# Launchkey 49 MK4: specs and price

**Price (US):** $279.99 at us.novationmusic.com (Current Novation US store price (launch MSRP was $249.99)), as of 2026-06-27. A sourced, dated price of record — other retailers (incl. Amazon) may be lower. Among the 12 midi keyboards we track it is #9 cheapest of 12; category median $149.
**Brand:** Novation
**Released:** 2024-08
**Price tracked since:** June 2026

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Price (US) | $279.99 |
| Brand | Novation |
| Released | 2024-08 |
| Keys | 49 |
| Key type | semi_weighted |
| Drum pads | 16 |
| Knobs | 8 |
| Faders | 9 |
| Aftertouch | No |
| Connection | usb_midi_din |
| Bundled software | Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, GForce Oberheim SEM, Klevgrand plugins, NI Komplete Select, Melodics |

## Where it stands

At $280, the Launchkey 49 MK4 is #9 cheapest of the 12 MIDI keyboards we track, where the median is $149. On the spec sheet, its drum pads of 16 is the highest of the 12, its faders of 9 is the highest of the 12, and its release of 2024 is the highest of the 12. By release date, it is the newest of the 12 we date.

## What reviewers say

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. (Based on 2 reviews, 2024-12-10–2025-02.)

Praised: Playable, semi-weighted full-size keys; Comprehensive control surface with faders, encoders, pads and central OLED; Tight Ableton Live / DAW integration; Generous software bundle (Ableton Live 12, GForce, Orchestral Tools, Klevgrand, Melodics); Creative arpeggiator and chord modes, especially the Chord Map.
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; No off switch / sleep mode, so pads stay lit.
Disagreement: No genuine disagreement: both testers reach a positive verdict. Only Sound on Sound exercised cross-DAW integration (Reason, FL Studio, HUI) and, as a result, flagged weak third-party documentation and the absence of an off switch, dimensions MusicRadar did not probe.
Sources: MusicRadar (2024-12-10, musicradar.com), Sound on Sound (2025-02, soundonsound.com)

## Frequently asked questions

**What do reviewers say about the 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. Praised: Playable, semi-weighted full-size keys; Comprehensive control surface with faders, encoders, pads and central OLED; Tight Ableton Live / DAW integration; Generous software bundle (Ableton Live 12, GForce, Orchestral Tools, Klevgrand, Melodics); Creative arpeggiator and chord modes, especially the Chord Map. 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; No off switch / sleep mode, so pads stay lit. (From 2 tester reviews.)

**How much does the Launchkey 49 MK4 cost?**

The Launchkey 49 MK4 has a US price of $279.99 (Current Novation US store price (launch MSRP was $249.99)), as of 2026-06-19.

**How does the Launchkey 49 MK4 compare on price?**

At $280, the Launchkey 49 MK4 is #9 cheapest of the 12 MIDI keyboards we track, where the median is $149.

**When was the Launchkey 49 MK4 released?**

The Launchkey 49 MK4 was released 2024-08.

**What are the Launchkey 49 MK4's key specs?**

Launchkey 49 MK4 (Novation): keys 49, key type semi_weighted, drum pads 16, knobs 8, faders 9. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-19.

Source: https://us.novationmusic.com/products/launchkey-49 (us.novationmusic.com, accessed 2026-06-19)
Corroboration: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LaunchK4-49--novation-launchkey-49-mk4-49-key-keyboard-controller (accessed 2026-06-19)
Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/product/midi-keyboards/novation-launchkey-49-mk4/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, the Launchkey 49 MK4 price of record was $279.99 as of 2026-06-19 — https://frontdeskreview.com/product/midi-keyboards/novation-launchkey-49-mk4/
License: CC BY 4.0. Price history: https://frontdeskreview.com/data/price-history.jsonl