Novation Launchkey MK3 User Manual

6
MIDI on Launchkey MK3
The Launchkey MK3 has two MIDI interfaces providing two pairs of MIDI inputs and outputs over USB.
They are as follows:
- LKMK3 MIDI In / Out (or first interface on Windows): This interface is used to receive MIDI
from performing (keys, wheels, pad, pot, and fader Custom Modes); and is used to provide
external MIDI input.
- LKMK3 DAW In / Out (or second interface on Windows): This interface is used by DAWs and
similar software to interact with the Launchkey MK3.
The Launchkey MK3 also has a MIDI DIN output port, which transmits the same data as the LKMK3
MIDI In (USB) interface. Note that responses to requests sent on LKMK3 MIDI Out (USB) are only
returned on LKMK3 MIDI In (USB).
If you wish to use Launchkey MK3 as a control surface for a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), you will
likely want to use the DAW interface (See DAW mode chapter).
Otherwise, you may interact with the device using the MIDI interface.
The Launchkey MK3 sends Note On (90h – 9Fh) with velocity zero for Note Offs. It accepts either Note
Offs (80h – 8Fh) or Note Ons (90h – 9Fh) with velocity zero for Note Off.
Device Inquiry message
The Launchkey MK3 responds to the Universal Device Inquiry Sysex message, which can be used to
identify the device. This exchange is as follows:
Host => Launchkey MK3:
Hex: F0h 7Eh 7Fh 06h 01h F7h
Dec: 240 126 127 6 1 247
Launchkey MK3 => Host (Application):
Hex: F0h 7Eh 00h 06h 02h 00h 20h 29h <dev_type> 01h 00h 00h <app_version> F7h
Dec: 240 126 0 6 2 0 32 41 <dev_type> 1 0 0 <app_version> 247
Launchkey MK3 => Host (Bootloader):
Hex: F0h 7Eh 00h 06h 02h 00h 20h 29h <dev_type> 11h 00h 00h <boot_version> F7h
Dec: 240 126 0 6 2 0 32 41 <dev_type> 17 0 0 <boot_version> 247
The <dev_type> field encodes which Launchkey MK3 is connected:
- 34h (52): Launchkey MK3 25
- 35h (53): Launchkey MK3 37
- 36h (54): Launchkey MK3 49
- 37h (55): Launchkey MK3 61
The <app_version> or <boot_version> field is 4 bytes long, providing the Application or the Bootloader
version, respectively. The version is the same version which can be viewed using the Scene Launch
and Stop-Solo-Mute buttons in the Bootloader, provided as four bytes, each byte corresponding to
one digit, ranging from 0 – 9.

Novation Launchkey MK3 Specifications

General

Model	Launchkey MK3
Manufacturer	Novation
Type	MIDI Keyboard Controller
Velocity Sensitivity	Yes
Aftertouch	No
Display	LCD Screen
Transport Controls	Yes
Arpeggiator	Yes
Scale Mode	Yes
Chord Mode	Yes
USB	USB-B
Power	USB Bus Powered
Sustain Pedal Input	Yes
Keys	25, 37, 49, 61
Pads	16
Knobs	8
Faders	9
DAW Integration	Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools, Reason
Connectivity	USB
MIDI I/O	Out
Included Software	Ableton Live Lite, Spitfire Audio LABS Expressive Strings, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Klevgrand R0Verb and DAW Cassette, Novation Sound Collective