Novation LaunchControl XL 3 Review: The Perfect Controller for Hybrid Setups?

Novation has always been a name I associate with intuitive and powerful MIDI controllers, and with the new LaunchControl XL Mk3, they’ve raised the bar again. I see this as a significant evolution, bridging the gap between a dedicated DAW controller and a universal hardware hub. For producers like me who run hybrid setups, this is a very strong contender.

Right out of the box, the LaunchControl XL3 looks slick and refined. It's a notable departure from its predecessor but lines up with their new LaunchKey Mk4 series. The build quality feels robust and premium—honestly, I feel like I could toss this thing around with little regard for its safety and it would come out completely unscathed. But the real game-changers are the two things we’ve been asking for: a clear OLED screen for visual feedback and, crucially, full-size 5-pin MIDI In, Out, and Thru ports. This instantly signals that this is more than just a DAW accessory; it’s a serious piece of equipment that's ready to be the central hub for a hardware rig, even without a computer.

The Novation LaunchControl XL 3 "In-the-Box" Experience (Bitwig)

As a simple DAW controller, the experience is seamless. The integration with Bitwig, in particular, is pretty excellent. When I plugged it in, Bitwig Connect (Novation's integration script) immediately picked it up. They even include little stickers in the box so you can color-code your controllers, which is a nice touch that matches the visual bounding box on the screen.

Out of the box, the stock script gives you two main modes:

1. DAW Mixer Mode: This is your bread and butter. The eight 60mm faders map directly to your track volumes and are smooth enough for fine adjustments. The knobs handle your sends (top two rows) and pans (bottom row). The OLED screen is super helpful here; if you hold shift, it shows you the channel names and values before you even move a knob. The buttons at the bottom handle your track selection, Mutes, Solos, and Arming. A pro tip: holding shift while hitting Solo or Arm lets you select multiple tracks at once.

2. DAW Control Mode: This mode is all about controlling the DAW itself and your devices. The top utility row has knobs for scrolling the timeline, horizontal and vertical zoom, and even setting your loop start/duration and markers. The top two banks of knobs automatically map to your Bitwig Quick Controls, and the LEDs perfectly match the colors of your controls in the software, which is a fantastic visual aid.

The "Hybrid Hub" (Where It Really Shines)

Look, just using this for its stock DAW integration is missing the point. This thing is a hub, and its real power is in its deep customization.

This is where "Custom Modes" come in. Using the Novation Components software—which is genuinely one of the nicest, most fluid mapping tools I've ever come across—you can build up to 15 layers of control. You can map anything: CCs, notes, and even keystrokes (which is handy for running OBS or other apps).

For example, I'm using the Driven by Moss scripts for Bitwig. I have a custom mode dedicated to EQ+, where the faders control gain and the knobs control frequency and Q for all eight bands. I’m building another mode for browser navigation, with knobs to scroll through plugin lists and buttons to load them. This is what transforms the LaunchControl from a simple mixer into the central brain for my entire workflow, letting me control hardware synths and software plugins from one solid interface.

The One Big "Gotcha"

Now, there is one thing that’s holding this controller back from perfection, and it’s something that had me confused. The 24 endless encoders do not have a relative mode yet.

This means they are always outputting an absolute value (0-127). If you’re trying to control a parameter on your screen, you have to "chase" the value with the knob until it "catches," which feels janky and breaks the flow. This also means you can't properly use the knobs to scroll through long lists (like in your plugin browser), which is a key function for me. I’ve spoken to the folks at Novation, and they are aware of this. It’s a highly requested feature, and it sounds like it’s something that can be (and hopefully will be) fixed in a future firmware update.

The Final Verdict

Even with the relative mode issue, the Novation LaunchControl XL 3 is a fantastic update. It’s a lightweight, rock-solid, killer little product that’s perfect for both the studio and live performance.

While the street price of around $249 might be a step up, the enhanced functionality, robust build, and sheer versatility more than justify the investment. The ideal user for this is, without a doubt, the producer with a hybrid setup—someone who seamlessly blends the power of a DAW with the tactile joy of hardware synths. That said, it's an excellent choice for anyone looking for a more tactile experience while working completely in the box, too.

If you value deep control, extensive connectivity, and a road-ready form factor, this is arguably one of the best compact controllers on the market. It's a highly recommended upgrade.