Launchkey 25 MK4

Launchkey 25 MK4 is a compact DAW controller with two octaves of full-size, synth-action keys and 16 patented FSR pads. It handles playing parts, launching clips and scenes, and hands-on control of your mixer, devices, and effects, with onboard creative tools that work the same way in software or with hardware.

DAW support is built in for Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase, Reason Studios, Reaper, FL Studio, and Ardour, covering transport, timeline movement, mixing and EQ, clip launching, and device parameters with no setup. In Ableton Live Session View or Logic Live Loops, the 16 pads become Launchpad-style clip launchers with RGB backlights that match what is on screen. Eight encoders cover mixer levels, plugin parameters, and effects.

The FSR pads use a radial sensor per pad for higher sensitivity and more consistent response than standard pads, and they read polyphonic aftertouch, so pressure after the hit becomes a modulation source. They can also trigger chords or single notes.

Creative tools live in the hardware. Scale Mode locks the keys to one of 30 scales or maps everything to white keys, Fixed Chord triggers a full chord from a single key, and Chord Maps build progressions from the pads. The arpeggiator twists and mutates sequences, and the OLED display shows the chord currently being played through Chord Detector.

Outside the computer, a full-size 5-pin MIDI output connects hardware synths directly. Custom Modes store four pad and four encoder mappings built in Novation Components. The keyboard is USB powered and class compliant, so it works with iPhone and iPad apps as well. Ableton Live 12 Lite, GForce synth emulations, Orchestral Tools, Klevgrand, and Melodics lessons are included.