BeNormanYo I actually got it when traveling in CA. It says Mineral King CA on the side. I got it from a small tourist shop when passing through. Not sure how to find them online.
Cool tip for those with ableton but don't have pads. Record tapping on the table with mic. Right click, convert to midi. Turns out to be way more responsive than most pads.
What a cool trick. Does that really work? I guess it's good when you want those more extreme dynamics in your drums but it should take a lot of time to do the whole drum set.
@@PaulTheSkeptic Yeah I usually tap out a few bars of what I want the grove of the song to be, so its not all in time with the grid and has some feel. and then you just use those notes to write the drum beat as you would usually.
Hey Andrew!! Thank you for having me over to hang and check out keyboards with you! It was great fun. I’ve been carrying that Korg keyboard literally around the world since you gave it to me when shooting this and have gotten great use out of it! Turns out that Bluetooth is the most convenient thing ever.
Noticed you guys used the MK2 not MK3 for Launchkey Mini, was wondering if you got to check it out, one thing that’s interesting about the MK3 for me is that it supports MIDI In/Out and actually added a Mod/Pitch Strip
Anybody tell me about the latency with Bluetooth and Ableton? Any lag at all? Just seems like a dream come true if it has little to no lag with wireless control
@@ChaosRayZero on my electric drum set it has the exact synth drum toms that are in never gonna give you up so whenever I record with my bros I always just play the intro
This was super helpful. I love the plain and simple decision at the end. A lot of people we’ll say “well the best one depends on what you’ll do with it” and yeah, obviously. But it’s nice to get a straight up answer on which one is your personal favorite.
To anyone still looking for advice - go with the Arturia. The main purpose of these types of midi controllers will be the keys in >90% the situations, and you really want to have nice keys. I hurried up and went with the Launchkey mini MK3, because of the fancy utilities and many pads, and it has dog shit keys, you can't even play what you want with it. The 8 pads on the Arturia are more than enough, and the keys are the best out of all of these controllers
@@PhreaSpirit Eventually, Arturia keystep could even be a better choice for beginners, it has 2 and a half octaves, compared to just 2 that others have, which mind sound insignificant, but it will give you just enough space to add extension to your chords comfortably
best review on TH-cam. everybody talks about plugins that come with the midi keys but the keys and pads feeling and build quality is most important. thanks guys
I think it should really be mentioned that the Arturia comes with Analog Lab Lite, which is a FANTASTIC program with a ton of desirable keyboard sounds of all types. Also, *Pro Tip* : As an existing Arturia customer, you will get a ton of good deals on both software upgrades and new software. I upgraded to a full version of Analog Lab for $30.
I'm a huge fan of the minilab ... for me it was the entry product, and 100% did the job I needed it for and more (the knobs really add to the expressiveness). I liked it so much that after a failed detour with a FB marketplace-acquired novation impulse, I eventually upgraded to arturia's Keylab mkii; which I am soooo happy with. Arturia can *build*
ditto, ya just gotta get used to smacking those pads. I recall having some weirdness with its velocity when I first got it too. Apparently also a known issue that can be solved with some settings that should really be the default from factory. Besides those two things I love it.
What works for me is use 2 fingers to hit them. It seems like they press or release a bit unevenly. It makes it harder to do fast stuff with them if that's what you need, but for my use it fixes the problem. Small price to pay for an otherwise great keyboard, at this cost something has got to suffer anyway.
I think the clickiness of those Korg keys would drive me nuts. The Arturia looks really nice though, and I think I'm going to make that my first MIDI controller.
I'm not sure if you've done a video like this Andrew but, a great video would be taking a controller with a number of pads and knobs and show how you personally go about mapping those controls in Ableton to best suit your producing.
A thing you forgot to mention was the included software. I got the arturia keyboard just a few weeks ago, and I'm seriously impressed with analog lab lite. This keyboard and software single handedly made me become an arturia fan boy
I loved this video, is super honest. I purchased my first midi controler a month ago and I opted for Arturia (the exact one you have in this video). What I actually like about it, beside being superb in design and features, actually it is sold along with other 3 things included in the price, the Analog Lab4 (which is amazing) Ableton live 10 lite and UVI Piano. Oh, and the wood inserts are so modern. 👍🏻
Thanks so much for making this. I've been wanting to get into music production for years, I just never had enough money to start. Now that I'm able to get everything I need, this was super helpful! It was overwhelming trying to figure out which controller to start with on my own, so thanks again! :)
I bought a V25 a couple of years ago, because it was the cheapest and also I had heard good things about the Alessis drum kits, seems to have done pretty well in the shoot out, and being that I am a keyboard noob...still I think it was a good choice. Good to hear some more competent Keys musicians affirm my choice, thanks guys
I own the Minilab and I'm absolutely in love with it, but Novation have really stepped up their game with Launchkey Mini Mk3, it has touch strips like Arturia's Minilab and also some impressive DAW controls
As someone who owns two Novations Launchpads, I don’t have to worry about the pads on my Arturia MiniLab MKII. I’m extremely happy with my choice of MIDI keyboard over a year later and it was cool to see Andrew liked it the best. Also, the Analog Lab software included is pretty awesome.
One important thing that they missed is that the akai has 2 banks per its 4 different modes so it’s like u have 32 drum pads and knobs but u need to switch banks.
I was looking some time ago for my first MIDI keyboard and decided to buy Arturia Minilab mk2. What also is good to mention, Arturia gives you Ableton Live Lite, Arturia Analog Lab and UVI Grand Piano for free. So the value of all stuff together is way more than ~100$ and reaaally good gear for start
@@samarpanraj5274 I would say that Ableton has better keys and it's a solid, high quality gear but Novation is also great for start. Never had Novation in my hands so it's hard to compare, so I recommend to watch few more vids about Novation and Arturia.
Using their "MIDI CONTROL CENTER" software (available on their website) you can alter how the MK2 is set up. You can assign notes, midi channels and functions to the pads and keys, as well as velocity curves, etc. I used it to assign MMCs (Midi Machine Control ) to the pads so I can control my DAW's Transport (Record/Stop/Play/etc) as the MK2 doesn't have built-in Transport controls.
