Arturia Keylab 88mkii Review (For Orchestral Composition)

#Arturia #Keylab #Composing

My review of the Arturia Keylab 88mkii for Film Composing, Virtual Orchestration, and other MIDI mockup activities in DAWs.
I test the mapping features, general layout, judge the feel, and more!

00:00 Intro
01:30 Unboxing
02:35 First Impressions
03:02 Advantages: Size/Weight
03:51 Advantages: Aesthetic
04:31 Advantages: Controls
05:00 My Mappings
05:28 All-in-One Keyboard Setup
05:53 Advantages: DAW Control (Magnetic Transport Strips)
06:24 Advantages: 3 Modes
07:21 Advantages: Included Music and Computer Stands
07:45 Disadvantages
07:53 Disadvantages: Too Heavy Keys
08:42 Disadvantages: Loud Keys and Buttons
09:17 The Ultimate Layout I aspire for
10:35 Disadvantages: Build/Plastic Casing
11:06 The Verdict

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[JordanSteinagel]

I got the Arturia Keylab Essential 88 and the keys are semi weighted, so it’s perfect for music composition and I definitely recommend it to anyone that wants to do orchestral composition

[rick]

I've been using the Keylab 88 Essential for about 3 months now, but haven't really done too much with it yet(busted motivator). It took a while to get used to the lighter touch, compared to my Yamaha P155 electric piano. I used a Korg Nano Control with it for the controller. I haven't really dug in to all the functionality, but it now has become the centerpiece of my little home studio. It came with Analog Lab V sound library, which seems pretty decent(for the price) and the Keylab 88 works well with all of my NI & other software instruments & DAW. Thanks for motivating me to dive back in!

[vanillarpgsoundtracks]

I'm going to eventually get this, I live up town from you! They had this one on display in Poco and it was love at first sight. Can't wait to get it.

[davidnelson]

thanks for your videos .... I figured out how to map the Arturia faders and knobs
without your videos I would have never figured this out ... you are the best

Really nice review. I'm trying to make a decision now myself so finding this review was very helpful. Thanks! You've given me a few more things to consider.

[Dmitrii-HS]

The best review for the keys I've seen so far.

[harrisfrankou]

Great review so in depth and that Ten Presets was an amazing reveal!
I pick mine up tomorrow!

[BurgessBoyExperiencePublishing]

anyone know who sells laptop plate attachment for this. can't find anywhere

[gratefulmusicsound]

Really really best and really in depth review on any keyboard I ever watch! Appreciate this!

[richarddelsanto]

If I'm not mistaken, Arturia's MKII 88's touch keys can be adjusted from "heavy" to "light and all point in between to suit your needs. This is done in the Arturia software "Control Ctr".

[JohnSk]

So you made a video bombarding us with a ton of information just to return this back haha (so me ) Great video man

[mariojosepr]

Awesome video and review! I have been thinking about this controller for a bit now.

[FrancescaBettiFulan]

Hi! I was thinking to buy this Arturia now I don’t know but I heard most of the keyboards do that sound it doesn’t change so much.... any other people with comments about they keys?

[YachtEventHorizon]

I’m amazed the shop agreed to take it back.

[jonvincentmusic]

I have the Keylab 88 mk1. It’s much much better built. 14kg of solid metal. Also the controls are way more configurable like aftertouch and velocity sensitivity. Sad to say they cheaped out on the mk2 and made it less configurable in exchange for dedicated daw modes (useful I guess) and Vegas lights.

[rickhood]

Thanks for this review. I have a KeyLab MKII 61 key and thinking about upgrading to 88 to get 88 weighted keys. I also practice piano on an old Yamaha P80, which I love almost as much as the Yamaha baby grand I used to have (is that crazy? ...maybe I am not remembering well what the grand was like, but I do like the P80).
I do both soundtrack music and EDM and am having hard time deciding if I need/want the controls the KeyLab has, or if simpler is better. Since I love the Yamaha so much (all all Yamaha products, really) I was even thinking of a P45 or P125, or I could simply use my P80 for everything (which has midi out). I have a NanoKontrol2 so can use that for dynamics/expression. I use a few Spitfire Audio plugins. Can't decide. What you said about the "too heavy" key bed on the 88 make me worry, although I like heavy -- I think my P80 may be a bit heavy.

[jamesewanchook]

Great detail and presentation. Cheers; also from Vancouver.

[sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Could you share all of your drum pad, fader, and knob controls please? (For example, what's in your next 8 pads for keyswitches) Also bank B isn't working for my key switches... what is going on with it?

[SkyRiver]

The key velocity is programmable. Did you attempt to adjust it to your style?

[ipoponq]

I actually prefer the faders on the right side and glad they did it.