Novation FLkey 37 Review: The Best MIDI Keyboard for FL Studio Users?

MIDI keyboards are a mature product category. Most of them do the same thing - send MIDI data to your DAW - and the differences tend to come down to build quality, key feel, and how many extra controls (knobs, pads, faders) you get for the money. But Novation has taken a different approach with the FLkey series: rather than making a generic MIDI controller, they've built one specifically designed around FL Studio's workflow.

That's either brilliant or a waste of money depending entirely on which DAW you use. If you're an FL Studio user, this review is for you.

What makes the FLkey different from other MIDI controllers

Most MIDI controllers work by sending generic MIDI data that your DAW then interprets according to its own mapping. The result is that most controls need to be manually mapped before they do anything useful, and the mapping can break when you switch projects or update your DAW.

The FLkey uses Novation's Native Integration, which means it communicates directly with FL Studio over HID (Human Interface Device) rather than just sending generic MIDI messages. This means:

• The 16 pads map directly to FL Studio's step sequencer, showing the beat pattern in real time
• The eight knobs automatically map to the plugin focused in your mixer channel
• There's a dedicated chord mode that plays intelligent chords based on the scale you've set
• Pattern selection and transport controls work without any setup

In practice, this integration genuinely speeds up the workflow. Instead of clicking between your plugin and your step sequencer, you can program beats and tweak parameters without leaving the keyboard. For beat-making in particular, the step sequencer integration makes the FLkey a genuinely different experience to a standard MIDI controller.

The keys

The 37-key version uses Novation's mini-key action, which is lighter and shorter than full-size keys. Some people love mini keys for their portability and nimble feel; others find them limiting for playing chords and melodies with traditional piano technique. If you learned piano on full-size keys, mini keys will feel cramped initially.

That said, the mini keys on the FLkey 37 are among the better mini-key implementations available. There's a reasonable amount of travel and they're velocity sensitive in a way that actually follows your playing dynamics. They're not going to replace a proper weighted piano keyboard for practice, but for playing in chords and leads during production, they're perfectly workable.

The pads

The 16 velocity-sensitive pads are a highlight. They have good sensitivity, a decent throw (they're not so light that you trigger them accidentally), and the RGB lighting provides genuinely useful visual feedback - particularly in step sequencer mode where the active steps light up in sync with the beat.

Build quality

The FLkey 37 is plastic and feels appropriately priced. It doesn't have the premium feel of more expensive controllers, but it doesn't feel fragile either. The knobs have a good resistance to them and don't feel hollow. For a desktop controller that lives on a producer's desk, the build quality is perfectly adequate.

What if you don't use FL Studio?

The FLkey also works as a standard MIDI controller in any DAW, but you lose the deep integration features. In generic MIDI mode, it behaves like a normal MIDI keyboard without the step sequencer display, automatic plugin mapping, or chord mode. At £169, there are other 37-key controllers with more knobs and faders that would give you a better experience in Ableton, Logic or Cubase.

If you're not an FL Studio user, look at the Novation Launchkey 37 Mk3 (same price range, works brilliantly with Ableton), the Arturia Keystep 37 (better keys, more modular routing options), or the Akai MPK Mini (smaller but feature-packed at a lower price).

The verdict

For FL Studio users who are serious about beat production, the FLkey 37 is genuinely excellent. The deep DAW integration saves real time in a real workflow, the pads are excellent for step sequencing, and the chord mode is a useful creative tool. At £169, it's priced fairly for what it delivers.

If you're not using FL Studio, or if you play more melodically than you produce beats, this isn't the right keyboard for you. Look at the FLkey Mini (smaller and cheaper) if the step sequencer integration appeals but budget is tight, or at the FLkey 49 if you want full-size keys.