Novation LAUNCHKEY MINI MK3 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Novation LAUNCHKEY MINI MK3 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

The Novation LAUNCHKEY MINI MK3 is a compact 25-mini-key USB MIDI keyboard controller built for music makers who want to start ideas anywhere and finish them in Ableton Live. It combines a playable synth-action mini keyboard with 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, eight rotary knobs and two touch strips, so melodies, chords, drums and mix adjustments all stay within reach of one small unit. Because it is bus-powered over USB, it travels in a laptop bag and sets up on a desk, a bedroom studio table or a live rig without a separate power supply.

A retailer overview of the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 is published on Long and McQuade’s Launchkey Mini MK3 page. The specifications in the table below follow Novation’s own published specification for the Launchkey Mini MK3.

Why Choose Novation LAUNCHKEY MINI MK3?

The Launchkey Mini MK3 earns its place because it is designed around the way modern producers actually work. Deep Ableton Live integration means transport, track selection, scene launching, device macro control, volume, pan and sends can be handled from the hardware instead of the mouse, which keeps creative momentum intact while arranging. At the same time it still works as a standard MIDI controller, so it remains useful with Logic, Reason and other DAWs through their standard mappings. The creative arpeggiator and Fixed Chord mode turn single-finger ideas into rhythmic patterns and full chord shapes, which is especially helpful when sketching progressions quickly or performing live. Its new mini-key mechanism is Novation’s finest compact keybed to date, giving a more confident playing feel than the cramped keys found on many travel controllers.

Key Features

• 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys: synth-action mini keys with octave and transpose controls for a two-octave playing range at any one time.
• 16 RGB velocity-sensitive pads: super-sensitive backlit pads for drumming, clip launching and expressive sample triggering.
• Eight rotary knobs: hands-on control of mixer functions and instrument or effect parameters in your DAW.
• Pitch and modulation touch strips: two touch strips replace wheels, saving space while keeping expressive bends and modulation under your fingers.
• Creative arpeggiator and Fixed Chord mode: build rhythmic patterns and trigger full chords from a single key, with latch, rhythm and mutate-style variation in performance.
• Ableton Live Lite included: everything needed to start making tracks straight out of the box, with Capture MIDI, scene launch and stop, solo and mute controls.

Best Suited For

The Launchkey Mini MK3 suits bedroom producers, students, travelling musicians and live performers who need a genuinely portable controller rather than a full-size keyboard. It is ideal for Ableton Live users who want clip and scene control in a bag-friendly footprint, and for producers working in small rooms where desk space is limited. It also works well as a second controller beside a larger keyboard, handling drums, clips and device macros while the main keyboard plays parts. Hardware synth owners can use the 3.5 mm TRS MIDI output to drive synthesizers, drum machines and sound modules, noting that the MIDI DIN break-out cable is not included.

Setup and Connection Guide

Connect the Launchkey Mini MK3 to a Mac or Windows computer with the supplied USB cable; the unit is USB bus-powered and no power supply is included or required. Install or open Ableton Live 10 or later to use the dedicated integration, or use it as a standard MIDI controller with other DAWs. For hardware, connect the 3.5 mm TRS MIDI Type A output to a synthesizer or drum machine using a suitable break-out cable, and connect a sustain pedal to the 6.35 mm sustain input if piano-style sustain is needed. Select the correct MIDI channel and preset behaviour with the onboard buttons, and use the octave and transpose buttons to reach the full range of your instrument. A Kensington MiniSaver slot is provided for securing the unit in shared studios and classrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 work with DAWs other than Ableton Live?

Yes. Ableton Live integration is the deepest, but the Launchkey Mini MK3 also works as a standard MIDI controller, with dedicated scripts for Logic and Reason and HUI-based operation with other DAWs such as Pro Tools, Reaper and Studio One.

Does the Launchkey Mini MK3 make any sound on its own?

No. It is a MIDI controller, not a synthesizer, so it produces no sound by itself. It sends MIDI performance data to software instruments, a DAW or hardware synthesizers connected through its MIDI output.

What is Fixed Chord mode on the Launchkey Mini MK3?

Fixed Chord mode lets you assign a fixed chord shape to the keys so that a single finger triggers a full chord, transposing as you move up and down the keyboard. It is a fast way to sketch progressions and perform harmonically rich parts from simple input.

Technical Specifications

Explore Related Products: Samson Carbon 49 USB MIDI Controller — a related option from the Pro Audio Video range that pairs with the system described above.