Hi everyone,
I hope this is an appropriate place to share this. I started using my KeyLab Essential 61 original to control GrandOrgue, and I found myself wishing I could make better use of the faders, encoders, pads, buttons, and display for that setup. After experimenting, I built a small bridge application to connect the keyboard with GrandOrgue.
I’m sharing it because I’d like to hear from other KeyLab Essential users; not to announce a project, but to learn how you’re using your controllers and what you’ve found possible (or frustrating). I have found the Keylabs Essential both a blessing and a frustrating mind bender…
Maybe others have tried something similar, or have ideas that could make this sort of setup more useful, I for one shuffled between believing this controller was broken/ firmware was faulty, cable was faulty, usb ports was flacky… to name but a few issues.
However, once I started looking deep into how it actually works, I realised that one could actually use it if you know how to keep it in check… This project in the link is my effort to that end. The app is free and open source, and it’s based on my own setup with a KeyLab Essential 61 and GrandOrgue. It’s still a work in progress, and I’ve only tested it on my hardware, so I can’t promise it will behave the same with every model or firmware. Windows is the tested platform; the Linux build is experimental, and macOS support is not ready.
If you’re interested, the project is here:
I’d especially appreciate hearing:
- What do you use your KeyLab Essential for beyond its usual DAW workflow?
- Have you connected it to other software or instruments in an unusual way?
- What would you want a controller bridge like this to do—or what would make you avoid using one?
I understand this is a community discussion space, not an advertising board. If project links aren’t appropriate here, I’m happy to remove the link and keep the conversation focused on the setup and what I’ve learned.
Thanks for reading.
