Omar.... in a Barca jersey. All future tuts should be in a Barca jersey. Channel would blow up 😆🎹 great to see this video again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ After getting the Komplete Controller over this, I think I made the wrong decision. Gonna get Keylab 88 in 2021
I Have the 88mk2, arturia’s software, and NI complete that I have run on a NI controller in the past. Here’s my opinion. KeyLab mk2 Keys are heavier than most acoustic pianos. Still, the best weighted board I’ve played on MIDI controller boards. Integration with Arturia’s analog lab V and V collection 8 (their largest collection of instruments) is a nice bonus that makes everything simplistic but not necessary for this to be a solid “buy”. I can recommend either of these Arturia packages over native instruments full package for $1500 based on how diverse they are and based on tonal quality. The seamless integration of software is better with Arturia, while the sound is better than NI’s full bundle to my ears as well. So my recommendation is the 88 key Arturia MKII controller with their analog v (or better the v collection 8)You will never miss the NI full package if you purchase some virtual drums you like (I recommend addictive drums 2) and virtual strings and bass such as I found with sample tank 4 from IK Multimedia. Altogether these recommendations cost less than a NI controller and their complete software. My recommended setup also sounds better than the products you could expect with NI (which I also own but now only rarely use). In short, buy the KeyLab Mkii controller, get analog lab free bundled, maybe upgrade to v collection 8, percussion per addictive drums2, and other sounds like strings and orchestral stuff with IK multimedia sample tank 4. Run it on a recent Mac mini with lots of ram that you pay for in the initial build (not upgraded after you buy it). Multitrack with a presonus 2626 via usbC. Relatively inexpensive considering how much you might otherwise spend, and it sounds great!
How loud is the keyboard when playing? (I’m talking about the noise the keys themselves make while playing), and compare and contrast that with the Native Instruments 88. Thanks!
All 3 of your requests I totally agree with. The keys are a hassle to play. Better Key bed needed. Never thought of LED on the faders. But a bit in audio interface. yassss.
Really, not having OLED or LCD screens under the knob/slider controls makes this a no go for me in 2021! It's my number one missing feature! I agree with you on the rest though. It won't be long before most will expect screens under their control sliders and knobs. Novation and NI are the only two decent options in 2021. Having to look up at the screen and guess what knob I'm adjusting isn't acceptable. I can go buy any old school controller for much much less if that is all I want. A 100.00 Midimix gives me far more knob for a fraction of the cost. I can buy just about any straight forward midi piano board and add a midimix or Novation or similar and save a ton of money. These companies need to get with the times. S88 MKII still blowing away all the others IMHO. Just an opinion. (also reminds me, many companies had a great idea when they started adding the LED screens to the controllers.. ReMOTE ZeRO SL, was genius for it's time) IF they made a modern OLED version, with screens by the knobs and the faders, I'd own it!
Yes the Audio Interface will be great ! Of course that will make the price go higher and there will be another situations that can make it not great for some applications and compatibility thanks for the review!👍
Thanks for watching! I agree, it still wouldn't be perfect for everyone but I think considering arturia make interfaces, they could certainly look at the idea of adding a simple 2 channel interface! ;)
....after buyin an audio interface to hook up studio speakers and cables..... it wud pretty much drive up the price too..... i dont mind doin it but now have to tackle all these other peripherals....
At 4:45 FADERS upgrade - the optional package is to offer motorized faders with indexes/LEDs. About onboard USB interface - the Yamaha MODX has this down.
Arturia has the best features and software. All the buttons and fader are great, but the keybed is not so great. I have it for two years now and I decided to switch to Studiologic SL88 Grand. It has much better keybed. The feel and response is simply superior than Arturia's. I didn't have a chance to compare Keylab MK2 to SL88 Studio but I've heard even though it has exactly the same keybed by Fatar. For some reason Arturia's version feels heavier. I must say that after two days playing on both Keylab MK2 and SL 88 Grand I don't want to go back to Keylab. Wooden keybed is just amazing and it is graded which makes it so much more natural and easy to play.
