The KeyLab Essential 88 comes with Analog Lab, UVI Grand Piano Model D, and Ableton Live Lite. Very few manufacturers can compete with Arturia when it comes to software bundles. While that might not sound like much, USB covers all basic needs, and the pedal input is great for playing the piano.

It comes with MIDI Out, USB (Type B) and a 1/4″ sustain pedal input. The available connectivity is probably fair for the price, but it’s not as impressive as the rest of the unit. The position of the faders and rotary knobs makes it easy to use them in tandem for automation, and there’s enough space on the panel for a phone/tablet, etc. Typically, the less you have to use a mouse, the better, and this is a very hands-on controller.

Working in your DAW is easy with the KeyLab Essential 88, thanks to the onboard transport controls (Rec, Play, Stop, and so on) and the clickable jog wheel.īrowsing/editing presets and parameters is a quick process between the keyboard’s small display screen and your computer. If that source has a tedious or clumsy interface, it will hurt your workflow. We use controllers as a means to control many things from one source. If a controller doesn’t enhance your workflow or, worse yet, slows it down, it isn’t worth buying.Ī keyboard controller almost lives or dies by its interface. It should encourage beginners to experiment with more creative/colorful harmony. The Chord button allows users to trigger a chord of up to 10 user-defined notes with a single key.

Chord Play mode is a very handy feature for anyone who is struggling to get their fingers around more complex chords.

Keylab piano