Novation Launchpad Pro Mk3 £300 / $350

In a hotly-anticipated update, Novation’s top-of-the-range Launchpad finally gets the ‘Mk3’ treatment, but is it ready for lift-off?

Novation’s Launchpad range of controllers for Ableton Live have been a well-deserved success, bundling smart looks and impressive functionality into robust, versatile and affordable packages. Hot on the heels of the significant recent ‘Mk3’ updates to the Launchpad Mini and Launchpad X, the range-topping Launchpad Pro has now had a refresh of its own. There’s a bunch of new functions and features, but what exactly is it that sets this machine apart, and is that ‘Pro’ moniker worth the extra investment?

Good form

The new Launchpad Pro Mk 3 is much more than just a face-lifted version.

Totally redesigned, the Pro now conforms to the aesthetic of the other two Launchpads, with a flatter, slightly wider profile, 11mm shallower and 8mm wider than its predecessor. This reinforces the sense of solidity and rugged build quality that you get when you’re first unboxing the device – it feels like a pro item right from the get-go.