rather than budget-feeling plastics
  • You need pads that resist accidental light-touch triggering

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
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 Launchkey 61
Strong Logic Pro IntegrationGood Value Among MIDI ControllersImproved MK4 KeybedNo Polyphonic Aftertouch or MPEOverly Sensitive PadsCheap Build Materials
Novation Launchkey 61
Strong Logic Pro Integration
Good Value Among MIDI Controllers
Improved MK4 Keybed
No Polyphonic Aftertouch or MPE
Overly Sensitive Pads
Cheap Build Materials

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Logic Pro users consistently call this the best MIDI controller for their workflow. Multiple commenters describe the Launchkey 61 MK4 as the top controller for Logic Pro, citing its built-in chord and arp tools, custom mapping options, and tight software integration. Users switching from Roland and Akai controllers say the Logic-focused workflow sold them, and one long-time MK3 owner considered upgrading specifically for these integration improvements alongside the new keybed and encoders.

The MK4's keybed and sequencer feel like a real generational upgrade. Compared to the MK3, users say the keys feel noticeably nicer and more premium under the fingers. One owner running the unit alongside an MPC Live 2 praised the built-in real-time sequencer as working like magic within Ableton. Combined with a narrower chassis that skips side-mounted pitch and mod controls, several buyers felt it was a clear step up from previous Launchkey generations.

Missing aftertouch and overly touchy pads frustrate some buyers. Several commenters call out the absence of polyphonic aftertouch or MPE as a dealbreaker, with one saying it was a 'big fail' given how cheaply it could have been added. Others report the drum pads are too sensitive, triggering from the lightest touch, which one user called a frustrating experience. A separate commenter also felt the build materials were cheap relative to Novation's higher-end SL MkIII line.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?