You have quickly become my favorite TH-camr and have helped so much in my understanding of music. I appreciate all the hard work you put into your videos keep it up man! You're a legend
What an fun way to test these out! Definitely made it more entertaining to watch. I think also when you remove how you see it versus the sound and feel of it that it can bring a different persective than what you would have had before. Great video!
Bought an Arturia Minilab MK II last week. Your channel is seriously reviving my curiosity and interest in the music world again. In middle school I used to play saxaphone, and actually was allowed to play first chair for the high school band (while still in middle school.) Once I hit 8th grade we were allowed to choose band, choir, or tech. I made the massive mistake of choosing tech (which I was already excelling at.) Anyway, long story short...your content, personality, and great way of describing things REALLY wants me to get back into this lost interest. Being 31 years old now...would your course be good for someone that has forgotten everything about music? My tinkering around with the minilab was a ton of fun, but I can see how I need to learn my DAW and actual music theory/piano. I guess TLDR, you're an inspiration.
Can't speak on his course, but keep learning! I get the feeling that the foundations are still there in the back of your brain. Practice will bring that knowledge back out. Gotta keep at it and give it time.
I have an Alesis and the Arturia, and midi mapping in Ableton is instantly usable with the Alesis, but with the arturia knobs they are a little more of a pain! :)
When your still rocking an Axiom 25 from 10 years ago along side your newer equipment... (it was my first Midi keyboard controller and it holds a special place in my heart, also still works perfectly).
Just bought alesis v25, its a solid product I would say. So far so good to play with. Its not portable, but with all the features (full, semi-weighted key, mod wheels and large knobs) its worth the price. With tax and stuff its around 1,500,000 rupiah ($99) in my country. Its still budget-friendly, probably that explains why all the stores near my house always have this out of stock lol
I'm quite happy with my Arturia MiniLab MkII. The keybed is really good for such a small one and the knobs, pitch and mod works great. The only thing I'm not all that happy about is the pads. They miss a lot of triggers. But overall it's a really good keyboard! I still prefer the keybed and build quality of my old Roland PCR-1. But the Arturia has so many more useful features. Plus it looks great!
Can you make like addition to this video with Novation Launchkey MK3? It has: -Touchstrip mod and pitchwheel -Sustain pedal input -Arpeggiator with "deviate" and "mutate" -Fixed chord -Midi output with jack And amazing Ableton support
MIDI keyboards are one of those things that you never really get to demo in the store, especially budget ones. This video saves me a lot of money. Not really, since I'll be buying 2 of these, but I didn't have to keep buying, hating, and replacing them.
8:04- I have had the Novation Launchkey for a while now, and due to certain circumstances, i did run over it with a car (accidentally). Suprisingly, it does still function like I got it new.
I think I really lucked out with the first [well 2nd but I don't even count the first one haha] midi keyboard [the M-Audio Oxygen 49] I bought as it has really responsive keys and all the features I would want even today [pitch bend etc.]
Nerding out is always great when it comes to music tech. I’m currently building my studio desk to fit the Alesis VI61 which is the big brother of the one you reviewed. It’s currently on my Amazon wish list so it was great hearing your thoughts since I want I for composing work, video games etc...
This is a nearly 3 year old review of these keyboards. Since then the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 has added pitch and modulation touchstrips, a sustain peddle connector and the knobs are taller. The black keys are also no longer a funny shape but are much nicer. Quite an improvement over mk2. I'm sure the other keyboards have all had improvements. Many people like the Novation Launchkey due to its excellent Ableton Live integration. But it does depend what you want to get out of the keyboard.
Thanks for your input- do you have personal experience with the Mk3 (particularly its key feel)? The ableton integration is super appealing to me, but as a piano player I just can’t handle dodgy keys so am leaning towards the arturia for my first midi controller.
@@annnabee The MK3 is for composition and not really for playing seriously. For that you should look for a keyboard with full-size keys. I agree that the MK3 keys are not ideal. I have big hands and playing with speed is awkward. Novation have made a compromise - keeping the KB cheap, fitting a lot of Abelton shortcuts, and making it portable. The key size and feel is one thing that has suffered as a consequence. Check out the Yamaha PSR-E373 and PSR-E473. For playing I hope to use one of those.
It's nice to see that my decision of going for an Arturia (though KeyStep, not Minilab) is likely to make me very satisfied. I've had an MPC for a long time now, but there's too few keys for me, and the fact that I can control my OP-Z with an Arturia makes all the difference in the world right now.
yo Andrew! first time i've been this early so hopefully you'll see this! watching your videos has really helped me continue being motivated in producing! thanks for everything!
Deoends on purpose. I see your point with alesis however if you already have full keys then smaller keys is best as second keys on desk or for on the go. I just ordered the novation but mk3 which pretty much fixed the missing features. Cool review though. Thanks
For those trying to decide between Akai and Arturia... Arturias Minilab MK2 (Owned 1 year) Pros: *Solid build quality *Metal backplate *Superb knobs *Ok keys (sturdy, but takes a while to get used to) Cons: *Pitch bend/mod strips are a joke, unusable in ANY situation, there is no way you can write smooth automation with those *Knobs are preset only to Arturias instruments, limited with other instruments by default *Stiff pads (Have to hit hard to achieve higher velocities) Akai MPK Mini MK2 (Owned 2 years) Pros: *Keys action and velocity *Nice pads (Great velocity) *All knobs function with most intruments out of the box *Arp Cons: *Very toy-like feel to it *Flimsy keys *Poor build quality-one year in pitch bend/mod toggle started glitching. Two years in USB port came loose and broke IC chip that was right behind it.
Have you tried the new novation mini mark 3? It seemed like the new features really set it apart. Great Vids I like seeing these types of things because there are just so many choices out there.
@UwU I had a pepe profile pic with the name "white supremacist hate symbol" throughout 2016 and 2017 and became embarrassed by it in 2018. My name has been "finally changed my profile pic" for about 1 and a half years now.
This couldn't have came at a better time, I'm looking to buy a used 49 key alesis but couldn't find any good reviews about their midi keyboards, this has sold me on it!
