Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $340
Standard/Professional
$200
$501+
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Description
Elevate your music production game with the Arturia KeyLab 88, a masterful blend of innovation and tradition. Engineered for musicians who demand precision and responsiveness, this MIDI controller features a hammer-weighted 88-key Fatar keybed that replicates the authentic feel of a grand piano. Whether you're composing a symphony or layering complex synth textures, the KeyLab 88 provides you with a seamless, immersive experience.
Unleash your creativity with the powerful combination of nine faders, ten encoders, and 16 velocity-sensitive pads, offering unparalleled control over your soundscapes. The integration with Arturia’s renowned Analog Lab software opens a sonic universe of over 5000 presets, from iconic synthesizers like the ARP 2600 and Moog Minimoog to lush orchestral instruments and ethereal electronic sounds. The KeyLab 88 is designed to work harmoniously with major DAWs, making it an essential tool for any modern studio setup.
Whether you are performing live or crafting in the studio, the KeyLab 88's customizable control layout and robust build quality ensure it will be a reliable companion in your musical journey. Its sleek interface and intuitive design mean you'll spend less time configuring and more time creating.
Key Features:
- Hammer-weighted 88-key Fatar keybed for authentic piano feel
- Integrated with Analog Lab software featuring over 5000 presets
- Nine faders and ten encoders for comprehensive control
- 16 velocity-sensitive pads for dynamic beat programming
- Seamless DAW integration with customizable controls
- Durable build quality ideal for both studio and live performance
Product specs
| Brand | Arturia |
| Model | KeyLab 88 Black Edition MIDI Controller, KeyLab 88 MIDI Controller MIDI Controller |
| Finish | Black, White |
| Year | 2015 - 2017 |
| Categories | Keyboard MIDI Controllers, Pad MIDI Controllers |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action, Weighted |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, USB MIDI |
| Number of Keys | 88 Keys |
| Number of Pads | 16 Pads |
FAQs
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Is the Arturia KeyLab 88 suitable for professional studio use?
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Yes, the Arturia KeyLab 88 is ideal for professional studio use thanks to its fully-weighted hammer-action keys, comprehensive MIDI connectivity, and integration with popular DAWs, offering a realistic piano feel and versatile control options.
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Does the Arturia KeyLab 88 include any bundled software?
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The Arturia KeyLab 88 comes with Analog Lab V software, providing access to thousands of sounds from Arturia's award-winning V Collection, making it a powerful tool for music production and performance right out of the box.
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How does the Arturia KeyLab 88 integrate with DAWs?
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The Arturia KeyLab 88 offers seamless integration with major DAWs like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools, featuring dedicated transport controls and customizable mappings for an efficient workflow.
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What type of key action does the Arturia KeyLab 88 have?
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The Arturia KeyLab 88 features fully-weighted hammer-action keys, providing a realistic piano-like feel, which is ideal for pianists and keyboardists seeking an authentic playing experience.
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Can the Arturia KeyLab 88 be used for live performances?
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Yes, the Arturia KeyLab 88 is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build, versatile control options, and the ability to quickly switch between sounds using the included Analog Lab software.
Videos
Sanjay C
Arturia Keylab 88 MKii - Is it really the BEST?
Reviews
PROS
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Highly realistic Fatar keyboard action, praised for its feel and responsiveness
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Excellent build quality with sturdy metal case, durable even after accidental drops
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Comprehensive software package, intuitive setup with Arturia V series
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Extensive MIDI customization, offering a wide range of control options
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Lightweight for an 88-key with true hammer action, ideal for live use
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Lower fatigue with responsive keys, beneficial for extended playing sessions
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Reliable key retriggering close to the stroke's bottom, great for fast playing
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Easy license transfer process through Arturia account
CONS
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Certain keys may intermittently stop working, reported by multiple users
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MIDI assignment issues with DAWs, requiring extensive manual setup
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Ink on buttons wears off quickly, affecting navigability
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Workstation components feel cheap compared to other high-end models
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Fully-weighted keys have an upward spring feel, not universally liked
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Arturia KeyLab 88.
Build quality
Features and functionality
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The piano-weighted keys on the 88 version may feel heavier than an actual piano, impacting the ability to play fast passages smoothly.
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The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII requires connection to a computer or synth modules to produce sound, as it functions as a MIDI controller only.
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The KeyLab 88 MKII includes 16 pads, 9 encoder dials, and 9 faders, while the NI S88 lacks pads but features 8 encoder dials and a large display.
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Value and pricing
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The KeyLab 88 MKII is considered a bargain at €699 in Spain, significantly lower than typical pricing.
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The KeyLab 88 MkII was noted to have previously reached a sale price of $749, indicating potential for further discounts beyond standard offerings.
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During Christmas sales, Arturia Analog Lab was available for $99, and V Complete for $299, though no additional discounts with keyboard purchase.
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Use cases and applications
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The controller's extensive range of pads, faders, and pots makes it versatile for hardware synths and modular setups.
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It's been highlighted that KeyLab is advantageous for those interested in electronic music production and DAW integration, rather than standalone piano practice.
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For those focused on NI instruments, the S88 is preferred, while Arturia is recommended for users outside the NI ecosystem.
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User experience
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Some owners find the pads insufficiently sensitive, requiring hard hits to register, which may limit utility for certain playing styles.
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Software and compatibility
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Owners recommend ensuring your computer has sufficient specs, like a fast CPU and at least 32GB RAM, to handle the bundled software effectively.
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Arturia’s V Collection offers full NKS support, allowing integration with the NI S88's large screen, though integration is tighter with Arturia’s own controllers.
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Comparisons
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The Roland FP-E50, priced similarly to the KeyLab, offers built-in speakers and various sounds without needing additional hardware, contrasting its ease of use with the KeyLab's MIDI dependence.
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The Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII has a fully weighted felt MIDI 1.0 channel aftertouch keybed, while the NI S88 features a Fatar MIDI 2.0 polyphonic aftertouch keybed.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
"On this tour, I’m actually using the Arturia KeyLab 88 controller because it’s got all of the faders and knobs, and now I have everything on one surface. I’d been looking for something like that for ages, and finally Arturia came out with it. I’m really enjoying it."
In this video T-pain and kenny beats were using the keyboard from arturia to make a song, not a remix.
Alexandre Desplat mentions using the Arturia KeyLab 88 in an article on the Arturia website, as seen in a user-uploaded photo.
Paul 'Wix' Wickens is shown using the Arturia KeyLab 88 in a user-uploaded photo on the Arturia website.
In a user-uploaded photo on the Arturia website, Babyface is shown using the Arturia KeyLab 88.
In the "Lindstrøm In The Studio With Future Music" video by MusicRadar Tech on YouTube, Hans-Peter Lindstrøm is seen using the Arturia KeyLab 88.
In this Youtube video at 0:49, Devin Oliver can be seen with the Arturia Keylab 88 MkII.
During this Haken show at Essigfabrik, Cologne on February 19, 2019, Diego was seen using the white Arturia KeyLab 88 as his main keyboard.
Hazel Mills has mentioned using the Arturia KeyLab 88 in an article on the Arturia website.
Minute 1:34:43 you can see Steve's KeyLab-88 as part of his rig above the Red Steinway Grand Piano
Elvis Costello and the Imposters - June 15, 2017 - Central Park SummerStage NYC Larry Rulz Published on Jun 19, 2017 Recorded on June 15, 2017 at Central Park SummerStage in New York, NY.
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Arturia KeyLab 88, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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