The Keylab Essential is PURE VALUE
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- The Keylab Essential is PURE VALUE
Today I simply want to talk about what an insane value the Arturia Keylab Essential series MIDI keyboards are. For less than $300, you not only get a solid MIDI controller, you also get a grand piano VST, over 6800 synth presets recreated from some of the most famous synthesizers of all time, AND Ableton Live Lite. When viewed through the lens of a beginner, the value is almost too good to believe. Even if you're someone who's just looking for a MIDI keyboard to control hardware, I'd give some serious consideration to the Keylab Essential series, as the Analog Lab V software could be easily sampled into a hardware machine as well! Enjoy the video :)
My favorite gear in one list, courtesy of zZounds.com:
www.zzounds.co...
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
Arturia Keylab Essential 61: amzn.to/3BmdC1t
Zoom Livetrak L-12 (audio recorder): amzn.to/3cUX1sd
Questions? Ask them below!
Support the Channel: / freebeat
Bandcamp: free-beat.band...
Follow me on Instagram: / freethebeat. .
If you enjoy this video, considering subscribing to the channel! It's free, and I upload new content every single day!
All links in this description are Amazon affiliate links, the gear is the same price to you, but I get a small kickback when you use these links! It's an easy way to support the channel at no extra cost.
![Arturia V Collection 9 [REVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MGu3ZM1zUW4/mqdefault.jpg)
![Arturia V Collection 9 [REVIEW]](/img/tr.png)
I have the 49 key and it's a beast for the price. Works flawlessly with FL Studio and GarageBand. A added bonus is that it works with my iPad pro synth apps. This controller is basically plug and play and definitely worth the price.
Agreed. Arturia offers pure value, great products and a ton of incredible sounds at your fingertips.
Absolutely!
You literally sound like an ad lol
@@thomaspoon1 I wouldn't say it if I didn't think so.
I also have a Keylab Essential 61 and I'm a big fan. The included software bundle for mine (in addition to Analog Lab, the Grand Piano VST and Ableton Live Lite as mentioned in this video) also had Stage-73 V (an outstanding electric piano VST for Rhodes fans) and Mini V3 (a recreation of the Moog Mini).
You forgot to mention, that in Arturia Labs V the Mini Moog synth is completely accessible. The other synths can be purchased separately
Yeah I totally forgot, you're correct!
Got the 49key arturia and it's one of the best investments I've done. Such great sounds, easy plugin and use. High quality presets like thre DX7, Juno 8 and many more cool stuff. Love the revplate 140 spring verb you even get with it. Sounds insane on vocals. Love this midikeyboard, you get a keyboard aswell as you get thousands of presets you can transform and work from. It is just super inspiring to have so many good sounds when you start out. It does help with the workflow and creative process, atleast it did for me.
Definitely, I love sorting through them and finding what inspires me at that particular moment!
where do you get the plate reverb? 🤯
Nice review. Got mine about 9 months ago (sale at GTR Center $199) Software package makes this a steal. I’ve got the V8 collection and I’m in heaven. Arturia takes care of its customers with great discounts.
I started my entire digital music journey with an Arturia Microlab which mostly had the same software that you showed here. How it continued- I wanted more out of Ableton Live Lite (which looked like it cost $500 at that time to upgrade that) - which lead me to an OPZ. I wanted a sequencer or something I could use to loop my music, and it just went downhill from this. This keyboard is a gateway... device.
It totally is haha. But if you're looking to get into music that's a good thing :)
Analog Lab is insanely usable out of the box. If you upgrade to V Collection, then the presets almost double, and you get full access to the Synths. If you grab Pigments, you are basically set. Only other thing would be to have a drum machine. They should add something like that to the collection. There are drum sounds though.
I'd agree - if they included 4 or 5 classic drum machines, you'd have everything you need.
i love pigments i use it for scoring for film all the time
The KL Essential 61 was my first midi controller and I still use it today for everything I create. It’s a fantastic value given the software it comes with. It’s where it all started for me!
Arturia controllers are amazing value for money. I have a Beatstep Pro and I'm saving for a Keystep Pro, plus I have a Minibrute (original version) that doubles as a midi controller. I've had a lot of different keyboard controllers over the years and by far, the most useful, customisable, feature rich and connectable controllers (midi, USB and cv control in and out!) are my Arturia stuff.
I'm in the process of selling my MAudio and Akai stuff at a fairly big loss to get more Arturia gear. The only controllers I'm keeping are the APC40 which is a live looping/clip launching controller, and my Behringer foot controller. My MPC, 61 and 39 key controllers, and a few other bits and pieces are going without costing me anything in terms of functionality of my live or studio setups.
And the software is bloody great too.
Thanks for sharing!
I had opportunity to get the 61 mk3 and wow the velocity is incredible , immediately found music 🎶
Awesome!