The best small form budget keyboard I’ve used is the M-Audio Keystation Mini 32. It’s great for drumming because you don’t need to press too hard and decent for everything else because it has 32 keys. The only downside is the mini keys (clue is in the name!). They go for about £35 so great for travelling. My full-size now is an Akai MPK 249 and I’m in love with it. Rocky start as it had to get a couple of minor repairs but they’re about 240 b-stock/pre owned and packed full of features.
I have the Korg. Love it. And Bluetooth midi has surprisingly low latency... though, it seems to get the best results on Apple devices. I just thought I’d point out with the XY pad that when it is in Pitch/mod mode that it is ‘relative’, so you actually can’t really do the quick jumps in position you mentioned. But it does make it pretty stable for doing pitch or mod with better precision than if you hadn’t had ‘relative’. The Arturia is the only one that gives me gear lust. Your reaction to the quality of the keys. I have all I need right now, but finding room for improvement in quality is where I look now. The Alesis might be better suited in the higher key count department for me. 2 octaves is fun to do but it’s very agitating in even some basic scenarios.
Oh, and the endless encoders are a love-hate thing for me for now. Absolute control is a nice way to not get lost, and a good way to have an idea to what degree you’re adjusting a parameter. Relative can change drastically even based on how quickly you accelerate your turning. It often feels weird.
I'm using that Akai one - your' review is pretty spot on :P Not the best but pretty decent / got fairly quickly used to the feeling of the keys & pads / the short knobs I don't mind :)
I was actually fairly surprised at your thoughts on the Alesis. It was my first midi keyboard (outside of full size keyboards) and when i went into guitar center, I bought it because if was the cheapest of the keyboard that fit my regulations (which was literally just full size keys). but i was always curious if i would have preferred one of the slightly more expensive keyboards. but hearing your thoughts made me a little more confident in what i chose
Thank you for this video! I actually started making music related videos because of you and my first time in front of camera was me talking about the Arturia MiniLab. Thank you for being an inspiration!
I have a mini-lab arturia, Most infuriating thing with it is in FL20, some notes dont take properly when i record automation. Either im missing a setting or it doesnt like FL20 because its fine when i load it in Ableton.
I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality of the Arturia Minilab MK2 It's one of the few times in my life that I feel I actually got more than I paid for.
I bought the Arturia MiniLab MKII a while back mostly for those 16 encoders! Pretty ideal for controlling volume and panning for 8 channels of while mixing in a DAW (or for live performance). Though not ideal for finger drumming the horizontal layout of those 8 pads make them perfect to act as mutes per channel.
FYI if you have an AKAI pad like that, you can mod it to get way better responsiveness and it literally takes half an hour and like a single sheet of paper. Just spreading the good word because that mod saved my life after I thought I made a bad purchase. Turns out it was totally fine hahaha.
I was intrigued by the premise and not only did I enjoy the vid, but you reaffirmed that my first and second choices would have done exactly what I wanted them to do. I have the Minilab MKII and I almost went for the Alesis V25 instead. Couldn't be happier.
on ableton you can assign all the knobs and pads of a midi keyboard to almost every adjustable parameter available in your project (assuming ableton recognizes them). so i think it should mainly come down to which midi keyboard has the better workflow for yourself.
launchkey mini mk3 has integrated ableton functions that you would have to set up yourself on the akai mini mk2. true, both can pretty much do the same thing if you really want them to, but the big benefit to the lk mk3 is that you don't have to spend the time assigning everything when you get it. you can just plug it in and have the full support. it also allows you to have complete control over session view in ableton. you don't have to have your hands on your laptop at all and can create an entire song in a matter of minutes using only the launchkey mini because of this. also important for you to know that Andrew didn't review the mk3 in this video, he was reviewing an older model and the mk3 has a ton of great improvements. Launchkey Mini mk3 is 100% better for ableton live 10, but both are good mini keyboards that are pretty similar. I'd suggest looking up some videos of people using both and see which you think you'd like more. source: my roommate for the last year and a half uses an mpk mini mk2 that I've had plenty of experience using, and I recently bought a launchkey mini mk3.
Just realized like over halfway through ya’ll were reviewing the novation launchkey mk2 😂😂 I had that one but recently upgraded to the mk3! Not only did they add pitch and mod functions, but there is a super nice arp mode as well as easily accessible mute and solo functions and the knobs can be used to adjust volume, panning, and sends. Also I only paid like $110 for it. Super worth it! The mk2 was mostly useless tho, except the pads felt a bit nicer.
How do the keys on the mk3 compare to the mk2? Considering it for the Ableton integration, but if the keys still aren’t great I’m gonna have to go for the arturia.
@@annnabee I’d like to preface this reply by saying that I am not a piano player so my reference points are mostly based off of what I have heard and the few pianos and midi controllers I’ve had the chance to use first hand, but I am like 80% sure if you are wanting higher quality keys Arturia would be the way to go, however that is mostly considering weight and depth of the keys (like how far down you can push them) I would say between Arturia and novation velocity wise you won’t be displeased either way as in my experience they both do a great job of responding to how hard the keys are being played. I would also take size into consideration tho as I believe the keys on the Arturia will be wider thus being a bit more like a real piano. Again, not a piano player but those are the main things I think people who are would keep in mind while trying to make their choice.
As far as mk2 vs mk3 the keys on the mk2 felt a bit more natural to play, not sure if that’s due to my mk2 having a lot more use and wear to it, but that was one of my first notes after unboxing the mk3, hope this helps with your decision, I think if you are using ableton, the ableton integration from novation is definitely going to be something you get a lot of use out of tho so if you are willing to sacrifice a bit of build quality that is also something to strongly keep in mind.
This is such a great video! Ive been shopping around for a digital piano or MIDI keyboard for my home studio for the purpose of composition and experimentation and that Alesis looks close to ideal, especially with your appraisal and hoo boy you cant beat that price haha
Download the MIDI Control Center from here: www.arturia.com/support/updates&manuals Or from the Arturia Software Center. Then in the MIDI Control Center, edit the Pad Velocity Curve Setting in DEVICE SETTINGS: screenshot: postimg.cc/nC5b9JfV
What a great review. I'm glad someone as well known as you made this video, as it's really quite informative as to what you get for what you pay. I personally use M-Audio's axiom air mini 32, the one shown on video and it's helped me so much in my time as a musician. It's not an amazing experiences but it's affordable for someone doing music entirely as a hobby.
