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.

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. 

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. 

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"]

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.

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, they want things that are easy to set up and use with their various bits of kit. On all three measures, LCXL3 makes a great case for adding it to your hardware or modular setup.

Moreover, arguably the best thing about LCXL3, is that it can do everything we’ve highlighted at the same time. One single setup preset can control multiple hardware devices or software applications simultaneously. For example, you could live-tweak filter plug-ins on two DAW channels, envelope controls on a hardware synth, and delay on a software drum machine, all while still being able to solo or punch-in mixer channels in Live. It’s a jammer’s dream. And in a stage-show context, the ability to store and recall up to 15 user presets called ‘Modes’ (up from eight on previous versions), direct from the hardware, means you could have a different configuration for up to 15 tracks in a set, even in a completely computer-free setup.  

Speaking of live, LCXL3 is definitely worth considering, three potential issues notwithstanding. 1. Those encoders could be a bit too reassuringly stiff for on-stage cutoff-and-resonance jockeying. 2. Some fat-fingered knob fiddlers like myself might find it a tight squeeze. 3. It could be hard to keep track of what’s what in low lighting (although that’s nothing you can’t fix by adding ‘A small angleable desk lamp’ to your show rider… ). 

But let’s get back to what makes it ideal for live performers. How do you edit those presets? Very. Easily.

Anyone who remembers the industry landscape when the first Novation Launchpad launched cannot help but smile every time they fire up the editor application, Components. It shows you the unit on screen, you click on a control to edit it, you say what you want it to control (including MIDI output / channel), you say what colour you want it to be, and so on. And you can do all this per Mode (preset).

Also, if, like me, you boycott bespoke apps for every controller or plugin on your computer (note to companies: if your app automatically adds itself to my computer’s launch items, you lose my custom… forever), then Novation has you covered. You can get all the same Components functionality via a web browser (Google’s Chrome, Microsoft’s Edge, or Opera’s… er… Opera).

So, the big question: should you buy one? If you don’t currently have a MIDI / USB controller but are in the market for a compact or portable (or both) option, then this should definitely be on a short shortlist. If you only plan to take it out live, you might want to try it out first to check it’s the right fit for you, but in terms of functionality and build, it’s hard to fault it for the price. 

And what about if you already own a previous Launch Control? Well, even if you don’t need those new MIDI ports, additional Modes, or the standalone functionality, it still offers a really nice experience. You can run version 1 and 2 units alongside the new one for additional control (though you may need to manually change their Machine ID to do so). So yeah, treat yourself. Everybody deserves a (very) late Christmas present.

Full V1.1 update includes

• Mackie HUI support: Launch Control XL 3 now supports additional DAWs — including Pro Tools, Reaper, and Studio One.
• Expanded MIDI routing: With flexible USB-to-DIN MIDI passthrough, it’s even easier to configure hybrid setups with merged control data and channel filtering.
• Encoder acceleration curves: Encoder response can now be adjusted for more precise, expressive control.
• Fader pickup: Faders can be set to “pick up” their previous position rather than immediately jumping to a new value when moved, enabling smoother transitions when mixing or performing.
• Fader preview: Pressing Shift and moving any fader displays its parameter value on Launch Control XL 3’s OLED screen.
• Faster Custom Mode selection: Hold the Mode button, select a mode, then release it.

Novation Launch Control XL 3 is available for £189.99.

Owners of Launch Control XL 3 can update their hardware here.

Find out more here.