Exactly. I’d be ok with 49 keys on a synth, but for main DAW controller, which I use for all sorts of sounds, I want 61 so I can play bass and melodies together with two hands and don’t need to transpose octaves all the time. I wouldn’t even mind 76. And then there’s a split mode (I love that it’s included), which I imagine would feel even more cramped on 49…
ordered the 61 key ‘premium’ waterfall keybed version. Should be here sunday. I’m looking forward to pinning the keyboard against my recollection of many past keybeds + my current CK61.
The CK61 keybed is great, and I think it’s a killer ‘stage piano’ for budget minded folks, but using it as my main controller has left some things to be desired. (knobs and sliders are mappable, but require effort to do so), and since it’s an audio interface too I get some weird bugs sometimes with missed notes/drop outs and that’s a no go for me. The other day I ran into like 2-3 different bugs back to back and it burned through most of my fun time for that day.
So here’s to hoping this keyboard enables a more seamless connection with ableton and logic when working on the computer. It looks pretty fun so far!
(edit: to be clear my expectations are low for the keybed, but I’m open to a surprise! lol)
Any thoughts on what (if anything) this might hint at for updates to the Launchpad line?
I know last time they started to trickle devices out, starting with the LKmini MK3, but this time we seem to have gone straight in with a full refresh of all the units.
The Circuits are a seperate thing, but I’ve always seen them as slightly related.
With the Launchkey now having direct sequencing within Ableton, I’m very interested to see how that impacts the Launchpad. I’d imagine it would still contain a standalone sequencer since it works with other gear.
Agreed. (I’m not sure which side/hand I play with here!) But tbh having the pots and screen all the way over to the left on the LK49 always felt like an odd design choice. For example if you’re sitting on the right of the board, the pots are way over on the left, and there’s no realistic way of seeing the screen with it being tiny. It always made more sense in the centre (and the controls were central on the LKmk2 actually.) So this brings the controls more in front of you.
Where did you order from to get it so fast?
^ why did all this stuff get flagged? That’s some of the better forum writings I’ve seen lol good relevant discourse.
Anyway…
Amazon, prime 2-day from Novation’s shop.
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Off-topic (apologies!)
Or…
Uli hacked the site, he don’t want any thunder stolen from the upcoming BCR32. Which is definitely getting released soon. Maybe even before the universe ends!
Oh I see. Hmm I mean it’s topic adjacent no?
Your post addresses previous questions, as well as relevant info to potential buyers of the Launchkey (ie would launchpad better fit my needs, should I hold off for an SL mk4, etc)
Anyway, your post reminded me that novation does tend to do post-release support, so I’m not sure if a launchkey mk4 necessarily means that novation will release an SL mk4.
Aside from poly Aftertouch, they could probably just continue to add features (if needed) to the SL mk3’s because it’s a solid device (resale stays pretty high on those, so they probably sell fine still)
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Amazon US?
Here in Spain they are not shipping before October 8th
A couple reviewers noted that they were disappointed that you can’t apply the arp, to the new chord feature.
Hopefully that’s something Novation hears and fixes in an update
Other than that though, I feel like the new features are all really interesting and cool
That 37 mini is tempting
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Yeah, Amazon US
Yeah it is! I told myself already that if I get on with the big one, I’ll likely get a mini37 for traveling/portable use.
They’d be my only controllers but there is something comforting about having the same workflow/interface for both use cases, and the integration here (with Ableton and logic for me) makes it seem like a real winner
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This is a really good idea! I tried this with a couple Akai controllers but they just didn’t do what I needed them to do.
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Just got mine (49 key model) today and I’m pretty happy with it. I thought I might regret not going for 61 keys but I now see that I wouldn’t have had enough space for it on my desk anyway. Also very cool to finally have a physical pitch and mod wheel over a touch strip.
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How are the keys? Sometimes cheap semi weighted keys can be pretty rough but Loopop suggested they’re pretty nice.
I definitely like the size of the keys as I’m used to mini keys. It also felt easier to get consistent velocity values compared to my Keystep. I like them. Unfortunately I don’t have a good point of reference for how a high quality key bed feels and plays, so maybe don’t take my word for it.
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I’m not super picky but have found that lower cost synth action keybeds are often better feeling than lower cost semi weighted ones. Thanks for giving your take!
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^ I would say this is not the case here.
Overall, First impressions are very good.
The 61key is certainly an improvement over something like the Arturia Keylab Essentials, or nearly any other budget keybed I’ve felt.
semiweighted and the black keys have a matte finish (white are gloss) that certainly make them feel premium. The black keys are a little lighter to the touch and that was immediately noticeable to me, but it hasn’t bothered me since first notice. The only thing here that this keybed could benefit from is a felt padding strip for the release. But comparing to my CK61 (with the strip) there isn’t a noticeable different in noise, just a slightly different release feel
I really do like the sequencer for Ableton! It is pretty intuitive from the get go, and reminds me a lot of the OP-Z where you can either hold a step and play in the notes for that step on the keybed, or vice/versa pick notes and then punch the steps in. For me this is superior sequencing since I prefer having my sequencer steps and playable keys separate (vs something like elektron). Still getting familiar with it, but it’s off to a good start.
One potential negative would be: The knobs feel great, they have a lot of resistance but to get a full sweep of a filter, for example, you need to do multiple full rotations of the knob. So the keyboard either needs different knob modes or some sort of acceleration feature. Maybe it’s coming, but I was unable to find info on knob settings in components.
If this could change and I could sweep a filter with half or full rotation (not multiple turns) then I think I’d be pretty hard pressed to find real faults with this midi keyboard.
I personally feel like it’s the best option out there in this lower tier of midi keyboards
With features that make it compete really well with higher end stuff.
Novation did a good job making this feel as solid, well built and ‘premium’ as possible. It isn’t build like an SL or Keylab Mk2, but it’s clearly a cut above a Keylab essential, and the other budget keyboards I’ve come across.
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Awesome review, thx
Random note, but I was shocked that my MPC One was able to power the 49 key model over usb. My old launchkey mini mk3 wouldn’t let me do that, at least not when tethered with my OP-Z
Is the ‘arp pattern’ option that you can play with using the pads, 16 steps or just 8? Thx
Just 8 on the mini. Not sure of the other versions.
The bottom eight pads are for retrig, accent and ties functions.
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