Arturia's KeyLab mk3: Review

France-based music software and hardware specialist Arturia has just released their latest high-end MIDI controller—the KeyLab mk3. This update to their popular KeyLab series offers lots of interesting improvements and new features, from a new keybed to an array of performance-oriented enhancements. Let’s see what this bad boy has in store for us music makers! 

Build Quality & Design 

The KeyLab mk3 comes in two colours (black or white), and in two sizes (49-key or 61-key)—apart from that, all models are functionally identical. The build quality is excellent. Arturia has opted for a luxurious approach with beech wood on each side and a big full-color display at the center. Very classy! The instrument is solidly built and have a good weight to it, but it remains very portable, especially in its 49-key configuration.

The intuitive layout offers plenty of buttons, touch-sensitive knobs and faders to give you hands-on control over your sound. Everything you need is right there at your fingertips, making it easy to seamlessly switch between DAW control, patch navigation, and sound design.

The 3.5" full-color screen is absolutely stunning, offering visual feedback during live performances or studio sessions. For example, just by slightly touching one of the 360-degree encoders or a fader, the screen instantly displays the name and value of the parameter without requiring any adjustment. Very handy when you're not sure what a control does. Overall, the screen is a considerable upgrade from the 2-line LCD available on the MK2.

The 12 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads not only feel great for fingerdrumming, but also let you launch clips in Ableton Live, trigger shortcuts in Cubase, and more. While the MK2 had more pads (16 in total), the mk3 introduces a Bank button, effectively providing 48 pads across 4 banks of 12 each.

 

A Joy to Play

The KeyLab mk3 semi-weighted keybed has seen a major upgrade from the MK2. Arturia says it was redesigned from the ground up to meet the expectations of the most discerning players. We’ve tested a lot of keyboards over the years, and this is as good as it gets when it comes to a synth-action keybed. Whether you're an experienced keyboardist or a beat-maker with more straightforward playing needs, the KeyLab mk3 keybed is a real joy to play. And as expected from a high-end controller, aftertouch further enhances expressivity, allowing for nuanced control over your sound by pressing down on the keys. 

Integration & Compatibility

Arturia has always excelled in creating hardware products that work seamlessly with software, and the KeyLab mk3 takes this integration to new levels. The controller works hand in hand with Arturia’s own Analog Lab and V Collection, letting you easily browse patches, add favorites and tweak your sound. The integration is so tight you almost forget that you’re not using a standalone instrument. 

The KeyLab mk3 also boasts extensive compatibility with all major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, Bitwig Studio and FL Studio. After installing one of the included scripts, you can perform various functions directly from the controller in your DAW: start and stop playback, mute or solo tracks, arm tracks for recording, adjust levels and panning, apply quantization, undo/redo, control parameters, and more…

The ability to seamlessly switch between controlling your DAW and Arturia’s plugins couldn’t be easier. If you’re on a track with an Arturia instrument in your DAW, simply press down on the main encoder to go into Arturia Mode.

Creative Features 

Another area where the KeyLab mk3 truly shines is in its creative potential. Like its little brother the KeyLab Essential mk3, the KeyLab mk3 offers Chord, Scale and Arp modes. These three features open up new ways to play with melodic and harmonic ideas for producers. 

The Chord mode lets you to play full chords with just a single key press. Scale mode automatically quantizes notes to a chosen scale, ensuring you always play in key. The Arp then takes these elements further by breaking chords into individual notes played in sequence. And it gets even cooler when you start combining these features together. For an added layer of creativity, use the arpeggiator's randomization option to generate unique patterns and spice up things a little bit. 

Software Bundle 

Arturia has sweetened the deal by including an interesting software bundle with plugins such as Mini V, Piano V, Augmented Strings, Analog Lab Pro and Rev Plate-140. In addition, a license of Ableton Live Lite is provided for absolute beginners who may not own a DAW yet. For anyone just starting out and seasoned pros looking for new inspiration, the included software is a valuable addition.

Verdict

The KeyLab mk3 was clearly designed by artists for artists, from its premium design and high-quality keybed to its gorgeous display and seamless integration with DAWs and Arturia software. You could say it's like the Apple ecosystem for music gear—everything works together effortlessly to enhance your creative workflow. The integration is really that smooth.

The added creative features like Scale mode and customizable arpeggios make it a playground for musical exploration, while the extensive integration ensures it will fit seamlessly into any setup. Whether you're composing in the studio, performing on stage, or experimenting with new sounds, the KeyLab mk3 is a MIDI controller that delivers on every front.