I swear you must have had to cut out 3 hours of (questionably) witty banter to get this video so concise and smooth. Fun hang!!!
But did you had the real knob time afterwards , if you know what I mean
Way to take the most expensive one grant.
Get a bluetooth pedal, maybe you can use it for sustain
Hey Grant, where can I get my hands on a hat like yours? 😁
BeNormanYo I actually got it when traveling in CA. It says Mineral King CA on the side. I got it from a small tourist shop when passing through. Not sure how to find them online.
Cool tip for those with ableton but don't have pads. Record tapping on the table with mic. Right click, convert to midi. Turns out to be way more responsive than most pads.
Sorry, who the f**k is Albert Einstein? Did you mean Adam Davies?
What a cool trick. Does that really work? I guess it's good when you want those more extreme dynamics in your drums but it should take a lot of time to do the whole drum set.
@@PaulTheSkeptic Yeah I usually tap out a few bars of what I want the grove of the song to be, so its not all in time with the grid and has some feel. and then you just use those notes to write the drum beat as you would usually.
omg that's a cool idea
Sounds cool, now somebody needs to make a software that does this for any daw.
Hey Andrew!! Thank you for having me over to hang and check out keyboards with you! It was great fun. I’ve been carrying that Korg keyboard literally around the world since you gave it to me when shooting this and have gotten great use out of it! Turns out that Bluetooth is the most convenient thing ever.
Great choice!
OY ITS HIM
Noticed you guys used the MK2 not MK3 for Launchkey Mini, was wondering if you got to check it out, one thing that’s interesting about the MK3 for me is that it supports MIDI In/Out and actually added a Mod/Pitch Strip
Anybody tell me about the latency with Bluetooth and Ableton? Any lag at all? Just seems like a dream come true if it has little to no lag with wireless control
Is there a bluetooth sustain pedal or do you just make do with the button?
Andrew: Hey I blind test some new keyboards!
Stevie Wonder: Hold my beer
*beer spilling*
IDrandomguitarcovers I was your 69th like. Remember me.
@@francescoberiedir this is the guiltiest laugh ive had in a while nooooooo LMFAO
Actually made me chuckle
Sub to meamlous if your under arrest of the first half of this your under arrest of footage from the basement Johnny Mullins
Imagine some EDM producer doing a live performance and you bluetooth connect your Korg to their Ableton and play your own solo lmaoooo
SAVE THE MILKS yes
Lol
Plot twist: He's playing recorded music
@save the milks The opening synth-drums to Never Gonna Give You Up could work too. =^p
@@ChaosRayZero on my electric drum set it has the exact synth drum toms that are in never gonna give you up so whenever I record with my bros I always just play the intro
STATS:
-------------Keys---------------
AKAI MPK - 6/10
Alesis V25 - 8/10
Aturia Minilab MK2 - 9/10 (Winner of Keys)
Novation LaunchKey Mini MK2 - 7/10
Korg Nanokey Studio - 7/10
Axiom Air Mini 32 - 5/10
-----------Pads----------------
Axiom Air Mini 32 - 5/10
Novation LaunchKey Mini MK2 - 8/10
Korg Nanokey Studio - 9/10 (Winner of Pads)
AKAI MPK - 7/10
Aturia Minilab MK2 - 7/10
Alesis V25 - 8/10
-----------Knobs--------------
AKAI MPK - 6/10
Alesis V25 - 9/10 (Tied for Winner of Knobs)
Aturia Minilab MK2 - 9/10 (Tied for Winner of Knobs)
Korg Nanokey Studio - 7/10
Axiom Air Mini 32 - 6/10
Novation LaunchKey Mini MK2 - 6/10
--------Pitch/Modulation---------
Akai - Joystick
Alesis - Wheels
Arturia - Touch Strips
Korg - X/Y Pad
M-Audio - Buttons
Novation - None
-----Sustain Pedal Inputs-----
Akai - Yes
Alesis - Yes
Arturia - Yes
Korg - No
M-Audio - No
Novation - No
-----Bonus Features-----
Akai - Arpeggiator, Looper
Alesis - 4 Reassignable Buttons
Arturia - None
Korg - Bluetooth, arpeggiator, chords, scales
M-Audio -Transport Controls, more keys
Novation - Ableton integrated buttons
-----Build Quality-----
Akai - 7/10
Alesis - 9/10 (Tied for Winner of Build Quality)
Arturia - 9/10 (Tied for Winner of Build Quality)
Korg - 8/10
M-Audio - 6/10
Novation - 7/10
What a guy
Nice
The hero we need.
king, thank u
Not all heroes wear capes, some carry their compact midis
"But also, like, you're not going to bring a sustain pedal to an airport or coffee shop."
"Yeah. Actually I would."
"Oh. OK"
*Laughs*
I really do! In the wise words of Christian Henson... I’m a sustain slut.
The deadpan seriousness in which he said that was so funny.
This was super helpful. I love the plain and simple decision at the end. A lot of people we’ll say “well the best one depends on what you’ll do with it” and yeah, obviously. But it’s nice to get a straight up answer on which one is your personal favorite.
To anyone still looking for advice - go with the Arturia. The main purpose of these types of midi controllers will be the keys in >90% the situations, and you really want to have nice keys. I hurried up and went with the Launchkey mini MK3, because of the fancy utilities and many pads, and it has dog shit keys, you can't even play what you want with it. The 8 pads on the Arturia are more than enough, and the keys are the best out of all of these controllers
Except for knobs that are utter garbage and there are 16 of them.
@@PhreaSpirit Eventually, Arturia keystep could even be a better choice for beginners, it has 2 and a half octaves, compared to just 2 that others have, which mind sound insignificant, but it will give you just enough space to add extension to your chords comfortably
what do you think on akai mpk mini mk3?
