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Arturia Keylab 88 MKII

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Size and Portability
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10 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [10]

90
Total expert reviews: 10
  • with a score: 4
  • without a score: 6
Highest score by strongmocha.com
100
Average score based on 10 reviews
90
Lowest score by Doom Squad Music
68

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
92
Arturia Keylab 88 MKII Review – Best 88 Key Controller?
The Arturia Keylab 88 MK II is a durable and feature-packed MIDI keyboard with excellent key-action and seamless DAW integration. It is a top choice for professional musicians and producers looking for a high-quality 88 key MIDI controller.
+ pros
  • Highly durable and road-ready MIDI keyboard.
  • Improved features such as aftertouch.
  • Incredible key-action and great control with velocity and pressure-sensitive pads.
  • Efficient and easy to use with seamless DAW integration.
  • Portable and lightweight at only 32 pounds.
  • Sleek and well-laid out design with 16 pads, 9 faders, and 10 assignable buttons.
  • Excellent build quality, feels like a tank.
  • Hammer graded keys that feel similar to a piano.
  • Responsive pads great for drum tracks.
  • High-quality faders and rotary encoders.
  • DAW integration allows control of major DAWs directly from the keyboard.
  • Bundled software includes Analog Lab and Ableton Live Lite.
- cons
  • May not be worth upgrading from the original Keylab 88 if you can get it with Arturia's full soft synth suite for a lower price.
  • Weighted action on the original may not be everyone's favorite, but still offers a good playing experience.
  • Older version may be a more cost-effective option for beginners or those who mainly play acoustic piano.
  • Worth considering if a new model will be released soon.
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII review
The KeyLab 88 Mk2 from Arturia is a highly versatile and high-quality keyboard controller that offers a wide range of assignable controls, CV connectivity, and a great software bundle. It excels in terms of build quality and functionality, making it a top choice for performers and producers who prioritize workflow and need a reliable and feature-rich controller.
+ pros
  • Lots of assignable controls: The KeyLab 88 Mk2 offers a wide range of assignable controls, allowing for versatile functionality.
  • CV connectivity: The controller has four CV outputs and a CV input, making it ideal for users who use analog/modular gear.
  • Laptop stand: The KeyLab 88 Mk2 comes with a removable laptop stand, providing convenience for users who use their laptops during music production.
  • Hammer-action keys: The controller features hammer-action keys, providing a more realistic and responsive playing experience.
  • Great build quality: The KeyLab 88 Mk2 has a solid aluminum chassis with wooden side panels, ensuring durability and a premium look.
  • Great software bundle: The controller comes with a full copy of Arturia's Analog Lab software, which includes over 6,500 synth/keyboard sounds.
- cons
  • A larger display would be nice: The author suggests that a larger display would be beneficial for better visibility and navigation.
  • Pretty heavy: The KeyLab 88 Mk2 is heavier than some stage pianos, which may be a drawback for users who prioritize portability.
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Expert consensus

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is a highly praised MIDI controller keyboard that offers a realistic piano playing experience, versatile control options, and a wide range of connectivity, making it a valuable tool for musicians and producers in both studio and live performances.

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is a highly praised MIDI controller keyboard that offers a range of features to enhance music production. It comes with a full 88-key keyboard with a high-quality Fatar TP/100LR keybed, providing a realistic piano playing experience. The keyboard is velocity-sensitive and offers aftertouch functionality for expressive playing.

The Keylab 88 MKII includes 9 assignable knobs and 9 assignable faders, allowing for precise control and flexibility. It also features transport buttons, pitch and modulation wheels, and performance pads. This makes it a versatile and powerful tool for music production.

In terms of connectivity, the Keylab 88 MKII offers CV outputs for analog/modular gear, MIDI input and output ports for other MIDI devices, and inputs for expression pedals, sustain pedals, and auxiliary pedals. It can be powered externally or through USB connection to a computer.

Despite its size and weight, the Keylab 88 MKII is still easily portable and manageable for transportation. Its solid build quality, with an aluminum chassis and wooden side panels, ensures durability and reliability.

Overall, the Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is recommended for musicians and producers who require a high-quality MIDI controller with a realistic piano playing experience. It is suitable for those working with analog/modular gear, other MIDI devices, or computer software. Its wide range of connectivity options and solid build quality make it a valuable tool for both studio and live performances.

Features

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is a highly praised MIDI controller keyboard that offers a realistic piano playing experience and a wide range of customizable controls for enhanced music production.

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is a highly praised MIDI controller keyboard that offers a range of features to enhance your music production experience. It comes with a full 88-key keyboard, providing the same range of notes as a traditional piano. The keys are full-size and feature a high-quality Fatar TP/100LR keybed with hammer action, offering a realistic piano playing experience.

The keyboard is velocity-sensitive and offers aftertouch functionality, allowing for expressive and dynamic playing.

