Arturia just announced Microlab, a brand new mini-keyboard in its popular range of music production controllers. It’s a two-octave keyboard with small keys, pitch bend and modulation touchstrips, and function keys all in a compact form factor. It connects to your Mac or PC laptop via a USB cable which tucks into the keyboard when not in use.
Its also got a rubber case that comes in three colours (orange, blue and black) that hugs the edges of the Microlab and protects it when in use and when stored inside your backpack. It ships with three apps: Analog Lab Lite, UVI Grand Piano Model D, and the Bitwig Studio DAW.
We’re big fans of small keyboards because we believe you can and should make music anywhere and anytime you please. Capturing ideas is an essential skill that DJ/producers must cultivate, and that means getting music down into your DAW is crucial. Humming into your phone or recorder app will do in a pinch, but most of the time it’s better to record the idea (eg melody, chord progression, drum passage) into software so you have a higher resolution “image” of it, and having a controller like this that you can take with you makes that easier. Watch out for our review of it soon.
Check out the promo video below.
Promo Video
• The Arturia Microlab is available now for US$89. Check the Arturia site for more details.
What are your thoughts on this keyboard controller? Want it for your production “go bag”? What mini-keyboard controller do you use? Let us know below.
Joey Santos
