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

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However, I would still place the Arturia MiniLab Mk2 somewhere near the top of its class in this area. The keys are synth-action, and they are surprisingly responsive. Build quality 4.6 So with that in mind, why is the Minilab 3 is worth it over the MK2? What’s its best (& worst) features? We reveal all. The Minilab 3 is one of the first 25 key midi controllers to boast USB-C connectivity. The Launchkey Mini still uses USB-A Both have midi out, however the Arturia has a 5 pin midi out which means it’s that bit more capable when it comes to controlling hardware synths.

Connectivity is pretty limited. It’s not unusual for a controller of this size, but it’s not the most impressive either. It comes with a 1/4-inch sustain pedal input and USB Type-B. Software bundle 4.6 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. 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. Bit of an odd difference this… but the wood texture on the side of the Minilab 3 feel that bit nicer than on the MK2. Slightly more textured if you ask us.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. 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 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? 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.

Combining superb controller keyboard integration, lightning-fast sound browsing, powerful combo sounds,

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. 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.

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 kaiprager wrote:.......(Only AnalogLap - which I use as VST in Studio One is working like a charm, by the way.) 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 The sensitivity of the touchstrips has been boosted, too, and we didn’t encounter any of the cut-off note issues reported in our MiniLab review last time around. Lab report 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.On the Minilab MK2 you had to make do with a sustain pedal input and a USB A connection. While the Minilab 3 gives you a ‘portage’ upgrade to USB C, as well as a 5-pin Midi out port, which allows you to connect the controller to hardware synths!!

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. Again, in reference to the pads, we’d (personally) prefer them to be positioned in 2 rows opposed to 1 long line. But that’s really all down to personal preference. Given a choice, as much as I love so many encoders, I might choose to eliminate some in exchange for transport controls and a couple of function buttons. However, I’m sure that not everyone will agree with that, and it’s very much a matter of personal opinion. Connectivity 4.0Depending on your experience with Arturia controllers, the software bundle will either blow you away or be a little underwhelming. 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. If you knew about the original MiniLab, you might know that it came with a full version of Analog Lab and around 5000 presets. So, in that sense, it’s a little disappointing that it’s been downsized. However, in terms of quality, it’s stunning, and there are some reasonable upgrade offers. Keyboard feel 4.0