Arturia Keylab Essential MK3 Review

This is my review on the Arturia Keylab Essential MK3 MIDI Controller. This review will include a general overview of the keyboard & included software, but instead of focusing on using the keyboard with DAW apps, my review focuses on using the Keylab for controlling other hardware; in this case setting up custom MIDI setups to use the Keylab to control organ settings on my Yamaha CK88 piano.
If you are ONLY interested in using the Keylab Essential MK3 as a hardware controller, you can skip my overview of the MK3 and go straight to the main topic of this review using the links in the section: "KEYLAB ESSENTIAL AS A CONTROLLER KEYBOARD".
Here are some affiliate links if you would like to check out current prices on the Arturia Keylab Essential MK3, as well as some links to some piano training I recommend.
Check Prices Online:
Arturia Keylab Essential MK3 (61 keys): geni.us/BBrBp
Arturia Keylab Essential MK3 (49 keys): geni.us/Bwytyp
Controlling Your Yamaha CK Series With A Controller Keyboard:
• Yamaha CK Series: Conn...
My Original Song "Walk With You": • Walk With You
If you enjoy this video and want to help support my channel, feel free to buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/pianoton...
Online Piano Training I Recommend:
Online Rock Lessons: onlinerocklessons.com - USE COUPON CODE "PIANOTONE" if you choose to sign up for the yearly subscription: this will let the instructor know I referred you, and she will include a free 20 minute orientation call with you!
Piano Man Approach: geni.us/PianoManApproach
Birds Piano Academy: geni.us/BirdsPianoAcademy
Birds Piano Academy Blues Level 1: geni.us/BirdsBluesLevel1
Birds Piano Academy Blues Level 2: geni.us/BirdsBluesLevel2
PianoForAll: geni.us/PianoForAll
CHAPTER LINKS
Introduction: 0:00
KEYLAB ESSENTIAL OVERVIEW
Introduction: 2:04
Key Action: 2:38
Included Software: 5:54
Analog Lab V Demo: 6:35
User Interface: 13:01
(Modes, controls)
DAW Integration (Overview): 18:10
Connectivity: 19:06
KEYLAB ESSENTIAL AS A CONTROLLER KEYBOARD
MIDI Control Centre: 19:24
(creating custom MIDI message setups)
Demo Connected to Yamaha CK88: 26:14
(faders, mod wheel & knobs)
Keylab Issue: No "Jump" or "Catch": 32:27
Yamaha CK Issue: 36:30
(cannot "turn on" rotary with MIDI)
VERDICT (As A Controller Keyboard): 38:07
VERDICT (As A MIDI Controller): 40:03
Thanks a bunch for stopping by the channel, please subscribe (really helps me out!) and happy piano playing (& shopping!)
Please note that this description contains affiliate links which I may earn commissions from on qualifying purchases.

[@kkenny]

I very much appreciate you dedicating a section talking about just the keybed. I hope this video gets pushed by the algorithm so more people get to hear your comprehensive review. Thanks!

[@PianoTone]

Hey thanks! It seems most people glaze over the action in reviews for this controller so thought it was important. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@MusiclyricsByECDaleyC]

Great info, very much needed this!

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@tmarkrogers]

For someone with virtually no experience of customizing/controlling midi between instruments, that was a clear and extremely helpful video for my set up of Art. Keylab 61 Mk 2 and CK88. 👍 Thank you very much Tony 👏

[@PianoTone]

Glad that helped!

[@paulcaskey]

Interesting review. I enjoyed your take on things.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out my channel feel free to subscribe

[@Hammerman48]

That sound you hear when you run down the keys picked up on your mic often used to be heard on old Hammond organs on record…..I like it. It adds a percussive sound!

[@PianoTone]

Haha

[@MarkOffski]

Nice Informative video!. I really like my Keylab MK3 61 its my second controller, my first being a Korg Triton Traktile 49key, (which a got for a real bargain in a shop flash sale). The Korg is great, (once you get past the driver hassles with the provided korg universal driver!), but requires a certain amount of effort to get to work correctly with my chosen DAW, (Ableton live 12). The Keylab MK3 on the other hand is an absolute breeze to use, with total integration with both Ableton and the "fantastic" Analog lab 5, and also works perfectly with other plugins i use, but with the inclusion of the MIDI Control Centre everything is completely programable easily as you say in the video, it even has a drawbar mode which is great. So all in all, with included software, integration capabilities, and just general usefulness of the controller, its a no brainer. I would however recommend you get the 61 or 88 note if they are within your budget, as the extra octaves make a lot of difference when it comes down to laying down tracks with ease.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks alot for sharing all that! And thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@iansharmacook]

This is just the review I needed as I am DAWless and want to control other hardware!

