Novation introduce the Launch Control 3

Published 3/3/26

Compact MIDI controller gets an upgrade

Following on from the release of the Launch Control XL 3, Novation have announced that its smaller sibling has just been treated to a similar upgrade.

As with its predecessor, the all-new Launch Control 3 has been designed to offer hands-on control over DAWs, plug-ins, and hardware. It comes equipped with 16 endless rotary encoders and eight assignable buttons, and features an OLED display that provides real-time visual feedback. It can be connected via USB-C, but also includes MIDI In, Out and Out2/Thru connections on five-pin DIN sockets.

Custom integration with major DAWs including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase and Bitwig is provided out of the box, while Mackie HUI support extends its use to Pro Tools and other software. Additionally, the Novation Components software makes it easy to create and save up to seven Custom Modes, providing users with an easy way to set up control templates for any combination of hardware and software.

Key Features

Powerful Integration With All Major DAWs: Deep integration with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Bitwig and more — plus Mackie HUI support.
Connect All Your Hardware: Five-pin MIDI In, Out and Out2/Thru connections with comprehensive filtering and routing options that work with or without a computer.
Create Custom Mappings: Assign MIDI parameters to encoders and buttons, store up to seven Custom Modes, and manage them with Novation Components.
Crisp OLED Display: Get detailed, real-time feedback on each parameter as you adjust. 
16 Endless Encoders: Pan tracks, adjust sends or customise your own controls, all with adjustable acceleration curves and RGB status indicators.
Eight Assignable Buttons: When using a DAW, these can be set to Solo, Arm, Mute or Select tracks — or mapped to custom functions to suit your workflow.
Software Included: Launch Control 3 comes with Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE, plus Klevgrand’s Fosfat, Baby Audio’s Parallel Aggressor and Output’s Movement.
Get Started Fast: Launch Control 3 is easy to set up with Novation’s tutorials and Easy Start tool.