Arturia MiniLab 3 - Universal MIDI Controller for Music Production, with All-in-One Software Package - 25 Keys, 8 Multi-Color Pads - White

This was my first midi controller and I love it. To be fair I only own Arturia midi controllers, but that's a testament to the fact that I've been happy with their products. I ended up getting a KeyLab61 after the MiniLab3. As far as playing goes, 25 keys is not really enough. But it's definitely better than nothing! And to any newbies like I was, you don't need a midi controller at all since you can use your computer keyboard in Ableton Live (and probably other DAWs too). A midi controller makes it easier to explore the range of sounds that various synths and digital instruments can make. At one point after I got this and before I got the KeyLab I ordered a Launchkey 37 (standard). It was kinda bulky and I figured I'd save my money for a better second controller. But I think the Novation controllers are good too - it's just that I was already hooked on Arturia. I would possibly suggest getting a 37 key controller for your first controller as I used to kind of wish I'd done that. But the compact nature and portability of the MiniLab3 is definitely valuable and has its merits. I like the design and construction of Arturia products. Obviously the key bed on the KeyLab is better, but for $110 the MiniLab is a great starting place. I think the MiniLab3 came with Analog Lab Intro (or was it Lite?) and the KeyLab61 comes with Analog Lab Pro. I love Arturia plugins. I definitely love them better than Native Instruments plugins. I think they work / feel better on Mac. Since getting the MiniLab3 I have gotten: a KeyLab61, V Collection 11, FX Collection 5, and Pigments. Once you get in with a product from one of these companies they keep offering deals on other software. It's a great idea from a business standpoint for them, and it's a great idea for the user if they like the products. They teased me with analog lab intro/lite and got me hooked and now I'm an Arturia goon. Eventually I'll get the AstroLab88. The new AstroLab37 is soooo enticing.

I bought this to use primarily as a controller for a live looping set up, I have an older 61-key version that has served well as a keyboard controller for my home recording set up. This 25 key version did not disappoint. The keys are not full size, but playable, key action is nice, and the pads are good as well. The included software is where this company shines, downloads went smoothly. There is one program for MIDI control set up, very powerful and easy to use (and the keyboard has a 5-pin MIDI out, thanks!). The bundle of software sounds (pianos, synths, etc.) has enough high quality sounds to keep me fiddling for a long time, and many are musically useful. The user interface on the sounds package is improved over earlier versions. My only wish is they would make this package available for iPad. I can't comment on the Ableton lite package, i have not used that. Overall, I think this will be a good choice for folks wanting a compact controller and keyboad for home DAW setups.

This does everything I need it to do. Zero latency, fits right between my monitors, very playable, the included software is surprisingly GREAT (you may find yourself tempted by Arturia sales on expansions for Analog Lab), the knobs and faders are joyful, it's easy to bind in Ableton/Reaper, Komplete Private Equity picks it up too, it replaces an A25 which seems positively just klunky next to this svelte little thing.

awesome controller, love the size and the wight... very portable fits everywhere and you can do almost anything with it with the size of a laptop... with the faders, controllers, pads and everything, very functional and durable, great piece of gear for your home studio

Spoiler: It wasn't my favorite of those I tested. I returned the Arturia Minilab 3. DISCLAIMER: I did not test any bundled software. This review is primarily an "out of the box", plug-and-play test. The vast majority of the playing, looping and configuration was in Garageband for iPad and a little in Logic Pro X for iPad. I watched a lot of reviews on YT and decided to try them for myself. I wasn't sure which controller would work best for me. I am relatively new to the DAW/MIDI controller world. I have dabbled in piano and synth for decades, but am definitely not an expert. Below is my take on the Arturia Minilab 3. I reviewed all 4 devices below separately. You will have to go to the individual devices review page to see the specific review. Devices tested (for comparison): ⦁ Arturia Minilab 3 - THE DEVICE BEING REVIEWED ⦁ M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini ⦁ Akai MPK Mini Plus ⦁ Akai MPK Mini Play mk3 Things I liked about the Arturia Minilab 3: ⦁ key feel is very, very good. By far the best of the 4 I tried. Felt most like "real" keys. ⦁ Minilab 3 has 4 faders and 8 endless encoder knobs. That's a very good amount of controls to assign in your DAW ⦁ The faders felt very good. Smooth and tight over entire length of travel. ⦁ Minilab 3 is pretty. Clean, uncluttered, and nicely designed. I even like the faux wood panels at each end. ⦁ Real MIDI out. I prefer this over the 1/8" dongle. The included USB-C cable is high quality. ⦁ Did I mention the key feel? Seriously, best of breed. At least to me. Things I DISliked about the Arturia Minilab 3: ⦁ the touch sensors instead of pitch and mod "wheels" wasn't a big deal for me. They worked as expected. I am not a seasoned pitch/mod wheel officianado. Some will disagree with my assessment of touch sensors vs. wheels. ⦁ The preset for Garageband didn't map completely in iPad OS. None of the controllers I tested did, so this isn't really a dig on the Arturia specifically. ⦁ There is minimal labeling on the face of the device. Other devices had more labels on button/key to select a parameters. Labeling is minimal on the Minilab 3. It looks much cleaner, but makes it harder to recall what function is where. ⦁ The pads weren't good for me. I felt they were too sloppy/wobbly, especially at the edges. I noticed that this led to "accidental double-taps". Maybe my technique was the problem. They just didn't feel as good (to me) as the M-Audio or Akai pads. ⦁ transport controls are not discreet buttons. They are shared with pads. ⦁ Only has 25 keys. They are EXCEPTIONAL keys, but only 25. ⦁ The pads are in a straight line. Some may really like that. I personally prefer them stacked in 2 rows of 4. That is just my preference, not a real negative. Overall build quality - Arturia Minilab 3: Very Good. Solid, stable fit and finish, except for the pads. The encoders and faders are really good and tight. And the keys, oh, the keys.