[@PianoTone]

Glad the video was helpful! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@michelambi5663]

Very usefull. Thanks !

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@piggosalternateaccount4917]

Excellent review

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@piggosalternateaccount4917]

@@PianoTone Just did! thanks for the reminder

[@christopherfarrell-artist3557]

Thank you, this is the first video I have seen to show a hardware setup. Almost all the others YT'ers focus on DAW, which is fine as the primary use for the keyboard is DAW. I want to use the 49key version and integrate it in my DAWless set with 4 synths ( MC-101. S-1, TB-03 and Blofeld ) currently controlled via Keystep. I am hoping to extended ( Keystep MIDI-IN to Essentials MIDI-OUT ) to have two midi controllers. I still want the Keystep for it's aftertouch and I aim to use the Essentials for playing separate MIDI channels with knob and fader control for the MC-101.

[@PianoTone]

Yeah that's why I got it (testing for hardware control); I'm not much into DAW-MIDI recording but noticed when shopping for a solution that no one seems to do hardware videos - glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@Hammerman48]

I have had the 49 key version in black for a month now…..really enjoying it. I use it with Logic Audio.

[@PianoTone]

Nice! It's a pretty cool controller, I love the versatility of the app. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@sonic2000gr]

Action seems to be a very personal thing. I bought this having used for a bit the Arturia Minifreak synth which, while having mini keys, feels amazing to touch. I could not get used to the action of the keylab. Reminded me of cheap PSR keyboards from the past. Nothing else wrong with it, the integration with analog lab is amazing. I ended up gifting to a friend. The novation launchkey feels much better to me. I suggest you try it if you can get hold of one.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for that! My local stores can order the Novations but don't usually stock them so will have to keep my eyes out for one to test out! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@aaronmyram6864]

As far as the 'snap back' sound bleeding into the vocal mic, you should try using the Arturia as a lower manual in your organ set up as it would be further from a vocal mic. That was my plan using it with my YC 61. I also have a CK coming incase I like that setup better.

[@PianoTone]

Not a bad idea but I need to keep the CK88 on the bottom (I’m using it for 80% of songs anyways, with piano/EP voices so the organ controller needs to be on top). I am looking into creating a custom controller with a Fatar organ keybed :) Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@skullhqx]

Hi, thanks for the quality review. Do you know if this keyboard can send tempo (and how to dial it in) over midi for dawless setups? Thanks!

[@PianoTone]

To be honest no I don't know that sorry!

[@Hammerman48]

I had to download the script from Arturia website to make my Keylab 49 work with Logic Audio. Worth remembering if you wonder why your keyboard isn’t working with your DAW.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for sharing that!!

[@user-bp1yr3uc1h]

Thanks so much for a different take on this keyboard, I am trying to connect my Yamaha PSR-E473 to an external MIDI keyboard with a built in sequencer to be able to use the in built drums and sequence them without a computer and I can’t find much information how to do it, would you have any suggestions? Thanks

[@PianoTone]

I have no idea how you would use the 473 to send any MIDI messages to control the sequencer (I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be able to); to use the keys to play, that would work but the 473 doesn't have a 5 PIN MIDI out port, only a USB out and your sequencer will have a 5 PIN MIDI in (I would assume). If that's the case, to be able to use the 473's keys for playing, you would need a DOREMIDI USB host box which can convert UYSB MIDI signal from the 473 to 5 pin MIDI to send to the sequencer - did a review here if you want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnSzeHxnbMifr5o Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@user-bp1yr3uc1h]

@@PianoTonethanks so much, that was very helpful, I guess I was being too optimistic in thinking I can just plug the 473 into a sequencer box with an USB input, essentially what I am trying to do is not use a computer at all for sequencing and making music, I have subscribed to your channel

[@nine96six]

코드와 스케일 기능을 동시에 사용해서 코드기능이 Diatonic 사용이 가능하신지 알려주실수있을까요? 대답이 없으시면 모르시는걸로 알겠습니다.

[@PianoTone]

To be honest I'm not sure!

