Arturia Keylab MKII vs. Essential Keyboard MIDI Controller | Drum Pads + Keybed Review

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This is a direct comparison of the Arturia Keylab MKII MIDI Controller vs. the Arturia Keylab Essential 61 keyboard MIDI controller. This video will walkthrough the differences and similarities between the two keyboards and will review the drum pads, keybed, and both hardware and software capabilities of both controllers with Arturia plugins like Analog Lab and V Collection, along with DAWs like FL Studio and Ableton.
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[@brendanhoffmann8402]

I just got the essential... It's a limited edition black one too. The software worked too. (It was 2nd hand)

[@Tomitoch]

Awesome video! So great to get an in depth comparison so we’ll explained and so focused on things that matter most. Keep doing what you’re doing and I wish you the best!

[@aeso9484]

Great review sir. We need more of thisss

[@flipix5408]

Thanks for the comparison and the keybed review bro! 🤘🏻

[@The5thVolt]

Fantastic review and comparison!

[@DimitrisSkiadas]

Great video man! I am a total newbie in the piano world and you’ve helped a ton! Keep it up!

[@kostyakonstantinoff]

Best review! Thank you very much!

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Nice and clear. Thank you.

[@tomprice7885]

Excellent review!

[@newgtguy]

Solid video man! Thanks for posting this. Also, I'm super envious of your talent. I'm just learning and I'd love to play like you play. Take care man! Much appreciated...

[@Inflightmuzik]

Happy to help! Thanks for the kind words 🙂

[@filemakerpro4050]

First video of yours I’ve watched and totally happy I did. You’ve got the best and most direct delivery of the content you are committed to conveying, which is exactly what is lacking in so many KZbin videos covering audio/music production and gear. Hopefully companies that are making this stuff notice this and send you their gear to review. I think you’ll be my go to for anything you cover that I might seek assistance on. Great comparison video. Excellent vernacular - your knowledge and experience are worth a lot.

[@Inflightmuzik]

Thank you for saying so. Much appreciated! I'm very grateful for the companies that have sent me gear and software since I started youtube, including Arturia. It was because of my software reviews that they sent me their Keylab essential. That video ended up troubleshooting a lot of problems FL Studio users have with Arturia controllers. So because of that, they sent me their Keylab MKII, which is why you're seeing this video now haha. Thanks for watching!

[@der_freiraum]

Awesome Review!

[@ronypierrot5799]

this is by far the BEST review on KZbin ... Thank You!

[@flipix5408]

Yes sr

[@spoogiedaboogieman]

Dude! Thank you so much for that.

[@ThelIHTCIl]

Невероятно полезный разбор, всё чётко и по делу, без воды, красава!

[@kostyakonstantinoff]

согласен 100%

[@billkrussick6477]

looking hard at the mk2, appreciate the clear, straightforward comparison.

[@bristolfashion4421]

Thanks for the pad tip :-)

[@KordTaylor]

Thanks! A really nice video. Good comparison with helpful hints about the drum pads, etc. 😃

[@Inflightmuzik]

Happy to help!

[@paracog]

Exactly the information I needed to make my choice! Thank you for this great video.

[@Inflightmuzik]

Happy to help!

[@Inflightmuzik]

Which did you pick btw?

[@eastercharles443]

@@Inflightmuzik Nice.

[@pastuh]

Very interesting tip with pads :) I plan to get keylab mk2

[@Inflightmuzik]

Definitely my favorite midi keyboard I've owned hands down.

[@lilchris26]

Good video, you have answered the questions I wanted to know about the difference between these two great keyboards.

[@6moon18]

great video

[@4mb127]

Thanks a lot

[@Musicsharmony]

Thanks

[@attilio7]

thanks

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

The MK2 is in My opinion very similar to the Akai MPK249, I have a MPK49 so main different is the pads, I also have a Keylab essential, I use both but the essential is specifically used for Analog lab and The APK49 for Daw control.

[@fazehamster9732]

Get him more clout

[@northwoodmediaworks]

Good review. Hoping the Mk3 version of Keylab comes sooner than later in 2024.

[@Inflightmuzik]

what would you like to see with the mk3?

[@neon_one]

oh wow I thought they both had aftertouch. glad I caught that important detail. thanks

[@Inflightmuzik]

glad you did too! Aftertouch is a pretty big deal for me personally. I definitely missed it when I was using the essential. Now I use it more than ever because the mkii has the best aftertouch I've used on any midi controller and even better than my old Roland fantom workstation.

[@jimday1198]

Same here....I just sent the Essential back and ordered the MK2 today!

[@abcxyz-nd6xh]

At 2:30 seems fewer drum buttons (Essential) is an advantage

[@joaorodrigues2335]

How could you connect it to fl studio? Thank you for the video!

[@fredaanggaantariksa1751]

Can you tell me, how to mapping channel rack for change voice with the bank

[@WycliffStudios]

Hi guys ! Can I carry a Keylab 49 in a suitcase to The US on international Travel ? Will it fit? if 61 could fit I'd be more happy with it.

