For decades, Arturia has stationed itself at the bleeding edge of sound exploration and innovation. The company has made a name for itself, thanks to advanced software re-creations of some of the world’s most famous synthesizers. But Arturia hasn’t stopped there. With the Lab range, Arturia offers both advanced software tools and intuitive DAW-integrated keyboard controllers in a single product lineup.
Introducing the Lab Range
Today’s Lab range bridges the gap between software and hardware to help music makers easily achieve results. It’s chock-full of component-accurate software emulations, cutting-edge soft synths, sound design tools, and controllers that fit every musical style, workflow, and budget.
Unique Technology
Exclusive TAE and Phi modeling technologies are the secret ingredients that make Arturia’s synth sounds so beloved by music makers. These technologies allow Lab-range products to mimic the circuitry, analog sound, and physical behavior of some of the most iconic instruments in history.
Seamless Integration
Whether you’re working in your bedroom, in a full-fledged studio, or onstage in front of a crowd, Arturia makes it easy to combine software with hardware. You’ll enjoy the complete flexibility of soft synths with a hardware keyboard’s satisfying tactility and improved connectivity. Lab-range keyboards give you the freedom to work however you want, whether that’s controlling your DAW or a modular synth rig.
Expressive & Customizable
The Lab range is the perfect way to unleash your creativity. Every offering in the range is purpose-built for effortless expression, dynamic performances, and real-time control over your sound so you can reach your true potential.
Amazing Sounds
Arturia supplied the Lab range with a wide variety of sounds, so you can get the ideal sound in mere seconds. The company worked with hundreds of elite sound designers and world-class artists, harnessed their passion and skills, and distilled that into tens of thousands of unique presets for every music maker.
Arturia Lab-range Hardware
Use an Arturia Lab-range controller to get more hands on with your music. Lab-range controllers supply the perfect blend of flexibility, fun, and creativity. The range extends from the compact and portable MiniLab 3 to the awe-inspiring KeyLab 88 MkII. Arturia’s Lab-range hardware controllers are suitable for any setup — whether that’s making beats, controlling synths, or dominating a DAW. Let’s check them out.
MiniLab 3
A universal compact music-making controller
As the smallest and most affordable Lab controller, the Arturia MiniLab 3 is a plug-and-play MIDI keyboard. It’s super portable and works well with DAW-based workflows. This 25-key controller crams multiple useful functions into one place. It can act as a DAW controller, as a MIDI keyboard, or as an arpeggiator for software synths and MIDI hardware. Plus, the compact footprint saves space in your setup. The MiniLab 3 includes a selection of software to help you get up and running, including Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Intro (28 instruments / 500 presets), and more.
The MiniLab 3 is an excellent choice for new music makers, singer/songwriters on the go, musicians with limited real estate, or anyone who wants to experiment with software sounds without breaking the bank. This is the ideal compact controller to spark your creativity.
MiniLab 3 Features:
- A compact and streamlined workflow that puts all the essential tools at your fingertips
- 25 slim, velocity-sensitive keys
- 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads, 8 encoders, 4 sliders, and 2 pitch and mod strips
- Built-in arpeggiator, chord mode, and hold function
- Connectivity: USB-C, 5-pin MIDI output, and expression pedal input
- Included software: Analog Lab Intro, Ableton Live Lite, UVI Model D, Native Instruments The Gentleman, and subscriptions to Melodics and Loopcloud
KeyLab Essential mk3
Streamlined, intuitive keyboard controllers
Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 controllers flaunt a focused selection of must-have controls and creative features that are all but guaranteed to streamline your workflow. There are nine assignable rotary encoders and faders, plus eight performance pads to control your DAW or soft synth. The keyboard also has a full-color, 2-1/2-inch display for real-time feedback for any parameter and control. All of the DAW-integrated tools let you adjust parameters in the computer without needing a mouse. These keyboard controllers are available with 49 or 61 keys. You get everything you need for a simple and engaging playing experience. The keybeds are comfortable and responsive, and their thoughtful control layout makes everything incredibly intuitive.
