NOVATION LAUNCHKEY 49 MK2 RELEASE DAY FULL
NOVATION LAUNCHKEY 49 MK2 RELEASE DAY PORTABLE
NOVATION LAUNCHKEY 49 MK2 RELEASE DAY SOFTWARE

Chances are if youвЂ™re looking into MIDI controllers, you already own the related VSTs and DAWs.

NOVATION LAUNCHKEY 49 MK2 RELEASE DAY SOFTWARE

We wonвЂ™t discuss the included software in the article. We tested our picks on Ableton Live and Mainstage, but we did our best to avoid software-specific features to select the best general picks. Regardless, better safe than sorry, and itвЂ™s always better to ensure that youвЂ™re getting pedal support, proprietary or otherwise.ДЁ) Software Support: Some controllers are designed to integrate well with specific software, and this could push it up a few notches in your own personal lists.

NOVATION LAUNCHKEY 49 MK2 RELEASE DAY PORTABLE

However, not all models have this, particularly the portable 25-key models. Your own personal mileage may vary.Д§) Pedal Support: Much like digital pianos, it features a pedal jack. They are essentially better buttons, though, due to their larger size, especially if youвЂ™re playing on another main keyboard.ДЇinger drumming is something many prefer, but I find keyboard-drumming more precise. While this shows itвЂ™s possible to use USB MIDI controllers regardless, it does present added hassle.Д¦) Pads: Pads are fun, but theyвЂ™re not a must. USB MIDI Keyboard -> Computer -> USB MIDI Interface -> 5-Pin MIDI Cable -> Legacy Hardware

For reference, this is an example of a connection chain to support legacy gear: However, as any laptop user will tell you, ports are a limited commodity. This isnвЂ™t a big deal if youвЂ™re connecting to a laptop directly, but it locks you out of some tabletop modules like the previously mentioned Analog Four MKII.ДЄ workaround is to use a USB MIDI interface, which allows you to send USB MIDI signals through traditional 5-pin MIDI. If youвЂ™re looking at the Nektar GX49 for instance, but donвЂ™t need the controls, you can get the same keybed on the stripped-down Nektar SE49.Д¤) Aftertouch: Typical pressure sensitivity tracks the pressure on the down press, but aftertouch continues to detect how hard youвЂ™re pushing down until you let go.ДЄssigning this to an effect such as rotary speaker speed for organs is great for adding extra layers of expressivity to your performances.ДҐ) 5-Pin MIDI Support: MIDI controllers are sometimes marketed as вЂњUSB only,вЂќ which means the manufacturers donвЂ™t offer MIDI connections. If we did, weвЂ™d be buying something else.

NOVATION LAUNCHKEY 49 MK2 RELEASE DAY FULL

However, most of us donвЂ™t need a full digital mixing board. Semi-weighted keys are quite rare in the realm of digital pianos (though we did see them on the 73-key Nord Stage), but they strike a balance between versatility and responsiveness.ДЈ) Number of Controls: Knobs and buttons are good to have and easy to assign software functions with MIDI Learn. YouвЂ™re probably familiar enough with synth-action and weighted piano-style keys.

We find that 49 keys are good enough for synthesizer-focused players, whereas 61 keys are a good amount for keyboardists who need organ-style keys.Дў) Key Type: Synth-action keys are most common, but semi-weighted and weighted options exist as well. Hence, youвЂ™ll need to judge the following on your own merits:ДЎ) Number of Keys: More keys mean a higher price and more bulk, which might be unnecessary if youвЂ™re not playing classical pieces. Some MIDI controller models come in different keybed sizes, ranging from a miniature 25-keys to the full piano-sized 88, and the models are essentially the same apart from the number of keys. However, youвЂ™ll need to make a few decisions yourself. At the least, this ensures that any recommendation we make will feel well-built and playable, and you wonвЂ™t regret your purchase. ThatвЂ™s a short list due to the important factors you need to consider.

Nice-feeling keys (which means it must have keys).

There wonвЂ™t be the typical 88 weighted key rule here, because as we just discussed, we arenвЂ™t looking for the best piano replacement.ДЇor MIDI keyboards and controllers, we are looking for: Unlike our usual lists, weвЂ™ll be a bit more lenient with our choices.

Novation launchkey 49 mk2 release day