Arturia Unveil Astrolab: A Powerful Stage Keyboard that Places Analog Lab at Your Fingertips

AstroLab seems like the pinnacle of 25 years of Arturia’s innovation in hardware-software integration, offering a fusion of practical and cutting-edge technology that the French music technology company is known for. Boasting all the sound engines and instruments capable in their acclaimed V Collection and over 1300 presets, this instrument really does take the stage keyboard in an exciting new direction, providing musicians with a vast sonic palette for creative expression. This along with an integrated app and direct integration with Analog Lab on your computer makes Astrolab a comprehensive creative workflow that I have really come to enjoy.

Top Features:

• Analog Lab Pro in a keyboard: Over 30 legendary instruments and 1300+ built-in sounds, AstroLab delivers a diverse range of sounds through Analog Lab presets, taking advantage of Arturia’s powerful V Collection Instruments.
• Performance-Ready Design: With a 61-note semi-weighted keyboard with after-touch and impressive build quality, AstroLab will go the distance on stage or in the studio.
• Streamlined Workflow: AstroLab’s intuitive interface, customizable macro and FX knobs, and split/layer play modes enhance efficiency, allowing musicians to focus on performance.
• Mobile Integration: The AstroLab Connect mobile app enables on-the-go control, empowering users to customize sounds and explore presets independently. Or connect to Analog Lab via USB and edit and design in real-time via your computer.

Asrtolab presents a few unique and creative solutions to a modern keyboardist’s life. For instance, you will be able to design and create presets using V Collection Instruments like the CS-80V or Mini V, assign macros in Analog Lab and then send it to Astrolab to use as a stand-alone instrument for performances. This along with the new Astrolab Connect app, allows you to create and manage playlists via your smartphone without having to bring your computer along to a gig.

Now I can see some people having a gripe with that lack of extensive on-board controls considering that the V Collection instruments are faithful emulations of complex electronic instruments, but I think that is the point. Astrolab is there to streamline the software-hardware workflow from studio to stage. If you find yourself tweaking a particular parameter a lot during a performance, assign it to one of the macro knobs so that during performances when you don’t have your computer your able to tweak as to your hearts content.

Besides this, it has all the standard connections expected in a stage keyboard of this caliber. Stereo outputs, damper and expression/switch pedal inputs as well as a handy stereo combo inputs for processing external signals through virtual instruments like the vocoder (please Arturia I’m begging you, include the preamp input for ARP2600 V!!!).

The instrument emulations found in V Collection are some of the best-sounding software instruments I’ve played with and a stand-alone hardware instrument for it is a natural progression. However, I really like where Arturia went with Astrolab’s design and workflow principles. Its not V Collection in a keyboard, it is its own instrument that allows you to collect and use all your favorite sounds from those instruments in an intuitive way and enhances your ability to organize those sounds through its app integration and interface with Analog Lab Pro. With more instruments being added to V Collection every year, the potential for Astrolab should only grow. Now all they need to do is come out with a monster hammer-action 88-note model for me 😉.

Astrolab will be available from all authorized Arturia Dealers HERE

For all the details visit the Astrolab website HERE.