During our recent visit to Arturia HQ in Grenoble, France, we had the chance to sit down with Product Manager Pierre and get hands on with the brand new AstroLab 37, a portable stage keyboard that squeezes the entire V Collection engine into a travel friendly format without losing the feel or capability of its bigger siblings.
Key Features
- Full V Collection sound engine inside a portable 37 key stage keyboard
- Same CPU and audio architecture as the AstroLab 61
- Compact layout with controls moved to the left for quick access
- Mini keybed with channel aftertouch
- Audio input compatible with the vocoder, MS 20 filter processing and Pigments effects
A Smaller AstroLab That Still Feels Serious
Walking through Arturia’s headquarters and seeing the new Arturia AstroLab 37 on the table felt like being shown a secret weapon. Pierre explained that the 37 uses the exact same CPU and engine as the AstroLab 61, so nothing about the sound or performance has been compromised. It is not a lite version, it is just physically smaller.
The downsizing shifts a few things. Performance controls live on the left now, and layering or splits are handled in the software instead of the front panel. In practice, it still feels intuitive, and having everything within arm’s reach matches the “grab it and play” vibe of this form factor.
“All the instruments we have made in the last twenty years are included in here, and they all run on the same engine,” Pierre told us while cycling through presets.
Who the 37 Really Speaks To
The larger AstroLab 61 and 88 were designed for committed stage players, but the AstroLab 37 opens the door to plenty of other musicians. If you are producing electronic music, running sequencers, or just want a high quality sound source that fits on a crowded desk, this smaller model makes a lot of sense.
Even for keyboardists, the 37 feels like an idea machine. It is the type of board you keep in the lounge room for quick sketching, then bring those same sounds back into the studio later. The mobility makes it easier to actually keep creating, and that feels like a big part of the appeal.
Performance Up Front, Deep Editing When You Need It
Arturia has been consistent about the AstroLab workflow, and spending time with it at HQ really drove that point home. The hardware focuses on performance. The sound design happens in Analog Lab. The line between those two spaces is clean on purpose.
Every preset has macros mapped for the most important musical controls, so you can shape sounds on stage without digging through pages of parameters. If you want deeper editing, that happens in the studio before you hit the stage.
“Separating the performance moment from the sound design moment gave us more freedom,” Pierre explained, “and it means the keyboard stays simple and powerful at the same time.”
Keys, Feel and the Audio Tricks Hidden on the Back Panel
The AstroLab 37 uses the same mini keybed found in the MiniLab series, and it includes channel aftertouch. For a board this size, it feels surprisingly expressive. The onboard audio input also unlocks some fun stuff, like running external instruments through the built in vocoder, the MS 20 style filter, or Pigments processing tools.
It is a clever touch for players who want to integrate hardware and software voices in a single performance setup.
Growing Through Firmware and Community Feedback
AstroLab has already seen multiple firmware updates, and Pierre mentioned how closely they track community requests. Faster preset loading and smoother navigation have been ongoing priorities, and the team is still exploring ideas for future optimisation. It is clear Arturia is taking this category seriously, and the 37 feels like a natural continuation of that direction.
A Lightweight Keyboard With a Lot To Give
After spending time with the team in France and actually putting our hands on the AstroLab 37, the picture becomes pretty clear. It is light, powerful and taps into one of the richest virtual instrument ecosystems on the planet. Whether you are a stage performer, a producer on the move, or someone who just wants proper V Collection sound design in a compact board, the AstroLab 37 feels like it hits a very sweet spot.
A small keyboard with big intentions. And after seeing it up close, we get why Arturia is so proud of it.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲!
