Novation FLkey 2: Better Keys and Pads Highlight the FL Studio Controller Series Glow Up
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FL Studio users, rejoice! There’s now a new Novation FLkey 2 controller lineup, with physical improvements like semi-weighted keys on the bigger models and a crispy new OLED screen.
Novation FLkey 2
Image-Line’s FL Studio is reportedly the most-downloaded DAW around. That’s a lot of users, but surprisingly not a lot of manufacturers cater to their needs. Other DAWs get all the love, but FL Studio seems to get forgotten by a lot of the big players when it comes to dedicated MIDI controllers. Novation stepped up in 2022 to address this lack of hardware with FLkey, a series of four MIDI controllers purpose-built for the FL Studio ecosystem. Now they’re back with a refresh.
Called FLkey 2, the glow up features four MIDI controllers, with model numbers that reflect the number of keys: FLkey 2 Mini 25, FLkey 2 37, FLkey 2 49, and FLkey 2 61. And they’re all gloriously affordable.
New Hardware, Who Dis?
The headline updates on the new lineup are all hardware-related. Check it. First, there’s that new design, with a sleek black chassis, red knobs and 16 RGB pads, with nine black faders on the larger models. I like it.
There’s more than just new colors, though. The FLkey 2 49 and 61 offer semi-weighted keys, and those pads – upgraded for better responsiveness – are now on the right, better for right-handed finger drumming. (Sorry, southpaws.) And those red knobs? Endless encoders. The screen has been upgraded too, with a crisp, new OLED display.
Ain’t Nothing Soft About It
You get a DAW-specific controller for its tight integration, and FLkey 2 definitely has that. Along with the built-in creative tools, such as the Scale and Chord Modes, and the arpeggiator, the four controllers feature enhanced DAW scripts with “tactile control over essential Channel Rack, Mixer, and plugin parameters alongside expanded sequencing capabilities for the two rows of RGB-backlit pads,” according to Novation.
“We’re proud to have worked so closely with Image-Line to deliver the only keyboard controller designed specifically for FL Studio,” says Nicholas Howlett, Novation’s Head of Marketing. “Through this collaboration, we’ve added even more direct hardware access to the features and workflows that are most important to FL Studio’s core user base.”
Purchase of a controller also nets you a new bundled software collection, including six months’ subscription to FL Studio’s Producer Edition; a range of instruments and effects from Native Instruments, GForce, Orchestral Tools and Klevgrand; bespoke finger-drumming and keyboard lessons from Melodics; and Novation Play.
Novation FLkey 2: Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the NKS-ready FLkey 2 controllers offer a USB connection and a sustain pedal input. There’s also MIDI out for controlling hardware, with all models except the Mini 25 having a five-pin DIN port (the Mini gets TRS out).
You’re not limited to working with FL Studio either, as the controller series features Mackie HUI support.
Pricing and Availability
FLkey 2 looks like another winner from Novation. The company’s controllers hit the sweet spot between durability, affordability, and functionality, and these appear to be no different. They almost make me want to switch to FL Studio. (Almost.)
The FLkey 2 controllers are available now at Thomann* for the following prices:
- Novation FLkey 2 Mini 25: €129
- Novation FLkey 2 37: €219
- Novation FLkey 2 49: €259
- Novation FLkey 2 61: €319
More Information
- Novation FLkey 2 homepage
- More about Novation
- More about MIDI controllers
- Buy controllers at Thomann*
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One response to “Novation FLkey 2: Better Keys and Pads Highlight the FL Studio Controller Series Glow Up”
lol no aftertouch