M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 vs Novation Launchkey 61 MK4

The M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 is a keys-only controller: 61 full-size, velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted keys, a volume fader, transport buttons, and pitch and mod wheels. It's built for someone who already owns a DAW and plugin library and just needs an accurate keybed.

The semi-weighted action beats the synth-action feel of cheaper 61-key boards, and it adds sustain and expression pedal inputs that many controllers this size skip. At the time of writing it bundles MPC Beats, Ableton Live Lite and a few AIR instruments. 6,762 reviews at a 4.6 average is the deepest track record in this guide.

No pads, no knobs, no aftertouch, no display: it's a keybed and nothing else, so anything beyond playing notes has to come from your DAW or a separate controller.

The Novation Launchkey 61 MK4 is the controller both source threads keep naming as the modern default, an all-in-one DAW controller built around 16 pads and a full control surface. It's for anyone who wants clip launching, finger drumming and mixer control without stepping up to Novation's sequencer-equipped SL line.

The 16 FSR pads carry polyphonic aftertouch, and 8 knobs plus 9 faders map automatically to Ableton, Logic, Cubase, Reason, Reaper and FL Studio through Novation's DAW scripts, with an OLED display showing the current chord. Scale Mode, Chord Mode and an arpeggiator are onboard, and at the time of writing it bundles Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE and instruments from GForce, Klevgrand and Orchestral Tools.

The keybed is synth-action, not the aftertouch-equipped Fatar keybed on the step-up SL MkIII, and 182 reviews is thin next to the budget pick's thousands, since this generation just launched.