The new KeyLab 88 MkII controller from the renowned Arturia company has been designed to give a player a real piano feel. It’s sturdy body and access to virtual instruments makes this offering worth musicians’ and producers’ attention.

Photo: Arturia
The new keyboard controller takes all of the features that professional players liked about its predecessor and infuses a new feature set. Now, a user can play any instrument, control any synth, perform with any modular rig, all with the feeling of a piano at his or her fingertips. It also features multiple, assignable expression pedal inputs.

Photo: Arturia
With smart-mapping controls, clear labels, and magnetic strips for each DAW, the KeyLab 88 MkII is supposed to take the guesswork out of playing, recording, and mixing.

Photo: Arturia
The KeyLab MkII 88 has been designed with touring professionals in mind. Its aluminium and wood chassis doesn’t bend or flex while playing. The controller may well become a firm favorite among busy session players and performers just as its predecessor did.

Photo: Arturia
Specs:
System
: Win 7+ (64bit) PC: 4 GB RAM; 2.5 GHz CPU.
1GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU: 10.11+: 4 GB RAM; 2.5 GHz CPU.
1GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Operates as a standalone, VST 2.4, VST 3, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS (64-bit DAW only).
Main features:
Software
- Includes Analog Lab software with 7000 synth and keyboard sounds
- Includes Ableton Live Lite, Piano V, Wurli V, and Vox Continental V
Hardware
- 88 note Fatar TP/100LR keybed
- High quality, aftertouch, velocity sensitive, hammer-action, piano feel keyboard
- 16 RGB-backlit performance pads
- Control bank with 9 faders and 9 rotary knobs
- Control modular equipment with 4 CV/Gate outputs, controlling pitch, gate, and modulation
- Integration with all Arturia software instruments
- Presets for multiple DAWs, with magnetic overlays for controls
- Connectivity includes expression, sustain, CV/Gate, MIDI, USB and 3 assignable auxiliary pedal inputs
- Select sounds, browse presets, switch parts, smart-assigned controls
- Standalone or plug-in operation: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
- Over 7000 TAE® powered preset sounds from Arturia’s award-winning V Collection
- Ableton Live Lite – record, layer, and edit your sounds to create a finished song
- Piano V – twelve different pianos
- Wurli V – classic stage tine keyboard reborn with physical modelling, many presets modelled on famous songs
- Vox Contenental V – “Light My Fire”-style stage keyboard recreated as software, with big sounding amp sims and presets.
- Compatible with all major DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, FL Studio, Bitwig, Cubase, Ableton Live, Digital Performer, Studio One
- Available in White
- Feet not included
More detailed info under: https://www.arturia.com/