Skip to main content
Novation Launchkey 25 MK4 — Compact 25 Key, USB, MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration. Chord Mode, Scale Mode, 8 Drum Pads, and Arpeggiator — Includes Software Bundle for Music Production | USB, 25 Synth-Action Keys, 16 Velocity-Sensitive Pads, Pitch/Mod Wheels, OLED Display, Scale Mode, Chord Modes, MIDI
Novation

Novation Launchkey 25 MK4

Bottom line: The Novation Launchkey 25 MK4: 16 FSR pads with polyphonic aftertouch for drumming, clip launch, and chord triggers; main trade-off: just 25 keys means frequent octave shifts for full two-handed piano parts.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →

Check price on Amazon → Compare to similar audio & midi

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 16 FSR pads with polyphonic aftertouch for drumming, clip launch, and chord triggers
  • ✓ Works with Ableton, Logic, FL Studio, Cubase, Reason, Reaper, and Ardour out of the box
  • ✓ Scale, Chord, and editable Arpeggiator modes help you stay in key and build progressions
  • ✓ Bundle adds Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, Novation Play, plus GForce and NI sounds

Cons

  • ✗ Just 25 keys means frequent octave shifts for full two-handed piano parts
  • ✗ Synth-action keys are light, not weighted, so acoustic-piano players may want more
  • ✗ No onboard sounds; the USB controller needs a computer and DAW to make audio
  • ✗ Bundled Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE are limited entry editions, not full versions

Manufacturer description

Launchkey 25 is a powerful DAW controller with a suite of onboard creation tools. Every element has been designed to feel musical, expressive, and razor focused on creative flow; from the synth-action keybed and 16 pads with polyphonic aftertouch, to the carefully laid out control surface with in-depth DAW integration. Play instruments and drums, launch clips and scenes, and get instant hands-on control of your DAW’s mixer, devices, and effects. Launchkey also has a unique, editable Arpeggiator, three Chord Modes to quickly create musical progressions, a Scale Mode that keep you in the right…

Related Products

Other products in this category you may like:

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Novation Launchkey 25 MK4 using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the audio & midi category. Novation's audio & midi lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for audio & midi of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • The Creative Controller: Launchkey is an all-in-one DAW controller with premium keybeds and 16 responsive FSR pads for drumming, clip launching, and more
  • Seamless DAW Integration: Launchkey works with all major DAWs, offering intuitive workflows for Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase, Reason, Reaper, FL Studio, and Ardour
  • Go Beyond Finger Drumming: Launchkey’s FSR drum pads with polyphonic aftertouch also serve as step sequencers, clip launchers, chord triggers, and more
  • Everything in the box: Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, Novation Play, sounds from GForce, Klevgrand, Orchestral Tools, Native Instruments, and free Melodics lessons
  • Powerful Creative Tools: Never hit a wrong note with Scale Mode, trigger lush chords from a single key or drum pad, and create and mutate wild arpeggios
  • NKS-ready: Launchkey now works seamlessly with Native Instruments software, giving you hands-on control via Native Kontrol Standard

Full Specifications

Size25 Key
BrandNovation
ColorBlack
PlatformMac, Windows 10, Windows 7
NKS-readyLaunchkey now works seamlessly with Native Instruments software, giving you hands-on control via Native Kontrol Standard
InstrumentKeyboard
Model NameLaunchkey 25 [MK4]
Model Year2024
ConnectivityUSB
Control TypeKeyboard Controller
Model NumberAMS-LAUNCHKEY-25-MK4
Material TypePlastic
Noise ControlNone
Product Style25 Keys
Connector TypeMIDI, USB
Control MethodApp
Instrument KeyAny
Number of Keys25
Outer MaterialPlastic
Special FeatureScale and Chord modes, Arp
Full listing titleNovation Launchkey 25 MK4 — Compact 25 Key, USB, MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration. Chord Mode, Scale Mode, 8 Drum Pads, and Arpeggiator — Includes Software Bundle for Music Production | USB, 25 Synth-Action Keys, 16 Velocity-Sensitive Pads, Pitch/Mod Wheels, OLED Display, Scale Mode, Chord Modes, MIDI

Ready to buy?

Novation Launchkey 25 MK4 — Compact 25 Key, USB, MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration. Chord Mode, Scale Mode, 8 Drum Pads, and Arpeggiator — Includes Software Bundle for Music Production | USB, 25 Synth-Action Keys, 16 Velocity-Sensitive Pads, Pitch/Mod Wheels, OLED Display, Scale Mode, Chord Modes, MIDI is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Check price on Amazon →

Related Audio & MIDI

Keep exploring SpecPicks

Other buying guides

Browse the catalog

Editorial

More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all articles & guides →

More reviews from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all reviews →

Earliest SpecPicks reviews

Browse full archive →
Novation Launchkey 25 MK4 — Compact 25 Key, USB, MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration. Chord Mode, Scale Mode, 8 Drum Pads, and Arpeggiator — Includes Software Bundle for Music Production | USB, 25 Synth-Action Keys, 16 Velocity-Sensitive Pads, Pitch/Mod Wheels, OLED Display, Scale Mode, Chord Modes, MIDI
View on Amazon →