Hello, how are you guys?
Hope you are always healthy and have a great day.

Anyway, I am currently in the state of finally being able to buy my first keyboard midi controller.
I am not a pianist, I will use this keyboard midi controller to make music with various virtual instruments on the only DAW I am using at the moment which is Cubase.

I was initially interested in the Nektar Impact LX49+. And that was the first reason I saved up because I didn't have many options at a higher price than that.
Then I recently found the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 MK3 review on youtube.

My question is, between the two, have any of you tried them and compared them?
I am confused to choose one of them.

Is the price between the two already the best value according to the features they both offer?

Or is there another keyboard midi controller brand that you guys think can be recommended with a maximum budget of around US$ 310 maybe?

Your review/input/recomendation/ are appreciate.
Thank you in advance.

 

can't speak on the nektar but i've had the arturia keylab 49 for maybe ab 3 years now as my main "at desk workhorse" in my little home studio and it definitely is solid for a budget unit. it gets the job done and i've never really found it missing any of the funtionalities that are esssential for a midi keyboard/controller.

the build quality is solid and what you'd expect for the price. inside the house i have a nice kurzweil sp2x with the really nice weighted keys and and the keylab def doesn't feel anything near that nice to play but it does the job and i'm gonna guess the same is true for the nektar. definitely more of a utilitarian/tool style keyboard rather than a "nice instrument to play" but if that's what you need it's great at it in my opinion. also i really like analog lab (arturia's free instrument bank software included w/ your keyboard) alot for a good kindof central base of good sounds. i'm sure nektar comes with something similar. and i'm sure it's good too, but my experience with analog lab has been great.

wish i could give you more on the nektar side of things but i definitely vouch for the arturia keylab.

 

Hi, I have had the Nektar Impact LX64+ for about a year now and it does work just fine. It integrates with REAPER very easily and works well with the DAW and Plugins. Mine was bundled with Bitwig and other things. Web support was easy to navigate and download from.

From Nektar: Nektar DAW Integration custom designed for Bitwig, Cubase, Cakewalk, Digital Performer, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason and Studio One takes Impact LX+ way beyond functionality normally offered by a USB MIDI controller keyboard.

I would recommend it if it suits your needs. I have had no problems and am very happy with it.

When you decide please let us know. I'm curious.

PS. I seen on youtube where Nectar has a new integrated controller in development with no keyboard but a lot of crazy new integration. It also has one high quality long fader. Don't know the price but the walkthrough was very interesting.

 

Last edited: Apr 14, 2024

I have the Nektar impact and it's possible you also have other preferences in terms of keys? I think compared to most keyboards, the nektar keys are softer to press than most keyboards, that offer more resistance. I personally prefer less pressure myself, but some people might dislike that. Howeer, over the years I'vehad it (like 5 years?) the keys have become less soft somehow (dust or somehting else? Not sure). So I not mean the plastic is soft, but the keys feels relatively easy to press down.
However, other than that I would not really know any specialty about the keyboard, since it just seems like a generic midi keyboard. The less features they have, the more similar they seem (or are). It works well in Cubase and I've not had issues with it.

 

Hi @tylerv
How you doing?
Many thanks for your experience.

I think I'm okay with that.
I think I can't expect more from this budget right?
But the nice think to know that this controller does the job done.

Your setup is cool.
Nice vibe on there.

Many thanks for your input

Hello, @Burninstar
How you doing?

Nice

From your experiences I think Nektar was solid too.
So it's become a hard decision between the two controller.

Like Panorama P1? or Panorama CS12?

Which one? I think that's interesting to see.

Anyway, many thanks for your insight/information.

Hi @Ryan
How you doing?

Actually I prefer weightened/semi-wieghtened keys to play. (I play randomly grand piano once long time ago, and love how keys feel)
But I know the budget doesn't allow me to expect much.
So I'm okay with any type of keys for now.

I see.
That's a useful information to think about.
But there's not any of single dead keys right?

How about the slider?
Can we signed that sliders to the expression virtual instrument like SWAM? Or we just only stick to "pitch bender" on the left side?

Ohh that's very nice to know.
Many thanks for your information and respond.

 

Last edited: Apr 14, 2024

I have the LX88+ that I use with Nuendo and can say it's been great in terms of integration, and customizability. Trying to use it as a control surface without motorized faders is a bit finicky, so I don't bother, but it does everything else I need.

