The BEST MIDI Keyboard in 2024! // Novation Launchkey MK4 Review

[@shapeshifta3431]

Great video, MK4 looks awesome - thanks a lot for your review!

[@Sinesquares]

@@shapeshifta3431 Thank you so much my friend! 🤘 It is indeed awesome!

[@Cayman90]

Thanks for explaining it so well!

[@Sinesquares]

@@Cayman90 You’re welcome 🙏😉

[@TandLstorm]

I just ordered the mk4. So excited to get it! Great review

[@Sinesquares]

@@TandLstorm Enjoy my friend! 🤘🙏⚡️

[@JeffyG]

The various size options is great - different cases. I have owned other 61 key, 49 key, 32 key and 25 key controllers and they all had a purpose - live, mobile, studio. I like the 61. Novation is software agnostic, but easy to program or configure for whatever DAW and plugins you prefer. Arturia midi controllers work out-if-the-box with Arturia Analog Lab and V Collection. NI Kontrol S midi controllers work out-of-the-box with Komplete 15, Kontakt and the NKS standard. The LaunchKey can do it all, but isn’t delivered with integration to Komplete 15 or V Collection X, or any other major bundle. I think I prefer to know and understand my midi mapping configuration, so the LaunchKey appeals to me. I use the 4 custom slots, I use lots of helpful midi mapping with plugins.

[@Sinesquares]

Hey! Yes, I agree all sizes can be useful for various scenarios! I have a couple of 37 key keyboards, a 49, and a couple of 61 keys. For most things while in the studio I tend to feel more comfortable with 61 keys. In terms of software integration, I use just a few plugins so I don’t really care about it that much.. If I really wanna map something it’s quite easy to do. If you use a specific plugin suite, some keyboards might work better. For example the Arturia ones, e.g. the Astrolab is the perfect example of a MIDI keyboard for plugins!

[@klaragro7591]

Thank you for this great review! I really enjoyed how calm it was :) I am completely new to the whole topic and currently looking at these as my first midi controller! Any advice for me? :-)

[@Sinesquares]

@@klaragro7591 Thank you so much! What kind of DAW are you using? Do you want to control plugins or hardware too?

[@RR-vv3ti]

I watched a lot of videos about the MK4 because I’m gonna buy one soon, but your video is by far the best! Thanks for the great review! I subbed. What plugin do you use for the piano throughout the video? It sounds so nice!

[@Sinesquares]

@@RR-vv3ti Thank you so much my friend! It means a lot🙏 It’s the Spitfire Cinematic Soft Piano!

[@DavidKemp-xn4ln]

Hi Alexandr… thanks for the video. Just wondering how much physical noise the keybed and buttons make? I’m planning to use it live with a vocal mic sitting above it. Some units are a nightmare! Thanks

[@Sinesquares]

@@DavidKemp-xn4ln Hey David! Thank you! Good point - some keyboards are very loud indeed. It’s really quiet! I can only talk about the semi-weighted keys on the 49 & 61 models though and I can assure you, you won’t get that plasticky click noises you get with other midi keyboards!

[@DavidKemp-xn4ln]

@ Ah nice one! Yeah it’s the 61 I’m after… think I’ll get one ordered 👍 Thanks again

[@borostark]

Hey man, great video! I was wondering if you knew of another novation keyboard that also shows scales and chords but with a bigger LCD screen. I don't know if I'll be able to see it on that tiny screen, or you think it's not that bad? Thank you

[@Sinesquares]

Hey, thanks! I don’t think there is another Novation keyboard that has this feature tbh.. The screen is indeed a small one but enough for most cases..

[@Complexautist]

Ive still got our old midi keyboard, its awesome with Bitwig! So Ive just found out.

[@Sinesquares]

@@Complexautist It’s absolutely fine! Served me so well over the years!

[@HH-Thorsten]

No polyphonic aftertouch, so a no from me. I go for the Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 which is also way more expensive.

[@Sinesquares]

@@HH-Thorsten Yeah if you actually care about poly aftertouch, that’s the way to go

[@PSn505]

Poly is good, but I don't see how ppl would rather pay way more just to have that. I dont think you'll find a new controller on the market that has full sized keys and poly for $200-300

[@theinvisibleman-e8v]

Doesn’t even have aftertouch, fail

[@Sinesquares]

@@theinvisibleman-e8v At this price point with all these features, it was expected.. The pads have poly after touch but it’s not the same I agree

[@circaxx85]

It's quite brilliant actually. The Ableton and Cubase integration is stellar.

[@autofocus4556]

I doubt you even care; you're just parroting what everyone says.

[@Sinesquares]

@@autofocus4556 If you refer to me, I don’t really care for aftertouch since I have the Osmose which is the best for poly aftertouch. But for like 80% of the sounds I don’t really need a keyboard with Aftertouch.. If you are at a point where you definitely need AT, you should definitely look at other options I guess

[@circaxx85]

@@Sinesquares same here. I have a Studiologic SL for after touch. The poly after touch on the MK4 is more than acceptable for the price. It's such a good addition to my desk setup.