Novation Launchkey MK4: Building Tracks and Workflows from Scratch

Novation positions the Launchkey MK4 as more than just a MIDI keyboard—it’s a creative hub designed to accelerate both music production and live performance, especially within Ableton Live Lite. The video opens with Rob outlining the goal: to build a complete track using only Launchkey’s built-in features and the bundled Live 12 Lite software, emphasizing a workflow that’s both fast and musically inspiring.

Right from the start, the tight integration between Launchkey and Ableton is evident. Setting the project’s scale in Live instantly syncs with the hardware, locking the keyboard to the chosen mode and making it easy to play in key. This immediate feedback loop between software and controller is a core architectural strength, allowing users to focus on creativity rather than technical setup. Novation’s usual artist-centric approach is clear—this is about getting ideas down quickly and intuitively.

The walkthrough dives into Launchkey’s advanced harmonic tools, starting with Scale Mode. By locking the keyboard to F Dorian, Rob demonstrates how even beginners can confidently play diatonic triads and melodies without hitting a wrong note. The Easy Scale option further simplifies things, mapping the scale to just the white keys for effortless navigation.

Chord Map mode is where things get truly interesting. With 40 unique progressions per scale and an Adventure setting that controls harmonic complexity, users can instantly audition everything from straightforward diatonic sequences to more experimental, dissonant voicings. Rob showcases how quickly these tools can generate lush, unconventional chord progressions, which become the backbone of the track. The process is fast, musical, and requires minimal menu-diving—a clear win for workflow.

Moving beyond chords and bass, Launchkey’s onboard Sequencer and Arpeggiator take center stage. For drums, switching to Drum Mode maps 16 pads to a full drum rack, and the Sequencer’s DAW mode enables step programming directly from the hardware. Rob demonstrates building up a beat by layering kick, hat, and snare, leveraging the ability to customize drum samples and tweak parameters like volume, drive, and envelope—all from the encoders.

The Arpeggiator is equally flexible, offering hands-on control over octave range, rhythm, and note selection. Latch mode frees up both hands for more complex patterns, while the Mutate function introduces melodic variation on the fly. The workflow encourages experimentation: users can quickly capture jams, adjust patterns, and record results straight into Ableton clips, making melodic development as immediate as beatmaking.

The final section zeroes in on practical performance advice. Rob explains how to use Launchkey’s faders to mix tracks live, noting that their full-range output can be tamed by inserting Ableton’s Utility device on each channel for precise level control. This ensures that performers can confidently push faders to the max without clipping.

Scene launching and effect tweaking are also demonstrated, with pads and encoders used to trigger sections and manipulate master effects in real time. The workflow is tactile and immediate, reinforcing Launchkey’s role as a performance instrument as much as a studio tool. The video wraps up with a quick tip for turning off the keyboard’s lights—useful for dark stages or focused sessions—before encouraging viewers to explore further and subscribe for more Novation insights.