Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 specs

A budget 88: semi-weighted keys and a stripped-back control set of eight pads, nine 30 mm faders and nine encoders. At 8.2 kg it is roughly half the weight of the full KeyLab 88 mk3 while shipping the same Analog Lab bundle of about 2,000 presets.

Brand: Arturia

7.5/ 10
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The affordable route to 88 semi-weighted KeyLab keys: nine faders, eight pads, eight encoders, 8.2 kg.

#18 of 25 MIDI controllers · full ranking
Statuscurrent
Keys88
Key action88-note velocity-sensitive semi-weighted keyboard
Pads / faders8 touch & pressure-sensitive pads; 9 x 30mm faders; 9 rotary encoders
Sounds / presets2000
SequencerMulti-mode arpeggiator
Weight8.2 kg
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Strengths

  • 88 keys at a $449 list price
  • 8.2 kg - carriable for an 88-key board
  • Same Analog Lab bundle as the pricier KeyLab 88 mk3
  • Nine faders and nine encoders for DAW control

Weaknesses

  • Semi-weighted keys - no hammer action, so no piano-like response
  • 30 mm faders are shorter than the KeyLab 88 mk3's 50 mm
  • Aftertouch is not documented

Compare the Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 with

Spec source: www.arturia.com — verified 2026-10-10

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