The FLkey 2 upgrades Novation's FL Studio-focused controller range with semi-weighted keys, endless encoders, a new OLED display and tighter DAW integration across four keyboard sizes.
Novation has announced FLkey 2, the follow-up to its popular FLkey range of MIDI keyboard controllers, developed in official collaboration with Image-Line and designed exclusively around FL Studio.
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The hardware upgrades are siginificant. Semi-weighted keys arrive on the FLkey 49 and 61, a noticeable step up in feel for players who spend serious time on the keys. Across the range, the pads are more responsive, the encoders are now endless, and a new OLED display puts essential FL Studio project information directly on the controller itself – no screen-checking required.
The 16 RGB-backlit pads cover the expected bases: triggering samples in the Channel Rack, step sequencing and finger drumming with FPC, Slicex or Fruity Slicer. Scale and Chord Modes, plus a built-in arpeggiator, handle melodic and harmonic inspiration without touching the computer. The eight knobs map automatically to Channel Rack, Mixer and plugin parameters, and the 49 and 61-key models add nine faders for more hands-on mixing. Those larger models also support keyboard splitting and layering, handy for running two instruments simultaneously.
Deeper DAW scripts strengthen the connection between FLkey 2 and FL Studio’s core toolset, with expanded sequencing options on the pads. Novation’s Head of Marketing Nicholas Howlett says: “We’re proud to have worked so closely with Image-Line to deliver the only keyboard controller designed specifically for FL Studio. 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 userbase. We know FLkey 2 will be a huge step forward for beatmakers and producers.”
Outside FL Studio, FLkey 2 includes a MIDI Out port for connecting hardware synths, Mackie HUI support for other DAWs and NKS compatibility for two-way integration with Native Instruments software.
Each controller also ships with a software bundle: six months of FL Studio’s Producer Edition, Novation Play, premium instruments and effects from Native Instruments, GForce, Orchestral Tools and Klevgrand, plus finger-drumming and keyboard lessons from Melodics.
FLkey 2 is available in four sizes – Mini 25, 37, 49 and 61 – from authorised retailers and novationmusic.com.
