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Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 mk3 MIDI Keyboard Controller - Rose Quartz
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KeyLab Essential mk3 | Keys For Modern Creatives | ARTURIA

Tutorials | KeyLab Essential mk3 - Overview

Tutorials | KeyLab Essential mk3 - Using Analog Lab

KeyLab Essential mk3 | How To Control Cubase

Description
Designed to make music creation immediate, intuitive and inspiring, the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 mk3 combines a hybrid synth-feel keybed, velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads, dedicated DAW controls and deep software integration into a streamlined creative hub. Custom DAW scripts provide plug-and-play compatibility with major production platforms, while Pitch and Mod wheels and a flexible pedal input support expressive performance techniques. Creative tools such as chord voicings and a built-in arpeggiator help generate ideas on demand, and the included software suite—featuring Analog Lab Pro and Ableton Live Lite—lets you start producing right out of the box. Designed for beginners, experienced producers and everyone in between, KeyLab Essential mk3 removes barriers between you, your DAW and your sound.
Comfortable Hybrid Synth-Feel Keybed With Performance Controls
Arturia's KeyLab Essential mk3 features a smooth, responsive semi-weighted keybed that feels natural for both performance and production. Its hybrid synth-feel action balances comfort and precision, making it well suited for melodic composition, chord work and rhythmic parts. Familiar Pitch and Mod wheels enable expressive bends and modulation, while the pedal input supports sustain, footswitch or expression control—adding flexibility for dynamic playing styles in studio or live setups.
Focused Hands-On Controls for Efficient Workflow
A thoughtfully organized control layout keeps KeyLab Essential mk3 fast and intuitive to use. Velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads handle clip launching, finger drumming or MIDI note triggering with clear visual feedback, while full-rotation encoders and smooth faders provide immediate access to key parameters such as track levels, panning, envelopes and instrument controls. Plus, dedicated DAW transport and navigation buttons let you move seamlessly between sound design and project management without breaking creative flow.
Essential Visual Feedback and Custom DAW Integration
A bright 2.5" display provides essential real-time feedback, from parameter values to preset names, supported by contextual buttons that simplify navigation. KeyLab Essential mk3 goes beyond basic MIDI mapping with custom integration scripts for major DAWs, along with MCU and HUI compatibility for broad support. Whether you’re working in Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio or other environments, the controller adapts quickly and reliably to your workflow.
Creative Performance Tools for Instant Inspiration
Built-in creative features make it easy to turn ideas into music. Chord voicings allow rich, harmonically balanced chords to be triggered from a single key, while Scale Mode locks the keyboard to a selected scale so every note stays in key. The built-in arpeggiator transforms chords and melodies into evolving rhythmic patterns, with a Hold function for hands-free exploration. Used individually or together, these tools encourage experimentation while keeping composition approachable.
Complete Software Package and Flexible Creative Ecosystem
KeyLab Essential mk3 arrives ready to create with a comprehensive software bundle that includes Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite and a wide range of instruments, effects and sound libraries. From classic synths and expressive pianos to modern textures, samples and learning tools, everything needed to grow creatively is included. For producers seeking intuitive control, inspiring features and seamless DAW integration in a streamlined controller, the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 mk3 delivers a flexible foundation for music making.