Arturia Keystep has the worst keys Ive ever used, mushy and inconsistent
@@Will-qx9vm sure maybe, name a better one in the $100 range then
best review on TH-cam. everybody talks about plugins that come with the midi keys but the keys and pads feeling and build quality is most important. thanks guys
"Do I get to enter the giveaway?"
"Yeah"
"Seriously?!"
"No"
😂😂😂
banned
No.
I know... so cold. ;)
Was gold 🤣
I think it should really be mentioned that the Arturia comes with Analog Lab Lite, which is a FANTASTIC program with a ton of desirable keyboard sounds of all types. Also, *Pro Tip* : As an existing Arturia customer, you will get a ton of good deals on both software upgrades and new software. I upgraded to a full version of Analog Lab for $30.
No its not, it is laggy and eats up all the cpu
@@Will-qx9vm Never had that issue but I can imagine it would be CPU intensive.
Arturia Is definitely the one that gets more department covered, it's a seriously versatile keyboard.
I'm a huge fan of the minilab ... for me it was the entry product, and 100% did the job I needed it for and more (the knobs really add to the expressiveness). I liked it so much that after a failed detour with a FB marketplace-acquired novation impulse, I eventually upgraded to arturia's Keylab mkii; which I am soooo happy with. Arturia can *build*
I have a kelab 49, and everytime I had an issue or question, the arturia guys were extremely helpfull and quick to answer. That goes a long way.
Yeah, I wonder why they didnt test the Minilab Mk3 instead of the Mk2, it is such a good midi keyboard imo
@@Yuzuki1337 Huh? There is no Arturia Minilab Mk3... you got some insider info bro?
Definitely. And they have the best software too.
Shocked (in a good way) at how quickly you guys ran through these midi keyboards. Happy to see Arturia Minilab mk II do so well. Thanks!
Grant: you can’t live without MIDI keyboards in a production world
Skrillex: lol
Even Martin Garrix
@@bub303 not necessary
bub you don’t really need midi keyboards to produce music. But they do make life easier tho
ahh Skrillex, ....to dub step ,what Bugsy Malone is to the Mafia (oooooo edgy lol)
deadm4us : lol
The best place to get a midi keyboard is Goodwill, the employees don't know how much they're worth, so some really nice ones sell for around $30.
Got mine from a chazza rubbish bin
"Doesn't even have a headphone port, wtf"
Taylor Handleton ha!
that is a good idea i will see if i can buy something next time i stop by to drop some stuff off
lmfao
My alesis' pads often trigger twice and apparently I'm not the only one having this issue
Same, cant get them boys to work properly :D
Same for me. It seems you have to hit them very hard.
ditto, ya just gotta get used to smacking those pads. I recall having some weirdness with its velocity when I first got it too. Apparently also a known issue that can be solved with some settings that should really be the default from factory. Besides those two things I love it.
@@MalariaSucks10 the thing is that the alesis editor crashes for me so I can't edit anything lol
What works for me is use 2 fingers to hit them. It seems like they press or release a bit unevenly. It makes it harder to do fast stuff with them if that's what you need, but for my use it fixes the problem. Small price to pay for an otherwise great keyboard, at this cost something has got to suffer anyway.
*He brings sustain pedal to coffee shops and airports*
TSA; WHOT IS DIS.
SUSTAIN PEDAL
@@jjh8367 the thingy that makes the piano tones go smooth and stay longer
@@jjh8367 It holds the note, so it will continue to play after you lift the key.
@@flixxvvs Incorrect. See my above reply.
@@rubberscuomo ye thats kinda what i meant
I’ve been using an Alesia v49 for 2 years, it’s fantastic and everything still works great. Totally worth it for someone on a budget.
I think the clickiness of those Korg keys would drive me nuts. The Arturia looks really nice though, and I think I'm going to make that my first MIDI controller.
Fun fact: 3 of these keyboards are from the same parent company
Akai, Alesis, and M-Audio
Which company?
Jellirby the parent company is called inMusic
@@jellirby5015 Avid Technologies
I use Alesis
I'm not sure if you've done a video like this Andrew but, a great video would be taking a controller with a number of pads and knobs and show how you personally go about mapping those controls in Ableton to best suit your producing.
A thing you forgot to mention was the included software. I got the arturia keyboard just a few weeks ago, and I'm seriously impressed with analog lab lite. This keyboard and software single handedly made me become an arturia fan boy
Such a great video. LOVED the blind test! You sold me on the Arturia. I've been agonizing between that one and the Akai!
Really appreciate comparative reviews like this from an experienced perspective. Thanks!
I loved this video, is super honest. I purchased my first midi controler a month ago and I opted for Arturia (the exact one you have in this video). What I actually like about it, beside being superb in design and features, actually it is sold along with other 3 things included in the price, the Analog Lab4 (which is amazing) Ableton live 10 lite and UVI Piano. Oh, and the wood inserts are so modern. 👍🏻
I have had the Arturia since like 2 months and it’s great. I highly recommend it.
Thanks so much for making this. I've been wanting to get into music production for years, I just never had enough money to start. Now that I'm able to get everything I need, this was super helpful! It was overwhelming trying to figure out which controller to start with on my own, so thanks again! :)
“Honestly on some of my hardware synthesisers I’m like, that is a nice knob”
As a British person, I’d ask you to reconsider your phrasing.
I believe that was the joke
What would you prefer? Willy?
He's a knob head
Cole Smith the comment was also intended as a joke, dear chap
I read this at the exact time he said it.
love your videos, best part you get in quick don't waste time and your stuff makes sense, cheers!
I bought a V25 a couple of years ago, because it was the cheapest and also I had heard good things about the Alessis drum kits, seems to have done pretty well in the shoot out, and being that I am a keyboard noob...still I think it was a good choice. Good to hear some more competent Keys musicians affirm my choice, thanks guys
Alternative title: “two guys talk about knobs for two minutes”
👀
i actually missed a bit more info about the knobs :(
I own the Minilab and I'm absolutely in love with it, but Novation have really stepped up their game with Launchkey Mini Mk3, it has touch strips like Arturia's Minilab and also some impressive DAW controls
As someone who owns two Novations Launchpads, I don’t have to worry about the pads on my Arturia MiniLab MKII. I’m extremely happy with my choice of MIDI keyboard over a year later and it was cool to see Andrew liked it the best.
