KeyLab 49 MkII

I (husband) wanted a keyboard setup to update my working one (Roland RS-70 + Mixer/Recorder) and move into software production from a laptop and quick functioning of using loops and pads to create, record, and upload music. The Arturia system has everything - sounds w/ Analog Lab, software from Ableton Lite to produce music - the whole set up - with a keyboard and laptop -- that's it. Glad I went shopping and looking for what is out there. The holidays were here - and I went with the MKII due to having more pads available than the MKIII and 49 keys instead of 61 - I hardly ever use the lower octave anyways - and it it fits more my style. I"ve got to get a desk for the whole set up and get it off my dining room table ... but this is everything that is needed ... I"ve owned AKAI, Yamaha, and Roland keyboards - and these are not space savers and too many connections and other devices to get the whole set up to work. Very glad with the purchase. There are other vendors that have VST sounds as well that can be downloaded without having to purchase a standalone sound module - and this setup is way less expensive.

UPDATE: I've raised my review to 5 stars from 3. While the setup is much more challenging than it needs to be, the Arturia Tech Support team was able to give me enough help that all features are fully working as expected. I'm very happy now with my purchase.ORIGINAL:I found out the hard way that it is not an easy thing to make this keyboard fully interoperate with Cubase. As a keyboard input device, it's fine. All of that works. When you go to try to use the transport controls and possibly other midi input aspects of the device things get really complex really fast. I've yet to find any good how-to guides online, not even on Arturia's website. The Tips and Tricks they do provide are incomplete at best. Others in the community have succeeded where I have thus far failed, and I'm hoping one of them can help me get this going properly, otherwise it's going to be returned. That would be a true shame. It's a nice piece of kit otherwise.

Huge learning curve. I use logic and setup was fairly easy however you might run into issues with your controller not showing up. In which case. Make sure you updated all the software that is included in the bundle and be sure to sync after. Good luck. have fun. I wouldn't drop 450 on this again, but its definitely a beautiful piece of equipment and im proud to have it in my arsenal. Instead I am going to go ahead and look into some of native instruments selection. It seems compatibility isnt an issue with them

This is my first product from Arturia, but I always knew I'd be happy with it. Amazing build quality, excellent packaging, incredible prepack software, the list goes on and on. If you need a controller to sit at the heart of your home studio and you refuse to settle for anything less than the very best, this is the one. MIDI, USB, CV/gate, an all-aluminum housing, aluminum pitch/mod wheels, and plenty of assignable controls with built-in profiles for all your favorite DAWs, not to mention the fact that you get Analog Lab, Piano V, and Ableton Live Lite FREE!

I was in love with everything I read and heard about this product! After receiving my first flagship MIDI keyboard, it seemed to be exactly what I expected and was waiting for. After setting it up I found one key was dead-after a short troubleshooting stint on YouTube, I found that this is s a common problem with this and other similar models! Beautiful keyboard, if it works. I was eventually going to purchase the polybrute 12-but not now, sorry

The synth style key feel of this controller is great. The pads are firm and reliable and the knobs and faders have a satisfying weight to them. Honestly through one of the best features of this keyboard is the software package and integration. The software package for this controller puts more sounds at your fingertips than most self contained keyboard workstations. Arturia did a great job with this ibe

It has more than just the general.

I tried everything to make the controls work with Logic Pro, but even after manually assigning CC's, I got nowhere. My Novation and Native Instruments midi controllers were nearly plug and play, so there's no excuse for arturia. Logic doesn't even have an option to auto setup this midi controller. In the end, nothing worked and I had the device in Logic mode. Faders played notes, pads would activate random things, it was a mess. I've settled on the Novation 61SL now after a brief stent with the Komplete Kontrol S61. Plugged in, rand setup script, everything works exactly as it's supposed to, plus I have LEDs now. Barely spent more money.

This item is bulletproof made of metal with wooden ends ideal for giging. Ableton is needed and is good. You pay for. That ok but the other software. Advertised with are only demo. I suggest you look at the other 5 you get as key daws to go over the buttons.

I got mine about half a year ago from when I'm writing this review. I am experienced pianist and ofcourse the keys were very important aspect to consider when I was purchasing this product. And I'm not dissapointed, yes the keys aren't as heavy as a real piano, but it's not like your typical el. piano either, I'm personally very pleased with the feel of playing on the KeyLab.A few notes, however, I've seen some people complain that knobs and sliders are different within the same product, I can confirm, some sliders are easier to adjust than others, as well as the knobs. Hardly any deal breaker ofcourse, I don't see how this could be a serious issue unless you're planning on performing live using the sliders.Another note, I am indeed using FL studio, and I must say, it is relatively hard to set it up with it, FL is not one of the factory modes that come with it, they have almost every other major DAW, except FL. I've been told the problem with midi keyboards and FL is within the FL developers, but if you have FL and want to get this midi controller, just take a note that it might not be as easy as plug and go. You're going to have to make some research in order to understand how to properly connect it and all it's functions, but after you've done the hard work, it works just fine!Overall, I'm very happy with the product, so I'm giving it 5/5! Without getting into too much detail, the software that came along, Analog Lab, Piano V2 and a few others, they were a pretty neat addition to the already solid hardware that this midi controller is. Would deffinitely recommend!

This product is awesome n i got my collection 7 too from the inventory the next day i email.This is professional keyboard , it will be a learning curve for beginners to start with but in long run its not a worry to upgrade your studio.

Arturia is a great company

I am writing this review after struggling with this instrument for more than one month.This Keyboard fully integrates only with Analog Lab Plugins.I connected it to Ableton Live and Studio one. With this, you can control only the basic functions in these DAWs. It does not fully integrate with these DAWs. It does not integrate with Cakewalk to any extent.The community is very small. You cannot get any guidance from forums either.The User Manual is very inadequate in information. Videos on YouTube are only for promoting this instrument. Even to connect to your DAW you have to seek the help of the Arturia. Even to get the basic functions is a Herculean task. You have to do the mapping, which is not easy with this instrument. Not at all user-friendly.You can get more functions and features in any instrument that comes for half the price of this instrument.Frustrated, I packed this instrument and 'preserved' it as a showpiece.