“A quality, backpack-friendly controller that's under £50”: Arturia MicroLab Mk3 review

What is it?

We’re big fans of Arturia’s controller keyboards, and with good reason. They play well, look great and offer tailored control of its Analog Lab instrument framework. The latest model to get the mark 3 upgrade is the MicroLab, which is the smallest in the range, and like many other Arturia keyboards is available in both black and white versions.

MicroLab Mk3 is a 25 mini key USB-powered controller keyboard. It looks a lot like a cut-down version of the MiniLab Mk3, and features a similar slick design with wood effect panels at each end. However, the layout has been tweaked a little bit and with the touch zone strips for expression and pitchbend at the left-hand end, it’s slightly wider, though considerably shallower, front to back than its bigger sibling.

On the back you’ll find a USB-C port, Kensington lock aperture, and single ¼” control pedal jack, although there’s no MIDI out, which is a bit of a shame. Meanwhile, on the bottom are six sturdy rubber feet. If you’re using it on a desktop these keep the keyboard steady but also generate enough friction to keep it firmly in position when playing.

Finally, in the box you also get a 1.5m USB C to USB A cable, and the registration card which unlocks the software package. This includes Analog Lab Intro, which features 500 presets from Arturia’s V Collection instruments, and Ableton Live Lite.

Performance

MicroLab Mk3 has the same key bed as the MiniLab 3, and this has a positive and quite springy synth style action. Despite being smaller than a regular keyboard it’s also very playable and is mechanically pretty quiet. This is a hallmark of Arturia’s controller keyboards and definitely contributes to the overall sense of quality.

The touch zone strips are very sensitive, making pitchbend and modulation moves easy, although this sensitivity does make it easy to inadvertently activate the strips with your left hand.

Just above the touch strips you get dedicated backlit octave buttons (+/- 4 octaves), and the backlight intensity helps indicate which octave is selected. Just above this is the note Hold button, and by default this sends out CC64 (Sustain), which is great if you’re unable to use a pedal.

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Finally, the Shift button accesses further features and these are labelled in grey. Options include MIDI channel selection using the keyboard keys, and also the chord memory using the Hold key. Selecting Shift and Hold together activates Chord mode and you then simply select the notes you want (up to 16). The Hold key blinks slowly to indicate the mode is active.

Shift also allows patch selection in Arturia’s Analog Lab software. You’ll find if you have Analog Lab’s browser open you can use the touch strips to quickly spin through patch categories, USB categories and specific presets. Meanwhile the octave buttons will cycle through the presets.

Finally, MicroLab is supported by Arturia’s MIDI Control Centre software, and although the options here are more limited than more complex controller keyboards, you can adjust velocity curve and various other MIDI output parameters such as the Hold MIDI CC number.

Verdict

MicroLab Mk3 is Arturia’s simplest keyboard controller, and it would be easy to focus on what it doesn’t do. However, the remit for this backpack-friendly controller is to keep things small and simple, and it meets that remit admirably. What’s more at under £50, it’s ideal for beginners or more seasoned users after a sofa or travel device.

Hands-on demos

Arturia

MicroLab mk3 | Universal MIDI Controller | ARTURIA - YouTube

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Alternatives

Akai LPK25 : £39 at akaipro.com

The arpeggiator output is a handy feature on this compact, affordable controller keyboard.

Read the full Akai LPK25 review

Korg MicroKEY2: £60 at korg.co.uk

If you like to have joystick control for pitchbend and modulation, the MicroKEY2 is a great option.

Read the full Korg MicroKEY2 Air-25 review

Specifications