The 49-key Controller for Ableton
The Novation LaunchKey 49 MK2 is a USB keyboard controller specifically. Fully USB bus-powered and class compliant, so it works without drivers or a power.
The Novation Launchkey 49 is your quick and easy solution for producing and performing electronic music using Ableton Live. But even if you use another DAW, you'll appreciate the Launchkey's ergonomic layout and just-right feel. Simply plug it into your computer's USB port and the keys, faders, knobs, and velocity-sensitive RGB pads give you complete hands-on control of Ableton's session view, instruments, effects, and mixer. Launch your clips, control your effects, play beats, and more with the Launchkey's 16 pads. They're fitted with full-color RGB LEDs, so they'll precisely match the color of your clips, and their velocity sensitivity means you can pack your beats with expression. The Novation Launchkey 49. Don't launch your DAW without it.
Novation Launchkey 49 at a Glance:- Sculpt your sound to perfection
- Designed for Ableton, works with any DAW
- Your ideal gigging controller
- Free XLN Addictive Keys instrument with registration
Novation's Launchkey 49 lets you sculpt your sound to perfection. Use the Launchkey's eight rock-solid rotary knobs to tweak your instruments and effects, and the nine dedicated faders for hands-on control over your mixer. You'll find the 49-note synth-action keybed delightful to play. Of course, it's velocity-sensitive so you can perform your parts expressively.
Designed for Ableton, works with any DAWMany Sweetwater musicians use Abelton and love the streamlined workflow they get from Novation's Launchkey controllers. That's because Novation designed the Launchkey's controls to integrate immediately and seamlessly with Ableton Live. All the controls are completely assignable, however. And if you do use another major DAW, the Launchkey 49 will instantly map to it via Novation's InControl protocol.
Your ideal gigging controllerThe Launchkey 49 is roadworthy enough for you to use anywhere. It's ready-to-rock the second you plug it into your laptop. And you don't need drivers or power cables because it's USB bus-powered and class-compliant. Out of the box, Launchkey comes with everything you need make music, including Ableton Live Lite, Novation Bass Station and V-Station, and a killer 4GB library of session-ready samples from Loopmasters.
Free XLN Addictive Keys instrument with registration!Novation Launchkey 49 Keyboard Controller Driver Windows 10
Your Novation Launchkey 49 also includes your choice of XLN's world-class Addictive Keys virtual instruments. Choose from the following:
Pc Keyboard Controller
- Modern Upright - A tight, defined Yamaha U3 upright
- Studio Grand - A remarkably rich Steinway Model D grand
- Electric Grand - The pop-rock classic Yamaha CP-80 at your fingertips
- Mark One - A sublime Fender Rhodes through a vintage tube amp
This offer is open to both new and existing customers. To redeem your Addictive Keys license, log in to your Novation account and register your product. You'll find your instrument options under your My Account page.
Novation Launchkey 49 Features:Novation Launchkey 49 Keyboard Controller Driver Windows 7
- 49-note velocity-sensitive synth-style keyboard
- 16 full-color RGB backlit velocity sensitive drum pads
- Eight knobs
- Nine sliders
- Six dedicated transport controls
- Pitch-bend and modulation wheels
- Two Octave/Transpose buttons
- 7-segment 3-character LED display
- Two Track/MIDI Channel buttons
- Eight Mute/Solo buttons plus toggle button
- Three InControl buttons
- Two full-color RGB backlit round buttons
- USB socket
- DC power socket
- Sustain pedal 1/4' jack socket
- Kensington security slot
- Included software:
- Ableton Live Lite 9 (version 9 required for InControl)
- Novation Bass Station and V-Station
- Free Melodics Lessons: Use Melodics to improve your keyboard skills and hone your pad drumming skills for free
- 4GB library of session-ready samples from Loopmasters
- Your choice of XLN Addictive Keys instrument (VST/AU/AAX) with product registration
- Class compliant and USB bus-powered on Mac or PC
- iOS 8, iOS 7 Compatible - Camera Connection Kit or Lightning to USB Camera Adapter required (not included)
Novation Launchkey 49 Keyboard Controller Driver Windows 10
I have been a musician for more than 15 years, playing the mandolin in acoustic jam sessions, bands and home recordings. I have also produced amateur recordings for about ten years, using several different hardware based digital multi-track recorders. In the last year I switched to computer based recording, when I discovered the affordability and astonishing breadth of capability offered by software systems. My choice of software is Logic Pro X and Mainstage 3. As I became familiar with the OSX music production software, I realized the importance of a midi controller to make use of the numerous software instruments and other digital music production techniques. I have nearly no keyboard skill, so this meant learning, not only a new musicianship skill, but also learning the technical nuts and bolts of digital music production methods. After several months of familiarizing myself with the capabilities of Logic and Mainstage I felt like I was ready to make a reasonably informed decision about what might be my best first midi hardware gear purchase. In this review I list the features I felt I would need to best enable my progress toward some minimal level of competence and how well I believe this controller met my expectations.First, I needed a keyboard that would not be a hindrance to learning to play a keyboard. I reasoned that I need full-sized keys, with velocity sensitivity, aftertouch, an adequate number octaves, a pitch bend wheel and a modulation wheel. Admitting that I do not have any experience against which to evaluate how this controller measures up against these criteria, I am very pleased with how this keyboard met my expectations. although not weighted, the key bed feels substantial and operates smoothly. Although far short of a full-sized 88-key behemoth, the Launchkey 49 seems completely adequate. The pitch and mod wheels are sturdy and responsive.
To have some flexibility in mapping screen controls, in Mainstage and assigning them to physical midi controls, I predicted that I would need a reasonable number of knobs and sliders. While Launchkey controllers are specifically designed to map to the Abelton Live interface, I have found this controller to be sufficiently flexible for a variety of Mainstage patch configurations with enough physical controls to manage a number of instrument parameters, effects sends, patch changes etc.
I anticipated that I would want several drum pads. I imagined using them, not so much for finger drumming, but for launching backing tracks, loops, drum sequences and one-shot clips. Short of buying a separate pad controller, Launchkey 49 offered enough pads to explore all these possibilities. The 16 drum pads are solid and responsive. They work beautifully for the functions I wanted them to serve in Mainstage. The pads have RGB back lighting, which have impressive plug and play functionality in Abelton, but I have not yet figured out if there is any way to use their RGB lights in Mainstage. At the very least, it would be helpful to be able to use the back lights to provide visual feedback on the pad or pads that are controlling an active clip or sequence.
I have used the controller a little to control the free Abelton Lite software, bundled with the Launchkey 49. In this software environment this is an awesome controller.
In summary, it seems that, as a beginning controller for a novice keyboardist and digital musician/producer, The Launchkey 49 provides a completely adequate keyboard and control surface for a very reasonable price. At this point I can say that I am very happy with this controller and anticipate that as I look to add gear to my rig I will likely not replace this controller, but keep it as part of an expanding rig.