Arturia Announce Updated Flagship Controller Keyboard: KeyLab 88 MKII

It was exactly a year ago Arturia gave us the their MKII KeyLab 49 and KeyLab 61 premium controller keyboards, but the French manufacturer remained tight lipped about whether the fullsize 88-key version would be continued to MKII. However, today Arturia have finally confirmed the 88-key Fatar keybed wielding monster is now in production.

The main point of difference between the KeyLab 88 MKII and its smaller brethren, is the Italian made Fatar TP/100LR weighted keybed, providing a premium piano playing feel, with the added benefit of aftertouch.  Additionally, provided with the unit are two incredibly handy attachments, a laptop shelf and music stand, making these beasts ideal for on-stage use.

Control wise, the panels are identical to the other MKII units with 16 RGB-backlit velocity and pressure sensitive pads, 9 faders and 9 rotary knobs, DAW controls, big central knob for scrubbing and preset browsing and pitch and modulation wheels. The rear panel connections make the KeyLab series ideal for connecting with analogue and Eurorack gear with expanded CV I/O. Arturia have also taken aim at live performers with a whopping 3 auxiliary pedal inputs, alongside the usual sustain and expression pedal inputs – allowing foot control over whatever parameter you desire, reverb, wah, filter etc. These can also be set up with latching footswitches to operate like traditional stompbox effects.

The KeyLab 88 MkII comes with the new Analog Lab 4 featuring over 8,000 sounds from Arturia’s award-winning V-Collection Series. Also included are the full versions of Piano V, Wurli V, and Vox Continental V, along with Ableton Live Lite.

ETA in Australia is August, 2019.

arturia.com