Akai Professional
MPK Mini MK3
$119Cheaper
Released 2020-08
Best MIDI Keyboards · head-to-head
MPK Mini MK3 vs Launchkey 49 MK4
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. MPK Mini MK3 is cheaper at $119. Every spec and price links to its source.
Novation
Launchkey 49 MK4
$279.99
Released 2024-08
Which is better: the MPK Mini MK3 or Launchkey 49 MK4?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The MPK Mini MK3 is the cheaper at $119.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | MPK Mini MK3 | Launchkey 49 MK4 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $119 US street price / MSRP | $279.99 |
| Brand | Akai Professional | Novation |
| Released | 2020-08 | 2024-08 |
| Keys | 25 | 49 |
| Key type | synth | semi_weighted |
| Drum pads | 8 | 16 |
| Knobs | 8 | 8 |
| Faders | 0 | 9 |
| Aftertouch | No | No |
| Connection | usb | usb_midi_din |
| Bundled software | MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, NI Komplete Start | Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, GForce Oberheim SEM, Klevgrand plugins, NI Komplete Select, Melodics |
| Release | 2020 | 2024 |
Sources — MPK Mini MK3: gearnews.com (verified 2026-06-19). Launchkey 49 MK4: us.novationmusic.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the MPK Mini MK3 and Launchkey 49 MK4?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Keys: MPK Mini MK3 25 vs Launchkey 49 MK4 49
- Key type: MPK Mini MK3 synth vs Launchkey 49 MK4 semi_weighted
- Drum pads: MPK Mini MK3 8 vs Launchkey 49 MK4 16
- Faders: MPK Mini MK3 0 vs Launchkey 49 MK4 9
- Connection: MPK Mini MK3 usb vs Launchkey 49 MK4 usb_midi_din
- Bundled software: MPK Mini MK3 MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, NI Komplete Start vs Launchkey 49 MK4 Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, GForce Oberheim SEM, Klevgrand plugins, NI Komplete Select, Melodics
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
MPK Mini MK3
Only one whitelisted tester, SoundGuys, reviewed this exact model hands-on over 10 days, scoring it 7.6/10. They call it an excellent, affordable all-round USB-MIDI keyboard praised for velocity-sensitive pads, endless 360-degree knobs and bundled MPC Beats software, but flag unforgivably stiff pads and missing onboard transport controls. No lab measurements were taken. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Excellent value as an affordable all-round MIDI keyboard; Velocity-sensitive pads and endless 360-degree knobs; Rare built-in OLED screen and bundled MPC Beats software for beginners.
Flagged: Pads are unforgivably stiff, hard to finger-drum consistently; No onboard transport controls, making live performance harder; No MIDI-out port and a thumbstick less intuitive than touch strips.
Launchkey 49 MK4
Two whitelisted testers reviewed the Launchkey 49 MK4 hands-on: MusicRadar covering the 49 and 61 together, and Sound on Sound covering the whole MK4 range with 49/61-specific commentary. Both reach a positive verdict. Shared praise centres on the comprehensive control surface and tight Ableton Live / DAW integration. MusicRadar additionally singles out the playable semi-weighted keys and the software bundle; Sound on Sound additionally praises the creative arpeggiator and Chord Map modes. Both flag readability of the small OLED / under-labelled controls and the chunky, heavier build of the larger 49/61. Neither ran measurements, so all findings are qualitative. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Playable, semi-weighted full-size keys; Comprehensive control surface with faders, encoders, pads and central OLED; Tight Ableton Live / DAW integration.
Flagged: Small OLED display and control labels that could be larger or better illuminated; The larger 49/61 are chunky and heavier than the smaller range models; Thin documentation for third-party DAW/plug-in control.