Novation Launchkey MK3From real comments

Verdict distilled from 42 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment54%
PROS 54%
CONS 46%

Rank based on 42 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You mainly use Ableton Live and want deep, plug-and-play DAW integration
  • You want built-in chord, scale, and arpeggio generators at a budget price
  • You value colour-coded pads and don't mind a lighter, synth-action keybed

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a piano-like or semi-weighted keybed for serious playing
  • You require perfectly DAW-synced arpeggiator timing
  • You mainly use FL Studio or Cubase and want hassle-free setup out of the box

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
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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
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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
31Budget
Novation Launchkey MK3
Strong Ableton Live integrationChord, scale and arpeggiator toolsGood build and pad quality vs competitorsDisappointing keybed feelNon-endless knobsNon-Ableton DAW setup confusion
Novation Launchkey MK3
Strong Ableton Live integration
Chord, scale and arpeggiator tools
Good build and pad quality vs competitors
Disappointing keybed feel
Non-endless knobs
Non-Ableton DAW setup confusion

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Ableton integration and creative tools are the standout strength. Commenters consistently highlight how well the Launchkey MK3 maps to Ableton Live, with chord mode, scale mode, arpeggiator/mutate functions, and color-coded pads praised as genuinely useful, especially for beginners. Several say the feature set at this price point makes it a 'sweet spot' purchase, and one user says it makes Komplete Kontrol's plug-in scale/chord functions unnecessary since it's done directly on the board.

The keybed is the most polarizing aspect for buyers. Many reviewers who compared it to Arturia Essential or NI keybeds still found Novation's keys better built, but others call the feel spongy, hollow, too light, or plasticky, requiring harder presses than a real piano. Multiple users say they wanted semi-weighted keys and were disappointed by the light synth-action feel, adjusting their playing technique to compensate.

Non-Ableton setup and minor hardware quirks frustrate some users. Users configuring the controller for FL Studio, Cubase, or Reaper report confusion getting transport controls and MIDI mapping to work correctly, and the arpeggiator doesn't sync cleanly with Ableton's clock per Novation's own support replies. A few buyers also report loose or clicky keys and slow responses from Novation customer support after contacting them.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?