Novation Launchkey 49 mk4 White is a 49-key semi-weighted waterfall MIDI controller with 16 FSR pads featuring polyphonic aftertouch, 9 faders, 8 encoders, an OLED display, and a 5-pin MIDI DIN output. The White variant features white and grey waterfall-style keys – functionally identical to the black version. Split and Layer are exclusive to the 49 and 61 models. Bundled software includes Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, Novation Play, GForce, Klevgrand, Orchestral Tools, and Melodics.
FSR Pads with Aftertouch and DAW Integration
The 16 FSR (Force Sensitive Resistor) pads use a unique radial sensor for greater sensitivity and consistency than standard pads – responding to both velocity and polyphonic aftertouch after the strike. Pads work as drums, clip launchers, chord triggers, and a step sequencer within Ableton Live. The controller ships with dedicated scripts for 7 DAWs: Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio, Reason, Bitwig, and Ardour – transport, mixing, and device control work without configuration. DAW Transport Mode gives hands-on access to Ableton's step sequencer directly from the pads. NKS-compatible for seamless Native Instruments integration with hardware mapping. Configuration is handled via the Novation Components app, which stores up to 4 Custom Modes in internal memory.
Creative Tools: Scale, Chord, and Arpeggiator
Scale Mode locks the keyboard to one of 30 scales – including all Greek modes, pentatonic scales, and global scales. Fixed Chord assigns a full chord to a single key. Chord Map lets you map a chord progression across the pads and play it in one gesture. The Arpeggiator supports step editing and real-time mutation. The OLED Chord Detector displays the currently played chord. Split divides the keyboard into two independent MIDI zones; Layer stacks two MIDI channels across all 49 keys – both features exclusive to the 49 and 61 mk4 models.
KEY FEATURES
- 49 semi-weighted waterfall keys, velocity-sensitive (no key aftertouch)
- Colour: White – white and grey keys; identical specification to black variant
- 16 RGB FSR pads: velocity + polyphonic aftertouch, radial sensor
- 8 endless encoders + 9 faders with buttons (exclusive to 49 and 61 models)
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels
- OLED display with Chord Detector
- Scale Mode (30 scales), Fixed Chord, Chord Map, Arpeggiator with step editor
- Split and Layer (exclusive to Launchkey 49 and 61 mk4)
- 4 Custom Modes (faders and encoders) stored in internal memory
- Custom DAW scripts: Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio, Reason, Bitwig, Ardour
- NKS-ready (Native Instruments)
- USB-C (MIDI + bus power), 5-pin MIDI DIN Out, 6.35 mm sustain pedal input
- Compatibility: macOS, Windows, iOS (class-compliant)
- Includes: Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, Novation Play, GForce (Bass Station, SEM, OB-EZ, AXXESS), Klevgrand (R0verb, Luxe, Slammer), Orchestral Tools Parallel Orchestra, NI Komplete 15 Select, Melodics
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Keyboard: 49 semi-weighted waterfall keys, velocity-sensitive (no key aftertouch)
- Pads: 16 × RGB FSR, velocity + polyphonic aftertouch
- Encoders: 8 × endless (continuous)
- Faders: 9 × with buttons
- Display: OLED
- Wheels: pitch bend + modulation
- USB: USB-C (class-compliant MIDI, bus power)
- MIDI Out: 5-pin DIN
- Sustain pedal input: 6.35 mm jack (1/4")
- Power: USB bus power
- Dimensions: 730 × 264 × 93 mm (28.74" × 10.37" × 3.66")
- Weight: 4.08 kg (9.00 lbs)
- Colour: White