If you want a good action with audio interface, I have a Yamaha MX88. No aftertouch. Doesn't nearly give you the conrtol features. I use it with Mainstage and a nanoKontrol. Plays great.
Regarding your 3 points, in reverse order: #3) that's a great idea, don't think I've seen any midi controllers with that feature (only workstations) #2) this is a big deal, and frustration I have with pretty much every midi controller that includes faders #1) this is a deal breaker. I've heard others describe this board's keybed in much less delicate terms. It seems to be impossible to find a controller that has a great keybed and a full assortment of LED-indicated rotary encoders, pads and faders. Sigh the quest continues
Awesome stuff! Yeah the 49 is a really cool size of board, considering it still has all the functionality but is more compact! thanks for subscribing! I'll be releasing more videos soon! including a keyboard stand comparison video!
Chris Mutch-Jones Will each of these work and play very nice with Logic Pro X? Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 49-key Keyboard Controller Arturia KeyLab mkII 49 49-key Keyboard Controller - White
I was planning to get the black one in about a month. Hope you might be able to describe a little more of what you don't like about the keybed? This is one of the most important aspects to me coming from a half decent digital piano, but I'm also willing to compromise a little for the added value of having pads, faders, mod/pitch wheels etc. for recording. From what I've read it's the same keybed as the NI Komplete Kontrol which I've played quite a bit and found to be comfortable. If that is correct I'll be happy and I'll take pads over flashy lights and a tiny screen any day, but just curious as couldn't tell quite how serious the keybed issue was? Besides that of course, great video, very helpful! Thank you!
Hey Jimi! I’m actually working on a follow up video to that right now featuring the black version! I’m hoping to have it ready in a week or so! There have been some great updates to the firmware on the board that have changed my initial reaction to the keybed that I’ll discuss in the video! Thanks for watching mate!
@@ChrisMutchJones - Thanks for the response man, I'll be really interested to see this and learn how the firmware update helps, I seem to remember hearing something about an issue with velocity mapping before so I'm guessing maybe an update there has changed the feel a bit.
I agree on the LED faders. I’d also like for them to be motorised, also the lack of a ribbon strip is a dealbreaker for me. Had the expression ribbon been on here I’d be ordering it now.
Great vid! I would love to know your opinion on the sounds that come with KeyLab 88mkii vs Ni S88 & it's sounds. I record worship, so which suits that, or edm or whatever. Cheers mate😁👍
Hello! Is this compatible with Kontakt? Or other softwares where I can use other instruments outside of pianos and synths? Like can I play trumpet or violin using the Arturia? Lol or is it one of those exclusively compatible with the software it comes with ONLY type deals?
@@ChrisMutchJones Yess thank you, what a relief! I'm new to MIDI so I'm exploring how it works and whatnot. Can I maybe ask you this? You plug it in to your computer via USB, get your DAW and software to recognize it, and using your interface you can hear the sounds through monitors right? Or some other output besides the computer speakers?
How would you say this compares to komplete kontrol s88 in terms of both live performance, and for music production? I do both and I'm looking for one of these 2. Absolutely awesome video I loved that you went through how you used it with ableton. Could you also possibly do a video on a fill run through of using ableton with a live performance? Thank you!!
So I haven’t been able to get a hold of an s88 to review yet but I’d love to do a proper comparison video on that!! Yeah, I’ve been thinking of putting a video together showing how I use stuff live! Thanks for watching mate!
@@ChrisMutchJones that would be amazing, I'm about to start gigging this summer and having a keyboard controlling ableton would be a dream come true, I just don't know where to start 😂
hello chris. very top the video. I would like to know about the 88 keylab keys. I highly prioritize the fidelity of the HAMMER ACTION keys (hammer feeling). in your opinion, do you think this controller meets this key requirement? I have a lot of cool kontakt libraries but I would like a controller with that hammer feel. I even have a NORD STAGE 3 88 and the keys really feel like a hammer. strong hug here from BRAZIL.