Also, the Analog Lab software included is pretty awesome.
You should make a whole song by sampling only “you suffer” by napalm death.
everyone like this
oh thats the 2 or something second song right?
This is my first time watching one of your videos, I smiled at the very first 10 seconds. Love the vibe, voice and vid structure. 👏🏾🔥
One important thing that they missed is that the akai has 2 banks per its 4 different modes so it’s like u have 32 drum pads and knobs but u need to switch banks.
Don't forget the software that's included with the Arturia, including Analog Lab Lite. That was the deciding factor for me.
me today: finally, my midi keyboard arrived
Andrew: good for you, these are probably better value
I mean ok I ordered a 61 key keyboard, but still
I was looking some time ago for my first MIDI keyboard and decided to buy Arturia Minilab mk2. What also is good to mention, Arturia gives you Ableton Live Lite, Arturia Analog Lab and UVI Grand Piano for free. So the value of all stuff together is way more than ~100$ and reaaally good gear for start
Is it good than novation launchkey ?
@@samarpanraj5274 I would say that Ableton has better keys and it's a solid, high quality gear but Novation is also great for start. Never had Novation in my hands so it's hard to compare, so I recommend to watch few more vids about Novation and Arturia.
I wish you would've posted this a day earlier, I just bought the arturia.
theres a comment right below yours saying that you can edit thr arteria's sensitivity with "controller soft" idk what that means but i hope this helps
@@WritingMyOwnElegy oh okay. Thanks
Soslunnaak Morokei prolly controller software if I had to guess
Using their "MIDI CONTROL CENTER" software (available on their website) you can alter how the MK2 is set up.
You can assign notes, midi channels and functions to the pads and keys, as well as velocity curves, etc.
I used it to assign MMCs (Midi Machine Control ) to the pads so I can control my DAW's Transport (Record/Stop/Play/etc) as the MK2 doesn't have built-in Transport controls.
The Asturia has awesome software
You have quickly become my favorite TH-camr and have helped so much in my understanding of music. I appreciate all the hard work you put into your videos keep it up man! You're a legend
Andrew is awesome isn't he?!
Thank you man, I finally made my decision between minilab mkii and launchkey mk3 just from hearing this 9:53
What an fun way to test these out! Definitely made it more entertaining to watch. I think also when you remove how you see it versus the sound and feel of it that it can bring a different persective than what you would have had before. Great video!
Best free midi device.
My laptop keys😅
I mean the korg is a sweet design tho!😮
if you're on a macbook you can even use the trackpad as an xy pad (or as sliders) with the right app
Tea
@@ragminka i do not know of "tea" care to explain
@@reytunezbz Tea pain , the singer
Bought an Arturia Minilab MK II last week. Your channel is seriously reviving my curiosity and interest in the music world again. In middle school I used to play saxaphone, and actually was allowed to play first chair for the high school band (while still in middle school.) Once I hit 8th grade we were allowed to choose band, choir, or tech. I made the massive mistake of choosing tech (which I was already excelling at.) Anyway, long story short...your content, personality, and great way of describing things REALLY wants me to get back into this lost interest.
Being 31 years old now...would your course be good for someone that has forgotten everything about music? My tinkering around with the minilab was a ton of fun, but I can see how I need to learn my DAW and actual music theory/piano. I guess TLDR, you're an inspiration.
Can't speak on his course, but keep learning! I get the feeling that the foundations are still there in the back of your brain.
Practice will bring that knowledge back out. Gotta keep at it and give it time.
I have an Alesis and the Arturia, and midi mapping in Ableton is instantly usable with the Alesis, but with the arturia knobs they are a little more of a pain! :)
When your still rocking an Axiom 25 from 10 years ago along side your newer equipment... (it was my first Midi keyboard controller and it holds a special place in my heart, also still works perfectly).
4:17
Somewhere before that, you ate the cookie... I see you Andrew!
Ya lol
Just bought alesis v25, its a solid product I would say. So far so good to play with. Its not portable, but with all the features (full, semi-weighted key, mod wheels and large knobs) its worth the price. With tax and stuff its around 1,500,000 rupiah ($99) in my country. Its still budget-friendly, probably that explains why all the stores near my house always have this out of stock lol
I'm quite happy with my Arturia MiniLab MkII. The keybed is really good for such a small one and the knobs, pitch and mod works great.
The only thing I'm not all that happy about is the pads. They miss a lot of triggers.
But overall it's a really good keyboard! I still prefer the keybed and build quality of my old Roland PCR-1. But the Arturia has so many more useful features.
Plus it looks great!
I bought the Arturia today and i love it. Its in all black and the build quality is awesome. I cant wait to learn more music theory on this.
I love the black version. But in doubt, was it hard to learn to play on black keys ? Isn't it confusing somehow ? 😅
I'm still living without a MIDI board.
I love how straight forward this is, another great vid, Andrew!
Liked this vid! Btw I'd recommend Arturia Keystep, its my favorite. Its the only small one with aftertouch.
Thanks for the video! Thinking about picking up the Arturia Minilab soon for my music.
Can you make like addition to this video with Novation Launchkey MK3?
It has:
-Touchstrip mod and pitchwheel
-Sustain pedal input
-Arpeggiator with "deviate" and "mutate"
-Fixed chord
-Midi output with jack
And amazing Ableton support
Michał do you have a launchkey? I have the 49key mk2 and think it’s pretty awesome but the pads are hella stiff
@@zb7561 Sadly, no. I was thinking about buying mk3 but I change hobby.
@@michaelbarry-c7c to?
@@vlusky_husky making maps in CS:GO
MIDI keyboards are one of those things that you never really get to demo in the store, especially budget ones. This video saves me a lot of money. Not really, since I'll be buying 2 of these, but I didn't have to keep buying, hating, and replacing them.
8:04-
I have had the Novation Launchkey for a while now, and due to certain circumstances, i did run over it with a car (accidentally).
