Novation has (sort of) announced the imminent arrival of the third version of their Launch Control compact MIDI surface, ideal for both studio and stage.
Designed to integrate with all major DAWs, software synths, effects and external hardware, it features 16 endless rotary encoders, eight assignable buttons, and an OLED display. It connects via USB or MIDI I/O.
There’s plenty of blurb on the site about what it can do, but let’s face it, we all know what a MID control surface can do — and it really depends on how many controls there are and how easy it is to assign them.
Stating it works with all major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase and Bitwig, is all well and good, but it does come bundled with lite versions of Ableton and Cubase (as well as plugins from Klevgrand, Baby Audio and Output) so I do wonder how much of a fight it will be to get it to play nicely — and productively — with other systems.
Personally, I could do without the mapping fight some controllers and DAWs seem to relish putting musicians through… but I digress.
Features
Controls
- 6 endless encoders with RGB LEDs
- Eight assignable buttons
- Track navigation buttons
- Two page buttons
- One mode button
- One function button
Display
- 128 x 64 monochrome OLED display
DAW integration
- Custom DAW scripts: Ableton Live 12 or later, Logic Pro 11 and later, Cubase 12 and later, FL Studio, and Bitwig
- Compatible with other DAWs through the use of HUI
Connectivity
- USB-C socket
- 5-pin MIDI in socket
- 5-pin MIDI out socket
- 5-pin MIDI out2/thru socket
- Kensington security slot
Dimensions
- Width: 251 mm (9.88 in)
- Depth: 122 mm (4.80 in)
- Height: 43 mm (1.69 in)
- Weight: 0.49 kg (1.07 lbs)
Available from late March.