The keys are BRILLIANT! Especially if you like a strong hammer action feel! I think you will love using this with your Kontakt libraries! Thanks for watching, would love it if you subscribe!
which midi keyboard should I get - the Akai MPK261 ($400) or the Arturia MKII 61 ($550) ? Anybody know which one is overall better? I keep researching and can't decide need an experienced user opinion. was thinking maybe get the Arturia MKII and an AkaiMPCstudio($270) for the best of both worlds? or would that be stupid to get both? I am a Graphic/3D Artist and need to make music for my videogame.
Both are great controllers and will do the job you’re after. It’s really just down to personal preference to be honest. The Arturia one comes with lots of sounds that you can use though so if you’re looking to develop game audio, that might be a good choice!
You one crucial thing mate, to answer the question from the title of your video. Is it better than others, for instance the native kontrol 88? I would use it in a studio situation and don’t need the bells and whistles just a naturally feeling keyboard, because I already have a full scale daw controller. How does it perform in this regard? Is it closer to a real grand or is it worse? Greetings
Great question! Absolutely, it's easy to assign the pads or buttons to control patch changes. I did it in Mainstage and Ableton with a mix of Logic and Native Instruments plugins. There's an affiliate link in the description of you're interested in buying, which will help out my channel!
i share your dream... maybe the new Arturia Keylab Mk 3 will have super built in speakers and a larger screen while they are at it.....oh....mite as well throw in the whole jing bang softwares as well... so it becomes like an Astro lab...haha !!
Yeah, the buid in audio-interface would be a dealbreaker. Especially with something besides just audio outs. One or two xlr/line combo inputs with gain controls so you could hook-up a vocalist and add some amazing effects in Live or other DAW. Is there any piano/midi controller that does it? Numa Comact 2 and 2x has it but it only has audio outs unfortunately.
Not at the moment. You need to take a step up into the land of workstations to get an audio interface built in with the keyboard! I think there’s definitely a gap in the market for a midi keyboard with a built in interface!
It does indeed! However that sits in a different price bracket that would be compared to the Kronos or fantom! I was talking specifically about midi controllers (keyboards with no built in sounds)
So you connect the keylab to the laptop. The laptop makes the sound from the software. How do you connect the laptop to the speakers? You mention there's no audio interface so...???
Great question! You'll need a separate audio interface. I mentioned one in the comments to someone else called the Radial USB Pro. It's a two channel interface that takes the usb sound from the laptop and turns it into a stereo pair of xlrs so you can plug that into a mixing desk. If you're working at home in a studio environment then it would be better to get an interface that allows you to plug in speakers. The Presonus IOStation 24C would be a great one! Hope that helps!
@@ChrisMutchJones aha so it's a chain that goes keyboard - laptop - USB audio interface. Does the audio interface take care of the amplification or do I need speakers with an amp?
You need speakers or headphones! The completed chain would be keyboard - laptop - interface - speakers (or headphones) If you're in a small space I'd recommend decent headphones before speakers.
@@ChrisMutchJones thanks for the recommendations. I don't like playing on headphones though. It makes me feel like the music is coming from inside my skull instead of from the instrument. I know... A psychological problem but still that leaves me with speakers. But from what I'm reading the speakers need to have an amplifier.
1 minute ago The real question is did they improve the quality of the electronics since they're Keylab 88? If not, this is still a piece of junk. I'm on my 2nd Keylab 88 and after several months the buttons and faders either stop working ( if you use them with any consitency) or they stop sending the CC to your DAW, or they just get glitchy. Its too bad, the keyboard feels good and I love the layout, but if the electronics are crap, all that doesn't matter.
That's interesting to hear, i wasn't able to get one for a long term review so I haven't been able to see if it holds up over time. I did buy the original keylab and that suffered from velocity spikes. Sorry to hear you've been through two now!
Hey Chris, would you be able to give a recommendation between the Arturia Essential 88 and the Nektar LX88+ by any chance? I’m using cubase as my main DAW (if that makes a difference between the two) and trying to decide which to purchase (especially as I can’t go to a store and try them right now)
Hey Zakk, Im sorry but i havent tried the nektar yet, I am hoping to get a hold of one at some point though! the arturia is an amazing keyboard though and integrates perfectly with Cubase and other DAW's. Not to mention that you get analog lab and Piano V with it too! Hope that helps!
