When creativity strikes, you need to the right tool to capture that precious, fleeting moment. Featuring a beautifully playable keybed, dedicated DAW controls, rotary knobs, faders, performance pads, and an incredible suite of music software, you can make the most of every spark of inspiration.

Every artist knows the importance of starting with a white, toned, or black canvas. The tools remain the same, yet your technique and imagination will work in different ways. The same is true for this gorgeous limited edition black KeyLab Essential. It still gives you hands-on DAW control, an inspiring synth-action keybed, rotary knobs, performance pads, and faders as its white counterpart, but how will this sleek new look compliment your fiendish creativity

KeyLab Essential Black lets you play and create music instinctively. It won't force you to break your habits or abandon your tried and tested methods. This controller keyboard simply gives you a helping hand, letting you realize your full potential in the studio. The DAW-controlling MCU/HUI protocols let it work in practically any recording environment, letting you focus on what you're good at.

Its faders, knobs and DAW Command Center will automatically associate with the most important functions of your DAW, while its ultra-convenient memory slots will extend its capability to your favorite software instrument, whether they are Arturia's own, or another great manufacturer. KeyLab Essential is here to tear down walls, not build them up.

The perfect shadowy companion for the studio, KeyLab Essential also opens up exciting new avenues for performance on stage. Its RGB backlit pads and info screen are easily seen under stage lights, and its wealth of performance features like transpose, chord mode, and customizable user maps make inspiring, creative performance a breeze. Its wealth of knobs and faders also make easy work of live-tweaking your parameters and synth sounds.

Quality playing surface
The durable, smooth-action keys will capture every nuance of your performance. You can shift the keyboard using the dedicated octave switches, get creative with your performance using the pitch bend and modulation wheels, and make use of the optional sustain pedal. A chord feature is also included to save a chord and then to play and transpose it with a single key press.

8 multi-purpose performance pads
Versatile and space-saving, the bank of dynamic, RGB back-lit pads features switchable modes, letting you punch in awesome drum rhythms and percussion patterns, while also letting you select your favorite mapping options to control Analog Lab, your DAW, or any other software or hardware you create maps for.

Rotary knobs & faders
Adjusting the panning and level of 8 channels at a time could not be more natural than with the automatically mapped knobs and faders. And if your creativity requires more tracks to fully express, no problem, two switches are there to move back and forth across your whole mix. Using the Analog Lab dedicated memory they will give you a direct control of the parameters of your Arturia virtual instruments.

DAW Command Center
MCU/HUI enabled DAW Command Center lets you totally master your creative environment. This great little control hub lets you play, pause, stop, record, toggle your metronome, and fast travel around your project. Take a break from the screen and focus on the music.

Extras
KeyLab Essential packs a smart and effective twin-line LCD display to let you know the right info when you need it such as your presets and parameter info. In user memories, you can even customize the label it displays for each knob and fader. Just underneath is the preset remote for Analog Lab and all the other Arturia instruments. Your mouse will maybe miss you, not the opposite.

Software Specifications

Includes Analog Lab software with 5000 synth sounds

Includes Ableton Live Lite

Includes UVI Grand Piano model D

Hardware Specifications

61 keys with velocity

Controllers

1 clickable encoder

9 encoders

9 30mm faders

6 transport switches

4 command switches

1 modulation wheel

1 pitch bend wheel

8 touch and pressure-sensitive pads

Connectivity

MIDI out, USB, Sustain pedal

Functions as a universal MIDI controller

Twin-line LCD screen

MCU/HUI control compatibility

Chord Play mode

Perfect Analog Lab 2 integration

Select sounds, browse presets, switch parts, smart-assigned controls.

Standalone or plug-in operation: VST, VST3, AU, AAX.

Over 5,000 TAE powered preset sounds from Arturia's award-winning V Collection

Ableton Live 9 Lite - record, layer, and edit your sounds to create a finished song.
UVI Grand Piano Model D - Sample-based software recreation of Steinway classic.
Compatible with all major Digital Audio Workstation: Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, FL Studio, Bitwig, Cubase, Ableton Live, Digital Performer, Studio One