Arturia has introduced KeyLab mk3, a major update to its MIDI control keyboard line that offers touch-sensitive controls, a redesigned semi-weighted keybed and flexible creative features.
The line features a velocity-sensitive keyboard with channel aftertouch, lots of hands-on control, a full-color display, USB & DIN MIDI connectivity, deep integration with popular music software and more.
Here are the details:
Features:
- 49 & 61-note redesigned Keybed
- Release velocity-sensitive
- Semi-weighted keyboard synth-action feel
- Channel aftertouch
- Pads & controls
- 1 clickable encoder
- 9 360° rotary encoders
- 9 x 50mm faders
- 8 transport switches
- 4 command switches
- 1 modulation wheel & pitch wheel
- 12 touch & pressure-sensitive pads
- Advanced display
- Full Color 3.5″ 320x480px screen with 8 contextual buttons for intuitive control and feedback
- Software integration
- Seamless integration with Analog Lab V and V Collection instruments: select sounds, browse presets, smart-assigned controls
- Advanced integration with FL Studio, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, Bitwig Studio
- Also compatible with MCU/HUI control
- Up to 6 user presets for a totally customizable experience
- Included Software titles & services
- Analog Lab Pro software with 2000+ sounds
- Ableton Live Lite
- Mini V, Augmented Strings, Piano V, Rev PLATE-140
- 2-month Loopcloud subscription
- Melodics subscription for 40 lessons
- Connectivity
- USB-C connects to computers and MIDI Control Center
- MIDI 5-pin DIN i/o for connection to external instruments, gear
- Control input for pedal: sustain, expression, or footswitch
- USB-C powered
Pricing and Availability:
Arturia KeyLab mk3 is available now priced starting at $499 USD.
I don’t understand why they would not include polyphonic aftertouch with this new line of controllers. I was planning on upgrading my controller when the 88 key version came out but at this point all I’d be upgrading is the slider and knob count. It is a bit disappointing.
Poly aftertouch keyboards are a lot more expensive, unfortunately, and the audience for them isn’t that big yet.
Hopefully this will become more of an option as more people have opportunities to try poly aftertouch.
Poly AT sounds great with strings or woodwinds. Its more of a mixed bag with synth sounds. Its not auto-magical. In fact, you have to become more of a player to make it speak up. Its the opposite of step-sequencing. We’ll have to hear more people really dig into it before manufacturers will casually add it to the expense of their gear.
I use poly after touch randomly, just pressing a bunch of notes expecting happy accidents while recording. Just like I do with the step sequencer, blip blip, boop boop, this is all that we can do, us punks not real musicians.
They give us a better screen but still the same old fader package from 2018 that they integrate into all of the products. Like I’ve been saying they have to get rid of them somehow.
Wish they hadn’t removed a row of pads and the buttons below the sliders. Makes it much less useful as a DAW controller.
Channel aftertouch? Wow! The world is eagerly waiting for the first proper poly AT controller since the Kurzweil midiboard and the Roland A80/50. This was disappointing.
*Korg Keystage entered the chat*