Suprisingly, it does still function like I got it new.
wtf 😂
I think I really lucked out with the first [well 2nd but I don't even count the first one haha] midi keyboard [the M-Audio Oxygen 49] I bought as it has really responsive keys and all the features I would want even today [pitch bend etc.]
That thumbnail makes him look like a CGI PS3 character with perfect plastic skin, I mean Andy is a beautiful man. 😘
He looks like Kenshi from Mortal Kombat
Nerding out is always great when it comes to music tech. I’m currently building my studio desk to fit the Alesis VI61 which is the big brother of the one you reviewed. It’s currently on my Amazon wish list so it was great hearing your thoughts since I want I for composing work, video games etc...
This is a nearly 3 year old review of these keyboards. Since then the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 has added pitch and modulation touchstrips, a sustain peddle connector and the knobs are taller. The black keys are also no longer a funny shape but are much nicer. Quite an improvement over mk2. I'm sure the other keyboards have all had improvements. Many people like the Novation Launchkey due to its excellent Ableton Live integration. But it does depend what you want to get out of the keyboard.
Thanks for your input- do you have personal experience with the Mk3 (particularly its key feel)? The ableton integration is super appealing to me, but as a piano player I just can’t handle dodgy keys so am leaning towards the arturia for my first midi controller.
@@annnabee The MK3 is for composition and not really for playing seriously. For that you should look for a keyboard with full-size keys. I agree that the MK3 keys are not ideal. I have big hands and playing with speed is awkward. Novation have made a compromise - keeping the KB cheap, fitting a lot of Abelton shortcuts, and making it portable. The key size and feel is one thing that has suffered as a consequence. Check out the Yamaha PSR-E373 and PSR-E473. For playing I hope to use one of those.
It's nice to see that my decision of going for an Arturia (though KeyStep, not Minilab) is likely to make me very satisfied.
I've had an MPC for a long time now, but there's too few keys for me, and the fact that I can control my OP-Z with an Arturia makes all the difference in the world right now.
I’m saving up for a keystep, and would it be worth to get it if I already have Minilab MKII?
@@ireadysucks3026 I have no idea. Never wound up getting the KeyStep, COVID struck, and I was homebound 😅
yo Andrew! first time i've been this early so hopefully you'll see this! watching your videos has really helped me continue being motivated in producing! thanks for everything!
Deoends on purpose. I see your point with alesis however if you already have full keys then smaller keys is best as second keys on desk or for on the go.
I just ordered the novation but mk3 which pretty much fixed the missing features.
Cool review though. Thanks
stop
knob time
Jose Mejia not funny didnt laugh
You really "hammered" that one home...
I got the alesis 49 key awhile back when my m-audio stopped working. I’ve been really happy with it.
For those trying to decide between Akai and Arturia...
Arturias Minilab MK2 (Owned 1 year)
Pros:
*Solid build quality
*Metal backplate
*Superb knobs
*Ok keys (sturdy, but takes a while to get used to)
Cons:
*Pitch bend/mod strips are a joke, unusable in ANY situation, there is no way you can write smooth automation with those
*Knobs are preset only to Arturias instruments, limited with other instruments by default
*Stiff pads (Have to hit hard to achieve higher velocities)
Akai MPK Mini MK2 (Owned 2 years)
Pros:
*Keys action and velocity
*Nice pads (Great velocity)
*All knobs function with most intruments out of the box
*Arp
Cons:
*Very toy-like feel to it
*Flimsy keys
*Poor build quality-one year in pitch bend/mod toggle started glitching. Two years in USB port came loose and broke IC chip that was right behind it.
conclusion: better pay $200 for a keyboard
Bro, I got an ad for Andrew’s class right before the video 😂😂😂
Edit: And in the middle of the vid!
The Arturia is the best one I've ever tried. I love playing it.
Have you tried the new novation mini mark 3? It seemed like the new features really set it apart. Great Vids I like seeing these types of things because there are just so many choices out there.
I won't take this slander to my akai mpk mini mk2
I think it's great for the price just wish the keys had a lil more weight to them.
I was about to comment this
@UwU I had a pepe profile pic with the name "white supremacist hate symbol" throughout 2016 and 2017 and became embarrassed by it in 2018.
My name has been "finally changed my profile pic" for about 1 and a half years now.
yeah don't do my boy like that
Keys are massive doo doo
This couldn't have came at a better time, I'm looking to buy a used 49 key alesis but couldn't find any good reviews about their midi keyboards, this has sold me on it!
This is literally the most convenient timing for posting this. I am literally looking right now for a budget keyboard.
Bro that first edit of the guy other guy popping into frame is so smooth that’s amazing.
New insult: "You're a shallow knob! The shallowest knob I've ever met!" LOL.
The best small form budget keyboard I’ve used is the M-Audio Keystation Mini 32. It’s great for drumming because you don’t need to press too hard and decent for everything else because it has 32 keys. The only downside is the mini keys (clue is in the name!). They go for about £35 so great for travelling. My full-size now is an Akai MPK 249 and I’m in love with it. Rocky start as it had to get a couple of minor repairs but they’re about 240 b-stock/pre owned and packed full of features.
Grant should do audio books. Smooth voice, my dude
I have the Korg. Love it. And Bluetooth midi has surprisingly low latency... though, it seems to get the best results on Apple devices. I just thought I’d point out with the XY pad that when it is in Pitch/mod mode that it is ‘relative’, so you actually can’t really do the quick jumps in position you mentioned. But it does make it pretty stable for doing pitch or mod with better precision than if you hadn’t had ‘relative’.
The Arturia is the only one that gives me gear lust. Your reaction to the quality of the keys. I have all I need right now, but finding room for improvement in quality is where I look now. The Alesis might be better suited in the higher key count department for me. 2 octaves is fun to do but it’s very agitating in even some basic scenarios.
Oh, and the endless encoders are a love-hate thing for me for now. Absolute control is a nice way to not get lost, and a good way to have an idea to what degree you’re adjusting a parameter. Relative can change drastically even based on how quickly you accelerate your turning. It often feels weird.
