The Arturia MiniLab MkII has been a favorite amongst producers and musicians, known for its incredible versatility, user-friendly nature, and portability. Now with the new Arturia MiniLab 3, Arturia has improved on the already well-loved design, introducing new features and improvements guaranteed to win over any music enthusiast.
The Arturia MiniLab 3 retains the same compact size and weight as its predecessor, making it ideal for those constantly on-the-go or with limited workspace. Despite the compact size, the MiniLab 3 comes packed with even more features that give the user an immense capacity for expression and creativity. This latest model is maximally designed to be user-friendly and to empower users to create the best music possible. With this new model, Arturia seems to have hit the sweet spot between functionality, portability, and playability.
Throughout this review, we delve deeper into the numerous features of the Arturia MiniLab 3, exploring how it works, the nuances of its performance, and just how this model stands up against others in its category. Whether you are a seasoned music producer or a curious beginner looking for the ideal instrument to start your music creation journey, this Arturia MiniLab 3 review is sure to give you a comprehensive insight into what this new toolbox has to offer.
Contents
Unboxing and First Impressions
Upon receiving the Arturia MiniLab MkII, the first thing you’ll notice is the sleek, compact size of the box. As you begin to unbox, you’ll quickly appreciate the careful packaging that ensures the MIDI controller arrives in perfect condition. The MiniLab is well-protected with a sturdy layer of foam cushioning the device, demonstrating Arturia’s commitment to delivering a product in its prime condition.
Once you remove the MiniLab from its box, the first impressions are immediately positive. Arturia has clearly paid careful attention to design aesthetics, and this is reflected in the MiniLab MkII’s sleek, sophisticated, and modern appearance. The white and wooden combination is rather distinct and gives it a premium feel. Despite its small size, the MiniLab doesn’t feel fragile or cheap – it has a weightiness that speaks of robust, high-quality materials and solid construction.
The MiniLab’s layout is approachable and inviting, even to those new to MIDI controllers. The knobs, pads, and keys are arranged in an intuitive manner, making it easy for musicians to quickly start exploring the device. A first glance at the MiniLab suggests an instrument that has been carefully designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind.
What comes with the MiniLab is also noteworthy. Along with the controller, you’ll find a handy USB cable for seamless connectivity, and a quick start guide to help you get up and running. As a cherry on top, the package also includes a comprehensive software bundle of Arturia’s Analog Lab Lite, Ableton Live Lite, and UVI Grand Piano Model D. These inclusions add great value for musicians looking for a complete package.
As first impressions go, the Arturia MiniLab MkII promises a blend of stylish design, build quality, user-friendliness and a solid software pack – quite an attractive package for both beginners and experienced musicians alike.
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| Arturia MiniLab Hybrid Keyboard Controller | Find more info on Amazon here! |
| Arturia MiniLab Keyboard Controller Cleaning | Find more info on Amazon here! |
Key Features and Functionality
The Arturia Minilab 3 is worth considering for both advanced music producers and beginners alike, due to its ample features and functionality.
Vast Range of Sounds
Engulfed with a set of 5000 sounds from the famous V Collection, users will have the freedom to create music in any genre they prefer. The drum pads are pressure-sensitive providing an authentic feel while making rhythms.
KeyLab Software
Along with the hardware, Arturia provides a highly popular software package. This includes the Analog Lab Lite which offers 650 fantastic preset sounds and Ableton Live Lite enabling you to start creating music right out of the box.
Versatility and Portability
Weighing less than 1.5kg and having 25 slim-key keys, it doesn’t compromise playability with its portability. The compact and lightweight design ensures easy travel while providing a wide range of controls making it versatile for any user.
High-Quality Keyboard and Build
The Minilab 3 has received praise for high-quality feel and build, even at an affordable price. The keyboard, knobs, and pads are tactile and sturdy, giving the user a strong sense of durability and longevity.
Advanced Functions
On the technical side, there is pitch and modulation touch strip functionality, assignable encoders, and 16 backlit RGB pads. With 25 velocity-sensitive slim-keys, it offers users the ability to work with dynamics in their performances.
MIDI Functionality
The Minilab 3 is also fully MIDI capable and can be mapped to control any part of your digital workstation, from effect parameters to transport controls, making it a true hub for creative production.
These key features make the Arturia Minilab 3 a game-changer in the world of portable MIDI controllers, providing users with a flexible, high-quality device at an affordable price point.
