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Price
Average Price: $167
Budget/Beginner
$200
$501+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Arturia Keylab Essential 49 Midi Keyboard Controller Black Edition". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Arturia Keylab Essential 49 Midi Keyboard Controller Black Edition, a revolutionary musical instrument that serves as your creative sanctuary. This keyboard controller goes beyond the usual, unlocking the potential of virtual instruments and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), enabling you to compose, perform, and produce like never before.
The Keylab Essential 49 harnesses the power of innovative features that make song composition and beat creation more intuitive. With the Scale Mode and Chord Mode, generating melodic sequences and chord progressions is a breeze. The built-in Arpeggiator takes creativity to the next level, effortlessly creating rhythmic patterns with a single key press.
This MIDI keyboard is tailored for hands-on control of your music. It features 9 rotary encoders and 9 faders that are assignable to control parameters in your DAW and virtual instruments. The RGB backlit pads allow for dynamic triggering of clips, notes, and drums, bringing your music to life. Customize every button and knob using the included MIDI Control Center software, optimizing the Keylab Essential 49 to your unique workflow.
The Keylab Essential 49 comes with the premium Analog Lab V software, providing over 2,000 presets from Arturia's award-winning V Collection software instruments. Alongside this, you receive Ableton Live Lite, two virtual pianos, and subscriptions to Loopcloud and Melodics, completing your music production package.
Key Features:
- Innovative Scale Mode and Chord Mode for intuitive songwriting and beatmaking
- 9 rotary encoders and 9 faders for hands-on control of music
- RGB backlit pads for dynamic triggering of clips, notes, and drums
- Customizable interface with MIDI Control Center software
- Comes with premium Analog Lab V software with over 2,000 presets
- Included Ableton Live Lite, two virtual pianos, and subscriptions to Loopcloud and Melodics
- USB-C connectivity and traditional 5-pin MIDI output for flexible setup
- Class compliant for seamless use with any operating system without the need for drivers
Product specs
| Brand | Arturia |
| Model | KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition MIDI Controller, KeyLab Essential 49 MIDI Controller |
| Year | 2017 - 2025 |
| Made In | France |
| Categories | Keyboard MIDI Controllers, Pad MIDI Controllers |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Output, USB MIDI |
| Number of Keys | 49 Keys |
| Number of Pads | 8 Pads |
FAQs
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Does the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition have weighted keys?
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The Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition features a synth action keybed, which is not weighted but provides a responsive and dynamic playing experience.
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What software is included with the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition?
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The Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition comes with Analog Lab software, offering over 6,500 preset sounds, as well as Ableton Live Lite, providing a comprehensive suite for music production.
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How does the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 integrate with DAWs?
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The Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 offers full DAW control with Mackie/HUI command support, allowing seamless integration with popular DAWs for enhanced workflow and control.
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What are the connectivity options for the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition?
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The Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition provides MIDI and power via USB, as well as a MIDI Out port to connect to external hardware and modules.
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Are the pads on the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition velocity-sensitive?
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Yes, the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition features dual-function RGB performance pads that are velocity-sensitive, allowing for expressive drumming and performance capabilities.
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Is the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition suitable for live performances?
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With its customizable controls, DAW integration, and lightweight design, the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 Black Edition is well-suited for live performances, offering versatility and ease of use on stage.
Videos
The Drummer Next Door
Arturia Keylab Essential 49 Midi Controller (Unboxing + Review)
Arturia Keylab Essential 49 Midi Controller (Unboxing + Review)
The Drummer Next Door
Arturia KeyLab 49 Essential MIDI Keyboard Review - BEST BUDGET KEYBOARD?
Joe Gautrey Music
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Arturia Keylab Essential 49 Midi Keyboard Controller Black Edition.
Software and compatibility
User experience
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Some users with mobility considerations find the lack of integrated sequencing a problem when trying to manage multiple devices from a single controller.
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Some users experience issues with the keybed, reporting it feels spongy and lacks aftertouch, affecting playability for dynamic performances.
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Owners report issues with the keyboard dropping notes during light play, even after adjusting velocity curves extensively.
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Use cases and applications
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It's noted that the KeyLab Essential is not ideal for users needing integrated sequencing and tempo control, especially in complex multi-instrument setups.
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The Keylab Essential is particularly effective for performing and producing with Arturia's VSTs, due to pre-mapped controls and integration.
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The Arturia Keylab Essential is more suited for music production due to its control features, rather than as a primary instrument for pianists.
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Comparisons
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Owners mention considering the KeyStep or BeatStep for better sequencing capabilities, highlighting the KeyLab Essential's limitations in this area.
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Novation Launchkey is frequently preferred over the Keylab Essential for its build quality, velocity sensitivity, and additional features like arp/scale/chord modes.
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The Keylab MKII uses a semi-weighted action, but both the Essential and MKII lines are criticized for not matching the quality of Fatar keybeds.
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Features and functionality
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The KeyLab Essential 49 cannot function as a standalone MIDI sequencer and stops sending on one channel when switching to another, limiting its MIDI capabilities.
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The middle dial interacts only with Arturia software and does not send MIDI CC, limiting its use for non-Arturia applications.
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The keyboard's screen can display values for faders and rotary knobs, but lacks onboard configuration for settings like velocity curves, requiring external software.
Source
Value and pricing
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Users find the included Arturia software package a significant value addition, though the hardware may not meet all expectations.
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Build quality
4.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings
97
Great First MIDI Controller
This is my first MIDI Controller. I purchased it at Guitar Center a few years back and I still use it to this day. I will mention some of the sliders and knobs feel a little on the cheap side but the controller still gets what i needs to do done.
397
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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