The KeyLab Essential mk3 is an excellent choice for synth players who need hands-on control over their soft synths and mixing tools. Or, if your studio could use a new DAW and MIDI controller, then the KeyLab Essential mk3 helps you make it happen.
KeyLab Essential mk3 Features:
- 49 or 61 velocity-sensitive keys that deliver a hybrid synth-piano feel
- Streamlined control layout that turbocharges your workflow
- Allows you to control your DAW with custom scripts or MCU/HUI protocols
- Seamlessly integrates with Analog Lab V
- Connectivity: 5-pin MIDI out, USB-C, and control pedal input (sustain, expression, or footswitch)
- Included software: Analog Lab V, Ableton Live Lite, UVI Model D, Native Instruments The Gentleman, and subscriptions to Melodics and Loopcloud
KeyLab Essential 88
Full-range DAW controller and MIDI keyboard
The Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 is a member of the first generation of KeyLab Essential controllers. It delivers all the groundbreaking functionality, flexibility, and creator-focused operation as its smaller counterparts but with a full 88-note range. You get all of the same features as the KeyLab Essential mk3, including the assignable rotary knobs and faders. You’ll also appreciate the fleshed-out DAW Command Center section that places essential tracking tools within easy reach. You can save, undo, and punch in without having to reach for the mouse. There are also transport controls for effortless navigation.
The KeyLab Essential 88 is a great option for musicians and producers who need the DAW-compatible flexibility of the KeyLab range and desire the familiar, full-size feel of a piano or a full-size keyboard or workstation. It’s also useful for live performances with soft synths.
KeyLab Essential 88 Features:
- Hybrid synth-piano keybed with 88 velocity-sensitive keys
- 9 assignable rotary controllers and faders plus 8 performance pads
- DAW Command Center that helps you record and mix directly from the keyboard
- Effortlessly integrates with all Arturia software instruments
- Connectivity: 5-pin MIDI out, USB, and sustain pedal input
- Included software: 6,500 sounds from V Collection, Analog Lab, Ableton Live Lite, and UVI Grand Piano Model D
KeyLab MkII
Comprehensive controllers for any musical situation
The Arturia KeyLab MkII is a robust and comprehensive controller that helps you take control of your favorite DAW plug-ins or Eurorack setup. Three models are available with your choice of 49, 61, or 88 keys. Whichever KeyLab MkII you choose, you’ll receive all the controls, connection options, and expressive tools needed to make amazing music. There are 16 velocity-sensitive performance pads, nine rotary encoders and faders, dedicated transport controls, tracking controls, global controls, and so much more. You even get aftertouch! If you’re looking for a seriously capable keyboard controller, then you need the KeyLab MkII. It ticks almost every box you can think of.
The KeyLab MkII is the ideal choice for producers and adventurous musicians who want hands-on control over their DAW software, hardware synths, or modular gear. Plus, the 88-key version comes with a hammer-action keybed for music makers who prefer a real-deal piano feel.
KeyLab MkII Features:
- High-quality keybed that’s found on Arturia’s flagship MatrixBrute with velocity and aftertouch
- 16 backlit performance pads, 9 faders and rotary knobs, transport switches, command switches, a modulation wheel, and a pitch-bend wheel
- Connectivity: USB, 5-pin MIDI, CV, and pedal inputs
- Perfect integration with such Arturia software instruments as Analog Lab V, Pigments, and more
- Included software: Arturia Analog Lab, Ableton Live Lite, Piano V2, and Arturia MIDI Control Center
Arturia Lab-range Software
Arturia’s Lab software collection truly has something for everyone. The Lab range includes the following software titles: V Collection, the Augmented Series, and Pigments. Beginners, pros, beat makers, and songwriters will all find sounds they love. Read on for more details about Arturia’s amazing software.
