Arturia's Astrolab: A new era of on-board synthesis! Plus a tip to get your own samples on it.

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@rich_in_paradise 10 ай бұрын

I hate release embargoes... why would I want 10 videos on a new synth all at once? I'm obviously only going to watch one or two (of course I watched yours first, Jef!). Anyway, Pigments in a physical synth is crazy good, not to mention all the other V collection instruments. Not surprised you can't edit the patches on the synth because they'd basically have to embedd a whole computer with a massive touchscreen to make that possible. And who edits on the device these days anyway - most synths come with a companion editor app. I wonder how much it'll cost...

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

You’re the best! Thanks for the support… yeah… I just wish it had more controls for editing while in the studio. I can’t see myself using it as a controller, more as a live thing which I don’t do very often!

@WtfYoutube_YouSuck 10 ай бұрын

Approx $1600

@HighlandStudio91 10 ай бұрын

" I hate release embargoes... why would I want 10 videos on a new synth all at once?" Perhaps you may find this hard to believe...but Arturia releasing multiple videos(7 in total)....is for marketing purposes and to showcase different aspects of the keyboard in increments. Most of the videos or 5 minutes or less....so what's your problem? Don't have the time...or perhaps you don't have an attention span of more than 30 seconds? Would you prefer a 500 page PDF file to read instead? Be grateful that KZbin videos exist(as 25+ years ago...you had to go a music store & demo one for yourself, to get any sort of a clue as to what you were getting for your money.) Also...if you did buy a synth, you were lucky to even get a DVD video to watch(as most keyboards came with reference manuals the size of a phone book.) Gen Z is quite a special breed...special needs people who need to have everything spoon feed to them and a-l-w-a-y-s have an incessant need to complain & whine about absolutely nothing.

@davidgriffiths3425 10 ай бұрын

Thanks Jeff, as always, an incisive and well thought out view of a new piece of kit. A worthwhile watch. Have a great day!

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

You too David!

@taal223 10 ай бұрын

it's beautiful, imagine an 88 key version of this with a Kawai Hammer Action keybed.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

I think a lot of people would dig that!

@JanPrze 9 ай бұрын

I think this form factor favours synths over pianos / EPs and I think it's a great move

@maus3454 9 ай бұрын

Fantastic review of a fantastic product. Many thanks Jef

@LiftedNoise 10 ай бұрын

This looks like nice. I'm thinking about getting my hands on one. What really interests me is the physical modelling on acoustic instruments.. NOW if they made a version the size of the MINIFREAK I wouldnt be hesitating at all.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Hey LN! Yeah, physical modeling can get such great crispy organic sounds… huge fan of your stuff!

@LiftedNoise 10 ай бұрын

@jefgibbons thanks for the reply, the good word and for checking out the music. Also these quality videos! 🍻😎

@tommymandel 4 ай бұрын

wow thanks, Jef. I saw one at a Guitar Center - it's a beautiful instrument - aesthetically. A little heavy. Might be more detailed than a Juno DS, but heavier, less splitting ability. But as a V-Collection owner, its beauty and simple face make it very tempting. Your video really contextualizes it nicely and that was a huge help.

@jefgibbons 4 ай бұрын

Thanks Tommy! Yeah it’s beautiful for sure… but definitely geared towards someone that wants to take their v collection on the road!

@creativedwill 10 ай бұрын

Mannnn I love this Keyboard 🎹!!! Great video bro!

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Thanks CD!! It’s beautiful… definitely meant for live players, which I really should do more of!

@kielhall8363 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Jef.🫡

@TheXIT 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the review. I need something like this for live but think it’s really petty of them not to include the Mac software versions. Also, why not the CMI and also, how much memory for custom samples?

@R1PPA-C 10 ай бұрын

I love the design of this thing

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

It feels like a premium keyboard! very solid... keys feel good... and I of course love the wood!

@R1PPA-C 10 ай бұрын

@@jefgibbons +1 on the wood

@EBMZEQUENZER 10 ай бұрын

I would like it even more in graphite grey 🤔

@cirisirpula152 10 ай бұрын

@@R1PPA-C +2 if it would have been actual wood

@gen-amb 10 ай бұрын

A stellar video as expected, once again proving always Jef flips the secret “delete fluff” switch and hits the “enhance excellence” filter in his workflow. I don’t think I can justify this purchase although I’d try hard to, but it kind of looks like a slam dunk for any pro live players invested at all in the Arturia ecosystem. If you can’t find the sound you need from 17,000 you probably won’t…

@chillindillon1889 8 ай бұрын

JG, man you are killing me with your shirt. That sh!t is so awesome. Only us from back in the day would know. Lol!!! Bravo!!!!

