Novation Launchkey 25 MK4

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USB MIDI Keyboard

25 Velocity-sensitive keys
16 FSR drum pads with polyphonic aftertouch
Scale and chord modes
Arpeggiator
Capture MIDI function
MIDI mappings
Device lock
Pitch bend and modulation wheel
OLED display
8 Rotary encoders
Buttons for octave up/down, arp/scale/fixed chord, play/stop/record/loop, track navigation, stop/solo/mute, capture MIDI/quantisation/click/undo, scene start as well as device selection and device lock functions
Sustain pedal input: 6.3 mm jack
MIDI Out
USB

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3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since October 2024

Item number 594680

Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

Aftertouch No

Pitch Bend / Modulation Yes

Rotary Encoder 8

Fader (Amount) 0

Pads 16

Display Yes

MIDI interface 1x Out

Sustain Pedal Connection Yes

USB-port Yes

Mains Operation No

Battery Operation No

Bus-Powered Yes

Width in mm 461 mm

Height in mm 79 mm

Depth in mm 251 mm

Weight in kg 1,8 kg

Special Features incl. Software Bundle with Ableton Live Lite

2.369 kr

Including VAT; Excluding kr200 shipping

Sales Rank

in Master Keyboards (up to 25 Keys)

DAW controller for PC, iPhone, and iPad

With the MK4 series, Novation introduces the fourth generation of the Launchkey controller. Alongside 25 keys for playing melodies, this model also features 16 pads, nine faders, eight encoders for controlling plugin parameters, an arpeggiator, an input for connecting a sustain pedal, and pitchbend and modulation wheels as well as a display on which information about every parameter is shown with more than three characters. Additional functions that facilitate the workflow include note quantisation as well as Chord, Scale, and Arpeggio modes, which in this generation have been expanded to not only stay in the selected key but to also be able to play more expressively. This controller offers seamless integration into all common DAWs and allows extensive parameter control for modern music production.

Extensive DAW control

In addition to playing notes with the 25 keys, users can record drum patterns using the 16 pads, which are backlit in RGB colours and feature polyphonic aftertouch. Both inputs are velocity-sensitive, which means that velocity values are recorded. In Scale mode, users can choose one of 30 scales to compose songs without making any mistakes, while entire chords can be played with just a single key using the Fixed Chord mode. Users can also create chord mappings, which make emotional chord progressions possible via the 16 pads. The keyboard can also be split into two zones in order to play two sounds at the same time, and with the Launchkey 25 MK4’s four custom modes, users can assign buttons, faders, and encoders to hardware or software parameters. The Novation Components software allows users to create their own templates for flexible settings, which are stored in the controller’s internal memory.

Equipped for the modern producer

Thanks to its extensive possibilities, the Launchkey MK4 series offers not only a clearly arranged user interface for a fast workflow but also helpful Chord and Scale modes for successful productions. The Launchkey 25 MK4’s full range of functions can be used in any DAW that accepts MIDI commands, and beginners in music production will certainly appreciate the included software package, with which they can start producing right away. This includes Ableton Live 12 Lite and numerous virtual instruments, such as a 4-in-1 bundle from GForce with one monophonic and two polyphonic synthesizers, as well as an emulation of a tape sampler. Klevgrand LUXE in turn provides a linear reverb effect with the complexity of a multi-delay system. What is more, users can learn to play the controller more fluently using the included lessons from Melodics for Novation users.

About Novation

The English company Novation has been producing affordable popular synthesizers as well as MIDI controllers and keyboards since its foundation in 1992. It was later acquired by the well-known British audio interface manufacturer Focusrite, but the brand still exists within the parent company. The outstanding design, high-quality workmanship and excellent price-performance ratio of the Novation Launchpads have continued to win them many new users. Novation synthesizers include the 8-voice Polyphone Peak, the analogue mono synthesizer Bass Station II, the MiniNova and the paraphonic analogue synthesizer Circuit Mono Station.

Practical tools for successful productions

As mentioned above, the Launchkey’s Scale mode provides predefined chords in a specific scale, while the User Chord mode makes it possible to assign up to six notes that make up a chord to each individual pad. These allocations are stored in the internal memory of the controller, which makes it possible to load them with ease after each system boot. The arpeggiator in turn offers different modes for designing varied patterns. Pressing Shift and Arp activates the Key Latching function, which holds all of the notes being played. When Arp is pressed again for a few seconds, Arp Control Lock is activated, and the user receives access to every parameter via the encoders. With Mutate, the pitch of the original chord can be changed – and with Deviate, the rhythm of the pattern can be modified. In addition to these functions, the Device Control mode can be used to intuitively control up to eight plugin parameters simultaneously in Ableton.