Novation Launchkey 61 MKII Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live

First a tiny gripe, mine arrived with an outdated firmware that rendered the transport controls useless, but after a visit to Mr Google, I'd solved the issue and updated the Launchkey to the latest release firmware and all was dandy. Ok, gripe out the way, how's the actual Launchkey mk2? Well for what you get for the price, it's actually pretty good, the keys are nice and firm and not too spongey, the midi cc control is great, and the new RGB pads for activating Ableton live clips are a really cool feature as they change colour to match the clip your running on screen. Build quality is pretty solid, but please remember it's plastic folks, so don't be expecting to drag it all over the place on gigs. And contrary to Novations website, which says it's not been tested on windows 10 enough, I can confirm it runs flawlessly.

I got this as a beginner producer to help out with my tracks and learn some basic piano. It arrived earlier today, and I love it. Great quality for the price, and it's pretty much plug and play with Ableton Live, which is what I'm learning on. I look forward to wearing this bad boy down over the next few years.

This MIDI Keyboard works great with Ableton Live. Brings your DAW to life. - Dynamic Mapping & Full InControl (also Faders, Solo/Mute, Record already mapped etc) - Play Drums, Trigger Loops Overall, great for production and live performance.

The keyboard is very good however the tutorial is easy to get through, usability can be hard to master fora beginner. The modulator and pitch control on the far-left of the keyboard is comfortable to use. The in-built volume controller is easy to use. The Midi pads are useful to setup drums, beats, presets, backing tracks etc. I would recommend this keyboard to anyone. Aside from its size (61 keys), it's quite portable in the sense that it's USB powered so you won't need to worry about needing a plug socket.

The keys are nice and responsive and allow for a large range of volumes, depending of course on how hard you press down on the keys: you don't have to "jab" each key down to get a sound out. As a consequence the recordings sound natural to my ears. That being said, I mainly use synthesizers so I can't necessarily say that it's perfect for generating a realistic piano-ish tone. I don't really play around with the various dials because I don't use ableton, though no doubt I would probably be able to if I played around with the settings of the DAW that I use. The drumpads are a nice add-on too.

DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT SHOULD WITH NO SETUP NEEDED. MIDI MAP AWAY IN ABLETON!

I purchased this mainly for easy use with Ableton DAW and for the Drum Pad Control. The keyboard is certainly made for Ableton no question about it, and works well with it. I own a few high end midi keyboards, synths and electric pianos. But after play them I find the actual keys on the this Novation lacking in the same responsiveness and feel quality. Other people who have played other keyboards mentioned this also. That’s not to say I don’t recommend it, but personally I prefer my Native Instruments Keyboard. The Novation software that comes with the Keyboard is limited in my opinion and not the best, but still useable. This keyboard is suitable for stage performing or home use but I would definitely invest in better software as the synths included are basic and dated. If you are a serious performer I would spend a bit more money and consider other options. If you are starting out in recording or performing, this is a good keyboard for the money, especially with the controls it has. But if your an experienced Keyboard Player or Pianist and Drum Pads aren’t important, you may wish to consider alternates.

Very nice keyboard. Easy to set up with logic on a Mac computer

Perfecto para usar con ableton live. El tacto con las teclas es bueno, permite presionar cocción diferentes velocidades. Como pega podrían mejorar los plásticos de la carcasa pero no es importante. Los pads funcionan correctamente pero hay que cogerle el truco. Lo mejor es que tienes teclado midi, knobs, y pads, así como control de ableton.

Novation hat hier ganze Arbeit geleistet. Das Keyboard bietet alles, was man braucht um sich auch als leicht Fortgeschrittener Spaß zu haben. Wir nutzen es mit Reason 9.5 auf einem Mac. Alle Installationsdownloads funktionierten reibungslos und es gab ein riesen gratis Softwarebundle dazu. Allerdings wurde das Midi anfangs von Reason nicht erkannt, was schlicht daran lag, daß man auf der Homepage unter Downloads diesbezüglich noch ein Update runterladen musste. Nach der Installation waren alle Line-ins aktiv und wir konnten problemlos Musik machen. Es gibt auch eine Liste zum Download welche Zuordnung die ganzen Regler zu den diversen Instrumenten haben. Man kann aber auch frei programmieren. Die Tasten sind leicht gewichtet und bequem zu spielen. Anfangs ging uns ein Ein/Aus Schalter hinten am Keyboard ab, wir haben es aber dann an ein USB-Hub gehängt, welches für jeden Port einen eigenen Schalter hat, so können wir es bequem ausschalten ohne den USB abziehen zu müssen. Die Lieferung dauerte diesmal ungewöhnliche 9 Tage, aber das Warten hat sich eindeutig gelohnt. Klare Kaufempfehlung!

Contrôleur MIDI fiable, très bon rapport qualité prix

Overall, I really like this MIDI controller. I am just dipping my toe into music creation, so having access to a program like Ableton with an easy enough to figure out controller is nice. Overall, there are a couple things I like and don't like. Pros: - My 49 key is great for it's range of keys without being big enough that it needs dedicated space. - The controller is run with just one cable, so transportation is easy. - The keys are somewhat sensitive to velocity. There isn't really soft touch/soft sound, but if you strike the keys more aggressively, you can get a louder tone. - The controller really does interact easily with Ableton. Cons: - The keys aren't that sensitive to velocities. Louder is all good, but softer is left wanting. - The keys aren't weighted (I wasn't really expecting them to be, but my roommate has a real piano so I am getting spoiled). - Along the lines of not being able to play softer, there is only one accessory port. I have a two pedal accessory so I can sustain, but I can't dampen the sound. If there is a Novation employee checking this, I do have a few questions: 1) I am looking for another MIDI, nothing is wrong with mine, even after a year in a half, but I want a 25 key that is easier to carry around. Between the normal 25 key and the mini, what is the better option for carrying the controller around with me? I know the setup of the normal one, but is the mini compact enough that it is worth the tradeoff? 2) Can you run a sustain pedal on the mini? 3) Since I already have Ableton Lite from my Launchkey 49, is it possible to get a controller without an Ableton Lite pass for a lower price? Overall: I am really pleased with my Launchkey, and for what it is, the quality, and the portability, it is definitely worth the price.

It's quite satisfying. I am satisfied. And that's all a consumer wants, to be satisfied. And yes Amazon did it right!! As a happy customer I prefer you to give it a try and grab something from Amazon quickly. And Thanks Amazon For The Satisfying Service. Cheers- Monuj