@jefgibbons 8 ай бұрын

Yessss!! Good eye my friend ;) one of the greatest music scenes in a movie ever.

@robertshamansky1912 10 ай бұрын

Interesting, I’m seeing this as a useful synth for playing live. Arturia’s controllers would make more sense for me since I already own their v8 collection.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Same here, but I'll be trying this new one out tomorrow night in a little show! Probably won't live on my desk though...

@robertshamansky1912 10 ай бұрын

@@jefgibbons Arturia does a wonderful job of supporting their stuff. I’ll be keeping an eye on these synths.

@DrawAndErase 10 ай бұрын

I don't think it can do seamless transitions as loopop said it takes like 5 seconds to load, so probably not the best for live use unless there's time and single sounds

@dmitryfomin2671 10 ай бұрын

Best review

@markom1976 9 ай бұрын

What is the boot time? Thanx

@Zek____ 10 ай бұрын

Hey Jef, this sounds beautiful, I was thinking that I have already mastered almost everything in Maschine thanks to you, I know how to make a complete song from start to finish, the only thing I don't know is how to record the voices for a song, how to move them, when to use audio mode or the sampler. I know that you have made some voice videos but I would like to know how to make the voice for a song from start to finish in Maschine, thank you very much for your education Jef!

@jasmeerlabeer4591 9 ай бұрын

If Arturia releases a patch that will make it really ez to add my own samples then I think I've found my ultimate controller/live board.

@jefgibbons 9 ай бұрын

I'll be one of the first to post a video if/when they do!

@badmusic504 8 ай бұрын

I Don’t own anything Arturia I’m interested In purchasing the V collection software but does the astrolab make sense because it is standalone & wouldn’t be as much stress on my computer vs the software & midi keyboard as ill only be using in the studio only

@AprilRoxStudios 10 ай бұрын

Still waiting on keyboard with large touch screen, sliders, mpe, wireless capability (use without usb-c cable), ease of use, all of it’s brand vst’s inside of it for standalone use and is reasonably priced.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

That sounds like the dream synth...

@wout123100 7 ай бұрын

wont happen

@andikasavana4539 9 ай бұрын

thats tv is so big, can you share how size it is your big monitor sir?

@SwiftSystems1 9 ай бұрын

Could I use DJ Serato, Maschine + to control AstroLab or use the software alone Analog Lab/Artists?

@johnkowall7558 9 ай бұрын

Hi do you have any information about the Mellotron sounds ? On this keyboard?..and why they weren’t included but have an icon for that sound ..thanks ✋🏻

@jefgibbons 9 ай бұрын

There was something holding back their mellotron instrument on this one, so they just included the samples in their new on board sampler.

@johnkowall7558 9 ай бұрын

@@jefgibbons thanks for the information ✋🏻

@BullyMaguire4ever 2 ай бұрын

I’m guessing it’s some licensing issue of the mellotron name.

@xiaoxia5 10 ай бұрын

it's definitely a classy looking board in a minimalist kind of way. sure i wouldn't mind seeing a bigger display, and some faders, etc., but as you said, that would up the price quite a bit. i know this is not the right video for it, but at some point i would like to see a video on you showcasing the Artist Tribute Presets. there's some offered on the Astrolab, that are not available for purchase on the official site. the Astrolab seems like a great choice in controlling Arturia software, but would you recommend it for NI Komplete?

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

The Astrolab would be a basic controller for NI Komplete... you could easily assign the knobs, but I don't think they'd update with the LEDs... and that's about all you could do with it other than playing the keys!

@786itube 10 ай бұрын

Will that dial change my home temperature and is it Alexa-enabled

@quirkyfunguy 6 ай бұрын

I got one of these recently and I love it. I love all the sounds you can have access to. But I hate the editor. It's overly difficult and not intuitive specifically in editing presets on the AstroLab when connected to Analog Lab. I really hope they streamline that back-and-forth because it's really frustrating

@pierrebroccoli.9396 10 ай бұрын

Arturia's version of the Mashine Mk3+ Interesting but ..... Good break down though Jeff.👍

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

I had the same thought! I've used the M+ exactly twice away from the studio... going to use the Astrolab in a gig tonight, but that only happens about twice a year!

