Launchkey MK4 – Innovation from Novation
As the new year gets well and truly underway, many people find themselves wondering how to expand their arsenal of musical hardware. That’s why Funktasy is here to spotlight the perfect gift for any music enthusiast: the newly launched Novation Launchkey MK4.
Courtesy of Novation
The DAW Revolution
In the digital age of modern music creation, the essential tools of the trade have been streamlined to just a few key pieces of equipment. Gone are the days when recording a demo required a million‑dollar studio. Now, most musicians and producers can craft professional‑quality tracks with nothing more than a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), an audio interface, and a MIDI controller.
MIDI controllers first entered the music‑production scene in the early ’90s, and a quick online search today reveals hundreds of models from countless brands. Yet one name consistently rises above the rest and has become a staple in studios around the world: Novation.
Novation is dedicated to equipping artists, musicians, beatmakers, producers and composers with top‑tier instruments and creative tools. This UK‑based brand can be summed up in a single word: sound. Every aspect of Novation’s design philosophy centers on helping creators achieve the best sound possible – whether they’re crafting beats for a class, performing at an underground rave, or composing a full‑scale masterpiece. You’ll find Novation gear everywhere: in studio sessions, on live stages, and even tucked into a laptop‑based setup. Their product lineup spans MIDI controllers, samplers, grooveboxes, and synthesizers, all built with a deep understanding of what modern artists need. Above all, Novation prioritizes high‑quality, intuitive gear that empowers creators to bring their sound to life.
Courtesy of Novation
Novation Launchkey
Ayrsto, head of Artist & Repertoire and an artist at Funktasy Records, is a music production veteran and has seen his fair share of keyboards. Known for songs such as “Novocaine,” Ayrsto describes the many advantages that come with the Launchkey
“With 16 velocity-sensitive pads, nine faders, and eight encoders in one unit, this unit has truly upgraded my workflow. Instead of reaching for the mouse, I’m hands-on and immersed in the music,” Ayrsto said. “Whether I’m sketching ideas at midnight or doing a full production session, this controller adapts. The software bundle alone gave me so much that I was up and running in minutes.”
Today, the “room where it happens” for sound production lives inside digital audio workstations such as DAWs like Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic, and FL Studio. Understanding how to use these programs efficiently is the key to creating great beats. Anyone who has worked on Ableton Live knows that composing without a keyboard is nearly impossible (even though Avicii pulled this off without any problems). The Launchkey series takes that into mind when crafting its luxurious keyboards. Launchkey features preset buttons and controls for Ableton’s functions, as well as includes a software bundle with Ableton and Cubase LE. Extra features include arpeggiators, scales, transport controls, and Capture MIDI.
Launchkey also features deep DAW integration. “Rare to find a controller that balances feel, features, and value — the Launchkey MK4 nails it. After trying it in my studio, I knew I wouldn’t go back,” Ayrsto said. Ayrsto also believes that Novation is the key to an even workflow for any producer, regardless of the genre; “If you’ve been looking for a 61-key controller that doesn’t compromise, this is it. The workflow enhancements, such as transport, mixer, and sends, keep me in the flow instead of interrupting it.”
Courtesy of Novation
The biggest highlight of the Launchkey series is that it holds all the best tools of music production right at your fingertips. The key beds are available in various sizes and are built to fit personalized needs. Novation believes “that musicians need to be able to play intuitively and that can only be achieved when you can play smoothly.”
As a hive of music, fashion, and lifestyle, Funktasy believes that people should Play It Loud. Hence, Funktasy approves that Novation provides the best sound and the most hassle-free work session. Nothing can come close to the frustration of having an idea and not being able to get it out into the world because of a laggy computer or a half-baked keyboard. With Novation, that is one less thing to worry about.
Launchkey is the perfect addition to any production session. Go get it!
