Arturia KeyLab Essential 88-88-Key Semi Weighted USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Black)

I love this keyboard. I use it as a controller keyboard as I learm nore of what it can do natively. I use it to control sounds in Ableton. I love that is full-sized 88 keys. It does a pretty good job with dymamics. It's has a great heavy feel for a keyboard and light feel for a piano. Dymamics are a little unnatural as with any keyboard, but the after touch is useful and pianos can't do that. It has way more features than it should at this price. I would definately buy it again.

I'm just starting to learn piano and play with software synths before I buy any dedicated synth hardware. So I am no expert judge of midi controllers, but the feel is great. Not a hammer action feel, you won't be fooled you're playing a real piano, which is a good thing if you want to play synths, but it's touch sensitivity allows for quite expressive piano playing with a good piano emulation VST or even some Android piano apps.

I have used dozens of 88 key controllers over the decades.. I was reluctant because this one was so inexpensive. But, I was looking for a controller for a single keyboard rig that felt good playing piano parts as well as synth lines. The only thing that has a little kludgey is the editing software. It works well enough after you figure it out.

The keys aren’t fully weighted, but they work amazingly if you’re looking to use them for synths/virtual strings, which is one of the main reasons I got this. The faders are nice and smooth, which I use a bunch for dynamics and articulations. I’ve been using this with Audio Modeling SWAM strings and it’s been perfect. If you’re a piano player, I wouldn’t recommend this as the keys won’t feel completely natural, but otherwise this thing is a steal.

Great keyboard. Very streamline, compact, solid, and functional. It didn’t come with a DC power cord, there’s only a midi input and a usb cable to power. I wish the keys were fully weighted, the semi weighted keys feel cheaper. However, for the price point, this is the best 88 key keyboard with slight weight you’re gonna find. Comes with ableton live light and Arturia software.

I just started to play piano/keyboard and wanted something that was a full 88 keys to learn on but still had extra capabilities that I could grow into as I learn and progress. Additionally, I enjoy listening and playing (also a guitar player) a very wide range of music so I wanted something that wouldn't limit my enjoyment of playing multiple genres. I settled on the KeyLab Essential 88 after a month of research and waiting for it to come in stock on Amazon and it was 100% the right choice. I have been using it every day for a month now and still am finding out new functions and sounds that are a joy to play around with and express my creativity. Keep in mind I was able to purchase it for $350 when it just came out which I would consider an absolute steal based on comparable keyboards in that price range. The only thing I would change is making the keys fully weighted but still, for what you get it's more than worth it in value.

Dislike: the download of software, error codes! Arturia had to send new download pkg, also analog lab continues to prompt acct login which doesn’t recognize my user n pw, but on Arturia web page it does. Like: once I was able to at least get midi pkg communicating with my laptop all the instruments sound wonder although they are (logic pro sounds) Still a work in progress

My only dislike about this is the key bed. They’re on the more springy side if they were a little damper they would be fine. Otherwise no complaints. Really good versatility and control.

Ce clavier maitre répond à mes attentes, le toucher, la compatibilité avec Live 11. Seul regret c est le support Arturia, une entreprise Française qui banni ça merveilleuse langue de son site Web, allez comprendre..

Hallo Leute Preis Leistung ist Top. NERVIG ist nur die Freischaltung der Software die zum Download bereit liegt..... Es reicht nicht aus die Seriennummer des Gerätes zu schicken nein man muss noch die Unterseite des Keyboards fotografieren um die Software frei zu schalten.... Ansonsten gibt es keine Probleme. TREIBER laden einstecken und los spielen.... TOP Um alle Sounds einmal an zu spielen vergeht schon mal ein ganzer Tag 😉

Non sono un professionista ma la tastiera mi sembra di ottimo livello la prima che avevo acquistato di un altra marca era semplice, ma qui siamo ad un livello superiore .

It looks awesome and its French...thats a good combination. The matt white body, and matt black keys gives it a soothing yet cool look. It is compatible with the casio sustain pedal i already had. The semi weighted keys are quite accurate when it comes to velocity. The keyboard can be registered with maximum 5 computers. That will be enough as most probably you will need it for one/ two laptops and one desktop. It adapts easily with Ableton live. The keyboard VST that is included in the box is not the best one around. Serum is much better. The only hind side is that the included VST can be controlled from the keyboard. so that is one big positive. I already own and use the akai mpd 232 so have not explored the drumpads on this one yet. I have not explored all features for controlling Ableton live as I also use Akai APC 40 MKII. The knobs may not be the bestest quality but you are definitely getting more than you are paying for so a pretty good deal over all. The keyboard may not work with very long USB cable. It does not work with the 10 feet USB cable I already have. Setting up the keyboard is not the easiest as its not a simple plug and play keyboard. The bios needs to be updated. You have to follow instructions carefully to make it work perfectly. But after the initial setup, everything else is good. The only thing i feel it could have had was the led buttons to be lit up while in play. At least I haven't figured out how those lights turn on. But the point is, it just has an aura that attracts creativity. At least that is what I felt when got I it.

Todo excelente, solo que no tiene peso en las teclas. Pero esta muy completo y funciona con cualquier DAW su biblioteca de sonido es muy amplia y el piano se siente resistente y los pads y faders se discuten de buena calidad