Hey Joel, so the keybed is still the same but they have put out several firmware updates that have made the response and velocity much better and consistent! It’s a firm weighted keybed though so if that not what you’re after you may want to look at something like the numa keyboards or the studiologic as they much lighter! Or if your budget can stretch it, the Doepfer LMK have the exact same keybed as nord stage!
@@ChrisMutchJones OOH thanks a bunch Chris, I was thinking at the right time I'd probably go with the Komplete studio s88. Just don't know if it's enough value for the money as the arturia
I definitely prefer the Arturia board. It has more controls than the S88 but the S88 has the cool light strip which shows you different splits etc! 🤷🏻♂️
im confused which one to buy this or Komplete s88, if I buy Arturia Keylab 88 I could get the software bundle of collection V7 and analog lab and if I buy Komplete S88 I will get Komplete select software, which I already hav while buying maschine MK3, plsss help with my decision m super confused , and I heard the keys in Komplete are better, but I also love the looks of Arturia better, komplete S88 has a better integration with Komplete and maschine software, where as Arturia has a better integration with my Logic Pro , plsss give me ur neutral opinion, ur opinion matters me a lot ,
Hi Bruno, Thanks for getting in touch! I personally believe the Keylab is a better deal, especially when you consider the software that comes bundled with it! From what I've been bale to see, the keybed in Komplete s88 is actually the same kind of fatar keybed but has the lightstrip across the top of the keys. Bear in mind that the Keyylab is also compatible with Native Instruments and Komplete Select software too! Enjoy!
Bruno cena I’m a NI nut but I use KeyScape for my pianos and I really have grown to love the V5 lite library so that being said I’ve decided to go with the Arturia. I also have a 25 key Komplete Kontrol the first version which is much better made and more expensive than the current versions. I also heard today that NI is discontinuing a few plugins? Did you hear that?
A very helpful review from a gigging musician's point of view which I couldn't really find since midi keys are more often used in studio set up. A question for Chris - how did you set up the audio out for the gigs then? I am REALLY torn between getting a weighted midi keys or synth/keyboard here. I need something that's versatile for practicing piano/composing and gigging out/recording synth stuff, in the price range under $1500. Midi controllers like this one and Komplete Kontrol S88 sound like the best option so far but I would love to know how realistic would it be to bring it to a live gig with a band situation. Would love to hear your insight!
*just to be clear, the reason why I am looking for a midi controller rather than a digital piano is that I could shape the tone and manipulate the sound of piano, based off of a good piano plug in (in case of Komplete Kontrol and Arturia keylab)
Hey! Glad you liked the video! So the simplest way of getting your audio out of the computer is to have a Radial USB Pro interface. You connect a usb cable from the computer to the USB Pro and then it turns it into a stereo pair of XLR outputs that you can plug straight into the mixing console for each gig. If you need more than two outputs though, you'll need a bigger audio interface with multiple outputs options. I hope that helps!
@@ChrisMutchJones with this reply you made this video the best overview so far. I'm having a hard time deciding between a digital piano and this MIDI controller.
Thank you! If it helps, if you buy the keylab, you get a copy of Piano V included which is a top quality piano sound! Not to mention the included sheet music stand and laptop rest!
How close does the action on the keys come to your baby grand? I'm looking for something with a rich feature set for production but also one where I can play classical music on.
Hi Chris. I currently have a Nord Electro 2 which I love to put through my guitar effects pedals. I’d love to buy the Keylab to have all of the sounds of AnalogueLab (both piano and synth sounds) but what I’d really like to do is run the piano/synth sounds through the effects pedals. Is there anyway if doing that? I know you can have standard reverb/delay/compression effects in DAWs but I’d wanna use the sounds through more experimental pedals (Hologram Effects Microcosm/Neon Egg Planetarium) so would need the sounds to be going back out of the laptop and into the pedals. Does that make sense? Thanks in advance and sorry for the long question!
