Keylab Essential MK3: Best controller keyboard under $250!

www.arturia.com
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#arturia #keylabessential
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:40 Analog Lab V
3:00 Browsing Patches
7:00 Arp
8:00 Chord Mode
9:50 Scale Mode!
11:50 Customize
12:50 Drum Pads
14:40 Solo Cheat

[@artificium_]

Analog lab 5 good sir, its a roman numeral, just to let ya know

[@jefgibbons]

Nope... it's a V as in virtual... and now it's up to V Collection 10!

[@artificium_]

As soon as I made that comment I was like wait is it? Ha my b cheers​@@jefgibbons

[@kjl1115]

I just bought this keyboard based upon your impressive demo in the video. I think the girl in the Arturia tutorials over-simplifies the DAW integration process however. After researching everything, it finally worked on Day 3. The trick seems to be: after installing the scripts, unplug and re-plug the USB cable while the DAW is running. The keyboard is then recognized and mapped to Logic. I'm now diving in and looking forward to having some fun and using all of the features creatively. Jef, you have been a great help in explaining the features in an upbeat, friendly way!

[@jefgibbons]

Great tip!!

[@TheFourpegs]

Really great demo of this keyboard. I especially like the demo song creation you covered using the white keys scale mode. Very cool.

[@Crank59000]

Amazing review !!! Thanks a lot for all the details, features. You conviced me ✌🏻👍🏻

[@CharlesDavis-gj5pt]

Pretty cool instrument! I'll have to look into obtaining one. Thanks Jeff.

[@anzatzi]

Jef--the wood sides are the reason I haven't bought this! Great video!

[@DopamineOverload]

Always, ALWAYS a great review/demo (right up there with Loopop). Prof G, you are a legend and you need 100k subs like, now. Thanks, as always.

[@jefgibbons]

I missed this, but it is much appreciated!!

[@androidfarmer8863]

Really appreciated the commentary about the wood - I'm a pretty visual person, and appreciate your nod to visual aesthetics. I think it would be amazing if the whole control console had a "wood" panel behind it; form is something that can inspire people to be more creative, and I think it's a shame that the wood treatment is limited to the side, where it's generally out of view. The old-school / analog vibe it brings should be bolder... I'm sure some people don't like it, or don't care, but I'm not one of those people. :)

[@neocortexlab]

you need wooden glasses then to look the World through them

[@rubensilva5853]

this is prob the best review of this keyboard. Damn

[@fabianrr]

Thanks Jef 👌

[@romancesys]

Good Vibes sounds good!

[@Specter-ek9zo]

Great video thanks

[@AgriAutoIndia]

Useful info 😊

[@PosetivityJunkie]

i got it. this thing is amazing!

[@fractalman8064]

Please show more about what the knobs can do.

[@islandtony5009]

Great review thanks! So as a MIDI newbie - I have a Yamaha CK88 piano with a MIDI in port; it has great organ functionality with drawbars, leslie controls etc. But since the fully weighted keys aren't the greatest for organ, I've been looking for a controller to use to trigger the sounds on the CK. That part is easy, what the MIDI newbie in it is wondering is: with something that has faders and customizable controls like the Keylab, would I be able to control the drawbar settings with the faders, assign something to the leslie etc? Or would I be stuck with playing leys on the Keylab but still need to be using the physical drawbars etc on the Yamaha? Any help would be super appreciated!

[@christianlagioia]

just bought the 61 version for € 168 new :) and oh my.. AMAZING quality, amazing feel and touch sensitivity, plus for any price below € 250 this is practically a free controller due to the amount of software and sounds you get .. analog lab 5 ( full version) Ableton lite .. and a few other add-on's and VST-plugins ..

[@MarcelloScotti]

HI Jef, thx for the video, just found you, just subscribed. Just a question, do you know how you can pitch "slide" from, lets say A 440 to A 880 going trough ALL the intermediate frequencies?? Kind of late 70s Wakeman or ELP effects. Touching first one of the keys and then the second one. Thx!

[@SUNKINGME]

Great review! Looks promising. I think I'll wait for the flagship upgrade as I use the Arturia V collection the most of my softsynths. My ONLY beef is they don't auto connect to Studio One like the several others it does. But in fairness I guess that's true of most non Presonus key controllers.

[@issiewizzie]

its about bloody time they came out with a 49.😀 great advice on scales and chords

[@jefgibbons]

Thanks Issie! Yeah, I love the 49 form factor...