I got the black edition keylab essential 61 second hand for about half the price new ones were going for. The software code still worked for it too! I finally bought Ableton Standard this year too. Well worth it. Just in time to release a bunch more albums this year.
I recently bought the Arturia MiniFuse 2 sound card and got a pretty nice software package with that one as well. I was surprised at how much software they include for the price.
Couldn't agree more... Got the 49 a couple of months ago. Analog Lab is awesome. My only wish was that I got the pro version :)
Do you mean the V Collection?
@@FreeBeat I actually meant the full keylab (not essential) but now that you mention it the full V collection is definitely in my future.
Pro Tip: See if you can get ahold of Analog Lab IV for heckin cheap used (you can actually sell Arturia software licenses). It gives you way more tweakability over synth sounds. It was honestly probably too good and potentially costing Arturia sales because they nerfed it too hell in Analog Lab V. Before you could tweak 18 SYNTH parameters per patch, in the latest version you often only get 4 parameters and 5 FX parameters. This is still quite usable, but you could do so much sound design in the old version. I bet quite a few people didn't see the need to upgrade to the V collection because you could already do so much.
I also recommend the V collection in general when it's on sale btw. I would have been more eager to recommend it when it came with Analog Lab IV, because it was just a good Hub to get to a million bread and butter sounds and it encouraged to try out more synth you didn't know about. Now it's still good, but if you have the full versions of the synths you probably won't use Analog Lab V all that much. It was just a very nice piece of software that tied everything together in the past.
Crazy. If I didn’t have several keyboards already I’d buy one mainly for the software. Cheers. Lee
Yeah it's almost worth it for the software alone haha. Thanks as always!
Arturia's policy is that the software license is transferable and stays with the keyboard if you sell it. That in mind, I bought a used Keylab 49 with keybed problems dirt cheap just to get my hands on the Analog Lab software. Arturia support even came thru and found me a replacement keybed. Alas, I'm having a devil of a time getting everything fully functional on my linux machine.
i was looking at a 37 but 61 might be more fun for only a little more price.
Be careful with that one, they are two completely different devices. The 37 has a very powerful sequencer and arpeggiator, as well as aftertouch. Of course, it lacks all of the other control elements that the Keylab Essential series has. They are both very different haha. Thanks for watching!
Journey FTW!
Always!
Even if I would choose a very different keyboard controller for myself - I must admit Analog Lab is an awesome piece of software, a great added value.
Why would you choose a different one?
@@carolusmagnus7116 because they have better integration with software I use, Novation keyboards for Ableton and Native Instruments keyboards for Maschine and Kontakt - so I would definitely choose one of those two brands
It's good for the price, but the pads are way too stiff to be usable. The keys are slightly shorter (front to back) than full sized keys, and hard to press near the back of the key, but I think that's normal in this price range. The faders are pretty fragile. I bumped a few and now some don't work. Be careful if you're planning on traveling with it. The standby lightshow is annoying too. I like that it gives you more DAW control buttons and knobs/sliders than competitors.
As a drummer I actually find the pads super usable haha. Thanks for watching!
this seems great for the MPC One Akia
Yeah it is!
I’m trying to get an idea of the key bed feeling. Is is comparable to the Arturia Minilab mk2 or more like novation Launch Key mini?
Great review. I sold my KL Essential 61 and just bought the KL Essential 88. I registered my new keyboard but wasn’t able to figure out how to add the Model D plugin. Any suggestions?
Can you use the software on mac
Yes!
does the audio interface connect via usb to your computer too?..... ie...the computer has both the Arturia keyboard as well as the audio interface connected to it...... and then from the audio interface outputs to your speakers.....is this correct?....thks
I totally agree! 👍
Thanks as always!
I want to use my Keylab 49 controller and hear what I playing thru my earphones
Just plug your headphones into your computer or the device you're controlling with the Keylab :)
"Just a small town girl..." lol
Can you record automation in native instruments maschine daw?
I'm not sure, I've never used Maschine.
Arturia has great products across the board, and this package you mention is amazing.
UVI Workstation is actually the slimmed down version of Falcon, which is my main VST!
Oh awesome! I'm pretty unfamiliar with it outside of the Model D presets. What exactly is it?
@@FreeBeat UVI Falcon makes me design an endless amount of sounds like any other VST but it is laid out more for programming, does not resemble an actual syntheiszer on screen. You will hear it in lots of my videos.
Amazing video. I am thinking of buying this. Can you also share the steps on how to use it with a windows system please? :)
Your system should cover all the system requirements first
If all done, then you will have to install the software and provide the product code and you are ready and you can get things running
You can connect it using USB printer cable to your pc
he just played cant be stopped by roy jones @6:08
May i know is it possible to output the sounds without connecting to PC? like does connecting it to amplifiers directly through the midi out port work? I would like to use it as a digital keyboard sometimes...
No, this keyboard has no sounds in it. It is strictly a controller for the computer and other hardware instruments.