Sound Quality and Performance
The Arturia MiniLab MkII 3 offers a sound quality that is quite appealing for both beginners and seasoned producers. It allows users to explore a wide spectrum of sounds, thanks to its virtual instrument software, Analog Lab Lite. This software provides more than 600 keyboard and synthesizer sounds, giving users an impressive range of options.
In terms of performance, the Minilab MkII 3 is equipped with 25 Slim-Key velocity-sensitive keys, providing users with a natural and intuitive playing experience. Its sensitivity can be adjusted to ensure it suits the playing style of each individual user, giving it flexibility that is often appreciated by musicians.
It also features 8 backlit, ultra-sensitive drum pads that can be used for triggering sounds, playing in a programmed rhythm, sequencing, and much more. These pads are quite practical and responsive, resulting in more dynamic performances.
The MiniLab MkII 3 also boasts 16 rotary encoders that provide a hands-on approach to manage various parameters and controls within your software. With two of these knobs clickable, it provides even more control right at your fingertips. It’s also worth mentioning that the MIDI controller has dedicated pitch and modulation touch strips, allowing for more expressive playing.
However, it’s important to note that the actual sound quality heavily depends on the sound card used in your laptop or computer. You may need to invest in a better sound card or external audio interface to maximize the full potential of this device.
Overall, the Arturia MiniLab MkII 3 offers impressive sound quality and performance for its size and price. Its compact design does not compromise on the range and accessibility of control parameters, making it a stellar choice for both studio work and live performances.
Connectivity and Integration
The Arturia MiniLab Mk III stands out in the crowded market of compact MIDI controllers due to its impressive connectivity and integration capabilities. The device utilizes a standard USB port for its primary connection to your DAW, ensuring the controller can be used with practically any computer or mobile device.
This robust nature of connectivity means you are not limited to specific software or operating systems. Whether you’re a Mac, Windows, or Linux user, Arturia MiniLab Mk III will serve you effectively. It further offers iOS compatibility, which lets you produce music on the go with your iPad – a great plus for the increasing number of mobile musicians.
Regarding integration, the MiniLab Mk III does an excellent job connecting with a wide array of digital audio workstations (DAWs). The controller integrates seamlessly with popular DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, and FL Studio among others. This eliminates the tedious task of mapping the controller to your chosen DAW as it comes pre-mapped, allowing you to start creating music right away.
Arturia has also included a software bundle to get you started, inclusive of Ableton Live Lite and the UVI Grand Piano Model D. Importantly, all these can be easily navigated thanks to the Arturia MIDI Control Centre software; a user-friendly platform allowing you to easily adjust and map parameter settings.
The included Analog Lab software by Arturia boosts the MiniLab Mk III’s integration capabilities further. It offers an enormous collection of over 6500 iconic synthesizer sounds, all neatly categorized and easily accessible via the controller’s hardware.
In conclusion, the connectivity and integration features of the Arturia MiniLab Mk III make it an enticing choice for both beginners and experienced music producers. Its ease of use, combined with the flexibility offered by its extensive software support and versatile control options, sets it apart from many other compact MIDI controllers on the market.
Pros and Cons
When it comes to the Arturia Minilab 3, there are plenty of attributes to cheer about and few others that may warrant a second thought.
Pros
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Versatile Software Package: One of the most significant advantages of Arturia Minilab 3 is the comprehensive software package it comes bundled with. Analog Lab Lite provides a selection of great synth and keyboard sounds, and Abelton Live Lite is an excellent addition for those looking to experiment with DAWs.
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Sleek Design with Robust Build: The Minilab 3 follows Arturia’s tradition of combining elegance and durability. Its chassis is built for ruggedness without compromising on aesthetics. It is also compact, making it highly portable.
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High-Quality Keyboard Feel: Its keyboard is velocity-sensitive and has a traditional keybed with a semi-weighted action, which makes it incredibly enjoyable to play.
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Intuitive Controls: 16 rotary encoders and 2 capacitive touch sensors for pitch bend and modulation wheel provide users a plethora of control.
Cons
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Limited Number of Keys: The Arturia Minilab 3 is equipped with only 25 keys, which could be a limiting factor for those looking to play complex pieces or full chords.
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No Aftertouch: Unlike some of its competitors, the Minilab 3 does not have aftertouch functionality, which could be a useful creative tool for some musicians.
