Arturia Keylab 49 Essential USB/MIDI Keyboard

General

USB/MIDI keyboards are extremely popular not just in the studio but also on the road. There are plenty of models on the market and each has its own pros and cons. Arturia's Essential models take the best bits from all of them and put them together in one tidy, affordable package. That makes the Keylab 49 a complete USB/MIDI keyboard that's an excellent choice for using with your DAW software and virtual instruments.

The Arturia Keylab 49 Essential

With its encoders and faders, controlling things like virtual synthesizers is much easier with the Keylab 49 Essential than it is with a computer mouse. The RGB pads allow you to lay down drum patterns more easily too. The on-board transport buttons for playing, recording, and stopping music mean that you won't have to return to your DAW as often either. Of course, there are also 49 good-quality keys as well as pitch and modulation wheels.

Software

In addition to being used for crafting drum beats, the RGB pads are ideal for use with the included Ableton Live Lite DAW software that is excellent for EDM. The pads can be used to trigger blocks which is handy when playing live. In addition to Ableton Live Lite, you'll also get UVI Grand Piano and Analog Lab which offers an enormous number of virtual synths sounds including some vintage classics. In total, there are more than 6,000 sounds available like the CS80, the Martix 12, the B#, the Jupiter 8, the Synclavier, and Minimoog among them. All in all, you'll have everything you need to produce music.

• Please note: The Keylab is USB-powered, meaning that your computer or laptop will function as a power supply. You are also able to use the Keylab as a standalone MIDI keyboard, in which case you'll need an external power supply. A power supply is NOT included but is sold separately. The Keylab requires the following specs: AC/DC adapter 5.5V - 9V - DC 500mA, centre-positive.