[@johnsuggs7828]

They've always had a 49 key version

[@EddieSlowhands]

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS GREAT VIDEO. I'M NOT SURE WHETHER TO GET THIS OR THE KEYSTEP 37 AS I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE SYNTHS IN MY COMPUTER. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLLY APPRECIATED ! THANKS AGAIN. BEST REGARDS - EDDIE ( UK FOLLOWER ).

[@johnfiott]

I am new to this and really enjoyed your review. Does this keyboard also work well with Komplete Kontrol? Also is there such a thing as a user-friendly app that can help me learn about music using this platform ? Thanks!

[@TheJerham68]

I'd love to see how you intergrated it with Cubase

[@nico5]

Arturia made the "wood* looking side panels on a "white* unit - so it would really work with the aesthetic in Jef's studio. Now *that* is the definition of being an "influencer"! 🤩-- I really like 9 of each: knobs and faders. That's like turning it to 11 for keyboard controllers! 😜 And Hammond organ players should feel much more at home, too!

[@jefgibbons]

Yes! They must love me over there... I do love them in return ;) And yeah, love the 9 knob/fader thing!

[@danwool]

Thanks for the video! 9:33 What shows up in the DAW when you record single-note chords. Just a the single note, or all the notes of the chord being heard?

[@jefgibbons]

That’ll send a full chord to the DAW!

[@MediaMusik777]

The Keybed is smooth like butter less clack than others , the fader pads and everything checks , didn’t like 61 waiting for 88 meanwhile using the 49

[@honeyhillbeats]

nice video! does ist record the chords and arp MIDI or just the trigger notes like with NI keyobards?

[@arnoud500]

It should wright..???🤔

[@Skijumptoes]

Was hoping to see what the Cubase MIDI Remote Script is like, presuming they use the new Remote API?

[@nine96six]

혹시 코드 모드 와 스케일 모드 동시에 사용할 때 diatonic으로 가능한지는 모르시죠 시도해 본 적이 없으시겠죠?

[@ChezterStudio]

very good review by Van Damme)

[@jefgibbons]

Not the first to say that… I don’t see it… but I’ll take it!

[@Dougie-]

What would you choose between the Essential MK3 or Keylab MK2, if they were the same price ?

[@skaholic_tv]

Please make a tutorial on how to SPLIT MODE in arturia keylab mk3

[@paulsarodh5460]

Superb 😍😍💝💖✌👌👌

[@vsmcax1007]

As a primary bass player who is currently getting more into guitar and music production overall, the chord and scale feature appears to be a huge plus. I want to learn keys but I only have so much time haha. I could see the downside though being that I would learn "wrong". We'll just have to see how it goes I guess. Thanks for the vid!

[@buckfred1]

I would like to see how it works with the iPad . Including how to power it with just the IPad! What dongle to use so that you can power both the keyboard and the iPad at the same time? Thanks, and I enjoyed your video very much

[@jefgibbons]

Working on exactly that!

[@WinterVibrations]

Please do a tutorial/masterclass on Arturia Motions efx!!

[@user-yz6rw3si3e]

Wooden (or faux-wooden) design decorative accents seem to be making a comeback in certain audio equipment/peripherals, such as in this particular keyboard model, and some speakers from Edifier and some other companies (although in the case of speakers, it, ie., wood, may comprise the majority of the speaker enclosure and serve more of a functional purpose than an aesthetic one).... Not a complaint, just an observation.

[@_django]

Hi, If I set Chord to "min. Triad" and Scale to "Cm" and press the Eb key, the keyboard plays Eb+F+Bb instead of Eb+G+C => the III° of Cm. VI and VII° are also incorrect. Am I doing something wrong in the settings or is it a keyboard bug?

[@JeffyG]

NI Kontrol keyboards are better for cross vendor integration. Even my Novation LaunchKey 49 is better for Logic integration out of the box…. and that’s the issue. I like Arturia and I like their software. Their vintage synth emulations are the best in the biz. But they’re fighting a tough battle against Native Instruments and AkaiPro and MPC world. Switching between Komplete Kontrol, Arturia V, and native control of a DAW like Logic is a little complex. Basically, you have to switch between modes on the midi controller for each vendor’s bundle. I found this could be done with my NI Kontrol M32 and my Novation LaunchKey - but never figured out how with an Arturia keyboard.

[@Unstable_Diffusion89]

in what way do they compete against the MPC world?

[@mikeklement7223]

When using chord mode, does the midi get captured in the DAW using these "altered notes" or does it capture the actual keys you are pressing on the keyboard?

