Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential mk3 MIDI Controller Bundle (White + Pedal)

Great product, fast shipping, excellent price!

Great keyboard with awesome sounds!!!

Pretty straightforward, affordable. Build quality is great, love the lights and display and nav wheel, buttons have a nice cushy but firm feel.Key feel is about what you'd expect for what you're paying, but the sustain pedal is really awkward (huge vertical travel, which is weird because I don't think Sustain is usually variable — CC15 or whatever the # is just on or off, no?). It needs to be anchored down or it flops all over. So, I wouldn't use this for anything you're trying to do live, but build quality on the pedal is pretty good, and it works well enough if you're just trying to get data into your DAW — certainly preferable to drawing in sustains.Pretty "meh" so far, so let me get to the good part — the out-of-the-box Ableton compatibility. Being able to control playback and record, navigate, etc. from the keyboard controller vs having to use mouse or computer keyboard controls is one of those things I had no idea I desperately needed in my life until I experienced it. I haven't had a ton of luck getting custom mappings to work (faders, knobs) — I suspect that's user error or lack of knowledge on my part (i.e I just need to spend time with the docs), but I do think it's evidence that it's not super intuitive, so take that for what it's worth. I suspect once I get it working, I'll be pretty happy with it based on what I'm getting stock.My one major gripe is you only get a trial of Arturia's piano VST. I'm fully aware that I didn't just drop major cash on an NI keyboard controller, so I'm not expecting half a grand's worth of free software and virtual instrument libraries, but come on, I don't even get a piano to go with my piano controller for keepsies? You do get to keep Arturia's attempt at a DAW without paying for it, but I can't imagine anyone who buys this keyboard actually uses it since it's so heavily geared toward Ableton users (and good at it).

Absolutely love the Arturia Keylab Essential! I already owned the MiniLab 3 and was very happy with it. The Essential comes with the Arturia Analog Lab V collection of sounds (3000+) plus more, and I’m still trying to get through them all! The sounds are amazing and tweakable, sparking seemingly unlimited creative ideas. Set up is intuitive and easy, too. So much fun creating and producing my music with this controller! The added perk was the included sustain pedal from this particular vendor for the same price you’d pay other vendors for the keyboard, alone!

Installation and configuration on Windows 11 works great and easy integration with Reaper, Digital Audio Workstation, for MIDI Recording.

Great product ✋✋✋👈🗣️