I'm using that Akai one - your' review is pretty spot on :P
Not the best but pretty decent / got fairly quickly used to the feeling of the keys & pads / the short knobs I don't mind :)
if you're interested in the Arturia Minila mkII, note that it comes with Analog Lab lite which gets you a TON of great sounding vintage virtual synths
I was actually fairly surprised at your thoughts on the Alesis. It was my first midi keyboard (outside of full size keyboards) and when i went into guitar center, I bought it because if was the cheapest of the keyboard that fit my regulations (which was literally just full size keys). but i was always curious if i would have preferred one of the slightly more expensive keyboards. but hearing your thoughts made me a little more confident in what i chose
I don’t know where to find it, I looked it up and it was $300 aud ($214 usd). Is there a link for it or anything?
Thank you for this video! I actually started making music related videos because of you and my first time in front of camera was me talking about the Arturia MiniLab. Thank you for being an inspiration!
Knob time - 5:35
Pitch and modulation - 6:55
Sustain pedal input - 7:18
Bonus features - 7:50
Build quality - 8:32
I have a mini-lab arturia, Most infuriating thing with it is in FL20, some notes dont take properly when i record automation. Either im missing a setting or it doesnt like FL20 because its fine when i load it in Ableton.
I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality of the Arturia Minilab MK2
It's one of the few times in my life that I feel I actually got more than I paid for.
I bought the Arturia MiniLab MKII a while back mostly for those 16 encoders! Pretty ideal for controlling volume and panning for 8 channels of while mixing in a DAW (or for live performance). Though not ideal for finger drumming the horizontal layout of those 8 pads make them perfect to act as mutes per channel.
also, the Arturia software package is great.
FYI if you have an AKAI pad like that, you can mod it to get way better responsiveness and it literally takes half an hour and like a single sheet of paper. Just spreading the good word because that mod saved my life after I thought I made a bad purchase. Turns out it was totally fine hahaha.
After watching this, im really happy that i bought an Arturia yesterday.
I think I'm in love with that Alesis, I love the design, it seems to be the perfect beginer keyboard, I think I'm buying it!
I'm gunna get it too :) If you already have it tell me what u think!
2017 : Hey it's Andrew Huang
2019 : HeYtShWaNg
I was intrigued by the premise and not only did I enjoy the vid, but you reaffirmed that my first and second choices would have done exactly what I wanted them to do. I have the Minilab MKII and I almost went for the Alesis V25 instead. Couldn't be happier.
Is Novation launchkey mini mk3 or the akai mpk mini mk2 better - if you work with ableton live10? (why?)
on ableton you can assign all the knobs and pads of a midi keyboard to almost every adjustable parameter available in your project (assuming ableton recognizes them). so i think it should mainly come down to which midi keyboard has the better workflow for yourself.
launchkey mini mk3 has integrated ableton functions that you would have to set up yourself on the akai mini mk2. true, both can pretty much do the same thing if you really want them to, but the big benefit to the lk mk3 is that you don't have to spend the time assigning everything when you get it. you can just plug it in and have the full support. it also allows you to have complete control over session view in ableton. you don't have to have your hands on your laptop at all and can create an entire song in a matter of minutes using only the launchkey mini because of this. also important for you to know that Andrew didn't review the mk3 in this video, he was reviewing an older model and the mk3 has a ton of great improvements. Launchkey Mini mk3 is 100% better for ableton live 10, but both are good mini keyboards that are pretty similar.
I'd suggest looking up some videos of people using both and see which you think you'd like more.
source: my roommate for the last year and a half uses an mpk mini mk2 that I've had plenty of experience using, and I recently bought a launchkey mini mk3.
Just realized like over halfway through ya’ll were reviewing the novation launchkey mk2 😂😂 I had that one but recently upgraded to the mk3! Not only did they add pitch and mod functions, but there is a super nice arp mode as well as easily accessible mute and solo functions and the knobs can be used to adjust volume, panning, and sends. Also I only paid like $110 for it. Super worth it! The mk2 was mostly useless tho, except the pads felt a bit nicer.
How do the keys on the mk3 compare to the mk2? Considering it for the Ableton integration, but if the keys still aren’t great I’m gonna have to go for the arturia.
@@annnabee I’d like to preface this reply by saying that I am not a piano player so my reference points are mostly based off of what I have heard and the few pianos and midi controllers I’ve had the chance to use first hand, but I am like 80% sure if you are wanting higher quality keys Arturia would be the way to go, however that is mostly considering weight and depth of the keys (like how far down you can push them) I would say between Arturia and novation velocity wise you won’t be displeased either way as in my experience they both do a great job of responding to how hard the keys are being played. I would also take size into consideration tho as I believe the keys on the Arturia will be wider thus being a bit more like a real piano. Again, not a piano player but those are the main things I think people who are would keep in mind while trying to make their choice.
As far as mk2 vs mk3 the keys on the mk2 felt a bit more natural to play, not sure if that’s due to my mk2 having a lot more use and wear to it, but that was one of my first notes after unboxing the mk3, hope this helps with your decision, I think if you are using ableton, the ableton integration from novation is definitely going to be something you get a lot of use out of tho so if you are willing to sacrifice a bit of build quality that is also something to strongly keep in mind.
@@stiptreezy8481 thanks so much, that’s helped me a lot! I’ll definitely have to give the launchkey more consideration.
Meanwhile I'm here using my 88 key digital piano as a midi controller
This is such a great video! Ive been shopping around for a digital piano or MIDI keyboard for my home studio for the purpose of composition and experimentation and that Alesis looks close to ideal, especially with your appraisal and hoo boy you cant beat that price haha
You can edit Arturia pads sensitivity with controller soft
slideshow how?? i really need that
Pieter de Vries you hook it up to a pc and modify the settings with their midi center
Download the MIDI Control Center from here:
www.arturia.com/support/updates&manuals
Or from the Arturia Software Center.
Then in the MIDI Control Center, edit the Pad Velocity Curve Setting in DEVICE SETTINGS:
screenshot: postimg.cc/nC5b9JfV
What a great review. I'm glad someone as well known as you made this video, as it's really quite informative as to what you get for what you pay.
I personally use M-Audio's axiom air mini 32, the one shown on video and it's helped me so much in my time as a musician. It's not an amazing experiences but it's affordable for someone doing music entirely as a hobby.