Novation Launchpad Pro Mk3

At 268mm square and just 18mm thick, it's a slab of tightly packed pads.

Overview

The Novation Launchpad Pro Mk3 is the flagship of Novation's long-running grid controller line. It was released to mark the 10th anniversary of the original Launchpad. It's a 64-pad MIDI grid controller built for hands-on production. It works with Ableton Live and Logic Pro, and it can also run standalone hardware through its 3.5mm MIDI ports. At the core is a four-track, 32-step sequencer with eight-note polyphony and pattern chaining. That takes it past clip launching and into full arrangement work.

Owners report that it delivers deep control, but there's a learning curve. It leans heavily on button combinations and menu diving to get at its full feature set. That's the trade-off for the compact size. One user found it clumsy - "I just need much bigger hands and probably more fingers. Plodding..." - and others echo that about the tight pad spacing during fast sequences. Another user, after mastering the workflows, found it became "really fast to create full arrangements and even songs." It takes some time to learn before the speed shows up.

The Launchpad Pro Mk3 isn't vintage by age. It fits the conversation by approach: it's a dedicated hardware instrument in an era of software dominance. The front panel is minimal, and the functionality comes from layering. That's close to the dense, pragmatic style of 1980s MIDI gear, even though the build and connectivity are firmly 21st century.

Specifications

Key Features

64 Pressure-Sensitive RGB Pads

The grid is the main event, and the 64 pads are expressive surfaces as well as triggers. Pressure sensitivity gives dynamic control beyond simple velocity. It allows aftertouch-like modulation with compatible software or hardware. The RGB feedback is crisp and responsive, and it shows clip states, note data and navigation layers. The pads sit between a firm click and rebound. Some users report a slightly cramped feel during complex polyphonic sequences, particularly with larger hands.

Four-Track, 32-Step Sequencer with Pattern Chaining

The sequencer is what separates the Launchpad Pro Mk3 from simpler clip launchers. It runs four tracks with eight-note polyphony, so chord progressions and layered drum patterns work without external gear. Pattern chaining links sequences into longer arrangements, which is a big step toward finishing songs on the unit. Transport controls and tap tempo are built in, so start/stop, tempo setting and synchronization are immediate. According to available documentation, the sequencer can drive an entire hardware rig - synths, samplers, drum machines - through the MIDI outputs.

Hardware Integration via 3.5mm MIDI

Earlier models focused solely on computer integration. The Mk3 has full MIDI In, Out, and Out 2/Thru on 3.5mm TRS jacks, with adapters included. That connects modern USB control to classic DIN MIDI gear and lets it slot into hybrid setups. One user considering it "for its hardware step sequencer as a second option" shows the point: it works as a standalone sequencer for analog synths and vintage drum machines, not only as a Live controller. The USB-C port handles both data and power, and a dedicated power supply is included for standalone use.

Historical Context

The Launchpad Pro Mk3 was announced on January 14th, 2020, following the Launchpad Mini MK3 and Launchpad X. It's the largest and most feature-rich model in the lineup. It arrived as the flagship Launchpad Pro MK3 a decade after the original. The original Launchpad pioneered clip launching in Ableton Live. The Mk3 moves toward self-contained music creation, with sequencing and hardware control in a single compact unit.

Collectibility & Value

The Launchpad Pro Mk3 is currently listed as secondhand and keeps a steady presence in the used market. Original pricing was reported at £300 in March 2020, and current new prices start around $266. Used units have been seen as low as $149.99, though availability varies. One user noted "It's still a great and compact device, when it works," which hints at reliability concerns, though no widespread failure modes are documented. It's valued for utility rather than rarity.

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