In terms of controls, the Keylab 88 MKII includes 9 assignable knobs and 9 assignable faders. These can be customized to control various parameters in your music production software or hardware, providing precise control and flexibility. The keyboard also features a range of other controls, including transport buttons, pitch and modulation wheels, and a variety of performance pads.

Overall, the Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is highly recommended for musicians and producers who require a high-quality MIDI controller with a realistic piano playing experience. It offers a wide range of controls and features that can be customized to suit individual needs, making it a versatile and powerful tool for music production.

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Connectivity

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is a versatile MIDI controller with a wide range of connectivity options, making it suitable for musicians working with analog/modular gear, other MIDI devices, or computer software.

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII offers a wide range of connectivity options, making it a versatile MIDI controller for various setups. It features CV outputs for pitch, gate, Mod 1, and Mod 2, allowing you to connect and control analog/modular gear. This makes it a dream for musicians who use such equipment.

Additionally, it has a CV input, which enables integration of external control voltage signals into the controller.

The Keylab 88 MKII also includes MIDI input and output ports, allowing you to connect to other MIDI devices such as synthesizers, sound modules, or computer software. This makes it suitable for musicians who want to expand their setup or work with different MIDI devices.

Furthermore, the controller provides inputs for expression pedals, sustain pedals, and three auxiliary pedals, offering additional control options for compatible software or hardware. This is beneficial for musicians who want to have more expressive control over their playing or manipulate parameters in real-time.

The Keylab 88 MKII offers the option to power it externally through an external power supply input, giving users flexibility in their power source. It also features a USB connection, allowing direct connection to a computer for MIDI control and power.

Overall, the Arturia Keylab 88 MKII is a comprehensive MIDI controller that caters to the needs of musicians working with analog/modular gear, other MIDI devices, or computer software. Its wide range of connectivity options ensures seamless integration into various setups, making it a valuable tool for both studio and live performances.

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Size and Portability

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII MIDI Controller is a durable and portable option for musicians in need of a reliable MIDI controller for on-the-go use.

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII MIDI Controller is a relatively large and heavy device, with dimensions of 50. 9 inches wide, 12. 7 inches deep, and 4. 4 inches tall, and a weight of approximately 32. 4 pounds. Despite its size, experts agree that it is still easily portable and manageable for transportation.

While it may not be the lightest option available, it strikes a balance between portability and durability. The Keylab 88 MKII is designed with high-quality materials, such as a strong aluminum chassis and wooden side panels, which contribute to its slightly higher weight but also ensure its durability.

It does not come with a dedicated carrying case or bag, but its manageable weight and size make it easy to transport. Overall, the Keylab 88 MKII is suitable for musicians who need a reliable MIDI controller for on-the-go use, and its solid build quality and portability make it a popular choice among users.

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Build Quality

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII MIDI Controller is highly praised for its exceptional build quality, featuring a strong aluminum chassis and wooden side panels that contribute to its robust and professional appearance, making it a reliable and sturdy choice for professional studios and live performances.

The Arturia Keylab 88 MKII MIDI Controller is consistently praised by experts for its exceptional build quality. It features a strong aluminum chassis and wooden side panels, which contribute to its robust and professional appearance. The materials used in its construction make it durable and long-lasting.

The keyboard is described as heavy, indicating its sturdy build. Experts agree that the Keylab 88 MKII stands out from other controllers in its range due to its solid build and durability. Whether used in a professional studio setting or for live performances, the Keylab 88 MKII is highly recommended for its reliable and sturdy construction.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all MIDI controllers.

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7
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1
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2
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Akai MPK Mini MK3
The Akai MPK Mini MK3 is a highly regarded MIDI controller that offers a range of features and functionality, including 25 mini-sized keys, programmable knobs, and a compact and lightweight design, making it a reliable and versatile option for musicians and producers.
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4
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Akai Pro MPK249
The Akai Pro MPK249 is a MIDI controller keyboard with 49 semi-weighted keys, a range of controls, and excellent build quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians and producers.
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1
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M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3
The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is a versatile and portable MIDI controller with realistic keyboard action, customizable controls, and USB connectivity, making it a great option for musicians of all levels.
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Arturia Keylab 88 MKII ranks #19 out of 14 in this month's ranking:
Best 88 Key MIDI Controller
30 Jun 2024 (5 months ago)
Read article

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ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. midi controllers below are at the top of our ranking this December.

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Price
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The Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 MIDI Controller is a compact and versatile option for musicians and producers looking for a portable and affordable MIDI controller for creating electronic music and controlling parameters in music production software. The Akai MPK Mini MK3 is a highly regarded MIDI controller that offers a range of features and functionality, including 25 mini-sized keys, programmable knobs, and a compact and lightweight design, making it a reliable and versatile option for musicians and producers. The Akai Pro MPK249 is a MIDI controller keyboard with 49 semi-weighted keys, a range of controls, and excellent build quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians and producers. The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is a versatile and portable MIDI controller with realistic keyboard action, customizable controls, and USB connectivity, making it a great option for musicians of all levels.
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