Novation’s Launch Control XL 3 gets its first firmware update – here’s what’s new

After launching the Launch Control XL 3 last year – a control surface we gave a strong 8/10 in our review – Novation has released the unit’s first firmware update, bringing upgraded DAW compatibility, enhanced control for external hardware and more.

Available via Novation’s product hub, Components, the Launch Control XL 3’s V1.1 firmware update adds enhanced DAW support – with Pro Tools and Reaper now compatible. Novation says Studio One is also compatible, but that recently became Fender Studio Pro, so we’re assuming FSP is also compatible.

The firmware update also brings expanded MIDI routing, with flexible USB-to-DIN MIDI passthrough, making it easier for producers to configure hybrid setups with merged control data and channel filtering.

Additionally, the unit’s encoder response can now be adjusted for “more precise expressive control”, while faders can now be set to “pick up” their previous position instead of immediately jumping to a new value when moved. This, Novation says, enables smoother transitions when mixing or performing.

Launch Control XL 3 also now features fader preview – which basically means you can now press Shift and move any fader to display its parameter value on the unit’s OLED screen.

Users can also enjoy faster Custom Mode selection by holding down the Mode button, selecting a mode and then releasing it.

Launch Control XL 3 V1.1 is available now. Users can update their hardware now via Novation.

Sam is the Associate News Editor for Guitar.com and MusicTech. Thoroughly immersed in music culture for the majority of his life, Sam has played guitar for 20 years, studied music technology and production at university, and also written for the likes of MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Metal Hammer.