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A new version of controllers from Arturia - KeyLab MKII

A new version of controllers from Arturia - KeyLab MKII

The other day the French company Arturia has announced a new version of the KeyLab MIDI controllers line. KeyLab MKII controllers will be available in 49 and 61-key variations, and along with the functionality of the previous version, the devices have some new features.

Arturia KeyLab mk2

The controllers are shaped in the classic for Arturia design and made of metal, which greatly affects their durability. On the front panel you will see the following:

  • 49/61-key semi-weighted pressure-sensitive keyboard;
  • 2 metal wheels (for modulation and pitch);
  • 9 knobs, sliders and buttons with customizable RGB backlighting;
  • 16 pressure-sensitive pads with backlight;
  • LED display and buttons for selecting the operating mode and handling the controller

You can assign parameters on the knobs, sliders, buttons and pads, in addition, they are already preconfigured to work with Analog Lab 3, which along with the Piano V2 and Ableton Live Lite comes with the controller. KeyLab MKII has two chord play modes, along with the usual polyphonic mode, but for some reason the developers decided not to add an arpeggiator. The controllers have three control modes:

  1. DAW mode - allows you to control the program used for recording, and, as to the most famous workstations (Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Reaper, Logic Pro X, Fruity Loops, etc.), controllers have presets for automatically assigning knobs and faders for the program parameters.
  2. Analog Lab mode - automatically assigns all controller controls to the instrument parameters in the included Analog Lab 3 software package.
  3. User mode - allows you to assign any buttons, knobs and sliders to any parameters as separate virtual instruments and effects, or several at once. In this mode, you can save up to 10 presets.

As to commutation, the controller offers a fairly extensive set of inputs and outputs, including MIDI in / out, USB output, two inputs for expression pedals and three additional 6.3'' Jack inputs. It's worth mentioning separately that the controller is compatible with modular systems: 4 outputs and one CV input are added to the device, which is certainly nice, since it allows you not only to control pitch, gate and two modulation sources of the modular system using the outputs, but also to convert and send to DAW signal from it using the input.

Controllers are already available for pre-order, it is expected that they will be delivered in July this year. The cost of the 49-key controller is $449, the 61-key controller is $499.

Published: 14:13 28.06.2018
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