Novation’s LaunchKey Mini Mk3 is one of the best selling compact USB-MIDI keyboards and is now entering the third round with major new features
There is a lot of movement in the USB-MIDI keyboard market again. After Arturia released the Microlab, now is Novation’s turn. They have today released the third version of their best-selling compact USB-MIDI keyboard for Ableton Live, the LaunchKey Mini MK3. The new version has been visually reworked as well as in the features. It looks like a shrunken SLMKIII keyboard. in my opinion.
The keyboard now looks nobler and more modern than its predecessors. But that’s not all. The MK3 includes a wide range of new features that are clever additions: a new creative arpeggiator, a fixed chord mode and MIDI output via a 3.5 mm jack socket. The MIDI output is nice to see, which makes the keyboard more versatile.
A big plus for me: no longer a fiddly micro USB connection but a solid USB-B connector. Not to forget: Launchkey Mini comes with a wide range of different software including Ableton Live Lite & ready-to-use sounds, instruments, and effects from AAS, Softube, Spitfire Audio & more.
Overview
Launchkey Mini is our most compact and portable 25-mini-key MIDI keyboard controller. It gives you everything you need to start creating in Ableton Live – and it’ll fit in your bag. Make tracks anywhere with Launchkey Mini’s intuitive Ableton control, creative arpeggiator, Fixed Chord mode, MIDI out, and tons of sounds in the box.
Get new melodies, rhythms and sounds flying from your fingertips with Launchkey Mini’s easy yet powerful arpeggiator. Fixed Chord mode takes your ideas further, adding a customizable fixed chord shape that follows you up the keyboard. Add dynamic, expressive rhythms with 16 super-sensitive pads for drumming and clip launch. Plug straight into Live, get your ideas down and create – Launchkey Mini gets any track moving.
Features At A Glance
- 25 Minikeys
- 1 x Touch Strip for Pitch-bench with centre zero
- 1 x Touch Strip for Modulation
- 8 x Knobs
- 16 RGB Backlit, Velocity Sensitive Pads
- Transpose Buttons
- Octave Up/Down Buttons (with Preset function as shift)
- Play and Record Buttons
- Arp, Fixed Chord Buttons
- Stop/Solo/Mute Button
- Scene Launch Button
- 3.5mm jack socket for MIDI Out (MIDI din break-out cables NOT included)
- USB Socket
- Kensington MiniSaver Slot
- Midi Channel Selection
- Capture MIDI function
- Tracks function
- Scene Down function
- Scene Up function
Novation LaunchKey Mini Mk3 is available now for 109,99€ worldwide.
More information here: Novation
all features are available in standalone mode?
I don’t have a test unit but I think yes otherwise I wouldn’t make sense 😉
Is this a cut-down version of the Launchkey 25, or a completely different animal?
it’s the successor of the Launchkey Mini Mk2, Launchkey 25 is a bigger keyboard. Two different products 😉