Novation Launchkey 88 Mk4: Full-Size MIDI Controller for Keyboardists

TL;DR: Novation has dropped the Launchkey 88 Mk4, extending their Mk4 controller range to a full 88-key version with semi-weighted, piano-style keys. It retains the same creative tools, DAW integration, and 16 velocity-sensitive pads as its smaller siblings, but omits keyboard aftertouch. Priced at $449.99, it’s a pragmatic choice for keyboardists who need the full octave range without breaking the bank.

• 88 semi-weighted, full-size keys with no aftertouch, but 16 pads with polyphonic aftertouch and force-sensitive resistor tech.
• Nine assignable faders, eight endless encoders, and an OLED display for DAW control, with NKS support for third-party plugin mapping.
• Built-in generative arpeggiator and chord modes (fixed, user, chord maps) for creative inspiration.
• USB-C, MIDI output, sustain pedal input, and iOS compatibility via USB-C or Apple Camera Connection Kit.
• Available now for $449.99 / £379.99 / €378.14 (ex-tax), with a software bundle including Novation Play, Klevgrand, GForce, and Orchestral Tools.

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The 88-Key Question

When Novation rolled out the Launchkey Mk4 series last summer, I felt a twinge of sympathy for the pianist in all of us who secretly wants a full 88-key controller but doesn’t want to mortgage their studio. The 61-key model is fine for bass lines and leads, but try playing a two-handed Chopin étude on that—good luck. Now, Novation has answered the call with the Launchkey 88 Mk4, a controller that gives you seven-plus octaves of semi-weighted, piano-style keys. It’s the largest in the Mk4 lineup, and at $449.99, it undercuts many dedicated 88-key controllers by a significant margin.

We at Noxal appreciate a company that listens. The Mk4 range was already solid—great pads, tidy DAW integration, and a design that doesn’t look like it escaped from a 1990s sci-fi set. The 88 version extends that philosophy to those who need the full keyboard real estate. But let’s not get misty-eyed: it’s still a semi-weighted keybed with no aftertouch. If you’re expecting a weighted, hammer-action feel, you’ll be disappointed. For everyone else, this is a practical, affordable solution.

What Makes It Tick

The Launchkey 88 Mk4 shares its internal DNA with its smaller siblings. That means 16 velocity-sensitive pads with polyphonic aftertouch and Novation’s patented Force Sensitive Resistor technology—perfect for finger drummers who want expressive hits. You also get nine freely assignable faders and eight endless encoders that auto-map to key DAW parameters like transport, mixing, and navigation. The OLED display is a welcome addition, showing scale modes, chord detection, and parameter values in real time.

One feature that raises an eyebrow is the lack of keyboard aftertouch. Yes, you read that correctly—the keys themselves don’t sense pressure after the initial strike. This is a deliberate choice to keep costs down and target the controller at producers who rely more on pads for expression. If you’re a synth player who lives for aftertouch swells, this might be a dealbreaker. But for the rest of us, the polyphonic aftertouch on the pads is a worthy compromise, especially for programming intricate modulation patterns.

Creative Tools and DAW Integration

Novation didn’t skimp on the creative extras. The built-in generative arpeggiator is a joy to play with—think of it as a musical idea generator that can spit out patterns you’d never think of yourself. The chord functionality includes fixed, user, and chord map modes, which is handy for those of us who can’t always remember the exact voicing for a C#m7b5. The split and layer features, available on the 49 and 61-key models, are absent here—presumably because 88 keys give you plenty of room anyway.

DAW integration remains the star of the show. The Launchkey 88 Mk4 works seamlessly with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Reason, Bitwig Studio, and even Pro Tools via Mackie HUI protocol. No setup required—just plug in via USB-C and you’re controlling your mixer, launching clips, and tweaking plugins. NKS support adds another layer of convenience, giving you pre-mapped controls for instruments and effects from third-party developers. It’s the kind of “it just works” experience that makes you forget you’re using a budget controller.

Market Context and Who It’s For

Let’s be honest: the 88-key controller market is crowded. You’ve got the Arturia KeyLab 88 Mk2 at a higher price point with weighted keys and aftertouch, the Native Instruments S88 Mk3 with its deep integration, and a dozen other options from M-Audio, Nektar, and Behringer. The Launchkey 88 Mk4 carves its niche by being affordable, portable (relatively speaking—it’s still 88 keys), and deeply integrated with major DAWs. It’s not trying to be a stage piano or a high-end workstation; it’s a controller for producers and composers who want a full keyboard without the weight (physical or financial).

Who should buy it? If you’re a bedroom producer who’s outgrown the 49-key controller and needs more range for piano parts or orchestral mockups, this is a solid upgrade. If you’re a synth enthusiast who wants to play bass lines in the left hand and leads in the right, the semi-weighted action is fine. If you’re a classical pianist looking for a weighted, graded hammer-action controller, look elsewhere—but you probably already knew that. The Launchkey 88 Mk4 is a tool for making music quickly and affordably, and in that regard, it delivers.

We at Noxal will be testing the 88-key action with a strong espresso and a questionable chord progression. If the keys don’t squeak and the pads don’t stick, we might just forgive the lack of aftertouch.