The voice of Launchkey

Turn your Launchkey controller into an inspiring instrument loaded with basses, leads, pads, drum kits, and more sampled from classic Novation, Sequential, and Oberheim hardware synths. Created in collaboration with Klevgrand, Novation Play integrates seamlessly with Launchkey MK4’s controls for a hardware-like experience that keeps you in the flow while creating.

If you own a Launchkey MK4, Novation Play is already waiting for you in your customer portal. Click the link below to log in and download it.

Watch walkthrough

Key features.

Get playing straight away

Get playing straight away

Play’s interface is designed for immediacy. With hands-on macro controls, colour-coded pads, Pad FX, global effects, and fast preset browsing, everything is laid out to keep you creating without interruption.
One-to-one control

One-to-one control

Transform your sounds with a twist; Launchkey’s eight encoders are automatically mapped to the most important parameters, with changes visualised on Play’s grid display. Essential functions stay in place across presets, helping you build muscle memory and stay in the flow.
Do more with drum pads

Do more with drum pads

Select a drum kit from the preset menus and 12 of Launchkey’s pads glow green, ready to lay down a beat. Hit the corresponding edit button to adjust gain, pitch, and panning for each pad.
Toggle Pad FX directly from 
your controller

Toggle Pad FX directly from 
your controller

Play comes with four creative Pad FX available for every preset â€” Chorus, Cassette, Spinner, and Freeze. To switch them on or off while playing, simply hit the corresponding colour-coded pad on your Launchkey hardware.
One-knob global effects

One-knob global effects

In addition to the Pad FX, you get a lush, cavernous reverb with its own presets; a flexible, spaced-out delay; and a powerful one-knob compressor — complete with a hidden gain-reduction meter — for adding impact to any sound.
80+ presets included

80+ presets included

Play comes packed with release-ready basses, keys, leads, pads, and FX â€” each with the sonic flexibility to transform into something new. Use the encoder bank’s up and down buttons to switch between them.

Hardware meets software

Create without compromise

Combine the endless possibilities of in-the-box workflows with the immediacy of hardware synthesisers — Play’s tight integration with Launchkey hardware gives you the best of both worlds. It works with any DAW or as a standalone app for impromptu jams and live performances.

Captured from sought-after synths

The synth sounds in Novation Play have been meticulously sampled from a selection of renowned hardware synthesisers, creating snapshots of each instrument’s unique character. These include the Bass Station II, Nova, and Peak as well as Sequential's Prophet 5 and Prophet Rev 2, and Oberheim's OB-6.

Powered by Klevgrand

Novation Play was created with our partners Klevgrand, makers of inspiring instruments and effects. To celebrate our collaboration, we came together in Berlin for a two-hour challenge: make a track from scratch with just a Launchkey and Klevgrand plugins.
Watch our challenge

Specifications

Compatibility

  • MacStandalone Application, AU, AAX, VST and VST3
  • PCStandalone Application, AAX, VST and VST3

System Requirements

  • macOS 10.13.x or above
  • Intel or Apple Silicon Mac

  • Windows 7 and above
  • 2GHz CPU with 2GB RAM

Included with

  • Launchkey MK4
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