[@antoniofortunato8211]

Hey man, nice review, do they come with the analog lab 4 full?

[@Inflightmuzik]

It comes with a lite version which has 500 presets.

[@Clive007]

Well according to Arturia's own website the MK2 comes with full Analog Lab, over 6,500 presets.

[@galastar257]

Hated the skinny black keys on the KL49 mk2. Also had bad hanging midi notes so sent it back after a week. Preferred the KL49 Essential keybed which I still have. Shame about the mk2 issues as everything else about it was very good.

[@andrewsalas1154]

Are the black keys wider on the MK2 than the essential or vise versa? I just bought the essential and the black keys feel akward width wise, not sure if its my head or what. The black keys on the Essential seem skinny. I don't remember my M Audio Oxygen feeling this way.

[@galastar257]

@@andrewsalas1154 Black keys are wider on the Essential, about 9mm. The black keys on the Mk2 were not only significantly thinner (to my fingers anyway) but also quite rounded on the corners. Keybeds are very personal though you have the opposite view if you tried both together.

[@niliev]

Great video. Thanks! I've got KeyLab Essential 61, but I find the keys a bit to heavy for my taste. Are the keys of MKII lighter (more synth like) and if so how much - is it a big difference?

[@Inflightmuzik]

The keys on the MKII are the keys Arturia uses on their Brute synth line. So yes, these are actual synth action keys. It's a pretty big difference. I'm like you...more a keyboardist than a pianist, so my preference is synth action with aftertouch. Fully weighted keys slow me down and change my play style even though that's what I started with.

[@niliev]

@@Inflightmuzik Thanks a lot for the quick and really helpful reply!

[@northwoodmediaworks]

Better display... and its a stretch but an inbuilt breath controller

[@Inflightmuzik]

I was honestly surprised they made an mk3 essential. I felt both controllers are the best in the market for their price point. I'm not sure what I would change but my dream midi controller would have a fatar keybed and that ain't happenin.

[@carlosramme9455]

what do you like more: the Native Komplete Kontrol mk2 S 49 or the Arturia Keylab 49 mk2

[@Inflightmuzik]

Cant say...never tried the native controllers. Heard they are great though! I think between them and Arturia, they probably have the best.

[@leftlane5085]

have you ever used the akai fire or the akai mpk mini? if so, how do the pads on those compare to the pads on these arturia controllers? As you showed in the video, I have also found that the pads on these arturia controllers are not the best because it doesn't always register when i press the pad.

[@Inflightmuzik]

I've not tried the Fire. But I can tell you the pads on the mpk mini version 3 are the best pads on any keyboard controller that I've tried.

[@leftlane5085]

@@Inflightmuzik cool thank u!

[@Inflightmuzik]

@@leftlane5085 ah, I didn't read the name when I replied....hope all is well with ya!

[@leftlane5085]

@@Inflightmuzik dw all good! i’m doing pretty well. tryna learn how to code and finger drum over break lol gotta build the skill set. hope all is well w u too, man

[@grrlinduluth]

thanks ,i got my hands on an older keylab 49 equivalent to the mk2-question can you mid connect 2 49s together to "make"a 88 keyboard or use the boards together,ive been trying but im not an expert and cant get it to work.

[@Inflightmuzik]

you can plug in both controllers via usb and just change the ocatave range on either of the controllers.

[@grrlinduluth]

@@Inflightmuzik ok thanks ,i guess iwas doing it wrong tried midi input to another to make a slave

[@brandongarcia2934]

nice vid but idk why it bothered me so much that you don't use your left hand pinky when playing piano in the keybed demos hahaha

[@JacobGatti]

I'm just a bit confused, are the keys on the MKII a bit heavier than the essential? Which one do do you think would be more familiar to a piano player moving to keyboards? ☺️

[@Inflightmuzik]

The essential keys "feel" heavier. Piano players will associate "heaviness" with level of dynamics. The wright allows for more sensitive velocity control. That being said, as someone who started on piano, I still prefer the MKII keys by a mile. Synth action is better than imitation hammer action (which the essential isn't trying to do, but it's how I describe it if I had to). And the synth action on the keylab is premium. Plenty of dynamic control, good weight, not nearly as heavy as a piano because they are not hammer action...these are literally the same keys on their flagship synths.

[@andrewsalas1154]

Are the black keys wider on the MK2 than the essential or vise versa? I just bought the essential and the black keys feel akward width wise, not sure if its my head or what. The black keys on the Essential seem skinny. I don't remember my M Audio Oxygen feeling this way.

[@Inflightmuzik]

Funny thing is, before reading your comment all the way through, I said to myself, I bet he is used to M-audio controllers lol. Literally the biggest black keys in the market I believe for a midi controller. The mk2 keys are different from essential, but about the same size, maybe slightly bigger, but way more comfortable. I noticed the black key thing too when I got my Arturias, but got used to it after a week of playing. I would still say best Keys on a midi controller except for an old school Novation mkII. There is a new version out but I never tried it.

