Arturia - MiniLab MkII - Portable MIDI Controller for Music Production, with All-in-One Software Package - 25 Keys, 8 Multi-Color Pads

Product Information

For 95% of producers, be you a beginner or a pro after a portable controller for use ‘on the go’, the Arturia Minilab 3 is more than worth it. Transport controls – the Minilab 3’s are so much more in-depth. Those you find on the MK2 are 9for today’s standards) quite basic. Quite amazingly, this tiny little keyboard controller comes with a whopping 16 fully-assignable rotary knobs. Even more impressive is that the panel doesn’t seem overcrowded with controls.

And while the controller has lost the metal base you found on the MK2, we don’t have any gripes in terms of build. In fact, Arturia’s pledge to use recycled materials + that impressive 5-year warranty, pretty much cancel that out for us. I consistently like Arturia pads because they are bigger than most, making them more suitable for finger drumming. I would encourage users to use them for finger drumming because they are among the most responsive pads, too. Basic functions like triggering loops or samples are straightforward. Workflow 4.5 The MPK Mini Mk3 is still the king of the small keyboard controllers, but the MiniLab runs it close. The MPK Mini Mk3 has better pads, better keys, an LCD screen, and a long history of success. There’s no doubt about it – the Arturia Minilab 3 is an ideal midi controller for any beginner. And here’s just 3 good reasons why… With this new Minilab having a giant number ‘3’ at the end of its name, you’re probably wondering how it compares to its predecessor. Has Arturia done a complete overhaul for the 3rd generation of the Minilab? Or have they fine-tuned the existing recipe to make the already impressive Minilab Mk2, even better?Bit of an odd difference this… but the wood texture on the side of the Minilab 3 feel that bit nicer than on the MK2. Slightly more textured if you ask us. So with that in mind, why is the Minilab 3 is worth it over the MK2? What’s its best (& worst) features? We reveal all. The Minlab 3 also gives you the luxury of a screen to display a variety of useful info from your DAW – yet another workflow perk you don’t get with the MK2. The Arturia MiniLab Mk2 is undoubtedly one of the best small keyboard controllers I have ever seen. But, it has some stiff competition; here are a few alternatives. Arturia MiniLab Mk2 vs Akai MPK Mini Mk3

Both have midi out, however the Arturia has a 5 pin midi out which means it’s that bit more capable when it comes to controlling hardware synths. Info that should allow you to make a fair comparison + reach a firm conclusion about whether the Minilab 3 is the right midi controller for you; as much as we’d love for you to ‘take our word for it’, no 2 producers have the same setup, nor work in the same way. So be equipped with the right information when making comparisons, just makes things a whole lot easier. In regards to construction, both keyboards are all-plastic. BUT something worth noting is that Arturia claim that the Minilab 3 is made of at least 50% recycled plastic. A sustainable plus. Hate to sound snobby, but… the overall design of the Minilab 3 feels that bit more professional. While the Minilab 3 has a more ‘techy’ appearance, the Akai MPK Mini (especially in a garish colour wave) could easily be confused with a children’s toy On the topic of integration, the Minilab 3 gives you 4 assignable faders, which also play a huge part when integrating with Ableton Live, allowing you to change the volume, sends and pan of each clip via your controller. A feature/ level of integration you don’t get with the Launchkey Mini MK3.

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The MiniLab Mk2 is about 50% heavier than the previous model, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s still light and portable, but the extra weight gives it the presence of a serious bit of gear. Compared to other keyboard controllers