Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
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. Everything about the transport controls is seamless. Navigation is fast, responsive and intuitive, be you navigating a DAW or the menus of a virtual instrument suite. With Analog Lab in particular, this controller just feels SO well integrated. A proper pleasure to use!!
On the Minilab MK2 you had to make do with a sustain pedal input and a USB A connection. While the Minilab 3 gives you a ‘portage’ upgrade to USB C, as well as a 5-pin Midi out port, which allows you to connect the controller to hardware synths!!
The popular mini keyboard controller is back with a refreshed new look. We run it through its paces
The MPK Mini and Arturia’s new Minilab 3 both come with 8 assignable encoders. Knobs on both of these controllers are endless too.
When it comes to keyfeel, the Minilab 3 is on-point. Just like the MK2, the keys are responsive, nicely weighted and enable you to inject some real expression into what you play! What’s more, they have a good spring to them too, which makes fast key changes or small runs up and down the keys super easy. Saying that though, the Minilab 3 does give you 4 assignable faders. A nice touch that you won’t find on the MK2. MiniLAB 3 is a compact MIDI keyboard & pad controller that lets users make music, right out the box. With a creative plug-and-play workflow, versatile assignable controls, 500 curated sounds from Analog Lab"s massive library, and a bundle of world-class creative software, MiniLAB 3 is designed to finally help beginners and professionals to get truly immersed in their music creation flow, whatever their style. Key FeaturesFrom the great-feeling keyboard, to the smart DAW-integrated pads & faders, to the real-time mini display, every aspect of MiniLAB 3 is designed to be intuitive, expressive, and a joy to use - for beginners and pros alike. 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.
Again, in reference to the pads, we’d (personally) prefer them to be positioned in 2 rows opposed to 1 long line. But that’s really all down to personal preference. Analog Lab can host two synth patches side by side. You can create splits and layers, transpose them relative to one another, and choose where standard performance controllers like pitch wheel are routed. The encoder and sliders point to one side at a time, toggled in the software or via a Shift+Pad combo. Both channels share two insert effects, and delay and reverb sends. The effects section is laid out like a little stompbox rig, with a selection of modules to choose from in the four slots. 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. Further customisation and performance configuration is available in the form of multiple Favourites lists, and a Playlist feature designed for live shows. Unfortunately, you’ll need the full version of Analog Lab to configure Playlists. Teasingly, Intro can make a Playlist but can’t add anything to it! In Control Seamless integration with all Arturia software instruments, including Analog Lab: select sounds, browse presets, switch parts, smart-assigned controls.
Still need help ?
Whichever keyboard of the two you buy, you’ll get a good set of transport controls that integrate well with most DAWs. However yet again, those on the Arturia do give you a lot more in-depth control – use the Minilab 3 to control Ananlog Lab & you’ll soon see what we mean. Despite the Minilab 3 being launched in 2023, when virtually every 25 key midi controller has a built-in note repeat function, the Minilab 3 does not. Why Arturia???
Great Deal 
New Comment