Working with an Analog Lab window open on your computer gives you a further 'heads up' confirmation of parameter mapping. The blue parameter labelling of faders and encoders will often now be correct, for many synths, and in any case operating a control confirms its associated parameter in the LCD. Turning the main dial steps through your filtered subsets of patches and pressing it loads the patch. You'll now see preset names in its LCD display, and the nearby buttons allow filtering sounds by Instrument/synth, Type (bass, pad, etc), Style (think adjectival tags) and/or Bank name. Running on your computer, either stand-alone or as a plug‑in, Analog Lab sees the KeyLab as a dedicated control surface. Let's start with what for many will be the main attraction: Analog Lab integration. In normal use, then, the KeyLab runs either in a dedicated Analog Lab or DAW control mode, or using one of six programmable User memories which generate standard MIDI message types from the controls. The former handles playing and real-time control input to the computer, while the latter is for the DAW control features: it can emulate both a Mackie Control Universal and HUI, ensuring broad compatibility. MethodĬonnected via USB to a computer the KeyLab Essential 88 is class-compliant and appeared on my Mac as a MIDI interface with two ports suffixed 'MIDI' and 'DAW'. The faux-wood ends in the otherwise smart white case are a cute touch. The unit weighs 8.5kg and I must say the build quality, largely from a matt, compact plastic, seems excellent. It's unfortunate Arturia couldn't squeeze in even a single expression pedal socket, but that (and many more hardware connections besides) are what differentiates the full-price KeyLab MkII models.ĭimensions are 126 x 26.2 cm and the height is about 8cm including knobs. There's also a security slot at the right-hand side. On the rear panel there's the ubiquitous USB‑B computer connection, a DIN MIDI output, a sustain pedal input and an inlet for a 500mA 9V power supply. The back panel is home to a full-size MIDI Out socket, a quarter-inch sustain pedal input, a USB port and a socket for the external power supply. The central grouping of display, knob and buttons are dedicated to control of Analog Lab and other Arturia soft synths: at other times the LCD reports controller values but the accompanying buttons and the dial are disabled. Nine endless encoder knobs and accompanying 30mm faders fulfil real-time control duties, alongside the compact mod and pitch wheels. They also transmit Poly Pressure from aftertouch manipulation, so with compatible synths you get a taste of what a full-blown MPE controller is like. The eight pads are small but good, firing reliably wherever you hit them, and with good velocity response. It's a shame not to see aftertouch, but you can't have everything at this price, and at least release velocity is transmitted. It's not as plush as something like a Fatar TP/9S (found in many Sequential synths and the Studiologic Sledge) but it's a long way from a flyaway budget action, and a lot better than some KeyLabs of yesteryear. The white key dip is a chunky and positive 12mm with a fairly light resistance into a hard keybed. The 88 velocity-sensitive keys, which Arturia describe as having a hybrid synth/piano action, employ a full-size octave span but are a bit shorter (at 14cm) than those of a typical decent hammer-action controller or a real acoustic piano. It's a pleasingly affordable package, a big brother to the existing 49- and 61–note models, but how many compromises are being made compared to the more expensive MkII KeyLabs? Apparatus The new KeyLab Essential 88 on test here continues that tradition, with the combination of an 88-note synth-action keyboard and a handy software bundle that includes the latest version of Analog Lab. The hardware/software tie-in technology is mature now and bears comparison with Native Instruments' NKS system and S-series controllers, albeit generally coming in at a lower price and with a somewhat less ambitious scope. Arturia's budget 88-note controller offers tremendous value for money.Īrturia have a long history of producing MIDI keyboards that can take on many general controller duties as well as offering tight integration with their Analog Lab virtual synth compendium.
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