Arturia Keylab MKII Overview
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- Опубліковано 19 вер 2021
- This short video is part of my epic 3 hr 20 minute tutorial video entitled ‘Setting Up A Professional Home Recording Studio & Publishing Your Music On Spotify & iTunes’ see link below:
Full video: • Setting up a home Reco...
Arturia Keylab MKII & Analog Lab V: www.arturia.com - Навчання та стиль
FINALLY someone who mentions pivot points, thank you!
Yeah. Yup, I have a thing about that and it is important, as you say, as it is really hard to play the keys towards the back if the pivot point is right there - ahhhrrrr.
@@tecraven Btw, how is the pivot point on the little brother Keylab Essential 49, do you know?
@@davidhogberg3997 I don’t know on that one, sorry, I don’t recall.
@@tecraven No worries. You got yourself a new subscriber anyhow :)
@@davidhogberg3997 thanks, David. I’ve got to get round to shooting some more UA-cam videos, I have a big list of videos I need to do.
Im Loving My Mk2 49!! Excellent Keyboard!
What made you choose 49 instead of 61? I’m wondering if there’s really any advantage to the 61 considering the price difference
Excellent and most informative review - Thanks
Very nice and honest review. Thanks
Thanks, André
Nice video... BTW, the CS80 was made entirely of wood as far as the chassis goes... 😮
I have this midi controller and it is by far the best in regards to build quality, keybed and functionality. I tried quite a few prior to this one and kept coming back to it. The Keylab Essential is not bad for the money and punches above its price even compared to the more expensive ones. Once you get the Mkii up and running it is fantastic.
How's the aftertouch on it? I need a midi controller with great, smooth aftertouch, but I'm struggling to get any info/comparison on controllers with the best aftertouch. TIA
@@Dubb1000 I my assessment the aftertouch is really good and smooth. I have never had any issues with it in that realm. The aftertouch and many of the settings can be customized and tweaked via the software that accompanys it. The cool feature is their software synths controls are auto mapped with full integration.
@@PurpleMusicProductions Thank you for replying. I ended up buying an M-Audio Oxygen Pro over the Keylab MKII (I hope I haven't made a mistake, as M-Audio products can be a tad sketchy in regard to performance/Quality). I managed to by it for £105 off eBay. If the Oxygen Pro is rubbish, then I'll be decisive and just grab the Keylab MKII.
One thing that I don't like about the Keylab is the size, it's quite a chunky boy, and I'm not interested in the "integration" aspect of these new keyboards (including the one I just bought). Ideally, I'd of love to get a bare-bones, 49 key midi controller, with a nice keybed and aftertouch. These newer keyboards have too many gimmicks, and with these gimmicks, comes an increase in physical size for these controllers. It actually reminds me of the automotive industry in a way.
Oxygen pro has aftertouch but arturia keylab mk2 has best actertouch
If aftertouch is your priority
Native instruments s series and keylab series are best
Well optimised aftertouch
I have a black one of these and really like the action, build quality and look of the keyboard. I only wish that Arturia would make a version with all the same features and quality but omit all the CV functions which not everyone requires.
Nice summary of the controller I'm thinking of buying for my first foray into the world of DAWs and music composition. You may have just convinced me to spend the extra $$ and get one.
You won’t be disappointed, Tom. I love mine!
Seriously do yourself a big favour and spend the extra because you certainly do get what you pay for.
Great, honest, insight! I replaced a well used old Axiom Pro 61 with a Novation LaunchKey 49 MK3 for my home studio. It’s way better than I expected, but too few keys for live performance. I’m borrowing a Arturia Keylab 61 for an upcoming gig. The only midi controllers I’ve found to be durable are #1 Komplete Kontrol S61, #2 Arturia Keylab 61 and #3 Novation LaunchKey SL61 MK3 (or 88). Everything else is cheap and flimsy.
Thanks Jeffy. Thanks for feedback on Komplete Kontrol S61 and Novation LaunchKey SL61 MK3, will check those out if I get chance.
