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Arturia

KeyLab Essential 88 Universal MIDI Controller

SKU: # 726406   |   Model: # KEYLAB ESSE 88   |    Product Reviews2 Reviews  Write a Review

KeyLab Essential 88 Universal MIDI Controller

Product Videos :

YouTube Video KeyLab Essential 88 | Controllers | ARTURIA
YouTube Video KeyLab Essential Tutorials: Episode 1 - Get to Know your New Instrument
YouTube Video KeyLab Essential Tutorials: Episode 2 - Analog Lab Integration
YouTube Video KeyLab Essential Tutorials: Episode 3 - Using User Maps
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KeyLab is a one-stop solution to creating music, simple enough for new users to enjoy straight out of the box, but with features that experienced producers will love. KeyLab Essential gives you everything you need to start creating, performing, tweaking, editing, and releasing your music: a keyboard to perfect your part; a virtual studio to record your ideas; a vast array of sounds to fire your creativity; and controls to fine-tune your sound. You want a controller​ with powerful functionality, great-feeling piano sized keybed, and a layout that's easy to master? This is it.

Arturia's KeyLab Essential 88 Controller features 8 pads, 9 rotaries, 9 faders, an expressive keyboard, and so much more. Music is at the heart of this controller. Every aspect of KeyLab Essential has been carefully chosen to give you the best possible experience when creating and performing. KeyLab Essential makes navigating inside your recording software a breeze thanks to the dedicated DAW Command Center, and makes browsing your presets an exciting and inspiring experience.

KeyLab Essential comes with Analog Lab, Arturia's multi award-winning software suite that gives you access to thousands of incredible synth and keyboard sounds. Finding the perfect sound for your song has never been easier. Whether you need a searing-hot synth lead or an ethereal string pad, a vintage upright piano or a complex, animated soundscape, KeyLab Essential gives you everything you need and more.

KeyLab Essential is also packed with clever controls that help you make swift work of everyday tasks within your recording software. Play your track, jog forwards and back, save, toggle your metronome and loop, record, and punch in on the fly This functionality keeps your hands on the controller and your mind in the music. As well as offering ultimate control over Analog Lab, KeyLab Essential is a universal MIDI controller, meaning you can use it with any third-party instruments or software. If you're just starting out on your musical journey, don't worry, KeyLab Essential also comes with Ableton Live Lite so you can start recording, editing, and releasing your music with one of the most popular music platforms on the planet.

Specifications

Software Specifications
• Includes Analog Lab software with 6500+ synth and keyboard sounds
• Includes Ableton Live Lite
• Includes UVI Model D

Hardware Specifications
• 88 note, velocity sensitive keyboard with hybrid synth-piano feel
• Controllers: 1 clickable encoder, 9 encoders, 9 30mm faders, 6 transport switches, 4 command switches, 1 modulation wheel, 1 pitch bend wheel, 8 touch and pressure-sensitive pads
• Connectivity: MIDI out, USB, Sustain pedal
• Functions as a universal MIDI controller
• Twin-line LCD screen
• MCU/HUI control compatibility
• Chord Play mode

Perfect Analog Lab integration
• Select sounds, browse presets, switch parts, smart-assigned controls.
• Standalone or plug-in operation: VST, VST3, AU, AAX.
• Over 6500 TAE® and Phi® powered preset sounds from Arturia's award-winning V Collection

• Ableton Live 10 Lite - record, layer, and edit your sounds to create a finished song.
• UVI Model D - Sample-based software recreation of Steinway classic.
• Compatible with all major Digital Audio Workstation: Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, FL Studio, Bitwig, Cubase, Ableton Live, Digital Performer, Studio One

Size & weight
Instrument size : 49.6 x 10.3 x 2.5 inches (1260 x 262 x 64 mm)
Instrument weight : 18.7lb (8.5Kg)

Media


KeyLab Essential 88 | Controllers | ARTURIAWatch Video
Youtube video product demo
KeyLab Essential Tutorials: Episode 1 - Get to Know your New InstrumentWatch Video
Youtube video product demo
KeyLab Essential Tutorials: Episode 2 - Analog Lab IntegrationWatch Video
Youtube video product demo
KeyLab Essential Tutorials: Episode 3 - Using User MapsWatch Video
Youtube video product demo

Q & A


There are currently no questions for this product.

Reviews


3.149.239.110
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Room for improvement, but very good nonetheless 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
Features  
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Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Calgary East, Alberta
Posted by Victor on Jan 26, 2022
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Potentially awesome, but a few quirks and some QC problems 5 of 5 customers found this review helpful
Features  
Quality  
Value  
Overall  
Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Calgary Royal Vista, Alberta
The keys feel like nothing I've ever seen before. They're light but not synth-like, making it great if you're interesting in playing "piano" or in a piano-like style but aren't a pianist and don't demand synth action. For studio use for orchestral / rock / soundtrack stuff I find the action on these keys absolutely perfect. Now for the problems: The touchpads are not responsive enough to be very useful. You have to hit them pretty hard to get them to trigger, making them really only good for triggering one-off effects and not for percussion playing at all. They just won't sound when playing them with any speed. The build quality...oh boy. This keyboard is notorious for short lifespans and DOA keys. Mine came with an F key that played unpredictable velocities and eventually failed completely...and the internals are designed such that it is nearly impossible to repair a dead key - the components don't just pop or screw on and off. There are one-time hot glue and one-time fit components that make DIY fixes very difficult. If yours works, happens to last as long as you want, and you don't need to use the touchpads much, the action on this keyboard is outstanding and the price is unbelievable for something that feels this good, especially in the studio if you need something versatile and you don't demand synth or hammer action and want something more generalized. But this keyboard can become a nuisance very quickly and it's near impossible to repair when it does.
Posted by Tim on Mar 31, 2021
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Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty

A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.

Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.

How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
  • Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
  • Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
  • No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
  • Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
  • Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
  • Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
  • Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
  • Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
  • Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
 

Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.

Purchasing additional years of coverage

Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.

If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:

  • NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
  • USED products: 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. 4% for each additional year.
  • GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
  • BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.