Novation Launchkey 61 MK4

I’ve been using the Novation Launchkey MK4 with Cubase, and it’s been a solid and inspiring addition to my setup. The integration is surprisingly smooth—transport controls, mixer navigation, and parameter tweaking all work well, and it really helps me stay focused on creating instead of constantly reaching for the mouse.

The keybed feels good overall—fast and responsive—but I do wish it had a bit more weight to it. It’s on the lighter side, especially coming from piano practice, but it’s still very playable and expressive once you get used to it.

The pads are great: sensitive, fun to use for drums or triggering clips, and well-positioned. The layout makes sense, and I find myself coming up with new ideas just by jamming and tweaking knobs. It feels like a controller that wants you to create.

If you’re a Cubase user looking for a MIDI controller that keeps things fun and efficient, the Launchkey MK4 is definitely worth considering. It’s become a creative companion in my day-to-day music work.