Arturia - MiniLab MkII - Portable MIDI Controller for Music Production, with All-in-One Software Package - 25 Keys, 8 Multi-Color Pads

Product Information

Hate to sound snobby, but… the overall design of the Minilab 3 feels that bit more professional. While the Minilab 3 has a more ‘techy’ appearance, the Akai MPK Mini (especially in a garish colour wave) could easily be confused with a children’s toy Despite being launched a whole year after the MPK Mini MK3, the Minilab 3 does NOT come with a ‘note repeat’ function. Yep – you’re just as confused as we are. While the Akai MPK Mini gives you a set of 4 assignable buttons, the Minilab 3 gives you a set of assignable faders. No question about it though, we prefer the faders of the Minilab 3, especially when you consider just how well they integrate with Ableton Live session view.

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. kaiprager wrote:.......(Only AnalogLap - which I use as VST in Studio One is working like a charm, by the way.) In typical Arturia fashion, the Minilab 3 includes 2 touch strips for pitch and modulation. However, with the Minilab 3, any adjustments made via these strips can be monitored via the screen, opposed to the bar of lights you find with other controllers. Arturia states that MiniLab MkII has been comprehensively beefed up in every material department, and we can confirm that its already admirable solidity has only been improved. It might be all-plastic apart from the base, but there’s none of the creak and flex that controllers in this price range all too frequently exhibit - this is the level of quality we generally expect in keyboards costing three times as much. The upgrade has brought with it a 50% increase in weight (up to 1.5kg from 1.03kg), but we’re quite happy to trade a bit of shoulder ache for such tank-like construction. Alesis are masters of making budget instruments and controllers, and the V25 is a good example. Overall, it’s not as good as any others I mention in this review, but it has full-size keys, and that’s worth a lot.I have said it before, but it’s worth repeating: Arturia is amongst the best when it comes to assignable controls. Rotary knobs Quite amazingly, this tiny little keyboard controller comes with a whopping 16 fully-assignable rotary knobs. Even more impressive is that the panel doesn’t seem overcrowded with controls. Build quality is an area where you have to come and go a little with keyboard controllers this size. They are small and relatively cheap, so it makes no sense to manufacture them with heavy-duty materials. Plastic is pretty standard, but there’s still a significant improvement from the first generation MiniLab.

The MiniLab Mk2 is about 50% heavier than the previous model, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s still light and portable, but the extra weight gives it the presence of a serious bit of gear. Compared to other keyboard controllers Hence why if we were shopping for a 25 key controller, we wouldn’t waste our time researching each & every keyboard, frantically comparing features. Because fact is, when it comes to value, there’s only one keyboard that in today’s market deserves the throne.

SOUNDS

I consistently like Arturia pads because they are bigger than most, making them more suitable for finger drumming. I would encourage users to use them for finger drumming because they are among the most responsive pads, too. Basic functions like triggering loops or samples are straightforward. Workflow 4.5

Whether you are tweaking virtual instruments or effect parameters, you’ll never run out of knobs to assign. Touch strips 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. 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. Although the encoders clearly speed up your workflow, taking up so much space means there are no transport controls. If you aren’t used to using transport controls on a keyboard, it won’t seem like a big deal, but if you are, reaching for the mouse each time you want to start or stop might get tedious.

You don’t get a Midi Out port with the MPK Mini MK3. While you get a full 5-pin Midi Out with the Minilab 3. Something that allows you to hook up the Minilab 3 to hardware synths!! Turn the keyboards over and the underside of the MK2 is made of metal. Whereas the Minilab 3 is just plastic.

What’s more, you’ll struggle to find a keyboard that’s as sophisticated when it comes to integration. The way the Minilab allows to interact both with your DAW & Analog Lab (in our experience) is nothing short of seamless. Add to that the fact the Minilab 3 boasts more ports (including that all-important Midi Out), as well as gorgeous screen, which really does come in use for making minor adjustments, & it’s genuinely hard to see why anyone in the market for a 25 key controller, would not (at the very least shortlist the Minilab 3. I would have liked to see more features, perhaps with some dedicated buttons. But, it seems limited features is the trade-off for so many assignable encoders. Velocity sensitive pads 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.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. Choose either the Akai MPK Mini MK3 or the Minilab 3, & you’ll get a screen. Although with that being said, that on the Minilab is not only slightly bigger, but it’s also that bit more intuitive. The screen on the Minilab has more functions, is more accurate and shows more detailed information. The Novation Launchkey Mini is a very popular keyboard controller, especially with Ableton users. But, for me, it doesn’t match the MiniLab Mk2 in many areas; buy Arturia. Arturia MiniLab Mk2 vs Alesis V25 In addition you can edit each sound in-depth from within Analog Lab should you own the original software