Great video! I was thinking about KeylabEssential 61, but after this, I decided to order KeyLab 61 MKII. Not only the quality is much better, but its integration with my DAW, Reaper, should be great, too. KL Essential has too many issues with Reaper and this one is in the list of supported DAWs. Thanks for this honest review - it helped me to make my final choice. I am not a pro and this controller should be good for me for many years to come.
Thanks, Miki. You'll probably like this video too: ua-cam.com/video/bu6uY6TMOEQ/v-deo.html
Just curious - why’d you go with the 61 over 49? Does it justify the price difference?
@andrewjohnson5524 61 vs. 49 is quite a difference in the number of keys and is easier to play without shifting the octaves. I still learn the "real" playing, and 61 helps me a lot. I used KeyStep with, I think, 39 keys, and this was quite difficult. For the price difference, my credit points covered about 75% of the total cost, and I was a bit limited on what I could use them. And 88 keys would be too large to go under my desk 😀
Very nice review. Just one thing: No, this midi keyboard controller is NOT a synthesiser by any means. This is a midi keyboard controller with great integration with Arturia software.
What I meant, Wojciech is that with the Arturia (or any other) software synthesisers such as the Roland Jupiter 8 software synth this midi keyboard controller turns into a synthesiser. I thought I'd made that obvious in the video and I think most people watching it will be able to visually see that this controller does not have all the subtractive synth controls on it and that you need the software synth to do all that stuff.
thank you for your review l was un decided which on to get, since having an op in hospital l have been left in a wheel chair and its awarkward to sit with the guitar on my lap but thank you so much for your review
Kind regard
Allan Stoke on Trent
You’re more than welcome, Alan. I’m glad you can carry on enjoying music in whatever capacity that is. It’s a superb keyboard.
Thanks for great information on this set up. You mention that the Keylab 49 comes bundled with Analog Lab 5. Everywhere I've contacted (in the UK) give me the impression I'll get version 2 or 3 of Analog Lab. I particularly want 5 for the Emulator etc. Do you know where I can get the Keylab 49 mkii and AnalogLab 5 together?
Angus. As per my other answer when you buy Keylab MK2 you create an account on Arturia website and enter the serial number and you can then download latest Analog Lab V from there. Nothing comes in box, you just download it using the serial number of the midi keyboard.
Thanks Nigel, much appreciated. I tried a few music stores and the Arturia website without any luck, but you've confirmed what I was hoping would happen. You've inspired me to get the Keylab Mkii and I might even get the V Collection after trying Analog Lab 5.
@@GrayAngus You might be happy with Analog Lab V on its own. See how you get on with it. To be honest, unless you are a synth head and need the fine tuning and ability to model your own specific sounds by buying any given synth individually you might find Analog Lab V alone is enough. But I bought some synths on top of ALV and really enjoy playing around with the many parameters and settings and the usual ADSR etc.
On the trigger pads, can you change scenes/sets of samples like on a keyboard? tnx
Ah, I haven't dug that deep into the pads, but I suspect so. You can change various settings for the pads. You can download the manual for the Keylab MKII here and have a read up on the pads pages: www.arturia.com/support/downloads&manuals
My first three MIDI controllers were crap. Finally found Arturia.
Has to be Keylab range though as their Essential range, although still better than other budget offerings, are built more to a “plastic” budget - but at least they offer a Budget and a Pro range.
@@tecraven I purchased the MKII 61. It should be delivered tomorrow.
@@frankenjstein9371 You’ll love it.
Good video! Thanks for sharing this. As a response to your remark that a lot of keyboards feeling like a plastic toy; have you tried the Studiologic SL88. There's a Studio version that already feels amazing (for the price), and a Grand version that feels extremely close to an actual pro/grand piano. (Not sponsored!, just happy with my SL88 Key Studio Keyboard) Fondly, Michael
Hi Nigel - re my earlier message, perhaps I should have said did you have to buy Analog Lab 5 separately?
Hi Angus. No, you don't buy it separately. When I bought Keylab MK2 midi keyboard there is a serial number on it and when you create an account on the Arturia website you simply put that serial number in and it allows you to download the latest version of Analog Lab.
