Novation Launchkey MK4From real comments

Verdict distilled from 45 mentions across 15 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment63%
PROS 63%
CONS 37%

Rank based on 45 mentions across 15 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a much-improved semi-weighted keybed at this price point
  • You use Ableton Live and want deep drum/chord/sequencer integration
  • You value built-in chord, arp, and step-sequencer tools for beatmaking

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need aftertouch or MPE for expressive playing
  • You rely on Logic, FL Studio, or Cubase and want the sequencer mode
  • You need relative-mode encoders for precise knob control

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 MK4
Powerful chord and arp modesImproved keybed feelDeep Ableton Live integrationMissing aftertouchNo relative mode for encodersMissing dedicated buttons on smaller models
Novation Launchkey MK4
Powerful chord and arp modes
Improved keybed feel
Deep Ableton Live integration
Missing aftertouch
No relative mode for encoders
Missing dedicated buttons on smaller models

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The keybed impressed far more players than expected. Multiple users called the semi-weighted, waterfall-style keys a huge upgrade over MK2/MK3 and competitors like AKAI MPK, with one player using it primarily to practice piano sight-reading instead of programming. Others noted it beats Arturia Keylab in feel while staying lighter than fully weighted boards. A few, however, found the 49-key version's keybed too loud compared to quieter alternatives like M-Audio Keystation.

Chord, arp, and step-sequencer modes are the most-loved creative tools. Commenters repeatedly singled out the ability to build custom chord voicings pad-by-pad and the real-time step sequencer as game-changing for beatmaking, with some saying it rivals or beats Ableton Push features. The sequencer's Ableton-only limitation frustrated Logic, FL Studio, and Cubase users who wished it worked across DAWs. Arp strum mode and latch features also drew specific praise.

Firmware and control gaps annoy power users despite strong core features. The most repeated complaint is that endless encoders only transmit Absolute values with no Relative mode option, called a major oversight by several commenters requesting a firmware fix. Others cited missing aftertouch, no dedicated track-arm button, slow knob response requiring many turns for a full sweep, and difficulty binding encoders/pads/sliders to one MIDI channel for multi-timbral use.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?