Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 Keyboard MIDI Controller, 88-Key
Get the most from your VSTs! The Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 controller boasts 88 semi-weighted keys, 8 pads, and an array of faders and rotary knobs.
Overall User Ratings (based on 4 ratings)
Submitted August 12, 2021 by a customer from gmail.com
"Solidly-built midi controller"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Nice quality midi controller for the price. Good for writing and probably very useable in a live type situation too with the right audio setup going on. I have no idea what one of the other reviewers is talking about in terms of the included piano sounds. The Keylab I bought did come with a free, real, digitally recorded piano sound pack anyway, but it had to be downloaded separately (which actually sounds quite good and it's a steal to get this bundled with the keyboard for the price of this board), so maybe go give it a look. I might upgrade to the MKII someday for the fully weighted keybed, but this one still feels quite nice and serves its purpose. The bottom is made of metal which gives it a little more studiness - a nice little bonus. This thing definitely has some weight to it, and it doesn't look or feel cheap except for the weird fake-wood plastic panels on the ends, but the panels do give it a bit of a sleek look.
10 of 10 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted October 16, 2021 by a customer from gmail.com
"Top Notch Midi Controller!"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I absolutely love this Midi Controller. Full 88 (Semi weighted) keys. Combine this with a great VST, and you are all set. It's honestly one of the best pieces in my home studio.
2 of 2 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted November 5, 2020 by a customer from gmail.com
"Great Midi Controller/Keyboard"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I mainly purchased this item to work with various orchestral VST's and needed a full 88 keys. It is simply fantastic. The keys are not fully weighted, they are semi weighted. For the price, features, and overall quality, you really can't go wrong. If you are just making beats, this may be a bit over kill, but if you are looking to step into composing, you can't beat the price.
5 of 6 people (83%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted January 3, 2021 by a customer from juno.com
"Arturia Analog Lab software is TERRIBLE !!"
Bought the KeyLab 88 thinking it would be a great controller, and it is! But the Arturia Analog Lab software that comes with it is terrible! ALL the piano presets have a grinding, harsh, loud distortion built into them, that I'm told by Arturia tech support reps, is supposed to simulate "mechanical noise" of keys/hammers in real pianos. WHAT NONSENSE!! Connect your computer to any PA/sound system and you will hear this "dog barking" noise on ALL the piano presets, hundreds of them. The pianos presets SUCK!
Sound
Why on EARTH does this sucky company (Arturia) present this unusable piano sound collection to the world? Come ON people! Get REAL!!! Arturia uses cheap, synthesized sounds on EVERY piano preset in Analog Lab software. I mean CHEAP! REALLY TERRIBLE! AND, to make matters worse, I'm told, by Arturia tech support reps, that the company does not offer anything better! WHAT !!!??? NO digitally recorded piano presets are available !!! DON'T BOTHER to buy their sucky products unless piano is unimportant to you! Be warned. The company uses an archaic, annoying email system to "communicate" with you. They will not solve your problem either. Buy elsewhere.
Features
All other presets are okay. KeyLab 88 controller is okay.
Ease of Use
Cannot get usable piano sounds at all. Organ and synthesizer presets are okay.
Quality
Built like a tank.
Value
KeyLab 88 is good, Analog Lab software has 6000+ presets but no piano sounds are usable, hundreds of them are just a waste of time. Expect to spend days going through the massive library of sound presets.Latency is a BIG issue. You'll need a powerful computer to reduce latency.
Manufacturer Support
Terrible email system, very frustrating to deal with them as they tell you how to email them and you cannot do it because their system is very archaic. Expect delays.
The Wow Factor
Looks good, mechanically functional, and the Analog Lab software is linked perfectly to the KayLab88. too bad the piano sounds are CHEAP, unusable CRAP!
6 of 14 people (43%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Please wait.