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Detail in Directions: Some users have reported that the directions and tutorials provided with the software could be more detailed and user-friendly, especially for beginners.
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Software Compatibility: While it works fine standalone, there can be minor compatibility issues when integrating it with other third-party software, which is something to bear in mind for those planning to use it routinely with other applications.
These are some of the pros and cons worth considering if you plan to add the Arturia Minilab 3 to your musical arsenal.
Comparisons with Other Products
Arturia’s MiniLab MkII has always been a standout in the crowded field of mini MIDI controllers. We pitted the newly launched MiniLab MkIII against several other controllers in its category.
MIDIPLUS X4 mini:
While the MIDIPLUS X4 mini is an inexpensive solution with decent key feel, it falls short in the number of features compared to the MiniLab MkIII. Arturia’s offering surpasses it with a high number of encoders, pads, and an impressive suite of software.
Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII:
The MiniLab MkIII edges out the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII with its sturdier build quality and better touch-sensitive pads. The keys of the Arturia are also deemed more substantial and respond better to velocity. Even though the MPK Mini MKII comes with 8 assignable drum pads compared to MiniLab’s 2×8, the pads of the MiniLab are more highly regarded.
Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3:
Considered a competitive product to the MiniLab MkIII, differences can be chalked down to personal preference. The Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 does provide extra integration features for Ableton Live users, but the MiniLab MkIII rein in with better build and the more general-purpose capability.
Korg nanoKEY2:
The Korg nanoKEY2 is compact and lightweight, an ideal choice for mobile MIDI control. However, it lacks the array of features the MiniLab MkIII has to offer. The Korg nanoKEY2 offers only keys and no pads or knobs, drastically different from the MiniLab which is more comprehensive and versatile.
Overall, the MiniLab MkIII is competitive in its class across different dimensions. The allure of Arturia’s offering lies in its balance of portability, feature set, and affordability. Comparatively, it punches higher than its weight class against the offerings of other brands in the same category.
Price Point and Value for Money
When it comes to purchasing a MIDI controller, one of the most significant factors to consider is the value for money it offers. It’s not always about how expensive or cheap the controller is, but rather what you get for the price you pay.
In the case of the Arturia Minilab Mk III, this little powerhouse shines brightly in the value-for-money department. With a price range hovering around the $100 mark, this compact MIDI controller offers high-dollar features at a budget-friendly rate.
What makes the Minilab Mk III truly stand out is its comprehensive package of software that accompanies the hardware. With the purchase of this controller, you get access to the Arturia Analog Lab Lite software, which includes over 600 fantastic synth and keyboard sounds, and Ableton Live Lite, a perfect starting point for new music producers. Having this included in the package makes the Minilab Mk III a cost-effective solution for someone looking to start making music without having to invest in expensive softwares separately.
However, it’s not just the software that offers value. In terms of hardware, the controller includes 25 velocity-sensitive keys, two sets of 8 high quality, responsive pads, and 16 rotary knobs. Performance features like ‘Chord mode’ and ‘Scale mode’ also augment the usability and value of the controller.
The build quality of the Minilab Mk III is quite impressive too. Despite its affordable price tag, it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. Instead, it has a solid construction with a metal fascia and quality rubberized knobs, giving it a premium look and feel.
Overall, the Arturia Minilab Mk III offers an excellent balance between performance and affordability, making it a significant value-for-money MIDI controller in the current market.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
After a thorough review of the Arturia Minilab 3, it’s clear that this compact, feature-packed MIDI controller is a great choice for both beginners and professional music producers. It excels in terms of robustness, portability and flexibility.
The expanded and refined keybed in the Minilab MkII, as well as the responsive pads and tactility of the encoders provide an enjoyable and interactive user experience. The integration with the flagship Analog Lab software gives access to a vast library of synthesized sounds, making it a comprehensive package for music exploration and creation.
One possible drawback may be that the complexity of the software can be a learning curve for beginners. However, once mastered, it opens up a myriad of creative possibilities.
Another considerable advantage of Arturia Minilab 3 is its affordability. For its quality and functionality, it truly provides bang for your buck.
In conclusion, we highly recommend the Arturia Minilab 3 to anyone who requires a portable yet high-performing MIDI controller. This piece of hardware not only simplifies your workflow but it offers limitless creative avenues that cater to both budding musicians and established producers. Take your music production to new heights with the Arturia Minilab 3.