Ableton Push 3 vs $150 Launchkey - Is Budget Simply BETTER?

The reviewer owns an Ableton Push 3 but was looking for a controller with a smaller footprint, regular keys, solid live integration, and a friendly price tag.

The Novation Launchkey is a budget MIDI controller priced around $150 that offers features similar to the professional Ableton Push.

The video challenges the assumption that expensive gear is always better by exploring whether the budget option delivers comparable functionality.

The reviewer will not focus heavily on session view, but will explore clips, scenes, and the deeper Launchkey integration features that set it apart.

Hold shift and press the DAW pad two times to access the sequencer mode on the Launchkey.

• Create drums by sequencing kick, snare, and hi-hat patterns • Quickly double patterns by navigating to the next page • Each drum element can be independently programmed

Set the encoder mode to the plugin with drum rack to control both the sample itself and drum effects. The first page controls the sample, while the second page controls filter and draw effects like stretch.

The sequencer is not limited to drums; you can also punch in melodies and chords when paired with other Launchkey features like scale lock.

The Launchkey locks to whatever key and scale your Ableton Live session is in, and changes in Live automatically reflect on the keyboard. This works bidirectionally—you can also change key and scale directly on the controller.

• Mode 1: Snaps keys to scale, similar to Live's scale device, with some notes playing twice • Mode 2: Mutes out-of-scale notes to ensure only correct ones play, includes an on-screen cheat sheet for learning scales • Mode 3: Idiot-proof mode using white keys only, guaranteeing you never play out of scale

The scale modes provide visual feedback on screen, allowing users to learn music theory concepts like Lydian dominant without additional piano lessons.

Scale lock makes playing melodies intuitive even for beginners, transforming the keyboard into a learning tool for different musical scales.

• First encoder controls harmonic complexity of chords • Second encoder scrolls through different chord sets • Third encoder spreads notes across the keyboard • Additional encoder applies strumming effects

Unlike other MIDI controllers, the Launchkey's chord mode is not restricted to basic voicings. You can spread notes and apply strumming to create expressive chord progressions.

• Orange performance pads create chord inversions • One pad type converts chords into arpeggios for quick melody ideas • Another pad can be used to create baseline patterns with arpeggio effects

You cannot save chord positions per session, but you can capture favorite progressions using Expressive Chords in clips or manually note down chord map positions.

The Launchkey includes controls for looping and play head position, allowing hands-free operation without touching mouse and keyboard while recording.

The controller can trigger Ableton Live's MIDI capture, eliminating the need to manually press record. On the 37-mini version, press shift and record; larger versions have a dedicated button.

• Only the pads have poly aftertouch, not the keys • Encoder sensitivity is problematic with too much resistance, making quick filter sweeps difficult • Encoders are endless but not ideal for real-time parameter manipulation

Mappings for Ableton Live stock instruments are good, but third-party plugins need manual mapping or custom templates from Novation's components page. Serum has dedicated mappings, but other plugins like Peak synthesizer do not.