I have also been unimpressed by the plastic scene of controllers. Did you try the Essential Mkiii by comparisson now?
I want same feel as D50 synth with aftertouch this mkii has but wonder about getting the M-Audio Oxygen Pro 61 as it is semi-weighted Piano Action. Just different use and feel aye.
Yup, 99 percent of them are plastic crap. The Keylab is not like that, metal construction, solid build, great Arturia keyboard action etc. The Essential model, however, is not up to the same standard and it is a lot cheaper so one would not expect it to have a metal construction. It is plastic, yes, but not 'cheap crap' plastic, just plastic so out of all the plastic crap out there the Essential one is the pick of the bunch.
I plan to buy a Keylab MK II but I’m afraid that as soon as I buy the MK II they will release the MK III.
I wouldn't worry about that. Technology moves on all the time and if you wait for the next version to come out you'll be waiting forever as many of these things are constantly been improved upon from a tech point of view. It's like waiting for the next best mirrorless camera to come out from Nikon or Canon. Just buy now and get creative and don't bother watching the Arturia site for a new one, just get on with composing and writing music. Look at Mike Lindup (Level 42 keyboard player) he has a bunch of synths that he's had for years upon years. He has a Nord Lead 2 synth that's been replaced three times since Mike bought his, but he's still writing and playing great music on it with Level 42. Honestly, just buy it and get creative or you'll never write anything.
@@tecravenvery well said! You can't just wait for the next big thing which isn't always better to be honest. In addition, you're better off having the current model that's been around for a while as it's proven to be reliable as opposed to getting the next model that could be buggy and unreliable! I've learned the hard way a number of times not to upgrade for the sake of having the latest big thing!
Hi, do you know if it's possible to control 3rd party VST FX using the physical knobs on the keyboard? E.g. say i want to alter the threshold + output of a compressor plugin with the knobs, can i do that? What's the workflow like there? Cheers
Yes, Nick, you can do that. That’s how are use it with Logic Pro X on my Mac, I basically turn the dials and move the sliders on the Arturia instead of dragging the channel strip slider and knobs with the mouse. Same for the effects plug-ins, sometimes they just have to be mapped though, which is fairly straightforward.
@@tecraven Great! That's sold me then. I've been trying to find this answer on the internet for days.
Thanks for the helpful videos, just watched them both
@@tecraven Just to confirm, you can use the physical knobs on any plugin, not just Arturia ones?
And after you map it, it remembers the settings? Do you have to switch from DAW mode to User mode or anything like that?
Also, after you map it on a 3rd party plugin, do the knobs still affect that plugin after you close the plugin instance? Or do the knobs only take affect while the plugin instance is open/visible? (it would be a shame that turning the knob would alter parameters while a plugin is closed, cos then you can't use the same knob for 2 different plugins)
@@Barncore Hi Nick. Yes, you can use the knobs on the Arturia Keylab to control the knobs on any plug-in, not just the Arturia soft synths etc. It's a standard Midi Keyboard controller that uses the universal system for mapping etc. You'll find by default that the knobs on the Keylab will default to certain knobs in software plug-ins (other makes as well as Arturia) and if there is a configuration that is not quite right, you simply map it the way you want.
As for once the plug-in is closed do the knobs on the Keylab still control it, I'm not sure, but I doubt it as that would create a l load of mess. To be honest I'm sure the plug-in has to be open and active at the forefront of all other plug-ins on the screen for the Keylab to have an affect of turning knobs etc.
Depending on where you are in the world (I'm UK), you could buy from Amazon as they have a 28-day return policy if there is anything you're not happy about. Local dealers should have the same return policy as long as you explain to them when buying that if mapping turns out to be an issue that they will take it back. Just don't register it with the serial number on the Arturia site until you are totally sure. I'm pretty sure it does everything you want in the way you want though as this is pretty much how I use it in Logic, but I have not gone deep into mapping any special plug-in, Arturia or otherwise, though.
@@tecraven Thanks for the amazingly detailed answer. That helps a lot. Makes sense. I'm gonna go buy one tomorrow, how exciting. Cheers!
