KeyLab Essential 88
CREATIVITY EXPRESSED
The perfect combo of intuitive control and artistic inspiration. Do you need a controller with powerful functionality, great-feeling piano sized keybed, and a layout that’s easy to master? This is it.
Spend less time with a keyboard and mouse, and more time creating, performing, and playing.
Creating music in the digital world can be difficult. So many options, so many new things to learn. KeyLab Essential lets you focus on what’s important.
8 pads, 9 rotaries, 9 faders, and an expressive keyboard, but so, 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.
Make music your way
Lost in a maze of menus and settings? We’ve all been there. That’s why we’ve created KeyLab Essential : to make the technical stuff as simple as possible.
It’s easy to let your concentration drift and your inspiration slip when you spend hours on tedious tasks. KeyLab Essential is the result of years of research, with the express aim of streamlining your creative process, giving you more time to express yourself through music.
When paired with Analog Lab software, KeyLab Essential becomes a whole new animal. Every one of the 6500+ presets intelligently map with KeyLab’s faders, knobs, and pads to give you instant, inspiring access to some of the most iconic, legendary keyboard sounds ever heard.
Once you’ve used KeyLab Essential, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.
A world of sound
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.
Sourced from every instrument contained within the Arturia V Collection, Analog Lab is like being given the keys to your very own keyboard museum, packed with the iconic analog monosynths, illustrious and exotic pianos, classic organs, digital workstations, and much more. Each one of the many thousands of presets has forged by some of the world’s finest sound designers, and catalogued in a clever, tag-based archive.
Finding the perfect sound for your song has never been easier. KeyLab Essential has the iconic keyboard sounds you need to take your music to the next level. Analog Lab gives you VIP access to the most coveted keyboards ever created, brought back to life by Arturia’s exclusive True Analog Emulation™ technology.
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.
In tune with your studio
Geared for maximum compatibility, KeyLab Essential 88 gives you unadulterated control of your digital world, seamlessly integrating with virtual instruments and DAW software.
KeyLab Essential is 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.
Whether you’re a total newcomer to the world of recording, or a seasoned pro who’s set in their ways, KeyLab Essential has the potential to revolutionize your creative process.
Everything
in its right place
KeyLab Essential is simple yet highly effective, a launchpad into the exciting world of music performance and production for newcomers, and a powerful, ergonomic control solution that experienced users will love.
We’ve spent years listening to musicians just like you, learning which features and functions you need instant access to, and researching the best ways to give you the ultimate, seamless controller experience.
KeyLab Essential is the result of years of dedication. Each component, function, and design element is a tribute to you, and designed to make the process of creating music as fun and barrier-free as possible. To give you an idea of what KeyLab Essential is capable of, let’s look at its vital statistics…
Platform Specifications
Analog Lab
- Windows 7 (SP1) or later (64-bit)
- OS X 10.10 or later (64 bit)
- 64-bit Intel® Core™ or AMD multi-core processor (i5 processor or faster recommended) with 4 GB RAM (8 GB+ recommended)
- 1 GB free Hard disk Space
Required configuration
- Works in Standalone, VST 2.4 (32-bit and 64-bit), VST 3 (32-bit and 64-bit), AAX (32 bits with PT 10.3.8, 64 bits with PT 11), Audio Unit (32-bit and 64-bit).
Protection
- The software is protected by the Arturia Software Center. You can learn more about it here→.
Ableton Live Lite
- Windows 7 (SP1) or later (64-bit)
- OS X 10.11.6 or later (64 bit)
- 64-bit Intel® Core™ or AMD multi-core processor (i5 processor or faster recommended) with 4 GB RAM (8 GB+ recommended)
- 3 GB free Hard disk Space
- Broadband Internet connection for installation
UVI Model D
- Windows 8 or later (64-bit)
- OS X 10.9 or later (64 bit)
- 64-bit Intel® Core™ or AMD multi-core processor (i5 processor or faster recommended) with 4 GB RAM (8 GB+ recommended)
- 1 GB free Hard disk Space
- Broadband Internet connection for installation
Required configuration
- Works in Standalone, VST, AAX, Audio Unit. FREE iLok account – not necessarily an iLok dongle, just a free account Internet connection for the license activation
What’s in the box
Instrument dimensions
- Size : 49.6 x 10.3 x 2.5 inches (1260 x 262 x 64 mm)
- Weight : 18.7lb (8.5Kg)
Main Features
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