Interesting that these are the first controllers (that I’m aware of anyway) other than Push to directly sequence live with no “print to clip” needed.
I really like the design. Will look pretty nice next to a Push. Might double up on some functionality, but not a big deal. I like the addition of a dedicated midi capture button.
I hope they update the LaunchControl XL in a similar manner, especially with the endless encoders and info screen.
I wonder if touchstrips with some LED visual feedback would be better than faders (although I have mixed feelings about touchstrips in general)? This way you could move left and right across multiple tracks and not always be worrying about pots and faders showing incorrect info.
The biggest change I’d like to see would be high-resolution support, but I think these new Launchkeys only do MIDI CCs, so it seems unlikely.
Sequencing Ableton looks very cool and sending keystrokes could be very useful. I also like DAW navigation in transport mode, I wonder if this works with Logic. If it does, LK61 could potentially replace my NI A61. Btw., A61 actually has touch encoders (in even lower price range than LK, contrary to what loopop said 
), but I dislike that it depends on plugin for many of it’s functions, lack of programmable controls (just 8 encoders) and super hard and loud buttons, which are even starting to get a bit sticky - that damn rubber coating, hopefully LK doesn’t use it…
1 Like
Keystrokes is on MK3 and it really is. Ableton seems to add new keystrokes each time for accessibility. As they do that, you can add those to pads in the LK, which is nice…
Since Loopop wants to saw it off for just the functions without the keybed, is this to allude to a new circuit or launchpad?
1 Like
No Aftertouch even on the premium keybeds?
Now a days I hope for poly AT (like the MK3 NI KKs) or even full MPE, but no AT at all? Stopped watching the loopop video as soon as he said that…I guess not aimed at me.
Motorised faders 
Will never happen though.
Endless encoders (with lights) is a must though, I like the LaunchControl XL but the encoders with the notch limit their use way too much - they don’t really make much sense for anything other than pan control. You really want them for performance use, if you’re using them for set-and-forget type functionality then they’re not really that useful.
“premium”? Launchkey aren’t premium novation keyboards, the SL series is.
Suspect what @SLiC was referring to was Loopops classification of the 49/61 keys in the LaunchKey range.
And the lack of aftertouch across the range was what prompted the appearance of the red hacksaw in the screenshot above … it appears @SLiC is not alone in his need for AT.
I’m a big fan of the LCXL.
Hope they do 2 new versions:
-
Same as original, but with RGB leds and TRS midi out.
-
An encoder only version with RGB led rings.
Both keeping the usual faders and buttons!
1 Like
Is everybody some kind of left handed playing guru these days? I never understood why the pots/encoders, the performance controls I’d use while playing, are over on the right on all these boards. End up crossing forearms… at least NI pop them in the middle. I had a prev gen LK and ended up mapping my controls to the faders instead for that reason.
For me the new mini 37 looks like it might replace my keystep37 as a travel keyboard. When working on the go I mainly work directly in Ableton as can’t bring any / many hardware devices, so the limited connectivity doesn’t bother.
The scale / chord / arpeggio features look nice and a bit easier to use due to the small screen. And now it looks like they also solved the issue with fader / pads being locked to one midi channel in cusotm mode (on the mini) so easier to cook up a OT custom mode etc.
1 Like
Yes, I would expect AT on a semi weighted 61 keyboard, seems odd not to have it.
The 37 minikey looks good value thought and I don’t expect it on mini keys (but my Arturia keystep 37 is about the same cost and does have AT and CV etc, but no pads)
True, especially since there’s quite a significant price jump from 49 to 61 model. I would expect something more from it than just one more octave of non-AT capable keys.
I really prefer 61 key keybeds, but the price and the compactness of the 49 is making me think of picking up the 49.
Either way, i’m pretty stoked for the ableton sequencing features. I feel like that sort of integration is what helps make a controller + daw combo feel closer to a succinct groovebox.
It’s either 61 or 25/37 mini for me, 49 would just get on my nerves whenever I’d want to play anything with two hands.
you’re my voice of reason right now. If it’s that big already, might as well have the full 61.
I could see getting cramped on the 49.
As much as it would be cool for this series to have an aftertouch keybed, the only device I use that actually has aftertouch is a microfreak. My keystep has AT, but it literally never gets used as a feature by me. If more instruments were AT capable I would understand the frustration, but for me it seems like a relatively minor problem.
The ergonomics of the new LK seem pretty good. It even seems to me as if Novation’s layout favors right handedness while Arturia’s layout favors left handedness. 