# Launchkey 49 MK4 vs Oxygen Pro 49: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Launchkey 49 MK4 (Novation) and Oxygen Pro 49 (M-Audio) among midi keyboards. Launchkey 49 MK4 is the cheaper of the two at $279.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Launchkey 49 MK4 | Oxygen Pro 49 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $279.99 | $299 |
| Brand | Novation | M-Audio |
| Released | 2024-08 | 2021 |
| Keys | 49 | 49 |
| Key type | semi_weighted | semi_weighted |
| Drum pads | 16 | 16 |
| Knobs | 8 | 8 |
| Faders | 9 | 9 |
| Aftertouch | No | Yes |
| Connection | usb_midi_din | usb_midi_din |
| Bundled software | Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, GForce Oberheim SEM, Klevgrand plugins, NI Komplete Select, Melodics | Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First, MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, TubeSynth |

## Key differences

- Aftertouch: Launchkey 49 MK4 No vs Oxygen Pro 49 Yes
- Bundled software: Launchkey 49 MK4 Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, GForce Oberheim SEM, Klevgrand plugins, NI Komplete Select, Melodics vs Oxygen Pro 49 Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First, MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, TubeSynth

## What reviewers say

**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.)

**Oxygen Pro 49** — Two hands-on reviews of the Oxygen Pro 49 survive verification: Sound on Sound (May 2021) and MusicRadar (27 May 2021). Both recommend it as a feature-rich, competitively priced controller, and both flag the light, springy keybed and the time needed to learn the feature set. Neither outlet published lab measurements. Note that MusicRadar's build-quality passage is a verbatim reprint of Sound on Sound's text under its 'The web says' heading, so chassis assessment rests on one independent source, not two. No claim is made here about coverage by outlets that were not fetched. (2 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Launchkey 49 MK4: https://us.novationmusic.com/products/launchkey-49 (us.novationmusic.com, verified 2026-06-19)
- Oxygen Pro 49: https://www.m-audio.com/keyboard-controllers/oxygen-pro-49.html (m-audio.com, verified 2026-06-19)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/midi-keyboards/novation-launchkey-49-mk4-vs-m-audio-oxygen-pro-49/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Launchkey 49 MK4 ($279.99) vs Oxygen Pro 49 ($299) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/midi-keyboards/novation-launchkey-49-mk4-vs-m-audio-oxygen-pro-49/
License: CC BY 4.0.