[@thisisskinny]

dying to know this as well

[@Unstable_Diffusion89]

it captures all the events, not just the individual keys

[@LukeCarrM]

For the money you really can’t fault it. Looks great and does the job, and a reasonable size to take away from the studio too. Love the fact it has pads too, I wish my NI keyboard had those. Hope to see some more mini freak, patch creation tips maybe? We can all share our creations somehow?

[@jefgibbons]

Thanks Luke, I agree... great for the price! Definitely want to do more MiniFreak... my fave recent synth!

[@arnoud500]

Does this keyboard work well with maschine daw of native instruments? I have an S61 keyboard and a maschine mk3 but i am thinking about swapping my S61 with this beauty and use my mk3 for most controlling of the daw...and use this for arturia plugg ins and as a keyboard just the playing....will you be able to record effects in maschine buy turning the knobs on this keyboard?

[@danielsonderhoff5882]

I had its predecessor for 2 years. Neither the keyboard nor the faders impressed me. And the pads are a compromise; they are placed in the wrong spot. The only argument for it back then was the price, making it a good entry point. Over time, I saved up and managed to get the NI Komplete S49 MK II and the Maschine 2 MK 3 (used). Now I'm happy. Different price, different league 😀

[@djb5565]

I'm still unsure whether I should get a better midi controller. I have MPK Mini professional..which is ok...but I would love more keys, sliders, pads, knobs and wheels not a joystick... and just works with Logic Pro out of the box...not having to load and install scripts.

[@jefgibbons]

I would head to the local store and try one of the Keylabs for sure... You have to ask yourself if you really will use all of the knobs and sliders and pads... 99% of the time I just use keys, mod wheel and pitch bend! But some people really do embrace the sliders and pads.

[@JohnnyMacaw]

what midi keyboard controller do you use personally ?

[@jefgibbons]

I’m tied to the komplete kontrol, 3x the price though!!

[@DustinLeone]

I really wish it had semi weighted keys.

[@bookiemonster2000]

Just bought the mk2 88 keys over this due to the keys. Couldn’t stand the feel of these keys. The store only carried these two options but left happy with the previous model

[@buckycore]

This doesn't have after touch, does it? Still the Price point is amazing for what you get

[@johnsuggs7828]

It doesn't. Arturia's Keystep-37 comes with After touch and it's great. If Arturia would have put after touch on this at that price, it would be a no brainer for me. I barely use after touch, but I always want to have it

[@arnoud500]

Can you record automation in native instruments maschine daw?

[@jefgibbons]

Definitely! Needs improvement but it works!

[@Talentman18]

What’s better Spectrasonics or the Arturia Bundle? Debating on which one to get.

[@jefgibbons]

I didn’t know there was a spectrasonics bundle! Looking into it…

[@Talentman18]

@@jefgibbons I meant to say there vst’s

[@johnsuggs7828]

I own both. The Arturia VST bundle (V-Collection) is great. No question about that. However it is a memory resource hog. If you have a computer that is fast with a good amount of fast memory, you should be ok. If you're talking about Spectrasonics Keyscape, as far as I'm concerned it's the best. Keyscape is also about 200-220 dollars cheaper.

[@Talentman18]

@@johnsuggs7828 Thank you . I have a fast PC with with a lot of memory I will prob get both it’s hard to just pick one.

[@johnsuggs7828]

@@Talentman18 That's the conclusion I came to fam. I wanted Arturia's V-Collection so bad, I built a new computer for it. lol If you get them both, you'll enjoy them.

[@lordspam2721]

bro.... cut your finger nails! hahaha. just got an open boxed one so looking forward to it. Great video!

[@scarvello]

Does this have scripts for fl studio?

[@kjl1115]

Yes

[@TamasVarga-VatartPhoto]

49 or 61 keys?? 🤔 I am beginner player, the keyboard won’t have a fixed place so it will move back and forth to my desk. I want to avoid “overgrowing it” and need to buy a bigger one later…

[@jadennnnn]

Hmmm this doesn’t look like the normal setup🧐

[@jefgibbons]

Mixing it up! ;)

[@constantvanier1274]

I actually have a KeyStep 37 and I'm not sure it is what I need. Connected to Studio One, and not being a keyboardist, I wonder if the KeyLab Essential 49 would be better for me, mostly in terms of integration with S1. Thanks in advance, Constant V.

[@LightWingStudios]

Arturia keyboards SUCK with Studio One.

[@JohnnyMacaw]

Man I Just bought the mk2 key lab :(

[@jefgibbons]

That’s a bit of a bummer… hopefully it was a good deal!