V Collection
Reference instruments for music makers
The Arturia V Collection has been at the core of Arturia’s vintage synthesizer and keyboard emulations for well over a decade. Every instrument within the V Collection is designed for perfect integration with Arturia’s Lab-range keyboard controllers. With a Lab-range controller, you get immediate and impactful control over the plug-ins without having to move your hands from the keyboard. In recent versions, like the Arturia V Collection 9 software instrument bundle, the V Collection’s sound library has expanded to include a comprehensive selection of software instruments used for music, sound design, and experimentation. You get more than 30 individual instruments with vintage staples, such as CS-80 V, Jup-8 V, and DX7 V, as well as the new-school sounds of Analog Lab V, Augmented STRINGS, and Augmented VOICES. Plus, the V Collection includes 9,000 mix-ready presets for almost any musical style.
Arturia designs the V Collection for producers, beat makers, composers, and anyone else who needs true-to-life vintage tones, cutting-edge VSTs, and flexible workflows in a single place.
V Collection Features:
- Comes with 33 stunning virtual instruments
- Vintage synthesizer re-creations: Korg MS-20 V, CS-80 V, Jup-8 V, and more
- Iconic keyboard emulations: Stage-73 V, Mellotron V, Piano V, and more
- Modern virtual instruments: Analog Lab V, Augmented STRINGS, and more
- 9,000 professionally designed presets that give you excellent results in no time
- Includes tutorials
Augmented Series
Acoustic instruments — reinvented
The Augmented Series of virtual instruments combines world-class samples with advanced synthesis and expressive controls. These virtual instruments flaunt an entirely new approach to hybrid sound design. And when one is paired with a Lab-range keyboard controller, hands-on control over every aspect of the instrument’s operation is granted to you. Arturia’s Augmented Series includes four titles: Augmented STRINGS, Augmented VOICES, Augmented GRAND PIANO, and Augmented BRASS.
If you’re a composer or producer who wants to work with traditional orchestral and instrument sounds with a modern, experimental edge, then the Augmented Series is for you.
Augmented Series Features:
- A selection of hybrid instruments with high-quality samples
- Detailed synth engines that deliver a modern sound
- Deep connection with Lab-range hardware that gives you expressive, customizable control over almost any parameter
- Includes built-in effects
Pigments
An infinite sonic spectrum
Arturia hits the nail squarely on the head when saying that Pigments lets you “[e]xplore every shade of synthesis.” This soft synth (including the Arturia Pigments 4 that Sweetwater offers!) is designed for experimentation. A synthesist can use multiple synthesis engines, click-and-drag patch creation, and other audio customization tools for plumbing the sonic depths to their heart’s content. All that sonic potential is wrapped up in an engaging, color-coded workflow that makes it easier than ever to design complex patches. Pigments is a first-call synth for adventurous musicians and producers because it delivers virtual analog, wavetable, granular, and additive synthesis with equal aplomb. And it has built-in modulation, effects, and sequencing options to take its potential to the next level.
Pigments is an excellent tool for two types of music makers: Beginners love it because it’s an all-in-one tool for comprehensive synthesis and sound design. Professional producers leverage Pigments’ colorful and supermassive sounds for trap, EDM, bass, and many more applications.
Pigments Features:
- Clean and intuitive synthesis plug-in
- Includes 5 sound engines: Virtual Analog, Wavetable, Granular, Harmonic, and Utility
- Color-coded workflow that makes it easy to build complex patches
- Built-in effects, sequencing, and audio routing that increase the plug-in’s flexibility
- More than 1,000 presets curated for modern audio production
Everyone Can Make Music with the Arturia Lab Range
Whether you are a seasoned pro or a newcomer, are a beatmaker or a sound designer, or just need high-quality sounds and an expressive controller, the Arturia Lab range is the way to go. The world-class plug-ins and software titles are mainstays in the industry, and aside from providing hands-on control over your DAW, the keyboard controllers provide a thrilling playing experience. If you need help identifying which Arturia Lab-range product is right for you, then call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700. We’re happy to help.
