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Novation MK2 25-Key Portable MIDI Keyboard Controller - Black
4.9 out of 5 stars20 product ratings
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About this product
Product Information
- The Novation Launchkey Mini is a mini 25-key keyboard that offers everything you require for creating new Ableton Live tunes without having to clutter up your desk. It’s basically designed to make electronic music production easy and fun. There are 16 multi-colour, velocity-sensitive pads, along with knobs and buttons for dedicated control and navigation. This USB-powered keyboard is compact and well-built so you can carry it anywhere.
Product Identifiers
- BrandNovation
- MPNAMSLAUNCHKEYMINIMK2
- GTIN0815301000457
- UPC0815301000457
- eBay Product ID (ePID)1842048251
Product Key Features
- Number of Keys25
- Type of KeysSynth
- Input/Output PortsUSB In, USB Out
- FeaturesUSB Compatible, Security Lock Slot, Transport Controls, Faders, Crossfader, Rotary Encoders, Software Included, Pad Triggers
- TypeKeyboard Controller
Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
Good value, but not without drawbacks.
This is probably about as good value ...as you can get for a 25 key midi keyboard. It seems to be good build quality in a lot of ways, and has a lot of functionality. The Akai MPK mini seems to be the only logical competitor. I haven't used that, so I can't comment on the feel or quality, but each has their pros and cons. The Launchkey has more drum pads, so if you like working on beats, and want to be able to work with a full kit, this is the way to go. But, the MPK has an x-y controller, which this does not. It would definitely benefit from some type of analog style controller on it, even just a small pitch-bend wheel or touchpad would be make it the clear winner of these two. It's designed to work out of the box with ableton, so it's well-suited to that, especially if you do a lot of live stuff, or just use the session view a lot, because it's set up to make a lot of the session view functions a lot more intuitive. I use Bitwig these days. The LaunchKey is meant to work with other DAWs, though I can't comment on how well it does that because I don't use them. There is a publicly available script to get this working in Bitwig, but it won't work with older versions of the DAW, so be aware of this if you use Bitwig and are still using version 1, like I am. Bitwig has a great open scripting system, so I wrote a script for the Launchkey that works on the version I have. That brings me to my next point: the documentation for the details regarding MIDI is not great. I worked out a lot by playing around with it and using software to see what midi messages are being sent. There is also a "programmers reference guide" for the LaunchKey MK2, but it's for the full sized one, and some of it is a bit different on the mini. This makes scripting for it somewhat time consuming, with lots of trial and error until you work out how to communicate with it. The feel of it is a mixed bag. Overall, I think it's good for the price, but it's not without issues. The buttons and pads feel good, and respond well to velocity. However, it's very easy to accidentally double-tap a drum pad, which can result in multiple notes being sent. I solved this in Bitwig by putting a 'debounce' function in my script. I'm not sure if this is dealt with in other DAWs. I did play around with it in Ableton and, if I remember correctly, there was nothing to protect against accidental double-taps. The knobs feel nice. They are stiff enough that you don't move them accidentally, but they move smoothly and easily when you turn them. I can't imagine knobs being any better without being motorised (or using LEDs for displaying position, like the BCR2000). The keys don't feel great to me. It feels like the resistance is provided by rubber underneath, or something. I have a Yamaha keyboard to compare it to, and that has nice satisfying tactile feedback. The difference between the two is significant, and it's like the difference between a rubber dome keyboard (the typing kind) and cherry mx reds. This does affect how easy it is to play, but you can get used to it.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Lightweight with great features.
The Launchkey Mini Mk2 is a fantastic piece... of gear. It integrates seamlessly with Ableton Live. The velocity sensitive pads are also great as it adds a extra depth when launching drum samples and sound effects. The keys feel high quality and are not "clicky". The small size and rugged design make it great for taking it anywhere you go, just throw it in a backpack (make sure you take the USB cable). The knobs above the pads are useful because you can assign them to control pretty much anything in Ableton. The pads on the Launchkey can also be used to speedup workflow when using "Session View" in Ableton. This makes producing and performing easier. The included plugins are also amazing, when you receive the launchkey, you also get: - Novation Bass Station - V-Station - One Addictive Keys Instrument of your choice So overall, the Launchkey Mini Mk2 is a fantastic product and I seriously recommend it for anyone interested in music production, this includes beginners and pros alike.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Powering Ahead with the LaunchKey Mini bundled with Ableton Live Lite.
The L...aunchKey Mini has made a dramatic difference to my music journey and with working with Ableton light, bundled with the purchase. I am currently learning the keyboard using the Melodics midi integrated learning system that interacts with the LaunchKey Mini but I would be so much further ahead had I bought this months ago. The set up was a no-brainer and I find that it encourages me to do more music sessions. Adding stickers to the keys was an inexpensive addition that has also helped.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Perfect for Sketching Ideas with Ableton 9
A tremendous creative desktop too...l with a tiny footprint but far more productive than musical typing. I have only scratched the head of the penguin sitting on the tip of the iceberg. This is probably one of the most versatile and compact controllers on the market and at the price Dick Smith/Kogan are charging it brilliant. Plus it comes with Ableton Live 9 Lite which is fully operational for creating musical magic.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Great Value, Great Integration
Considering you’ll pay $139 for Ableton Lite ...from the company site, buying this unit AND getting the software all for less than that is a bargain. I have a Novation UnltraNova synth as well, and 2 Yamaha Electric Keyboards and everything has integrated well and the pad section of this unit allows me to quickly build grooves and sequences using the beats and sounds I have associated with the pads. Early days yet and I’m still finding new capabilities each time I explore.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
