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The MiniLab 3 has DAW‑control functionality for leading DAWs except for Pro Tools. Scripts are provided, but I didn’t have to install anything for the current versions of Live and Logic. However, the transport buttons also played notes in both until I manually disabled the control port. Shift+Pad 3 on the controller steps through its various modes: Analog Lab, DAW and any User Sets you’ve made. 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. 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. The Minilab 3 is one of the first 25 key midi controllers to boast USB-C connectivity. The Launchkey Mini still uses USB-A
Regardless of which you choose, both these controllers integrate super well with Ableton Live. And while the Launchkey was designed specifically around Ableton, we’d actually say the integration you get with the Minilab 3 is that bit more in-depth. Then again though, in terms of transport controls, it’s hard to be disappointed with either keyboard. 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. 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. As for drum pads, the Akai steals the show. Aside from the pads being that much bigger & being arranged in a 4×2 style, the pads also feel more responsive to play. You can achieve softer, more delicate sounds with the pads on the MPK Mini than you can with the Minilab 3.Buy a Minilab 3 today, and aside from access to Abelton Live Lite and Analog Lab Intro (a great entry-level DAW & a solid sound suite) you also get the added bonus of a 2-month subscription to LoopCloud and a whole host of additional virtual instruments, including some really tasty-sounding pianos! What’s the difference between the Arturia Minilab 3 and MK2? 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. While both controllers feature endless encoders, with the MK2 you get a whopping 16 compared to the measly 8 you get on the Minilab 3. 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!!
At first we thought this may have just being our controller, but we’ve since heard a lot of other people saying the same thing… you do have to tap the drum pads with quite a bit of force to get sound out of them. That’s not to say you can’t achieve softer sounds with the pads – you can. It’d just have been nice to have a little more sensitivity. 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 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. 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 FeaturesThat leaves the sliders. For a reason I can’t fathom, Arturia have mapped these to Analog Lab’s master Bass, Mid, Treble and Level in all the factory patches. Why, when you have the most incredible, responsive software synths at your fingertips, would you use half your controller to adjust EQ? You are left with just four macro controls per patch that actually control the instrument. It’s consistent but restrictive, considering that the MkI and II MiniLabs made full use of their 16 encoders to control a range of relevant controls on the underlying instruments. It is possible to reassign controls to Analog Lab effects and master controls, and whichever few macros get exposed to Intro by the instrument. But you can only do this on a per‑patch basis, not a whole synth. Choose the Minilab 3 or the Launchkey Mini, & you’ll bag yourself 8 assignable knobs. However… while those on the Arturia are endless encoders, those you find on the Novation do have specific start/ end points. Something that if you’re a plugin-junkie, could be restrictive 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. 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?
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