#234 in Musical Instruments
Use arrows to jump to the previous/next product
Reddit mentions of Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note USB Keyboard Controller, MK2 Version
Sentiment score: 6
Reddit mentions: 9
We found 9 Reddit mentions of Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note USB Keyboard Controller, MK2 Version. Here are the top ones.
or
- Launchkey Mini - the mini keyboard for Ableton Live
- 16 multi-colour backlit velocity sensitive drum pads
- 8 knobs, dedicated navigation and control buttons
- Software for Mac and PC, Including: Ableton Live Lite, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Novation Bass Station and V Station virtual instruments and over 4GB of Loopmasters samples
- Novation now offers a 3-Year Warranty on this and all other Novation products.
Features:
Specs:
| Color | Black |
| Height | 3.07 Inches |
| Length | 14.96 Inches |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Size | 25 Keys |
| Weight | 1.54544045662 Pounds |
| Width | 8.66 Inches |
Get a Novation Launchkey Mini instead of the MPK Mini.
Comes with Ableton Live Lite (can be used to upgrade to Standard or Suite for cheaper later), 2 nice soft synths (V-Station and Bass Station), a very nice keys instrument (Addictive Keys) and a running promotion that will add even more freebie synths and FX (current freebie is a quirky FM synth, Baervaag).
It is currently cheaper too (and has more pads).
https://www.amazon.com/Novation-Launchkey-25-Note-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00VVNOMGI/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1541563691&sr=1-3&keywords=novation+launchkey+mini
https://novationmusic.com/sound-collective
So you get the MIDI controller, the intro DAW and several virtual instruments all at once.
The stuff that comes with MPK Mini: SONiVOX Wobble is near worthless, Hybrid 3 gets sold for $1 or given away for free regularly, and Akai Pro MPC Essentials is not useful if you get FL or Live (or any DAW).
All you will need:
Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note USB Keyboard Controller, MK2 Version https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VVNOMGI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Hg4vDbYXEE3NW
> Novation Launchkey MK2 25-Key Controller
that is the full sized key, 25 count midi keyboard which comes with ableton. you can also buy the Mini key (shorter keys, feels cheaper)
[https://www.amazon.com/Novation-Launchkey-Keyboard-Controller-Ableton/dp/B00VVNOMGI?th=1](Launchkey Mini)
for $80, and it also comes with ableton live lite. I would say if price is any factor, you shodul go cheap and buy the Launchkey Mini, it comes with all the software you need, it's compact for a smaller workspace (eventually you'll learn that you need to rebuild your computer station in a Studio... which is fun!)
1-Definitely worth it with headphones.
2-No idea.
3-Never used one, but it seems like it'll be just fine. Is there a reason you went with it over others? Seems like it's ~$70 on Amazon while there are others for a bit less for more keys, and others with some more functions. I found one of these last year on craigslist for $50 and it's what I've been using ever since. If you've already bought it, I'm sure it'll be absolutely fine for whatever you want to do though, so no need to sweat it.
The Arturia Minilab Mk2 isn't bad, but I think the Launchkey Mini Mk2 is better. I've found I don't use the knobs as often as I'd thought, the extra pads are a more than welcome exchange for it. Plus, it has easy-to-install drivers, works with most DAWs, and great feel on the keys for the price, too.
Make sure you get what works for your workflow. If more knobs are better, then go for that. If having more pads readily available without having to press any buttons is better, go for the Launchkey.
Another option is the Akai MPK Mini Mk2 but I've heard it can be really wonky with certain software.
Why not both! The theory is the same, it's just the hand skills that are different. You'll probably find yourself gravitating to one or the other which is fine. Practice 30min - 1hour a day and you should pick it up pretty quickly. Tons of online tutorials for both instruments, just make sure you actually play along and do the exercises because just watching isn't good enough. Money wise you could get both a uke and mini keyboard for under $200 total.
​
Kala makes cheap ukuleles that sound pretty damn good. Their more expensive ones are good too, but no need to spend that much yet. Lohanu's are super popular and sound good as well.
Soprano is the more traditional size, Concert is a little bigger with a bit more fret spacing which is nice if you have big hands.
Ukes:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F543PAW
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015XD4YLY
Useful accessories:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JI3XDDK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QL1EZC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MC5TMJB
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D1N49MC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004RALL
​
Midi Keyboards (Note: these connect to your computer):
Komplete Kontrol M32 (best software bundle by far)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2VQ1NH
Arturia MiniLab MkII 25
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSNIVKE
Akai MPK Mini MKII
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IJ6QAO2
Novation Launchkey Mini 25
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VVNOMGI
​
Too lazy to do useful accessories for this at the moment.
there are plenty. the leading thing on DAW connectivity is the midi. if it speaks midi, you can work with it.
Akai Professional APC Mini paired with ... say... akai midimix totals for 87+ 89 bucks. easy af to save up and you can perform with that rig straight up.
need a bit more keyboardy thing? switch APC with some tiny key keyboard like novation launch key ( https://www.amazon.com/Novation-Launchkey-25-Note-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00VVNOMGI )
many options, all totals under 200 bucks in every scenario
Ableton. Some midi controllers (Novation Launchkey Novation Launchkey Mini) and audio interfaces(Focusrite 2i2 ) come with a free lite version.(there are more things that come with it, those are just the three I can think of right now) Or you can buy the "Intro" version for $99. A site that I like for Instruments is called VST 4 Free
Not that I can think of. I just took mine out of the case, just the device and the USB cable. It draws power from the USB, so no power cord. Comes with some software too, but it's not a real DAW or anything really good tbh.
----
FYI-
The Akai MPK Mini pretty cheap (new) on amazon, btw ($100). Goes on sale sometimes (was @$80 at xmas IIRC). Same price on sweetwater.
https://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-MPK-Mini-Controller/dp/B00IJ6QAO2
White limited edition is back in stock too ($100). Only differs cosmetically, but some people like it.
https://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-Mini-MKII-White/dp/B01M13A6JT
Also, for the sake of diversity, the Launchkey Mini 25 at @$100. (New) Launchkey comes with Ableton Live Lite (a DAW). They make quality stuff, too but it's Ableton oriented. That's a plus because you basically get a free version of the introductory version of a great DAW. That's a minus though if you try Ableton and decide it's not for you (the major DAWs are all good, it's really preference at the high levels of stuff like Ableton, Logic, FL, etc).
https://www.amazon.com/Novation-Launchkey-Keyboard-Controller-LAUNCHKEY-MINI-MK2/dp/B00VVNOMGI