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Novation Launch Control finally brings back the smart, little encoder box

The best thing about Launch Control XL is that it has faders. The best thing about Launch Control is that it doesn’t — and fits into a small space. It really is that simple, if contradictory, thanks to intelligent features shared between the two.

Novation’s Launch Control XL 3 fader box, the update we were waiting for

An affordable bank of faders and controls is so sought-after that Novation could have just slightly refreshed Launch Control XL to some applause. But XL 3 does more than that: it’s a fully fleshed-out update with deeper control, more buttons and transport, more customization, a display, and now full-sized 5-pin MIDI I/O.

Peter Kirn - May 8, 2025

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Smallest MIDI keyboard ever? MidiCard fits on a business card

Alana Balagot whipped this one up and – it’s a gem. The challenge: fit a completely functional MIDI keyboard onto a board the size of a credit or business card, and let it work with anything (USB-C, class compliant). The result: MidiCard.