Novation Launchkey 88 MK4 review

Launchkey 88 MK4 pairs a long, custom-designed semi-weighted keybed with the same DAW-oriented control layout found on the shorter Launchkey MK4 boards. This review covers the current US standard dark SKU/MPN NOVLKE88MK4 from manufacturer pages and user-guide specifications; it is not a hands-on test or a claim about subjective key feel.

The full range is the main reason to choose it

An 88-key layout puts the conventional full piano note span under the hands, reducing the need to use octave buttons for parts that move widely between low and high registers. Novation calls this a seven-plus-octave, semi-weighted piano-style keyboard with a custom-designed keybed. That makes it a different physical proposition from the 49- and 61-note Launchkeys, both of which are also semi-weighted but occupy much smaller spans. “Custom-designed” and “semi-weighted” remain the manufacturer's descriptions: the spec sheet does not provide a measured action curve or a promise that a pianist will prefer it over an acoustic-style hammer-action controller.

Do not buy the 88 simply because more keys sound like a safer choice. If the music is recorded in separate takes or your routine uses octave shifting, a 49- or 61-key model can leave more working room and be easier to position. If simultaneous bass, chord and upper-line work is a real requirement, the extra physical range can remove a practical limitation. The important question is the part you need to play without moving octaves, not a beginner-versus-professional label.

DAW controls remain central

Despite its length, this is not just a keyboard with a computer socket. The published surface includes sixteen RGB velocity-sensitive pads with polyphonic aftertouch, eight endless encoders, nine faders and buttons, pitch and modulation wheels, a 128-by-64 monochrome OLED, transport controls, track navigation and workflow buttons. The pads are documented as pressure-responsive; the keybed itself is described as semi-weighted, but the reviewed passages do not state that the keys send aftertouch. Pad aftertouch is not keyboard-key aftertouch.

Scale and chord modes, a generative arpeggiator, and split/layer operation broaden how the instrument can send notes to a DAW or external MIDI device. Novation lists thirty scales, Chord Map/Fixed Chord/User Chord modes, and an eight-step editor for the arpeggiator. These functions alter or organize controller data; the product page and guide do not document an onboard sound engine or an audio output. Any included virtual instruments run as software, and an external module needs its own audio and monitoring chain.

USB-C power does not replace the MIDI Out

The exact US listing specifies USB-C, USB bus power, a five-pin MIDI Out and a 6.35 mm sustain-pedal jack. In the documented computer arrangement, USB carries communication to the computer and powers the keyboard; the separate DIN output sends MIDI data to external hardware. MIDI Out is not an audio connector and does not power the receiving instrument. Plan its power and audio path independently. The included package list names a USB-C-to-A cable, not a separate supply or sustain pedal.

The support page and model guide are also useful before committing to a DAW workflow. Novation lists custom integrations for Ableton Live 11 or later, Logic Pro X and 11, Cubase 11 and 12, Reason Studios, FL Studio and Ardour, plus HUI compatibility for other DAWs. Those labels do not guarantee that every command or bundled license is current for each system; check the exact computer, DAW version, software account and any setup steps you need. The physical controls can be assigned in Novation Components, but that flexibility does not turn the board into a self-contained synth.

Measure the whole installation

The manufacturer gives the body as 1274 mm wide (50.16 inches), 264 mm deep (10.39 inches), 93 mm high (3.66 inches) and 8.04 kg (17.73 pounds). It is approximately 14.9 inches wider and 7.2 pounds heavier than the 61-key version in Novation's published specs. That is not a small step up: check the usable stand or desk width, depth, support rating, lip clearance, connector space and the route for cables before buying. A 50.25-inch body cap technically clears the stated chassis by about 0.09 inch, which is not practical room for plugs, cable bends, hands or neighboring gear.

The fixed controllers remain side by side with the keys, so confirm both the keyboard span and the surrounding surface will stay usable in your room. The published dimensions describe the bare instrument, not the space required to connect and play it. If the stand is narrow or has a raised edge, compare the stand's usable top surface—not its advertised exterior width—to the instrument measurements.

Who should shortlist Launchkey 88?

It fits a player who can support a long, nearly 50-inch chassis and needs 88 notes together with faders, encoders, pressure-sensitive pads, USB-C computer operation and direct five-pin MIDI Out. It is less appropriate when portability, limited desk width, independently powered operation or a verified keyboard-key aftertouch capability is essential. The manufacturer provides the dimensions and connector plan, but the spec does not answer every compatibility or ergonomic question.

Compare it with Launchkey 61 if the latter's five-octave span already covers your repertoire: both list the same main controller sections, while the 61 is 35.24 inches wide and about 10.54 pounds. Compare the exact buyer offer and package suffix, inspect support requirements for your DAW, and check the return terms if touch preference is uncertain. Choose the 88 for the documented range it adds—not because a longer keyboard automatically improves every setup.