 

The arturia has great integration with their software, which allows you to select presets from the midi controller and modify them with the knobs and faders.it will work from usb power alone.
You can download the Arturia software and use it in demo mode to see how you like the sounds, from arturia's website. also the manuals are there as well so you can download the manual for the Keylab Essential and read it over to see if its missing any features you want or to understand better features that aren't clear.


https://dl.arturia.net/products/key...nual/keylab-essential-mk3_Manual_1_1_6_EN.pdf


amazon has it for 219$ and it includes the Analog Lab V software, which is a nice package.

you'll also want to read the Midi Control Center, manual that explains how to save custom mappings and settings and upgrading your firmware as new firmware is released

https://downloads.arturia.net/produ...c-for-keylab-essential-3_Manual_1_15_0_EN.pdf

how to use with cubase

 

Hi @Semarus
How you doing?
Anyway nice to know about integration LX88+ with Nuendo.

Right, many thanks for your experiences about Nektar.

Somehow I wonder about sliders on Nektar.
Can I assign those sliders like cc controller on Virtual Instruments?





Hello @Garamondo Furbish
How you doing?

That's a great feature I think.
But I wonder can I assign those faders/sliders to assign like CC controller on virtual instruments?

I see.
Actually on my country, US$ 219 on 49 keys can become US$ 288,81 with currency.
And the 61 keys at US$ 357,09 at this moment. Daymmm...

Hopefully, the installation process is painless and doesn't require a lot of internet activity.

Many thanks for pointing the tutorial

I'm still considering between the two.
Nektar has a low price and gets the job done well.
While Arturia has a good quality build, certainly able to get the job done well, but at a higher price.

Actually, if the Nektar LX49+ comes out in white color too, I won't think twice. LMAO

 

Yes, actually. The controller has 5 pages of configurations for the knobs and faders, first three are preconfigured, and the last two are intended for user customization. You can set just about anything to any controller and if it's adjustable (like the faders) you can even set the min/max values it can send.

 

Last edited: Apr 16, 2024

be aware, with the arturia, you do get an amazing amount of included software free, but you will have to download all that content from the internet. On my Arturia, there are 3 settings or modes it can operate in . DAW, Analog LAB, USER, in daw mode you can control your DAW from the midi controller, it is premapped for Reaper,ableton, etc.

In Analog Lab mode, it can control all the major functions of the instrument you are using as well as select new instruments without using the computer keyboard ( i do keep a small touchpad for my computer on my Arturia, in case I need to click on something.)

In User mode, everything can be mapped and remapped except the middle knob which selects the modes

I would at least read over the manual, you won't understand everything right away, but it will give you a feel for the way it works and how well it is thought out.

The Midi Control Center (MCC) is a standalone package, it allows you to map the keyboard in user mode, as well tweak the key response and update firmware. it does not need an internet connection to work - you can download the firmware on another computer and stick it on a memory stick and upgrade it on your working computer. its not anything to worry about I've updated my firmwares twice in 5 years.

heres a good overview thats not too long..

 

Hi guys, I decided to choose Arturia.
I dunno is this the good decision or not so far...

I bought it today (this afternoon), and until now (about 12 hours) I can't register my hardware on Arturia's website with my PC (my computer).
I can't download anything from there because website can't open properly until now. Sometimes just blank white page.
I'm using Google Chrome.
My system is Windows 11 23H2

This is very frustating.

Try to solve this :
I changed my ISP (Internet Service Provider, I have two option internet).
I checked my host file (just in case).
I restart my PC and the midi controller. Several times.
I don't use any VPN or Proxy, etc..
I cleaned all browser cookies.
I opened with different browser (Firefox).
There's none of these help to solve the problem (still can't access Arturia's Website properly).
This problem only on Arturia's website, not other sites.

Even I try to open Arturia's website from my laptop (not my PC), but it still can't open.
My laptop was OS clean install. Just installed and haven't installed with any 3rd party software except Chrome.


My question is :

1. Is enter and register this controller on the Arturia's website is mandatory?
I just using this Midi Controller only for Virtual Instruments on Cubase

2. Any solution for this situation except waiting the website back fully online for PC?
Since this situation is not only me in this case.

