The music-making essentials

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.

Your keys to creativity

However you choose to make music, KeyLab Essential has all the creative answers - before you’ve even thought of the questions. This controller fits right into your setup to become an extension of your creative identity.

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.

All the software & sounds you need for making music

What software & sounds do you get with KeyLab Essential mk3? From a full copy of Analog Lab to a library of over 4 million samples, you’re fully equipped for whatever music you want to make. Included software titles & services:

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

Your eco-designed MIDI controller - A better product for the environment means a more sustainable creative future.

KeyLab Essential mk3 follows in the footsteps of MiniLab 3, the world’s first eco-designed MIDI controller; built to perform better, produce less waste, and reduce our carbon footprint for good. Made with minimum 40% recycled plastic, 100% recyclable packaging, and a material carbon footprint reduction of 18%, this controller takes sustainability seriously.

KeyLab Essential mk3 takes DAW integration to another level.

Tweak your sound settings, create custom mappings, launch clips & scenes, and navigate around any project in real-time, all without ever leaving KeyLab Essential’s controls.

You’re in full control thanks to custom DAW scripts for Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, and Bitwig Studio, with support for more major DAWs planned in the future. Better still, MCU/HUI protocol means it can support any other workstation in a familiar way - for that satisfying in-the-box workflow that you’ve always wanted.

Features:

Premium Keybed quality

• 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