Features
- 61 redesigned semi-weighted keys with aftertouch for dynamic, nuanced performances
- Nine touch-sensitive faders and knobs for precise sound shaping and mixing
- Scale mode locks keys to a scale, avoiding wrong notes
- Chord play triggers full chords with one key for quick progressions
- Built-in arpeggiator creates evolving patterns with Hold and Mutate functions
- 2.5” full-color screen provides real-time feedback for seamless navigation
- MIDI I/O and USB-C ensure smooth integration with hardware and software
- Includes Analog Lab Pro and Ableton Live Lite for instant music creation
Specs
- Product type: MIDI controller keyboard
- Series: KeyLab Essential
- Number of keys: 61
- Keybed type: Velocity-sensitive hybrid synth piano feel
- Encoders: 1 clickable encoder and 9 rotary encoders
- Faders: 9 x 30 mm faders
- Transport controls: 8 transport switches
- Command switches: 4 switches
- Wheels: Modulation wheel and pitch bend wheel
- Pads: 8 touch- and pressure-sensitive pads
- Screen: 2.5" LCD display
- Contextual buttons: Yes
- Real-time feedback: Yes
- Arpeggiator: Multi-mode
- Chord mode: Yes
- Scale mode: Yes
- Hold function: Yes
- Transpose: Semitone transpose
- User presets: Up to 6 user presets
- Instrument integration: Analog Lab V
- DAW integration: FL Studio, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase and Bitwig Studio
- Control protocols: NKS compatible, MCU compatible and HUI compatible
- Software bundle: Analog Lab V, Ableton Live Lite, Native Instruments Komplete Select and UVI Model D
- Subscriptions: Loopcloud 2-month subscription and Melodics subscription for 40 lessons
- USB: USB-C for computer connection and MIDI Control Center
- MIDI: 5-pin DIN MIDI output
- Pedal inputs: Sustain, expression or footswitch input
- Power source: USB bus powered
- Windows requirements: Windows 10 or later, 64-bit, 4 GB RAM, quad-core CPU 3.4 GHz, 3 GB free disk space, OpenGL 2.0 GPU
- Mac requirements: macOS 11 or later, 4 GB RAM, quad-core CPU 3.4 GHz or Apple M1, 3 GB free disk space, OpenGL 2.0 GPU
- Plugin formats: Standalone, VST, AAX, Audio Unit and NKS
- Accessories: USB-A to USB-C cable and registration card
- Unit dimensions: 31.10" x 2.76" x 9.45"
- Unit weight: 6.08 lb.
Reviews
5
7 Reviews
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
- Practicing4
- Producing1
- Production1
- Live Recording1
- It takes a little while to set up1
- N/A in my opinion1
- Experienced3
- Novice3
- Professional Musician1
- Easy To Use6
- Good Quality6
- Functional4
- Improves Sound2
Reviewed by 7 customers
Very solid experience
Verified Buyer
submitted8 months ago
byMichael
fromFairlawn Ohio
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
Product works well, great to learn with and advanced enough to keep stimulated with different options on the menu and knobs #sweepstakes
Great grab
Verified Buyer
submitted8 months ago
byMichael
fromFairlawn Ohio
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
Good to learn, but also advanced enough to keep you entertained and invested in new options with the menus and knobs
I drove 50+ miles to buy this keyboard
Verified Buyer
submitted9 months ago
byRick
fromTwentynine Palms, CA
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
I'd do it again too. I had the older Essential 49. This one is much better. The only problem is it made my Faderport obsolete. This does so much!
Very intuitive and user friendly MIDI Keyboard
Verified Buyer
submitted9 months ago
byNathan
fromSan Diego
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
Comes with pre loaded sounds and the ability to download additional software. Arturia has a great YouTube channel with tones of resources and tutorials available to help get you started.
As good as it's gonna get for the price
Verified Buyer
submitteda year ago
byJadon
fromRoseville Mi
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
Very solid and advanced keyboard for beginners and pros. This could definitely be looked at as a very good entry level keyboard since it has a plethora of options and things to mess around with as well as some free DAWs. I'm am 100% satisfied with this purchase. It takes a bit of getting used to but I'm also just starting out so that's a given when you get into the more advanced equipment.
Simply Amazing
Verified Buyer
submitted2 years ago
byCB
fromDerby, Kansas
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
I have been in the market for a controller for a while. This beaut caught my attention on one of my previous visits to the store. I was able to play with the machine and fell in love.
Q&A
Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.
submitted8 months ago
asked byDaniel
fromCa.
Does it have aftertouch?
No, the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 Mk3 does not have aftertouch. The keybed is velocity-sensitive but lacks channel or polyphonic aftertouch.submitted2 years ago
asked byCNMATL
fromAtlanta, GA
What are included in the box?
KeyLab Essential Unit USB-A to USB-C cable Registration cardsubmitted2 years ago
asked byMeg
fromSeattle, WA
Does this midi keyboard always need to be connected to a laptop while playing?
It needs a computer, not necessarily a laptop.submitted3 years ago
asked bywooiskie
fromlacombe,la.
It has 2000 presets....do you need a computer?
Yes you do.

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