Arturia has announced the availability of its KeyLab range of professional-grade MIDI keyboard controllers complete with all-new accompanying Analog Lab synthesizer software.
As implied by name, KeyLab 25 features 25 keys with velocity sensitivity for performance flexibility. As such, it’s the smallest, most lightweight, and simplest member of this trio of professional-grade MIDI keyboard controllers, ideally suited to travelling musicians, mobile music producers, and performance-orientated DJs alike. Complimenting that full-size keyboard is a feature-packed panel bristling with controls, including two clickable encoders; 12 encoders; nine sliders; pitch bend and modulation wheels; six backlit transport controls; 15 backlit buttons; octave up/down buttons; and an informative 32-digit LED screen to enrich the performance experience and aid speedy software navigation. Its rugged aluminium construction with eye-catching wooden end cheeks combine to heighten its status as a highly- capable controller compatible with any third-party software and hardware, helped by the bundled MIDI Control Center software. Rear panel-mounted MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, Expression Pedal, Sustain Pedal, Aux foot switch, Breath control, and USB connections complete communication with the outside musical world. The larger KeyLab 49 and KeyLab 61 MIDI keyboard controllers maximise performance and expression further still, thanks to their respective 49- and 61-note full-size keyboards boasting both aftertouch and velocity sensitivity, and are designed to easily integrate into any studio or stage setup. The bigger is better maxim again comes into play here as KeyLab 49 and KeyLab 61 feature an even more extensive set of physical controls with an additional 16 backlit pressure-sensitive pads — perfect for beat-making purposes or triggering chords.
Yet there’s more to KeyLab 25, KeyLab 49, and KeyLab 61 than the physical keyboard controllers themselves. All come complete with an all- new version of Arturia’s Analog Lab synthesizer software solution. Analog Lab cleverly changes its interface to automatically match whichever KeyLab controller is connected so you don’t have to, which is another nice touch. With all-important parameters pre-mapped to the MIDI keyboard controllers themselves, users have hands-on, instant control over the huge library of 5,000 presets by internationally-renowned sound designers. These presets are taken from all eight of Arturia’s acclaimed TAE® (True Analog Emulation) synthesis-powered Mini V, Modular V, CS-80V, ARP2600 V, Jupiter-8V, Prophet 5, Prophet VS, and Oberheim SEM V soft synths, as well as the Wurlitzer V software recreation of the classic Wurlitzer 200A electric piano, providing the immediacy of a hardware synthesizer with the flexibility of a software-based solution.
Several onscreen navigational modes make life aboard Analog Lab easier than ever. Eye-candy comes courtesy of Graphic Studio mode with realistic renderings of all those classic synthesizers and keyboards whose sounds that TAE® technology has modelled so well. Wish you were there in that virtual studio? Well, now you can be! Better still, Sound mode allows you to speedily find the sound you want from those thousands at your fingertips, with data filtering to narrow searches, and an updated browser to rate them to your liking and arrange things as you like it. Like it? We’re sure you will! Moreover, Multi mode allows several sounds to be played simultaneously with the addition of effects, layer/split functions, and with 200 Multi patches conveniently organised by musical genre, inspiration and creativity are a given — perfect for getting the most out of those TAE® soft synths without having to delve deeper into sound design. Owners of any of Arturia’s above-mentioned Analog Classics can, of course, delve as deep as they like and are free to fully edit sounds without having to leave the user-friendly Analog Lab environment. Lastly, Live mode lets you drag and drop sounds and multis to create a selection of presets for recall from whichever KeyLab controller is connected… clever, convenient, and cutting edge.
So what’s it to be? 25, 49, or 61 keys? Velocity sensitivity or velocity sensitivity and aftertouch? Beat-making or breath control? Whatever your performance preference, there’s a KeyLab MIDI keyboard controller to suit with Analog Lab synthesizer software to boot. Let your musical ideas flow forth with the greatest of ease with these superb-sounding software/hardware hybrid synthesis combos. What’s more, they won’t break the bank!
The KeyLab controllers are now available to purchase for 219 EUR/$299.00 USD (KeyLab 25), 329 EUR/$399 USD (KeyLab 49), 429 EUR/$499 USD (KeyLab 61).