Do your Faders zero out (-INF) or max out (6.0) consistently and reliably in ABLETON 11?
I don’t know about that one because I only use logic pro. Sorry.
@@tecraven Thanks. Its strange. I have posted numerous places and not got a definitive answer yet.
I bought the Arturia MKII 49 and I don't want to run the power through my laptop do they sell a seperate wall charger + usb cable solution or a power adapter ?
There is a 9 volt power connector on the back so you can buy a power supply to power it instead.
@@tecraven Thanks for the reply. yea I know but do they have an official one I don't want to destroy this thing and also do you know if its safe to use the 9v power adapter and plug it into the computer with usb as well (I'm sure it is but) just want confirmation before I do so, like will it possibly still draw power from the computer and 9v at the same time and F-up or it will it work fine as long as I use the adapter it comes with and leave the power input on the usb adapter empty?
@@CAESAR_IS_GOD_mohammadisaloser I'm not sure if the KeyLab still draws power via the USB if you use a regular power supply also. I would have thought a regular 9v dc power supply (like those used with Boss pedals) would be fine but I'd phone a few local music stores and ask their advice on which power supply to use. Or send Arturia a message by filling out their online help form on their site. www.arturia.com/contact
I was playing around with this model the other day at a store. Is it just me or do the keys feel a bit narrower than the keys on a digital piano/piano?
Hi Enzo. Ok, let's start by clearing something up. Full size piano keys - be it an acoustic piano like a Yamaha U2, or a full size digital like a Yamaha Clavinova or Roland HP range - are typically longer than full size synthesiser keys. A lot of people get confused by this but remember that full size synth keys (Roland Jupiter 8 or more modern Nord Lead A1, or Midi Keyboard controllers like the Arturia KeyLab MKII) are typically a little shorter than full size piano keys. With synth (or midi keyboard controllers) keys there are also full size 'synth' keys and midi/smaller size synth keys. The Arturia KeyLab MKII uses professional 'full size' synth keys while some smaller synths use a midi size key which is actually narrower as well as shorter.
Now, just to help you further I've just measured an octave on my Yamaha Clavinova with full size piano keys and from the bottom of middle C to the bottom of the C above it measures 165mm and the same measurement on my Nord Lead A1 (which has full size synth keys) is also 165mm.
However, the length of the white keys on my Clavinova measure 148mm from the back to the front while the white keys on the Aurturia measure 138mm from back to front so 10mm shorter.
Also, full size digital pianos typically have 'piano type' keys which are waterfall keys, meaning the front of the key is a solid block that falls straight down while synth keys are not waterfall in style, they have a lip under them and you can put your finger under them - this also gives the illusion that they are in fact smaller, when, in reality, they are not, just shorter from front to back.
Now, being a classically trained pianist myself I can tell you that concert pianists require the extra length (and weighted action) for playing Beethoven and Mozart for example, while the weighted action and longer waterfall style keys are not required by a synth player and can in fact slow the synth player down as a synth player often plays with a much lighter tapping action. Piano actions/keys are designed differently to synth action/keys as, although both keyboard instruments, they are designed for different jobs.
As an example, if you listen (or watch this link) to Prince's song 'I Would Die For You' - ua-cam.com/video/VhtSOYKXMnU/v-deo.html - you'll hear a synthesiser semiquaver pattern and right at the beginning of this video you'll see the synth player hitting the two notes using one finger on one hand and another on the other hand. This is typical of a synth player, they tend to spread things out over two hands when (if they could play better) one hand would do just fine. A concert pianist would have played that synth part to 'I Would Die For You' with just his left hand using either fingers 1 and 2 (thumb and next finger) or fingers 2 and 3 (in piano finger terms, not guitar finger fretting terms). I've seen many Gary Numan, Human League and Air videos where the synth player spread a very simple (probably barely Grade 1 in piano exam terms) part across two hands while I (being trained, not being big-headed) would play it with one hand only. Having said that, the more I get into synths (and I've just rediscovered them after 30 years away from them) and play them the more I find that I too and spreading simple synth parts across two hands because sometimes the style (a funky slap bass line for example) benefits from the accents I can drop in using two hands, which would be a tad more difficult to play if I were to perform it like a classically trained pianist.
