Novation Launch Control XL 3

Next on the test bench is Novation's Launch Control XL 3 with all its new updated firmware goodness. Confession time. I reviewed Novation’s first ‘Launch’ device back in 2009. But, despite my glowing praise, Launchpad Mk.1 was competing for space with two APC40s and a Push. You’re not supposed to give away review gear, but it broke my heart to see it gathering dust, so 13 years ago, I introduced it to a minimal house DJ from Napoli. As far as I know, they’re still living happily together in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. I regretted it, though, as successive firmware hacks transformed Launchpad from a general-purpose Live controller into a customisable MIDI beast. Which brings us neatly to Novation’s latest Launch product… er… launch. Admittedly, it was announced at Superbooth 25 and has been available since the summer, but we knew updated firmware was incoming, so we have held off until now to do it proper justice. So...meet Launch Control XL 3. And since writing that constantly will push me over the editor’s wordcount limit, let’s call it LCXL3. Control your sound For over a decade, Launch Controls have offered hands-on mixer-style control, initially just for Ableton Live, but now for a range of DAWs and hardware. LCXL3 offers 24 endless encoders, eight 60mm faders, transport controls, 16 assignable buttons, plus function buttons. It’s USB-C-powered, has a separate 5-pin MIDI port for in, out, and thru, and a small screen. It can control your software. It can control your hardware. It can do both at the same time. Glow up Crucially, for shallow folk like me, LCXL3 represents a significant cosmetic upgrade from its predecessors (which, though still functionally excellent, look thoroughly dated in 2025). I mean, what’s the point in having knobs and faders if they don’t give you the feels? Anybody who read my views on the Launchkey 49 Mk 4 knows how highly I rate the finish on Novation’s current gen kit, and LCXL3 is no exception: substantial, sturdy, and sexy to the touch. Plus, the faders and knobs are all reassuringly firm with consistent resistance. My only (slight) concern is that those inputs have a fashionable rubbery finish. It enhances grip, but after recently removing the Decksaver from my Korg Minilogue after a year and discovering to my horror that the (similarly finished) knobs have gone sticky, I’m wary. Time will tell, but they really do feel nice. I should probably just live for the now. Dressed to impress LCXL3 looks the business too, especially next to my Mac Studio. I’m on the road a lot, so I'm a fan of anything that gives visitors to my travelling studio the impression I know what I’m doing, and this definitely brings a much-needed pro aura. I’m also a fan of that OLED screen. It’s small, but OLED is expensive, and I’d rather have a diminutive monochrome screen that’s visible from any angle than a big colourful screen I can only see from a tiny sweet spot. And it does what I need: it shows which channel I’m adjusting, which parameter I’m tweaking, and the current value of that parameter. Impressively, this redesign has been achieved without any noticeable increase in size or weight, so it still slips perfectly into a backpack, making it ideal for travelling laptop producers and live performers who pack their rig in a single carry-on bag. All of which brings us to use cases. Novation’s made no secret about wanting this in the hands of hardware fans and software producers alike, but let’s get the latter out of the way first. [quote align=right text="LCXL3 is my new go-to choice for both studio and on-the-road. It feels great, occupies the minimum possible space… and just works"] DAW integration Connected to your computer, LCXL3 lets you control all your mixing functions (level, pan, send, mute, solo, transport, etc.), plugin parameters, and just about anything you can assign MIDI to. In terms of DAW integration, Launch Control ships with out-of-the-box support for the current Live version, plus downloadable profiles for the latest Bitwig, Pro Tools, Reaper, and Studio One. And setting up custom profiles for older versions is easy. It’s certainly aimed at me, though. As a hardware-bothering Live user who travels a lot and loves to record filter and envelope jamming as automation, and punch things in and out for live-arrangement vibes, LCXL3 is my new go-to choice for both studio and on-the-road. It feels great, occupies the minimum possible space… and just works. Jammer’s dream As mentioned, LCXL3 is targeting MIDI hardware users for the first time, and it's not hard to see why – the modular and boutique instrument scene gets bigger every year. But is this mere big brand bandwagon jumping? Is Novation simply trying to flog a few more units by re-marketing to a new kind of customer? Pleasingly, no. There’s no shortage of controllers for the hardware scene, but that’s because there’s no shortage of demand. People who like hardware like hands-on control; they want more control, and, crucially,