The music-making essentials

Whether you’re a beginner producer, an experienced music maker, or anyone in between, unlock your full creative potential with a MIDI controller that breaks down all the barriers between you, your DAW, and your perfect sound.

Find joy in your workflow

Find the right sound faster than ever. Customize your mix in real-time. Finish that track with ease. Music-making shouldn’t feel like work; KeyLab Essential removes barriers and puts the joy back into your workflow.

Your DAW, upgraded

Your favorite synth sounds, your DAW transport, and your mixing desk all in one. Enjoy next-level control over your sounds & DAW projects, seamless communication with Analog Lab, and a bundle of pro creative software to supercharge your sound.

Chord play

Play rich, full, powerful chords with a single key by selecting from built-in chord presets, or inputting your own custom chord shapes - great for when you need quick inspiration for your next hit.

Scale mode

Set your playing free and never go out of key with KeyLab Essential’s Scale mode, which quickly locks the keybed to one of several built-in scales. Wrong notes? Never again.

Arpeggiator

Turn chords or selections of notes into vibrant melodies and rhythmic ideas with a built-in Arpeggiator, complete with Hold function so you can go no-hands. You can even use all these features together; play & hold a chord with a single key, arpeggiate it, and lock it to a scale of your choice.

Main Features

Premium Keybed quality

61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard with hybrid synth-piano feel

Pads & controls

1 clickable encoder
9 rotary encoders
9 x 30mm faders
8 transport switches
4 command switches
1 modulation wheel & bend wheel
8 touch & pressure-sensitive pads

Display control

2.5” LCD display with contextual buttons
Real-time feedback on tweaks and controls

Smart features

Multi-mode arpeggiator
Chord mode
Scale mode
Hold function
Semitone transpose

Software integration

Seamless integration with Analog Lab V: select sounds, browse presets, smart-assigned controls
Custom DAW scripts for FL Studio, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, Bitwig Studio
Also compatible with MCU/HUI control
Up to 6 user presets for a totally customizable experience

Included Software titles & services

Analog Lab V software with 2000+ sounds
Ableton Live Lite
Native Instruments’ The Gentleman
UVI Model D
2-month Loopcloud subscription
Melodics subscription for 40 lessons

Connectivity

USB-C connects to computers and MIDI Control Center
MIDI 5-pin DIN output for connection to external instruments, gear
Control input for pedal: sustain, expression, or footswitch
USB-C powered

Filters

61 Key

Arturia Keylab Essentials 61 Key Controller