Hope that all makes sense.
@@tecraven wow that was very well explained and detailed. Thank you.
@@PurpleMusicProductions You're welcome.
Is it true that the MK2 has a short key stroke, not like on a piano?
Is it always convenient for you that the keys are not a waterfall? Are there any stutters during the game because of this?
The MK2 has a full size synth action, but not waterfall, or what I (being an ex concert pianist) calls a full size weighted piano action. But, you don't want a waterfall or weighted action for a synthesiser or midi keyboard as most uses will be for composing rock, pop, dance, etc and a weighted waterfall action slows you down. This weighted piano action is fine for Beethoven, but for laying down a slap bass line or tap guitar or funk synth you want speed and lightness so the synth action of the MK2 is perfect, and full size, just not weighed or piano' waterfall. It is synth spring action, as all synths are, but they are full size synth keys, not the mini keys. When you say 'stutters' not sure what you mean, they are just spring loaded with no 'click' or anything like that, and by click I mean like a Harpsichord that plucks a string and their is no 'lift off' which is a subtle feel that you get on proper concert grand pianos either.
@@tecraven Can you clarify why you don't like the fatar semi-weighted keys compared to the keylab mk2? Many people praise them, but I don’t know if many of them are mainly synthesizers and not pianists.
When selecting keys, did you look for them to be as similar as possible to weighted piano keys? Thank you.
@@e0236 The Fatar keyboards I don't like are their 'Synth' spring loaded keyboards, they rattle, have a rubbish feel to them and they are often uneven if you view them from the side so manufacturing quality is terrible. The Keylab 'synth' action (again, it is spring loaded, not semi-weighted) is far far superior, nice and quite with no clattery plastic rattles like the Fatar, it's perfectly level and it feels smooth, responsive and professional. Fatar used to be pretty good back in the early 80s, but that was then, now they are cheap Chinese crap when it comes to their synth keyboard actions.
Would you recommend 49 or 61? I can't decide!
Hi Billy.I only went for the 48 key version because of physical space on my desktop, it takes up less space and I didn’t need the extra keys.For most rock and pop and dance music et cetera 49 keys are enough, however, if you start to get into the realms of some classical music then you might need the extra keys.
@@tecraven Hello. I'm thinking of purchasing a keyboard instrument for playing and composing various pieces of music. Preferably compact, lightweight because I’m not a pro and I don’t know how often I’ll be inspired to play. keylab 61 seems like an interesting option.
I started checking the notes of the pieces I play, and it turned out that many periodically go beyond the 61 keys. But almost all of them go beyond the limits one by one - that is, they first go into the counter octave, and then after a while they can reach the fourth octave. But as you know, a midi keyboard has the ability to increase and decrease octaves.
So the question is: have you tried playing notes on your 49 keyboard instrument that require more keys? I want to understand whether it is convenient, whether it is possible to adapt to switching octaves while playing, or is it so inconvenient and absurd that it is better not to even hope for such a performance option? Thank you.
One of the things it's slated/hated for most is the keybed ironically enough. It's universally ridiculed at Gearspace forums and Reddit for that same reason, Pianists don't like the pressure disparity between black/plain keys and the after touch has bad response/consistency. Komplete Kontrol s61 remains the only one worth using.
Rubbish. I've never heard such talk.I've owned loads of Komplete key boards and the synth action is nowhere near as good as the Arturia that I own now. Maybe they care getting confused with the Arturia budget range, the Arturia 'Essential' but I can assure you that the Arturia Keylab MK2 is way better than anything else out there. I even own a Nord Lead A1 synth and that uses a crap Fatar synth action, which is nowhere near as good as the one Arturia make in their Keylab models. Komplete synth actions feel like cheap plastic and springy and are hard to play towards the back of the key due to the pivot point. But then I'm an ex concert pianist with a degree in classical piano performance and I happen to know a thing or two about all sorts of actions from a Bösendorfer grand, a harpsichord to a synth and everything in-between.