Novation Launchkey 37 Mk3

Installation & Configuration Linux
#1

Hi all,

I have purchased a Launchkey 37 MK3 for my son for his birthday, I can map it so the keys work through Midi but can not for the life of me get the control surfaces to work.

OS: Ubuntu 25.10
Ardour version: 8.12.0

Prefs → Control surface

  • Generic Midi
  • Incoming midi on : “Launchkey MK3 37 LKMK3 DAW ln (In)”
  • Outgoing Midi on: “Launchkey MK3 37 LKMK3 DAW ln (Out)”
  • Midi Bindings set to “Novation Launchkey 25”

Prefs → Midi Port Config

  • Midi Inputs
  • Launchkey MK3 37 LKMK3 ln (In) → Music Data
  • Launchkey MK3 37 LKMK3 DAW ln (In) → Control Data
  • Midi Outputs
  • Launchkey MK3 37 LKMK3 ln (Out) → Nothing
  • Launchkey MK3 37 LKMK3 DAW ln (Out) → Control Data

I think it was mounting the USB in storage mode so I disabled the Easy Start setting to off on the Launchkey.

I know the Midi command from the control key “Play” is getting to Ardour because I can see the event in the Midi tracer. It just does nothing.

I think pressing Shift on the Launchkey should let me change it’s mode somehow but nothing happens.

Any help much, much appreciated.

#2

We have no particular support for the MK3 LaunchKey series (the MK4 series is supported).

They don’t differ a lot in their MIDI implementation, but are also not the same. Using Generic MIDI with the MK3 is viable but I don’t think it is trival to set up.

#3

Thanks for the quick reply! I will try to make a MidiMap and map the Play and Stop buttons. Should have looked for a Mk4 !

#4

Here is a very basic mapping, you could use it as a reference. The transport keys are mapped.