@hillblocksview 9 ай бұрын

I can either afford this or a new computer. If I buy this, I won't be able to download any of the software since I don't have a computer. So my question would be, is it worth buying this keyboard if you don't plan on using the software anytime soon? Great review appreciate your channel 👍

@jefgibbons 9 ай бұрын

If you can only choose one I’d say computer first with software and a controller keyboard for sure! Get a laptop and use it on stage for now…

@danielsonderhoff5882 10 ай бұрын

The product didn't really convince me. I had these Labs versions already a few years ago with an Arturia MIDI keyboard - until I later discovered NI Komplete Kontrol and Maschine. That gave me a lot more possibilities, especially with larger displays. I don't need the sounds in the keyboard. ...and if keyboards come with a sound engine, then real synths.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

It's a niche market for sure, but I'm glad they are pitching it directly to the live performers and not calling this the synth for everyone... would have been easy for them to take that route and I was hoping they wouldn't as I worked on the vid.

@foljs5858 10 ай бұрын

"I don't need the sounds in the keyboard" -- well, this keyboard is all about the sounds in keyboard form, and an emphasis on gigging, so if you want a workstation or some such shit, you can keep Maschine and co.

@danielsonderhoff5882 10 ай бұрын

@@foljs5858 Sorry, I'm not native speaking english. What I mean, personally for me: Astrolab makes no sense for me, because it has no own sound engine - in my case I prefer a real Synth when I need a ext. sound engine. Okay, now to your next point: NI Komplete Kontrol & Maschine MK 3 are no workstations, they are remotes. Jeff made many wonderful and helpfully clips to Native Instruments. His clips have caught my interest. So a few years ago, I bought my Arturia equipment and switched to NI. Korg Kronos, etc. they are workstations. In original post I didn't wrote that I need I workstation. If you hate workstations okay, but this was not the point.

@foljs5858 10 ай бұрын

@@danielsonderhoff5882 what do you mean "has no own sound engine"? That it has no "dedicated' sound engine only available for itself and not also in VST form? Sure, but on the other hand, it does have 30+ sound engines for the Arturia VSTs, so it's one of the most expansive synths to program (and you program presets for it directly using the VSTs UI, which is better than any "library manager"). No other synth has 30+ sound engines, from virtual modelling piano to hammond organs, Moog, Oberheim and all that...

@Michel-r6m 9 ай бұрын

You get preset sounds but parameter editing requires a license. If the keybed is solid (aftertouch!) this may be a serious product. But for me in order to make sense it needs to be 100% stand alone if desired (once all is updated, licenses aquired etc.).

@certifiedbeatz 10 ай бұрын

Great review as always ill just keep my keylab mk2 61 key and software 😆

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yeah that’s a good plan!

@dedaluz100 10 ай бұрын

I can't figure out what the performance of the hardware is, for example multitimbrality at how many parts and how many voices can it support at the same time? It's not very clear on the site, it seems bi-timbral, but it's not clear, perhaps because its performance is a bit limited

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Just two parts, can be layered or split…

@ReallyDudeYouGottaHearThis 10 ай бұрын

I want this but with my own software running ….like Pianoteq, keyscape, lounge lizard. Etc.

@CognitiveEvolution 10 ай бұрын

Does Astrolab support MPE when an MPE controller is attached?

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Interesting question! I’ll have to look into that one…

@rockstarjoe 10 ай бұрын

I'm just gonna slap a Nest thermostat on to my Keylab.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Indeed! An interesting choice…

@rockstarjoe 10 ай бұрын

@@jefgibbons I mean, it actually seems like a decent utility decision. I'm just kidding around :)

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

If only it had a thermometer on it…

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

@@rockstarjoe it is cool! My only concern is how long it will last, but it feels very sturdy!

@maccagrabme 10 ай бұрын

It would be an amazing deal if they threw in the V collection or at least reduced the cost to half price.

@curtisthacreator2231 10 ай бұрын

So if I buy this keyboard does it come with all the instruments or do I have to buy analog lab separately

@wout123100 7 ай бұрын

watch the vid again? its clearly mentioned.

@XxLeatonSxX 10 ай бұрын

Wow... worth the switch from keylab mkii 88? Only time will tell

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Only if you want to play live! The MKII 88 would still be my choice for studio work.

@foljs5858 10 ай бұрын

One is a controller, then other has sounds build in. One is 88 the other is 61. Not the same thing.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

@@foljs5858 Exactly my point in this video...