[@johnsuggs7828]

If you purchased the MK2 new, you can exchange it for the newer version

[@peabodyscientific2082]

Did you get the Essential mk2 or the KeyLab mk2? If you got the flagship KeyLab mk2, that's probably still better than this Essential mk3 (other than the drum pads). But I'm really excited for the flagship mk3 and will be waiting for that.

[@wjdavey3]

❤️🎵🎶🎹🎵🎶👍🎵🎶🙏🎵🎶☘️❤️😎

[@cinepost]

Do you still feel that this is the best controller under $250?

[@jefgibbons]

I do! Especially if you use Arturia software!

[@eddiexx]

The inability of hearing the next preset without clicking is one "detail" that summed up with other similar "details" makes you again use the mouse instead of the interface of these units. I have the MK2 Keylab 61 and i feel like Arturia really disappoints in their development of this line of controllers. They haven't even touched the firmware of the MK2 with any relevant features or workflow improvements since their release. Their midi mapping is really awkward besides the most simple knob mapping that can be done with any cheap controller and their transport buttons are a pita to map if the machine you are trying to controll is not included in their presets. Now, the interactivity with their VSTs is also very poor, MOST presets and MOST instruments are not mapped, there is no deep true intrest in making these machines into all what they could be. I like the keybed, its ok, but i tell you that there are so many small things to the undeveloped general picture of these machines that after a while you hardly make use of any of it features. Cheers

[@kozihoppy]

Dude he mentioned clicking with the knob not the mouse. The MK3 is a great controller that rivals and even surpasses other keyboards in its price range. To be honest except from the keystep range the keyboards from Arturia haven't caught my attention but this MK3 model looks really sexy, has a very decent keybed and integrates well with Ableton, to me the 61 keys at below $300 it's a damn home run.

[@eddiexx]

@@kozihoppy Go for it. I'm just telling you my opinion. Hope you make use of its control features just like you thought 6 months from buying it, after the often initial forgiving enthusiasm. The most basic integration is there so it should work for you, and for the price i guess its ok. Now if looks is important, then i would wait for the non Essential, probably they will release a MK3 of those soon. The keybed is just ok on this Essential line, not bad not great. Btw yes, I meant clicking with the knob. See, my problem is the picture of a "super interaction" presented never comes to realisation, its more a half-baked half-finished concept. If Arturia really wanted to do it it would continue develop its firmware. And they do not. Once they release them its just some minor bug fix but over with any further research in how they are working. That is my experience.

[@kozihoppy]

@@eddiexx Thanks for sharing your opinion.

[@eddiexx]

@@kozihoppy 👍

[@byrdman6752]

Push 3 is out

[@jefgibbons]

Indeed! Super excited about it too!

[@eugenecanady5452]

once gain, Arturia has failed to deliver a controller for even their own software. No ribbon controller for their CS-80, and no joystick/XY pad for their Prophet VS.

[@jefgibbons]

Hmm, maybe on the full version?

[@eugenecanady5452]

i get that I'm nitpicking but Arturia's own support told me to find a different controller for their own software. They could at least make a small expander box of some sort.

[@aquaticborealis4877]

@@jefgibbonsSo you’re saying the full Keylab 3 is coming? Would be great if it had a ribbon controller or some kind of MPE functionality. 😏

[@jefgibbons]

@@aquaticborealis4877 Definitely don't have any insider info! Was just theorizing ;) But it's good to get your requests in!

[@eddiexx]

The line LOOKS great but as i wrote in my comment you end up not using its features because Arturia drops the development and research on how to make them work properly instantly after releasing the products. There are so many details like the lack of flexibility in their mapping with gear outside of their very basic stored daw presets that what looked great ends up being just a nice keybed, and a controller with a lot of hassle that leads you back to using your mouse.

[@LightWingStudios]

Arturia keyboards SUCK with Studio One!

[@whittymusic]

I'm sorry anyone that thinks sliders on the RIGHT isn't a player. Nobody wants to reach across their right hand to control things...it's dead in the water for real players

[@haro82]

You are right. They need to reverse where the drum pads are with the knows and sliders. I have an mk2 and it's the same thing. Odd.

[@johnsuggs7828]

Kind of a closed minded comment. What if you happen to be left handed? Like with anything it's a matter of personal preference.

[@whittymusic]

@@johnsuggs7828 almost nobody is THATS WHY

[@johnsuggs7828]

@@whittymusic Um....that's so ridiculously closed minded, I don't even know what to say to that. Wow.

[@mstk8845]

I always thought about if I was playing live in the genre I do and wanted to play a drum beat loop it would be easy to do while playing right hand chords.