Novation Launchkey 88: Full-Key Controller for Piano Players

TL;DR: Novation has finally given piano players what they want: a full 88-key version of the excellent MK4 Launchkey controller line. The Launchkey 88 brings the same deep DAW integration, nine faders, eight endless encoders, and built-in creative tools as its smaller siblings, but with a custom semi-weighted keybed designed for expressive playing. At $449.99, it’s a compelling option for keyboardists who need the full range without sacrificing workflow.

• Custom 88-key semi-weighted keybed with full-size piano-style keys and seven-plus octaves
• 16 velocity-sensitive pads with polyphonic aftertouch and Novation’s patented Force Sensitive Resistor technology
• Deep DAW integration across Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase, FL Studio, Reason, Bitwig, Ardour, and Mackie HUI for Pro Tools
• Nine precision faders and eight endless encoders that auto-map to DAW parameters and NKS plugins
• Includes Novation Play software instrument with sampled pianos, vintage synths, and modern sound design
• Available now for $449.99 USD, completing the MK4 range with ten controllers across six sizes

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The Missing Piece

We at Noxal have been watching the Launchkey MK4 range grow like a patient gardener watching tomato plants. First came the 25, 37, 49, and 61-key versions — each a solid controller for producers who work primarily in the box. But there was always a hole in the lineup, a gap where piano players and keyboardists who actually use both hands for something other than clicking a mouse felt left out.

Novation has now filled that gap with the Launchkey 88, and I’ll admit I let out a small sigh of relief when I saw the announcement. The 88-key controller market has been dominated by a handful of heavyweights, and while Novation’s smaller controllers have been beloved for their workflow integration, the full-size segment required a different kind of attention. The question was: would they just slap 88 cheap keys on a longer chassis, or would they actually design something that feels like an instrument?

The answer, according to the specs, leans toward the latter. Novation claims the semi-weighted keybed has been “refined to provide the most expressive response possible, even during the most delicate passages.” That’s a bold statement for a $450 controller, but if they’ve pulled it off, we may have a new contender in the affordable 88-key space.

The Keybed

The Launchkey 88 features what Novation calls a “custom-designed, 88-key semi-weighted keybed.” That’s a carefully chosen phrase, because it implies this isn’t just an off-the-shelf keybed from a generic manufacturer. Novation has been working with Fatar and other keybed suppliers for years, so there’s reason to believe this isn’t just a rebadged piece of plastic.

Seven-plus octaves of full-size, piano-style keys is what you’d expect from any 88-key controller, but the real story is in the feel. Semi-weighted keys have historically been a compromise — they don’t feel quite like a real piano, but they’re lighter and more responsive for synth playing. Novation’s claim of expressiveness during “delicate passages” suggests they’ve tried to bridge that gap, giving players enough resistance to control dynamics without making the action too heavy for fast synth work.

I’ll reserve full judgment until I’ve spent a few hours with one, likely with a cup of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe in hand and a Moog patch loaded on the other side of the room. But if the keybed delivers on the promise, this could be the controller that finally convinces classically-trained pianists to embrace a DAW-centric workflow without feeling like they’re downgrading their playing experience.

Beyond the Keys

Of course, the Launchkey 88 isn’t just a keyboard — it’s a controller, and that means pads, faders, and encoders. The 16 velocity-sensitive pads feature polyphonic aftertouch and Novation’s patented Force Sensitive Resistor technology. That’s a mouthful, but what it means in practice is that each pad can respond to pressure independently, giving you expressive control over drums, melodic instruments, or anything else you map them to.

The nine precision faders and eight endless encoders are carried over from the smaller MK4 models, and they auto-map to key parameters in supported DAWs. That includes transport control, mixing, navigating projects, and even NKS plugin parameters. For producers who work in Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase, FL Studio, Reason, Bitwig, or Ardour, this is a godsend. And with Mackie HUI support, even Pro Tools users can get in on the action — though let’s be honest, you’re probably not buying an 88-key controller to use in Pro Tools unless you’re doing scoring work.

The pads themselves are worth mentioning because Novation has historically had some of the best-feeling pads in the business. The Launchpad series set the standard, and these pads inherit that DNA. If you’ve ever tried to play finger drums on a cheap controller with mushy pads, you’ll appreciate the difference.

DAW Dominance

One of the things we at Noxal appreciate about the MK4 range is the sheer breadth of DAW integration. Novation has been doing this longer than most, and they’ve refined the experience to the point where you can literally plug in and start working without any setup. The Launchkey 88 automatically maps to your DAW’s transport, mixer, and navigation controls, and it supports Mackie HUI for Pro Tools and other DAWs that use that protocol.

This is the kind of feature that sounds trivial until you’ve experienced it. I’ve spent too many afternoons — and too many cups of cold coffee — fighting with MIDI mappings and controller templates. The Launchkey approach is a welcome antidote to that frustration. For producers who bounce between multiple DAWs, the universal integration is a massive time-saver.

And for those who use NKS-compatible plugins, the auto-mapping extends to parameters like filter cutoff, resonance, envelope controls, and more. It’s not quite as deep as a dedicated NKS controller like the Komplete Kontrol series, but it’s close enough for most workflows.

Software and Value

The Launchkey 88 comes with Novation Play, an exclusive software instrument based on sampled acoustic pianos, vintage synthesizers, and cutting-edge sound design. It’s mapped directly to the controller’s controls, so you get a hardware instrument–like playing experience without having to touch your mouse. That’s a nice touch, especially for keyboardists who want to just sit down and play without staring at a screen.

At $449.99 USD (excluding tax), the Launchkey 88 is aggressively priced. For comparison, the Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 is around $399, while the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is closer to $700. The Novation sits right in the middle, offering a custom keybed, deep DAW integration, and a solid software bundle. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s far from the most expensive, and the feature set justifies the price.

The MK4 range now encompasses ten controllers across six different sizes and two color options (black and white). The Launchkey 88 rounds out the lineup, giving producers and keyboardists a complete ecosystem to choose from.

Who Is This For?

The Launchkey 88 is for three types of people. First, the keyboardist who needs 88 keys for piano parts but doesn’t want to sacrifice DAW control. Second, the producer who has outgrown a smaller controller and wants the full range for more expressive playing. Third, the hybrid musician who splits their time between live performance and studio work and needs a controller that excels at both.

It’s worth noting that the Launchkey 88 is semi-weighted, not fully weighted. If you’re a classically-trained pianist who needs a hammer-action feel, you’ll want to look at fully weighted controllers like the Studiologic SL88 Studio or the Roland A-88MKII. But for everyone else — synth players, composers, and producers who want a piano-like experience without the heavy action — the Launchkey 88 is a compelling option.

We at Noxal will be putting one through its paces as soon as we can get our hands on a review unit. In the meantime, if you’ve been waiting for Novation to release a full-size MK4 controller, your wait is over.

I’ll be brewing a fresh pot of Geisha and clearing space on my desk for this one — if the keybed lives up to the hype, it might just earn a permanent spot next to my coffee mug.