@Xanaduum 7 ай бұрын

Needs a decent sequencer with overdub capability. Then I'd buy it.

@nico5 10 ай бұрын

Grainy Jeff -- very French avant-garde 👌

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

I feel grainy these days!!

@IamtheI 10 ай бұрын

that much for a semi weighted is bananas..

@certifiedbeatz 10 ай бұрын

It would be nice. I'm not sure its possible to have 3rd patches installed on the keyboard. That would be nice in standalone, tho. The screen using in standalone is a big pass for me

@bateimidrashnetwork 10 ай бұрын

You say you understand why there are so little knobs and no faders etc - because there are different synths and sound engines. If that's the case - then what exactly is the Keylab controller?? Taking a layout like the Keylab with 9 knobs, 9 faders, drum pads, transport controlls, and put an audio interface and a processor so it would be standalone is what make more sense. With all the different synths inside V Collection arturia still made an effort to map a lot of parameters to those controls. So there's no excuse

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Might not have articulated that well enough. I was hoping/referring to for LFO, envelopes, filters, all clearly labeled like the minifreak. There’s definitely no excuse for the lack of basic sliders that can be assigned to everything other than the fact that it DOESNT come with the ability to assign those UNLESS you own the software. Not making excuses… really wish this wasn’t the configuration. Could have solved that by including the v collection.

@stevesm2010 10 ай бұрын

I think Arturia should speak to David Hillowitz and see if they could get Decent Sampler on the keyboard.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Great idea… super important!

@EBMZEQUENZER 10 ай бұрын

Native Instruments is next 😁😁 Also save your money for MK2 Cheers 🥂

@MH44444 10 ай бұрын

I don't see what you consider new tech. It's nice that you can have the software patches on it already. Would be good for a gig. But I don't really see anything special about it. I would probably rather have the Komplete Kontrol set up, plus it has polyphonic aftertouch which I think is mandatory for a midi keyboard now. The hardware synths on the other hand really are incredible. Just not seeing anything special about it, unless you wanted to gig with it and have the built in software vs a laptop.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

It’s just the first time we’ve had software we can mess with on the computer, and have built patches on for years… that can be instantly transferred onto a hardware keyboard. There actually isn’t anything out there like this… unless I’m missing something else…

@michelnassarofficial 10 ай бұрын

❤

@Teeb2023 10 ай бұрын

It looks great, and seems well featured, but a grand an a half? Ooft.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Yeah I was wondering where they’d price it…

@desoconnor7445 10 ай бұрын

If I’m correct it internalises vst instruments which can be bought separately and these as such can be controlled by any decent midi controller keyboard . If you don’t have a decent midi controller key board then this release definitely worth the bucks…great keyboard otherwise Caveat Empore applies.

@pascalschwaller7573 10 ай бұрын

It surely looks nice but I‘m honestly very disappointed for what it can do. First of, I hate wheels above the keys, then there‘s an external power supply, headphone jack on the back, no faders nor pads, too few knobs, not a lot of memory and I can only layer/split 2 sounds???? The display is ridiculously small. I do like the amount of buttons though but I‘d still rather take a Novation SL MK3 with a laptop running Gig Performer on stage than this

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Good points! I have hopes for where this keyboard will go, and it's a strong first release for performers that are deep in the Arturia ecosystem. I just wish they had sliders so it could be used as a proper controller in the studio. I do think lots of people will get along just fine using this as a controller exclusively, and to be fair I never use things like transport functions on controllers. I think I would have preferred buttons/ knobs with text strips above them... but that would have cost a lot more!

@patlecat 10 ай бұрын

A strange device, can't make heads or tails of it yet. And surely looks pricey.

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Ask me anything! Definitely meant for the live performer…

@patlecat 10 ай бұрын

@@jefgibbons Maybe but it looks so much like a PC in a keyboard and less like a synth. Add a laptop to an Arturia keyboard and you got the same with a more comfortable interface.

@klstay 10 ай бұрын

Come on, seriously?!? Playing live the primary thing is having "close enough" sounds for your set and a good keybed. The pivot point on this looks like it is directly behind the keys, ugh! At this price they could not even provide an internal PSU? Do you really think someone in the price range needing to gig would pick this over a CK61 (or even the new Hammond 4 octave if that covered their sounds) or similar for live? Not even close. What were they thinking?

@jefgibbons 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for your thoughts klstay!