[@andrewsalas1154]

@@Inflightmuzik haha that’s funny, yep was used to the M Audio. I think if I give it time I will get used to the keys on the Arturia. What new model are you talking about?

[@Inflightmuzik]

@@andrewsalas1154 novation SL mkiii

[@asteriamorana933]

I read on Reddit somewhere that the MKII keybed was designed based off of the Fatar so I wonder if that is why it feels similar? Who knows right? Someone could be creating lore I have not seen anything stating if that was fact or not though.

[@Inflightmuzik]

I owned fatar keyboards. As much as I love the feel of these keys, it’s definitely not the same feel or quality. Fatar is the best hands down. You base it off the same design but you’re automatically going to make a lesser product because of that. Either gotta go a completely modern route or flat out steal the patent. Great keybed, but I don’t consider it as similar. It’s different, but great. Same keybed on their flagship synth, polybrut

[@Asterra2]

Was wondering if aftertouch would be mentioned. I'm keyboard hunting right now, and if the Essential had aftertouch, my search would be over, even without the buttons underneath the sliders. I'm flabbergasted at how hard it is to find a keyboard that doesn't have massive dealbreakers. Like, the best I'm able to find is the MKII for over $500, which is $200 beyond what I really wanted to spend, and even it has issues, such as crappy pads that are practically just buttons due to their sensitivity issues. (And it weighs too much.)

[@Inflightmuzik]

I totally understand what you mean. I personally want to look into creating my own perfect controller, but I’m almost certain the reason we don’t see exactly what we’re looking for is cost. I hope I’m wrong. Unfortunately no aftertouch on the essential. You might find a used Roland a pro series for 300 (new is 400 for 61 key).

[@Asterra2]

@@Inflightmuzik I steered away from Roland due to the wonky joystick replacing the pitch/mod wheels (I've used it before and have never liked it). But now I'm going to investigate their products because as far as dealbreakers go, that's honestly weaksauce compared to what I'm dealing with so far. I guess I'll be back to mention what else I discover since I'm in a ranting mood.

[@Inflightmuzik]

@@Asterra2 bro, same gripe here about that mod pitch combo. That’s where korg wins, but never seen that complete setup in just a controller. I believe you and I are wanting the same controller that doesn’t exist yet…kick starter?

[@Asterra2]

@@Inflightmuzik It may be the best option. It has the most vintage style (looks like something from the 80s), no buttons below sliders, a lack of buttons in general, the joystick that I dislike, and its pads are easily the least usable (mushy and tiny-can't double-finger even if you wanted to) I've seen on any controller, but the irony is that all of that still isn't enough to make it worse than the alternatives.

[@Inflightmuzik]

@@Asterra2 sigh, yep had the same conclusion. Thing was, I actually ended up with the edirol version, which had even worse pads, but basically the same controller. Did great for me until I got the MkII. Also the mkII aftertouch is actually the best I’ve experienced on any midi controller

[@ebonyivory149]

Hi. I don't understand if the keys are weighted the same. Thank you!!!

[@Inflightmuzik]

They are not. The mkII keys are superior. More dynamic responsiveness, synth action/weight keys. The essential is semi weighted, less synth action. Never felt a Keybed like it before, but feels great for the price

[@ebonyivory149]

@@Inflightmuzik Thank you bro. I subscribed.

[@aquaticborealis4877]

@@Inflightmuzik I have the 88 version of the Keylab MKII, and the action is fairly heavy. Heavier than the Roland FP-30 I have, which has a very nice hammer action. I think the 61 key version is slightly lighter?

[@Inflightmuzik]

@@aquaticborealis4877 The mkII 88 is fully weighted. The mkII 61 is synth action, which is lighter and allows you to play faster and more fluid. However weighted keys help more with expressiveness and dynamics. With synth action keys, I rely more on the sound design, modulation, and after touch for expressiveness in combination with the given dynamics of the synth actions keys on the mkII 61

[@Inflightmuzik]

@@aquaticborealis4877 I also heard the MKII keys are the heaviest people have felt on a 88 key controller. I have no opinion on whether that’s good or bad. Haven’t played one...yet.

[@RichardCyberPunk]

Are the buttons made of rubber or hard plastic ?

[@Inflightmuzik]

Rubber on both, but the MK2 has a more tactical feel when pressing while the essential is soft/mushy. I like feeling the click when I press.

[@MANS4ON-Ce137]

I need to stop watchin these videos, my salary is going to walk out on me once again..

[@Deco_2k]

Just pick a mini M Audio keystation to u know nothing crazy just something play around with ..

[@gerryk9]

I myself wouldnt buy either. Arturia has HORRIBLE customer support

[@ErraticFaith]

The problem remains the poor aftertouch implementation, as framed all over Gearspace forums. They respond so poorly at times you'd need a sledge hammer to get feedback. The only option, hopefully changes at NAMM, is Komplete Kontrol .