Arturia KeyLab Essential vs MK3 keybed comparisson

Lab KeyLab Essential
#1

To summarize, my question:

Do they have the same keys? It says that the old version (first) of the KeyLab Essential 49/61 has ‘Velocity-sensitive keys’.

However, on Arturia’s product page for the MK3 version it says that the keys are of “Premium Keybed quality, 49 & 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard with hybrid synth-piano feel”.

So, is it the same keybed or something towards the higher class Arturia products?

Thank you.

#2

Hey @SoftSynthM thanks for your question.

Honestly I prefer the Keybed of the KL Essential Mk3, you can feel a real difference on the aftertouch Vs. KL Essential.

When playing the KLE-Mk3 it feels just right, not mentioned the great metallic central button and a the nice front panel.
Here is an Overview of the KL Essential Mk3 in case you want to see all its potential.

I hope this information will help you!

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#3

Aftertouch? Where does it say anywhere that the KLE mk3 has aftertouch?

#4

I mean the feeling when you free the key, it feels heavier than the KL-Essential.

#5

Mk3 has also spring-based keys, as the KL Essential had?

#6

@SoftSynthM @Jon_Vincent I confirmed and both KLE and KLE-Mk3 (in 49 and 61) has the same Keybed.

@SoftSynthM I guess you’re confusing the KLE-Mk3 with the KL-MkII.

If you’re looking for a better Keybed I recommend you to check the premium version which is the KeyLab MkII who has aftertouch and a weighted spring-key feeling, it is available in 49 and 61 keys.

:musical_keyboard:

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#7

Exactly, yes, sorry, I’ll think the KL-MkII will fit my needs.

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#8

I can confirm that the KL MkII keybed is pretty nice. But why are the black keys so skinny? That makes them a bit uncomfortable and easier to slip off compared to “normal” black keys. Also, maybe the mechanics make this impossible, but you have to press the black keys quite a bit harder than the white ones to engage the aftertouch. Any way the difference can be minimized?

#9

I remember that *ektar *anorama controllers had exactly the same issue years ago. I bought a P4 then and wasn’t pleased with the keybed.

Furthermore, I opened my KLE yesterday to fix a potentiometer, here’s the image from the “inside”.

I’m not sure if this is what they call “spring based” keybed?

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PS. Check the black keys mechanic, maybe that is the issues? On my end, I don’t feel any difference between black and white keys, though.

#10

Which version of Keylab essential is in the picture above

#11

The first version of Artuai KeyLab Essentials, (MK1).

#12

Hey @SoftSynthM thanks for sharing,
This picture is from a KL Essential, not from a KeyLab MkII, their keybeds are different between them.

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