Novation LaunchKey MK4 – Sleek Design, Solid Performance

The Novation LaunchKey series has been a go-to choice for musicians and producers on a budget who want a dependable MIDI keyboard controller. The new MK4 update brings some nice improvements and a new look. It also comes in different sizes to fit various needs. The LaunchKey 49 and 61 are full-sized with semi-weighted keys and eight faders. The smaller LaunchKey Mini 25 and 37 have mini keys and use two ribbons instead of the usual pitch and mod wheels.

When you open up the LaunchKey Mini 37 MK4, you’ll see it has a clean, straightforward design that looks great and works well. It feels solid for the price, with a plastic body that’s put together nicely. You can connect it with a USB-C cable, which powers and sends data.

On the front, there’s a clear OLED screen and bright lights for the 16 pads. The pads feel solid and respond well when you hit them. The body doesn’t bend or move much, even if you pound on the pads. The knobs also feel surprisingly high-quality for the price. They turn smoothly and let you control things precisely.

The Mini 25 and 37 keys are minor, but you can still play them pretty well. Remember that this isn’t a keyboard for pianists or people who want weighted keys. The keys are a bit springy, but they work fine for playing chords, melodies, and ideas when you’re out and about. You might need to adjust how sensitive the keys and pads are to fit your style since they can initially feel too soft or too loud.

The LaunchKey Mini 37 is great for carrying around. It’s thin and small enough to fit in a backpack or laptop bag easily. It doesn’t have the standard pitch and mod wheels sticking out, so only the eight knobs on top make it a bit thicker. The new 37-key version is a good size. It gives you an extra octave of keys compared to the smaller one, but it’s only a little bigger than a regular computer keyboard with a number pad.