Novation Launch Control 3 and Launchpad Pro Review: A Cheaper Alternative to Ableton Push 3

If you want hands-on Ableton Live control but Push 3 pricing is a stretch, the Novation “Power Combo” (Launch Control 3 + Launchpad Pro) can cover most of the same workflow for a fraction of the cost. You get clip launching, note entry, step sequencing, and device control, plus a few features Push doesn’t include.

Key points

• Launchpad Pro handles clips, notes, drums, and sequencing.

• Launch Control 3 adds 16 endless encoders with visual feedback and an OLED display.

• You get Chord Mode, a 32-step sequencer, and full 5-pin MIDI without adapters.

• You don’t get MPE, an audio interface, or a big colour screen like Push 3.

• The combo is roughly £374, versus £879–£1,299 for Push 3.

What’s the decision question this setup answers?

Should you buy Push 3, or can Launch Control 3 + Launchpad Pro do the job for less money?

If you want hands-on control in Ableton Live and you don’t need MPE, an audio interface, or a big screen, the Novation combo is the smarter value buy.

What do you actually get with the Novation “Power Combo”?

This setup is simple:

• Launchpad Pro = pads for notes + drums + clip launching

• Launch Control 3 = knobs for device parameters + mixing moves

Together, they behave like a modular Push-style workflow: pads for performance, encoders for control.

What does Launchpad Pro cover in Ableton Live?

Launchpad Pro gives you the core “grid controller” experience:

• 64 RGB pads

• Session View control (launch clips and scenes)

• Note Mode and Drum Mode

• Track controls along the bottom

• Useful workflow tools like quantise, record quantisation, and fixed-length recording

The big limitation: no encoders, so you can’t comfortably do device parameter control from Launchpad Pro alone.

What does Launch Control 3 add (and why it matters)?

Launch Control 3 is the missing half:

• 16 endless encoders with RGB LED feedback

• OLED display

• Full integration with Ableton Live

In practice, that means you can do the stuff Launchpad can’t: filter sweeps, device tweaking, parameter changes, and mix-style control without grabbing the mouse.

What can this combo do that Push 2 and Push 3 can’t?

This is where it gets interesting. The combo adds three genuinely useful features that Push users don’t get in the same way.

1) Do you want a dedicated Chord Mode?

Launchpad Pro has a dedicated Chord Mode.

You get:

• Easy access to chord tones

• A column of preset chords

• Slots to save your own chords

If you write harmony quickly, this mode is a real workflow boost.

2) Do you want a built-in step sequencer?

Launchpad Pro includes a proper step sequencer mode:

• 32 steps

• Control over velocity

• Control over note length

• Poly rhythms

• Draw notes directly on the grid: pick a note, punch it in, press play

If your workflow is pattern-based, this is one of the biggest reasons the Launchpad stays relevant.

3) Do you need full 5-pin MIDI I/O without adapters?

Launch Control 3 includes 5-pin MIDI:

• MIDI In

• MIDI Out

• A second output that can be switched to Out or Thru

So you can integrate hardware without relying on small adapter cables. If you’re running hybrid setups, this is a practical win.

What do you lose compared to Push 3?

This combo is strong, but it is not Push 3. There are three main gaps that matter.

1) Do you need MPE pads?

Push 3 supports MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression), giving multiple layers of expression per note (pressure, slide, and pitch-style movement).
Launchpad Pro pads are velocity sensitive, but you don’t get that per-note expressive control.

If expressive pad performance is your thing, this is a big deal.

2) Do you want an audio interface built into the controller?

Push 3 (controller and standalone) includes a built-in audio interface, with I/O for recording and monitoring.
Launchpad Pro + Launch Control 3 do not include audio I/O, so you’ll need a separate audio interface.

If you’re planning to record vocals, guitars, or route hardware audio, Push is more self-contained.

3) Do you rely on a big screen for editing and navigation?

Push 3’s large colour screen lets you:

• Control levels

• Tweak devices

• Edit clips

• Navigate sets

Launch Control 3 has an OLED display, but it’s not a replacement for Push’s screen-heavy workflow.

Is the Novation Power Combo cheaper than Push 3?

Yes — and the price gap is the whole point.

Approx prices mentioned here:

• Launchpad Pro: £245

• Launch Control 3: £129

• Total: £374

Push 3 pricing referenced:

• £1,299 (standalone)

• £879 (controller, in the feature comparison context used here)

So the Novation combo is dramatically cheaper while still delivering the core “hands-on Ableton” experience.

Who should buy this instead of Push 3?

Choose Launch Control 3 + Launchpad Pro if:

• You want hands-on Ableton Live control for less money

• You’re happy with a modular setup

• You already own an audio interface

• You don’t care about a large screen

• You don’t need MPE

Choose Push 3 if:

• You want MPE expression

• You want an integrated audio interface

• You heavily rely on a big screen for editing and navigation

Top 5 FAQs

What is Novation Launch Control 3, and what does it do in Ableton Live?

It’s a compact controller built around 16 endless encoders with RGB feedback and an OLED display, designed for hands-on device and parameter control in Ableton Live.

Does Launch Control 3 have 5-pin MIDI, and can it be used in a DAWless hardware setup?

Yes. It has MIDI In, MIDI Out, and a second output that can be switched to Out or Thru, so you can connect hardware without adapter cables.

Does Launch Control 3 have faders or a clip-launching grid?

No, it’s knob-focused. If you want clip launching and pad performance, pair it with Launchpad Pro.

Can Launch Control 3 plus Launchpad Pro replace Push 3 for most Ableton Live workflows?

For many users, yes. You get clip launching, notes/drums, sequencing, and hands-on parameter control, the main Push-style workflow, for much less money.

What do you miss about Push 3?

The big trade-offs are no MPE pads, no built-in audio interface, and no large colour screen for deep navigation and editing.

Decisive summary

If your goal is hands-on Ableton Live control and you want the best value, the Launch Control 3 + Launchpad Pro combo is a smart alternative to Push 3.
Buy Push 3 only if you specifically need MPE, an integrated audio interface, or a large screen-driven workflow.