Arturia KeyLab 88 MIDI Keyboard Controller Now Available

Featuring pro-grade 88-note hammer action keys, Arturia's KeyLab 88 is a performance piano and MIDI Controller in one, great for studio production, live performance and even home learning.  

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce availability of KeyLab 88 — its top-of-the-range, professional-grade, 88-note hammer-action hybrid MIDI keyboard controller that comes complete with Arturia's acclaimed Analog Lab software synthesizer solution and more besides — as of February 24…

Since first turning heads and tempting ivory-tinkling types when making its debut at Musikmesse 2014 in Frankfurt, Germany, KeyLab 88 is what musicians the world over have been waiting for — from virtuosic performance to tightly integrated software control, its appeal is far reaching. Just like its namesake 88-note keyboard.


Thanks to the top-quality, hammer-action Fatar keybed with aftertouch, professional keyboard players will feel right at home here. Clearly, KeyLab 88 is the ideal companion for demanding piano playing — all the more so since the first 3,000 units shipped come complete with two superb-sounding virtual instruments. In the first instance, Grand Piano Model D from fellow French developer UVI delivers the sought-after sound of the superlative Steinway Model D concert grand piano with all the warmth, expressiveness, and detail of the real thing, thanks to deep multi-sampling, precision mastering, and advanced scripting. Secondly, Pianoteq 5 Stage is a physical modelling-based virtual instrument that provides acoustic and electric piano recreations as well as chromatic instruments. Indeed, KeyLab 88 represents a serious solution for today's technology-savvy pianists — performance and practicality living in perfect harmony, you could say.

Arturia KeyLab 88 comes with a handy stand for your laptop or iPad...

Arturia KeyLab 88 comes with a handy stand for your laptop or iPad...

But better still, KeyLab 88 comes complete with Arturia's acclaimed Analog Lab, an abundantly powerful software synthesizer solution with 6,000-plus presets by internationally-renowned sound designers derived from Arturia's award-winning range of Analog Classics. These include the TAE® (True Analog Emulation) synthesis-powered Mini V (Minimoog™ monosynth emulation), Wurlitzer V (virtually bringing back to life the well-known 'Wurly' electric piano), and much more… making for the perfect pairing: professional hybrid synthesizer. Similar to its smaller KeyLab siblings, KeyLab 88 offers the immediacy of a hardware synthesizer combined with the flexibility of a software-based solution. It is preassigned to work with Analog Lab from the get-go, giving users instant in-depth control over key sound parameters, such as filter cutoff, resonance, and adjusting envelopes, et cetera, courtesy of its supportive selection of knobs and sliders, 16 backlit pressure-sensitive pads, plus an informative LED screen.

“It is with pleasure that I'm using Arturia's new KeyLab 88 keyboard which allows precise access to all V Collection parameters and also my other plug-ins with its controllers. Integrating it into a virtual environment is easy while its design finish is elegant. The extension shelf is very well thought through, allowing you to easily position your laptop or music manuscripts for taking quick notes. Best of all, Arturia has helpfully included the Analog Lab software suite with this keyboard.”

- Alexandre Desplat (Academy Award-winning film composer, 2015)

Arturia has pushed the design envelope with well-thought-through added touches such as an attachable shelf extension to create a work surface suited to comfortably accommodating a laptop or even a lead synth such as Arturia's compact and bijou MicroBrute monosynth. Moreover, this extension even has a rubber base to prevent slippage during energetic performances! Meanwhile, music readers will appreciate an attachable sizeable music stand that is capable of holding the largest of songbooks but equally works well as a tablet holder, both in portrait mode for the environmentally-friendly sheet music app user or landscape mode for fans of iOS synths, such as Arturia's own iMini, iSEM, and iProphet iPad apps, for example.
Connections: From MIDI In and Out to expression and sustain pedal ports and even a breath instrument one too.

Connections: From MIDI In and Out to expression and sustain pedal ports and even a breath instrument can be found on the back of the KeyLab 88.

Either way, KeyLab 88 ensures its users have everything they need, whatever their musical needs. Far more than just another MIDI keyboard controller, the road-ready aluminium and wood-constructed KeyLab 88 has been designed to take its rightful place at the centre of any studio or stage setup as the premier control centre for the modern musician.

KeyLab 88 is available to purchase for €699.00 EUR/$699.00 USD from any authorised Arturia dealer or directly online from here: http://www.arturia.com/store/hybrid-synths/keylab88

For more detailed information, please visit the KeyLab 88 product webpage here:

http://www.arturia.com/products/hybrid-synths/keylab88

Rounik is the Executive Editor for Ask.Audio & macProVideo. He's built a crack team of professional musicians and writers to create one of the most visited online resources for news, review, tutorials and interviews for modern musician and producer. As an Apple Certified Trainer for Logic Pro Rounik has taught teachers, professional... Read More

Discussion

tin_ears
Unfortunately, it appears to be $999, not $699 per the website.

Want to join the discussion?

Create an account or login to get started!