Walkthrough, Review, & Using the Launchkey MK3 in a Composing Workflow

Reviewing & testing the Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 through the eyes (and ears) of composer & music teacher Kati Falk-Flores. This demo uses Cubase, but similar custom programming can be done in other DAWs. Learn more about our gear recommendations at Lessonface.com/Gear.

Kati Falk-Flores holds a Master’s in Music Composition, and writes music for Hollywood’s advertising campaigns, with recent placements for Star Wars Andor, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Winning Golden Trailer Awards in 2021 and 2019, other campaign highlights include Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge and Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns.


00:00 - 00:28 Intro
00:29 - 02:01 Music Demo with the Launchkey
02:02 - 02:45 Keyboard Controls Overview
02:46 - 03:03 Navigation Mode
03:04 - 04:37 Keyboard buttons continued
04:39 - 04:54 Lights: Controllably Bright & Saturated
04:55 - 05:17 Settings Menu
05:18 - 05:35 Pot Pickup
05:36 - 05:51 Launchkey with Cubase - Lower Zone Midi Remote
05:52 - 08:02 Novation Launchkey Arpeggiator - Key Controls
08:03 - 10:35 Novation Launchkey Arpeggiator - Pad Controls
10:36 - 11:11 Strum Mode
11:12 - 12:38 Pad Modes: Session Mode & Drum Mod
12:39 - 13:22 Pad Modes: Extending Drum Mode with Custom Modes
13:23 - 14:35 Pad Modes: Scale Mode
14:36 - 15:55 Pad Modes: Scale Chords
15:56 - 16:13 Pad Modes: User Chords
16:14 - 17:54 Fader Modes: Device Mode & Cubase Quick Control Settings
17:55 - 18:11 Fader Modes: Volume, Send A, Send B
18:12 - 19:01 Pot Modes: Device, Volume, Pan, Sends A & B, Custom Modes
19:02 - 20:26 Custom Pad, Pot, & Fader Modes on the Launchkey
20:27 - 21:11 A Quick Look Look at Novation Components
21:12 - 22:16 My Custom Session Navigation Pad Mode
22:17 - 22:42 Custom Fader Modes
22:43 - 23:02 Using CC Controllers with Fader Mode
23:03 - 23:26 Key Commands with Fader Buttons
23:27 - 25:16 CC Controller Fader Mode on VST Instrument Demo
25:17 - 25:37 Learning the Keyboard
25:38 - 27:09 My Thoughts & Conclusions
27:10 - 27:22 How to Turn Off the Lights without Unplugging the Keyboard
27:23 - 27:58 What’s Best about this Keyboard to Me


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Novation Launchkey 61 MK3: https://amzn.to/3Godcth


The recommendations we provide are our well-tested and considered opinions. We may have received the equipment from the manufacturer that we tested for free, and we may earn a commission if you buy from the links here. We appreciate your support. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have questions or comments!






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