Can you recommend a piano lesson package that would work best with an Essential keyboard setup? Or should I just buy a Yamaha?
I don't really have knowledge on piano lessons, sorry!
Is this a good keyboard to start learning how to play keys? As in beginner beginner zero experience
This is just a MIDI controller, and requires a computer or another synthesizer to actually make sound. If you're just looking to learn keyboard this is probably fine, but if you're looking to learn piano I'd recommend something with 88 weighted or semi-weighted keys!
I'd avoid the Keylab Essential. I had one of these. With my PC (Ryzen 7, 32 GB RAM) MIDI commands would fail to register resulting in dropped or hanging notes especially when playing chords. I worked with Arturia, even sending them videos of the problem. They sent me a new one... same problem. Here's the thing. I have a Korg MicroKey 37... no problem. After selling the Keylab Essential, I bought an M-Audio Oxygen Pro... also no problem.
The problem that I faced is well discussed on forums. It seems that if you have the wrong kind of computer, it won't work right, and no one knows for sure what kind of computer is the wrong kind, except that it only seems to happen to PCs. I'd avoid. Arturia doesn't know what is wrong with it, and they don't seem to interested in finding a solution.
Interesting, I have a Ryzen 5 and 32gb of RAM and have no issues at all.
@@FreeBeat I don't know what it is, and they didn't know either. They sort of shrugged at me after a while. If you're unlucky, you're sort of SOL. I see a lot of good press for this. I just wanted to share my experience, because I didn't know there were others that had problems until I bought it. I really wanted to like it. :(
what OS are you running?
How long do the software subscriptions last? (Ableton)
Is an Arturia Keylab Mk3 arriving soon?
Yes! I've done a few videos on it already :)
But do you mean the Keylab or Keylab essential? I mean the Keylab, the big one ahaha Anyway if you link me the video I’ll go watch it for sure, I can’t find it
@@Ego_S.B. Oh whoops haha, I definitely meant the Essential. I'm not sure if a normal mk3 is coming, that'd be awesome!
Arturia keylab 61 or novation mk3 61? For mainstage?
I've never used the MK3 61 or mainstage, sorry!
What's the best 49 key midi controller for logic pro x? Was toying between the Arturia keylab mk 2 or essential 49. Was also looking at oxygen pro 49 (but read that it's not compatible with logic) and novation launchkey mk 3. Have been changing my mind every day
I'm really not sure, I've never used Logic haha. Sorry!
@@FreeBeat no probs, thanks for replying.
Is there anyone who can help me choose between this one and the M-Audio Oxygen Pro? Can't find a good comparison between the two. Please, no fanboying. And I don't really care about the software it comes with. Just in terms of hardware, which one is better or easier to work with? Which one's keys feel better? Which one would you recommend?
I'm not sure, as I've never used the Oxygen Pro, sorry!
I'm making this exact same decision. I haven't experienced either keyboard in hand but after some online research I know that the oxygen pro's keys are semi-weighted so if you want a keybed that feels closer to a real piano then that is absolutely the one to go for. Workflow and DAW integration seems to be pretty even between the two...
@@AdiiAv3x Yea, plus Oxygen has aftertouch and it also has more pads, which makes it more appealing to me. I'm probably going to get the Oxygen.
CAN I USE I WITHOUT PC OR PHONE? ONLY THE KEYBOAD
This keyboard is just a controller, it doesn't have any sounds in it. You need to use it with something that can make sounds, like a synthesizer or computer.
@@FreeBeat oh okay
@@FreeBeat and what's the voltage
Subscribed! 🔔 Liked, shared and fav-added.
Does it come with onboard speakers (to play by itself)?
No. This keyboard has no sounds in it, and cannot create sounds. It is a MIDI controller. It controls either software or hardware synthesizers and those are what make the sounds.
Price is up $60 in 2 months.
Arturia please send me a Keylab 61 MK II for free too. That would be pure value!
The keybed is awful though. Had to return mine
Hammond B-3 is not a synthesizer.
It's really poor in features, lacking aftertouch, separate zones per channel, having really cheap feeling keypad. How is this thing considered a Pure Value ? You can get much better keys for that money.
I’m considering buying it, can you tell me more? And can you tell me the keyboards you consider better? Thanks!😊
It really depends on what features are important to you
Honestly.. the keys are terrible on keylab. Absolutely not playable, toy keyboards have better keys
I don't mind them at all, but I'm not at all a pianist. I probably wouldn't recommend any keyboard without weighted keys to a pianist honestly.
I'm a trained pianist, and I own a 100-year old Steinway Model M. Which is only to say that I know what a good keyboard feels like. I also have a Casio Privia PX-5S, which is 88 weighted keys. I don't have a ton of experience with inexpensive keyboards, but I think "terrible" is way off base here. For the price, they feel pretty decent. It's not pretending to be a weighted, full size keyboard after all.