Hey Gwilym! Thanks for getting in touch! That would be so cool to do! It's also one of the reasons I think it would be great if there was ever a mkiii for them to put an interface in the keyboard! To do this, you'd need to get an external audio interface so that the audio could come out of the laptop and into your effects pedals! Hope that helps!
You would not only need an audio interface, but also a reamp box, because guitar pedals expect a different impedance than the normal output of an audio interface. Without a reamp box you will likely get a lot of noise. Some interface have a dedicated reamping output (notably the Audiofuse by Arturia) but this is not the norm. Also, the whole setup would introduce some latency, which may or may not be noticeable. Personally I think this is a bit convoluted just to use a couple of pedals, especially when there are so many effects available in AnalogueLab and many more as plugins. But ymmv, I hope this info is helpful.
So if I buy this (Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII Keyboard Controller) what else do I need to make it play music? what do I need to make it a stage kit? Do I use: a)MainStage. b)Ableton Live. c)both. d)neither. e)something totally different ps: I would love to hear from others also. thank you for your time
That's a great question! If you buy the keylab 88 then you get loads of software plugins to use but in terms of how you play those sounds is up to you. Mainstage is the easiest to get into because it's quite cheap and easy to learn. But Ableton has been known to be more stable. There's also studio one 5 now which has the show page feature that turns it into something similar to MainStage, my reccomendation would be MainStage! You also need an audio interface to get the sounds out of your laptop to the mixing console. This can be as big or as little as you need. If you want to keep things simple, then the Radial USB-PRO is a great unit because it just turns the digital signal from the laptop into a stereo pair of xlrs that you can send to the desk! However, if you want to give your soundman multiple outputs (piano on 1&2, synth on 3&4, etc) then you'll need need a bigger interface but more outputs means more money and a more complicated setup in mainstage! Hope that helps!
Hello mate, that is the ultimate support apex stand! It’s great, I have a video on my channel talking about a few of those kinds of stands if you want to watch it!
Hey! Could you share your opinion about the keybed? I'm between the Roland A88mkii, Studiologic SL88 Grand and this one. Both the Arturia and SL88 Grand use the same Fatar keybed (TP40Wood). I'm looking for something closer to a piano. Thanks!
@@maxheadrom3088 which one did you choose ? I searched for roland a88 everywhere couldn't find one. Fp10, fp30 from what I've heard has noise issue The arturia is box packed so never got chance to play it. Are fatar comparable to pha4 action ?
@@ChrisMutchJones Hope You're feeling great today? I've been using the Keylab 88 for some months now and I love it, however I noticed the Vegas Mode stopped working after the Update even though I have it on in the Global Control in MCC. Is there a way to get Vegas Mode back on..? Thanks in Anticipation.
Chris Mutch-Jones ok thanks so much!! What’s the best interface to bring live. The smallest yet best quality one ? Your idea about an interface inside the key lab is genius!!
No worries! If you're looking for something simple that gives you a stereo output then the USB-PRO from radial is a Great option, or you could get a focusrite interface, which would be cheaper. The benefit of the USB-PRO is that it goes from the computer and turns into two xlrs which can be plugged straight into a mixing desk for live playing! Hope that helps, thanks for the positive comments!
Chris Mutch-Jones wow wow!!! Thank you!!! The DI box you recommended is super cool, I’ll definitely buy that!!!!!!! Thank you for your incredible resources
The reviews for the keybed are so bad that people are returning them and that is sad coming from piano players. It's 2021 now and I have to say I'm going to hold out on this purchase.
I’ve had mixed feelings on the keybed to be honest, I’m actually testing the new black Keylab 88mkii at the moment for a new video and the keybed seems really great this time! It’s still a heavy action but there aren’t any issues with midi spikes etc.
audio interface in the keyboard? LEDS.. what else should it do? fly? You have the best keyboard and you seem unhappy.. I dont even have a keyboard. HAHA Thanks for the video.
Haha a flying keyboard would be pretty cool but I’ll bet the baggage allowance would suck...;) It’s an incredible board but as a reviewer I need to think about the features that other people might want in future versions of the board! Appreciate you watching mate, here’s hoping you get a board sometime soon!
