Whether you’re a beginner producer, an experienced music maker, or anyone in between, unlock your full creative potential with a MIDI controller that breaks down all the barriers between you, your DAW, and your perfect sound.

Find joy in your workflow
Find the right sound faster than ever. Customize your mix in real-time. Finish that track with ease. Music-making shouldn’t feel like work; KeyLab Essential removes barriers and puts the joy back into your workflow.

Your DAW, upgraded
Your favorite synth sounds, your DAW transport, and your mixing desk all in one. Enjoy next-level control over your sounds & DAW projects, seamless communication with Analog Lab, and a bundle of pro creative software to supercharge your sound.

Quickly inspire new ideas
KeyLab Essential doesn’t just help you play & navigate your projects - it’s also built to inspire. Summon catchy melodies, curious rhythms, and moving chord sequences with its array of creative features, and see where it can take your sound.

That quality feeling
You want the feeling of a premium instrument, the flexibility of a top-class controller, and the ease-of-use of a beginner keyboard. KeyLab Essentials sensitive controls, hybrid synth-feel keybed, and smart layout puts it all at your fingertips.

Control any DAW
Enjoy plug-and-play connectivity and ready-mapped controls with your DAW of choice. KeyLab Essential doesn’t just feature familiar MCU & HUI compatibility; it also has custom scripts for major DAWs for next-level integration.

Customize your workflow
KeyLab Essential easily adapts to your creative needs; recall your favorite ’liked’ presets from Analog Lab, navigate your custom-made playlists, activate custom User programs for your own control assignments, and more.

At one with Analog Lab
Turn Analog Lab into a hardware synth and get hands-on with your sound thanks to KeyLab Essential’s seamlessly mapped controls. Adjust sound parameters, tweak FX, and browse presets without ever needing to touch your computer.

Keybed
As comfortable for performance as it is for studio beat-making, KeyLab Essential’s durable hybrid synth-piano keybed is smooth & responsive, complemented by the familiar Pitch & Mod wheels and Pedal input for sustain, footswitch, or expression.

Display
Get the essential real-time info you need, from parameter values to your current preset, with a bright 2.5” display, complete with contextual buttons that make navigation effortless.

Pads
Switch between MIDI notes, clip triggering, finger-drumming, or whatever you need them to do. KeyLab Essential’s velocity & pressure-sensitive pads are even RGB color-coded so you can keep track at all times.

Encoders
Get that real hands-on feeling and interact with crucial controls right where you need them, from track panning to specific instrument parameters, with full rotation encoders.

Faders
Tweak your track levels, envelope settings, selected parameters on your Arturia instruments, and more with ultra-smooth faders at your fingertips.

DAW controls
Instantly switch from sculpting your synth sounds to piloting your DAW project with KeyLab Essential’s dedicated DAW controls, so you’re in control at all times. Its custom integration scripts even ensure that the most crucial controls work perfectly, whatever DAW you’re using.

Premium Keybed quality
49 & 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard with hybrid synth-piano feel

Pads & controls

• 1 clickable encoder
• 9 rotary encoders
• 9 x 30mm faders
• 8 transport switches
• 4 command switches
• 1 modulation wheel & bend wheel
• 8 touch & pressure-sensitive pads

Display control

• 2.5” LCD display with contextual buttons
• Real-time feedback on tweaks and controls

Smart features

• Multi-mode arpeggiator
• Chord mode
• Scale mode
• Hold function
• Semitone transpose

Software integration

• Seamless integration with Analog Lab V: select sounds, browse presets, smart-assigned controls
• Custom DAW scripts for FL Studio, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, Bitwig Studio
• Also compatible with MCU/HUI control
• Up to 6 user presets for a totally customizable experience

Included Software titles & services

• Analog Lab V software with 2000+ sounds
• Ableton Live Lite
• Native Instruments’ The Gentleman
• UVI Model D
• 2-month Loopcloud subscription
• Melodics subscription for 40 lessons

Connectivity

• USB-C connects to computers and MIDI Control Center
• MIDI 5-pin DIN output for connection to external instruments, gear
• Control input for pedal: sustain, expression, or footswitch
• USB-C powered