Description
Anyone fancy a versatile controller keyboard with the tip of the Arturia software iceberg included free?
Arturia’s Lab range marries hardware keyboard controllers with the company’s extensive soft‑synth portfolio. Their Analog Lab V plug‑in deploys the engines of the mighty V‑Collection as a unified sound module that integrates with the keyboards. MiniLab is a portable and significantly more affordable alternative to the larger KeyLab master keyboards. As well as the compact controller, MiniLab 3 comes with a pared‑down version of the sound suite, dubbed Analog Lab Intro.
The MiniLab 3 controller maintains roughly the same shape as the MkII, with its deep panel giving it the same footprint as a 15‑inch laptop. I had the white model and thought it looked like a cute tiny Mellotron that had sprouted controls, or the synth edition of Is it Cake? Don’t get me wrong: I think it’s a lovely form factor. Previous MiniLabs had 16 encoders and eight pads with a two‑octave mini‑keyboard. For this iteration Arturia’s designers have replaced eight of the encoders with four sliders, perhaps thinking to trade off the total number of controls for some versatility, and tick off more boxes for people shopping around.
Encoder count aside, the 3 has levelled up as a controller, gaining stand‑alone capabilities. A DIN MIDI out port has been added to the rear panel alongside the USB‑C connection, and there’s now an onboard arpeggiator. In the last couple of years a MIDI out has become a significant differentiator in the small controller market: it’s great to have the option to work host‑free and plug straight into a hardware module.
About this item
- GO WITH YOUR FLOW: MiniLab 3 is an easy keyboard controller that adapts to your needs, your style and your workflow, so you can make music just the way you like it. It lets you control instruments, mute tracks, punch in your 8 pad drums, and adjust your 4 faders with a flow so fluid you’ll forget you had a mouse. Hook it up, discover fresh sounds, enjoy premium velocity-sensitive keys, and get hands-on with your music like never before!
- PERFORMANCE-READY PORTABILITY: Portable yet robust, MiniLab 3 is light enough for your backpack, it connects seamlessly to your computer, and is ready to unleash your creativity in seconds. Perfect for recording, performing, or jamming with friends no matter where you are! It even features exclusive integration with major DAWs (Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Reason, Bitwig, FL Studio), so you can control your project entirely with MiniLab 3 and get totally immersed in your music production flow.
- ALL THE ESSENTIAL CONTROLS IN A COMPACT CONTROLLER: MiniLab 3 is USB powered with 25 note velocity-sensitive slim keyboard, 2 banks of 8 high quality pads with RGB backlighting, 8 rotary encoders, 4 sliders, Mini display & clickable browsing knob, Built-in Arpeggiator, Hold and Chord modes, 2 touch sensors for pitch bend and modulation wheel, USB-C Port, MIDI Out. Great for beginners, it also fits for pros, and allows you to tweak every aspect of your mix in an instant.
- WITH SOFTWARE INCLUDED: MiniLab 3’s offers all the creative software you need. Get thousands of world-class presets spanning dozens of timeless instruments (Analog Lab V); make great-sounding tracks in full (Ableton Live Lite); experience the power of a Concert Grand Model D (UVI Model D); enjoy balanced piano tone (NI The Gentleman). It also includes a 2-month subscription to Loopcloud, and a subscription to Melodics.