[@mfurman]

Thank you for your review Tony. I was very much considering Arturia KeyLab but only 88 key model and only to use it with my piano VSTs. I am only interested in light weighted hammer action (~50g on C4 and never heavier than 57g). Fatar actions are too heavy and noisy for me. Michael Ps. Since you play in a band, have you considered getting a Studio Logic Numa X or even Nord Electro 6?

[@PianoTone]

I’d love to try a Studiologic but no one stocks them where I live. I love the nord electro but it’s far too $$$ for me, and my CK88 has all the sounds I’ll ever need. I actually just imported a Fatar TP-80 keybed (same waterfall semi weighted action as the Electro which is my favourite organ style action ever). I’m building my own MIDI controller to use with my CK88 for organ songs. Much more on that as the project progresses :)

[@mfurman]

@@PianoTone VERY INTERESTING Tony. I am very much looking forward to hearing more about your project in the future!!! May I ask how much does the keybed cost and how to order it? Are you using Arduino? Thank you, Michael

[@PianoTone]

Fatar doesn’t sell to individuals but an electronics company in Germany called Doepfer does and they sell something called an MKE kit which is a board that connects to Fatar keybeds (which they will sell; piano ones, organ ones etc) that is a basic midi controller board. So you need to look around for electronics companies that can import Doepfer products (and try to find a few and compare prices - I found a pretty wide price range - ended up paying about $600 CDN to get the 61 key TP80 organ keybed and the MKE kit including delivery (took a month and a bit).

[@mfurman]

@@PianoTone Thank you, Tony!

[@mfurman]

One more question, Tony: what do you think about the new Yamaha Montage M8X? It may not be exactly portable though 😄

[@PianoTone]

To be honest that's a product line I know absolutely nothing about lol. One day . . .

[@mfurman]

@@PianoTone I think it will work for you very well 😀

[@qwe1231]

Mark three. Mark three. Mark three.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel

[@felipe85522]

Good video. Thanks. Does the arpeggiator works on Arturia with CK?

[@PianoTone]

Thanks glad you enjoyed the video - that’s an interesting question I’d have to test that (I’ve loaned the key lab to a friend); if I had to guess I would say no, but….i could be wrong. I’ll try to remember to test that when I get it back! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@user-he7dq1bz2s]

Wait so when you buy the arutria keylab essentials mk3, you get analog lab v and Ableton live lite for free?

[@PianoTone]

Yup! Basically means a free keyboard lol. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@user-he7dq1bz2s]

Woww that made my day! I was really worried about buying a DAW since I ordered the BUDGET midi keyboard for a reason. Thank you so much the video was helpful and you've gained another subscriber!

[@cinepost]

too bad the draw bars are on the right side of the keyboard....is that good or bad?

[@PianoTone]

If you want to use it for organ playing, that’s a huge issue; you’re usually playing wth your right hand and using your left for drawbars and other settings, so drawbars need to be on the left. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@cinepost]

@@PianoTone have been subscribed for awhile! Great channel. Wish you had time for more reviews. What’s next?

[@PianoTone]

Should have a review on the Yamaha P-145 soon …. :)

[@jeydaness]

I bought this and really hate the keybed - even though i am not even a piano player. To me it felt just super odd, and plasticy, uncomfortable. Returning. Is there another midi keyboard you would recommend to someone who did not enjoy the keybed of Arturia keylab essential mk3?

[@PianoTone]

In the same price range the M-Audio Oxygen keybed is actually much more playable (they're piano style box keys as well); in a higher price range the Akai MPK 49/61 have much better keybeds. Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@jeydaness]

That helps :) thank you@@PianoTone subbed! You make great detailed reviews!

[@PianoTone]

@@jeydaness Thanks so much!

[@ian1957ruth]

I have just recieved my MK111 49 key Arturia, Yesterday infact, I am really struggling with it. Can anyone point me to an idiots guide, I really need it.

[@PianoTone]

I would just look for helpful videos in KZbin it’s a popular keyboard there are a lot of videos out there. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@mfurman]

Tony, I believe that you are limiting yourself by not using a laptop. Any decent Piano VST (such as VSL) takes hundreds of GB of disk space and a MacBook Air is not much heavier than an iPad Pro. Michael

[@PianoTone]

I probably am limiting myself with sounds, but I’m a lazy old guy ;). I might find pc/Mac sound banks fun at home but with my band it would be more than I would want to bother with (and another point of failure/problems if pc has any issues); and I love all the sounds of my CK and there are tons to investigate as well as effects to play with.