Maybe someone here can help me to go to the Arturia's website with pc and tell me how is the situation, please.
https://www.arturia.com/
and
http://www.arturia.com/kle-mk3-start

Many thanks

Addition info : I call the store who is selling this midi controller.
They call me and confirming this website situation is also happened on their PC.
So they can't access Arturia's website properly, same like me.

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2024

works for me ...

I'm using Firefox.

check your host file to make sure its not blocking the site...

 

here's a link directly to the registeration page so you can try that..

https://www.arturia.com/login

 

also is it down, says its up..

https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/arturia.com.html

 

Alright, let me try.

I will let you know if I made it.
Many thanks

 

good luck .....

 

Hello, I have successfully entered the website and registered for this Arturia hardware.
It took me about 20 hours accessing Arturia's website since this midi controller came.

Anyway, there is nothing I have to do to get into the official Arturia website. All of a sudden I was able to access their website after reload an reload the web page.
Then I downloaded everything I needed (Analog Lab V, MCC, Drivers, etc...) as fast as I could, including updating the Keylab Essential MK3 firmware.

I have also downloaded the latest script for Cubase from their website. So far, everything is running much smoother than before I was able to install all the necessary software.

I have tried both the standalone version of Analog Lab V Pro and the VST version in Cubase.
Work smoothly and responsive.

It looks like I have to learn more and read all the manuals to further maximize its performance according to my needs.




With a lot of deliberation and a little bit of "magic", I was finally able to choose to buy the 61 keys over the 49 keys.
I also bought the Nektar NP-2 sustain pedal because there weren't many options available at that store.

I didn't choose Nektar LX49+ / LX61+, not because they are not good products.
If I could choose, I would want both (Arturia and Nektar). But the combination of the white color and the brand of Arturia really appealed to me personally.
That's why I've said before that if the Nektar LX49+ series came in white, I wouldn't think twice about buying it.

Thank you so much to everyone here for helping me with insights and suggestions. I really appreciate it.

If anyone would like to point me to a tutorial on Keylab Essential MK3, and its integration with Cubase, please share here or via PM is fine. I'd be very grateful, really.



Wish you all a wonderful day always.


Arth

 

I am in a similar position. Looking to purchase something for a new studio build.

I was a small form factor desktop keyboard and a larger keyboard on a pull out shelf. I am contemplating the Arturia MiniLab 3 as the desktop and a 61/88 key Arturia keyboard on the pull out shelf. These would replace my current Native Instruments KK S25 Mk1 (only supported up to KK 2.9.6 as NI drops support as built in obsolescence for their products) and an SDP4000 88 key weighted digital piano that weight about 14kg. Both are nice to play but looking to have some harmony with my controllers with the S25 being a bit bigger on the desktop that the MiniLab 3 and the piano being a heavy burden on a pull out shelf.

The Nektar stuff is pretty good value though and I have owned an older 25 key keyboard of their previously and never had any real issues with it apart from limited compatibility and integration with Ableton (the only DAW their integration is weaker with, despite being the DAW where it's users are potentially more likely to be looking at Nektar type of gear).

I think the CS12 they have out but only currently exclusively with Logic mapping might be a future purchase to replace my Faderport once it gets mapped to Studio One and Ableton.

 

Congratulations on your new controller!

In my opinion, you made the right choice...

Now, study the manuals and explore the immense possibilities of this machine.

The software is fantastic!

As for tutorials, just look on You Tube.

Good music!

 

Arturia has youtube channel, with some good tutorials.
also I use Easy Youtube downloader plugin for Firefox to download the videos i need in 720p, so I can review later or when i need to go over something. I put them in a folder with my arturia manuals, labeled videos.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=arturia+keylab+mk3+tutorial

making beats

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=arturia+keylab+mk3+tutorial+making+beats



magpie melodys has some great tutorials on looping - she uses ableton, which I think comes free with your new keyboard.

https://www.youtube.com/@MagpieMelodies

she uses the minilab which is a cutdown of the keylab with reduced control surfaces that would fit up a gnats ass more or less..

here's her doing radiohead "Creep"

good luck and remember you have a full piano or 6 in that thing so you might want to try a bit of pink floyd, its quite easy and sounds great and is a good chance to work out the sustain pedal, it makes a big difference to the sound.

good luck and congratulations on your new gear. lots to learn, but the more you give to it, the more you get back...