Recientemente adquirí el Arturia - MiniLab 3, influenciado por las vibrantes recomendaciones en Moneyland, y mis expectativas han sido superadas. Este controlador MIDI no es solo un dispositivo; es una ventana a un universo de creatividad musical sin límites. 🔹DISEÑO Y CONSTRUCCIÓN🔹 👍 LO QUE MÁS ME HA GUSTADO: - Estética y Calidad ➤ Su diseño elegante y la construcción sólida me impresionaron desde el primer momento. A diferencia de otros controladores MIDI, el MiniLab 3 se siente robusto y confiable, perfecto para llevarlo a cualquier parte sin preocupaciones. 🔹FUNCIONALIDAD Y USO DIARIO🔹 👍 LO QUE MÁS ME HA GUSTADO: - Versatilidad ➤ La integración sin fisuras con software de producción musical, especialmente con el paquete todo en uno que viene incluido, ha revolucionado mi flujo de trabajo. Las 25 teclas sensibles a la velocidad, junto con las 8 almohadillas, ofrecen una expresión musical inigualable. - Facilidad de Uso ➤ La curva de aprendizaje fue sorprendentemente corta, gracias a la interfaz intuitiva y el software complementario. Incluso para alguien que, como yo, viene de explorar Moneyland sin mucha experiencia previa en producción musical, el MiniLab 3 facilita la experimentación y la creación. 🔹CONCLUSIÓN🔹 El Arturia - MiniLab 3 ha sido una adición valiosa a mi conjunto de herramientas creativas. Su diseño, funcionalidad y el paquete de software incluido lo convierten en una elección insuperable para cualquier entusiasta de la música, desde principiantes hasta profesionales. Gracias a Moneyland por la recomendación; el MiniLab 3 no solo ha cumplido, sino que ha superado mis expectativas, abriendo un nuevo horizonte de posibilidades musicales. 🎶💖

Ho acquistato l'Arturia MiniLab 3 per migliorare le mie sessioni di registrazione con la chitarra e per creare tracce MIDI multi strumentali. Questo controller MIDI si è rivelato una scelta eccellente per le mie esigenze, è davvero versatile e potente se si ha pazienza a settare ogni cosa! L'Arturia MiniLab 3 è un controller MIDI compatto dotato di 25 tasti sensibili alla dinamica, 16 manopole assegnabili e 8 pad sensibili alla pressione. È compatibile con la maggior parte dei software di produzione musicale e viene fornito con un'ampia gamma di software inclusi, tra cui Analog Lab Lite. Che tra parentesi ha una libreria audio fantastica! PRO: - La qualità costruttiva è solida e il design compatto lo rende perfetto. I tasti sono reattivi e piacevoli da suonare, mentre le manopole e i pad sono altamente personalizzabili. - Utilizzo i controlli MIDI per facilitare le mie sessioni di registrazione con la chitarra, permettendomi di regolare effetti e parametri in tempo reale senza dover interrompere il flusso creativo. - Preparare tracce MIDI multi strumentali è un gioco da ragazzi con questo controller. La mappatura dei controlli è semplice e intuitiva, e la compatibilità con il mio software DAW è perfetta. CONTRO: - Non ho riscontrato nessun problema significativo con l'Arturia MiniLab 3. L'unica cosa che potrebbe migliorare è l'inclusione di più pad, e magari rendere il feedback tattile un pelo migliore. Capita che ho il dubbio che abbia preso il comando o meno. Rapporto Qualità-Prezzo: Il prezzo è assolutamente competitivo per un controller MIDI di questa qualità. La combinazione di funzionalità, versatilità e accessori software inclusi rende l'Arturia MiniLab 3 un ottimo investimento per qualsiasi musicista. Conclusione: Consiglio vivamente l'Arturia MiniLab 3 a chiunque cerchi un controller MIDI versatile e affidabile. È perfetto per facilitare sessioni di registrazione e per creare tracce MIDI multi strumentali in modo efficiente e creativo. Un must-have per il mio setup!

Nice compact, looks great, love the feel of the endless rotary knobs, very satisfying to turn. So much value is bundled with the software you can redeem once registered, i was super impressed! I love Arturia's plugins already before I bought this, I love them even more now, they definitely make you feel like your business is valued just with how much value they give you with every purchase, to sum up Arturia they GIVE you the milk and the quality cow, meanwhile every other competitor is trying to milk YOU for all you got! That's how you do Brand loyalty!

Chegou no tempo previsto. Em excelente condição.

Gostei, mesmo não tendo "contemplado"! Vou providenciar upgrade do computador (imac e macbook 2011), mas deveria devolver o produto. Não consegui acessar os knobs em nenhuma DAW que tinha (máquinas não suportam versões atuais). Mas vou elogiar a leveza e a praticidade aparente de instalação. Ruim: não poder ligar direto a uma caixa bluetooth, ou, ter uma alimentação de energia própria (para facilitar uso com celular. Fora isso, é o que dizem nos reviews.