Arturia KEYLAB ESSENTIAL MK3 User Manual
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Arturia KEYLAB ESSENTIAL MK3 User Manual

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_KEYLAB ESSENTIAL MK3

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Summary of Contents for Arturia KEYLAB ESSENTIAL MK3

  • Page 1 USER MANUAL _KEYLAB ESSENTIAL MK3...
  • Page 2 Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Arturia. The software described in this manual is provided under the terms of a license agreement or non-disclosure agreement. The software license agreement specifies the terms and conditions for its lawful use.
  • Page 3 Quick Start Guide are required to unlock your software. Remember to register! It sounds boring, but it’s worth it. Registering is important because it lets you download and activate Analog Lab V, as well as the Arturia MIDI Control Center.
  • Page 4 Specifications Subject to Change: The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing. However, Arturia reserves the right to change or modify any of the specifications without notice or obligation to update the hardware that has been purchased.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Table Of Contents Welcome to KeyLab Essential ..........................2 1.1. What’s KeyLab Essential? ..............................2 1.2. KeyLab Essential Features Summary........................4 Installation..................................5 Hardware Overview ..............................6 3.1. Connecting KeyLab Essential ............................6 3.2. Front Panel....................................6 3.3. Rear Panel....................................8 3.4.

  • Page 6: Welcome To Keylab Essential

    A complete keyboard production studio, KeyLab Essential also comes with the incredible Arturia Analog Lab V – your very own vintage and modern keyboard collection, with access to over 2000 presets from the award-winning V Collection, ready to customize and play in an instant.
  • Page 7 They're just spaced a bit differently on the larger models. On top of that, Arturia's MIDI Control Center software (a free download) lets you map parameters directly to KeyLab Essential’s physical controls to create custom configurations.

  • Page 8: Keylab Essential Features Summary

    ◦ Ableton Live Lite, ◦ Native Instruments The Gentleman, ◦ UVI Grand Piano Model D, ◦ Melodics subscription, ◦ Loopcloud subscription. ◦ • USB-C to USB-A cable included. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - Welcome to KeyLab Essential...

  • Page 9: Installation

    2. INSTALLATION The first thing to do upon receiving your KeyLab Essential keyboard, after having completed the registration process, is to update its firmware. Indeed, Arturia releases periodic firmware updates to add functionality and improve performance. To proceed with the update, you'll first need to download and install the MIDI Control Center,...

  • Page 10: Hardware Overview

    Choose to use Bank A or B for the Performance Pads. Transp –/+ buttons Transpose the keyboard in semitone steps. Octave –/+ buttons Transpose the keyboard up or down an octave. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - Hardware Overview...
  • Page 11 (filter, volume etc.). Pressure sensivity is often called Aftertouch. KeyLab Essential pads use the more luxurious version called Polyphonic Aftertouch, where each pad sends out individual data. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - Hardware Overview...

  • Page 12: Rear Panel

    For example, this is what is displayed when you move a knob: When you strike a pad, the display first shows your initial velocity. If you then apply after- pressure, it will display that value. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - Hardware Overview...

  • Page 13: Keylab Essential Operations

    The notes from the lowest C to D# (Eb) in the second octave set MIDI channels to 1–16. Example: If you want to transmit on channel 10, hold the MIDI Channel button and hit the lowest A key. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 14: Bank

    You can switch between Bank 1 and 2 by pressing the Bank button. While doing so, the Display confirms what Bank is currently selected.  ! When Bank B is selected, the Bank button shines brighter. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 15: Transpose -/+ And Octave

    The Display will reflect your action in either case. Transpose and Octave-shift apply to the keyboard only, not the pads. The pads send MIDI note numbers, and those note numbers may be edited in the MIDI Control Center app. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 16: Pads

    50 (D2) 51 (D#2) 44 (G#1) 45 (A1) 46 (A#1) 47 (B1)  ! Every time you press the Bank button, the Display will confirm what Bank is currently selected. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 17: Daw Control Section

    The twelve buttons to the left of the Display are all DAW related, although Save, Undo and Redo can also be used in Arturia Software. These buttons send control messages to your software, and they are designed to work conveniently with any DAW. If you want, you can re-configure these buttons in MIDI Control Center.

  • Page 18: Midi Setup In You Daw

    NOTE: KeyLab Essential's compatibility with your chosen DAW will depend on how each manufacturer handles the MCU and HUI protocols. For more information, consult the KeyLab Essential page on the Arturia website, or the documentation of your preferred DAW. User Programs: KeyLab Essential can store up to 6 User Programs — custom •...
  • Page 19 You will almost always want KL Essential (49/61) mk3 MIDI turned on. If using KeyLab [p.43], ensure KL Essential (49/61) Essential to control any of the custom supported DAWs mk3 MCU/HUI is not activated. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 20: Prog

     ! Alternatively, you can hold Prog and select any mode by pressing the appropriate Pad. ! When controlling your DAW using the MCU/HUI protocol, KeyLab Essential may be in any Prog mode (Arturia, DAWs, or User 1–6). Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 21: Setting Split Points

    4.8. Part This section will describe the features found when pressing the Part button. The Part feature can be used in both User/DAW mode and Arturia mode. However, this feature works differently in the first case and the second case.

  • Page 22: Editing Part 1 And 2

    By navigating this menu, you now have the option to change octave and MIDI channel for the parts. Very straightforward. Hitting the button below the Return symbol takes you back to the Part menu, and a second press exits the Part section. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 23: Hold Mode

    (before they are released). ! When Hold is active, the Hold button shines brighter. ! Hold only works in conjunction with the keys, not the pads. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 24: Chord Mode

    Major Triad • Minor Triad • Sus 2 • Sus 4 • Major 7 • Minor 7 • Major 9 • Minor 9 • Major 11 • Minor 11 Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 25: Creating A Chord

    You exit Chord mode by pressing the Chord button again.  ! When Chord is active, the Chord button shines brighter. ! Chord only works in conjunction with the keys, not the pads. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 26: Scale

    Pentatonic Minor: 5 note pentatonic, also a simplified blues scale. • Japanese: 5 note pentatonic scale. • Gypsy: One of several Gypsy scales. • Arabic: Arabic or double harmonic scale. • Freygish: Freygish or Phrygian dominant scale. • Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...
  • Page 27 (where you tweak the scale) are somewhat independent of each other, i.e. the Scale doesn't automatically become active just because you enter Scale Edit mode. Also, quitting Scale Edit mode doesn't turn off the Scale function. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 28: Arpeggiator

     ! The Arpeggiator is triggered only by the keyboard, not the pads. Also, when the Arpeggiator is activated, the pads can still be used to trigger sounds. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 29: Entering And Leaving Arpeggio Edit

    (where you tweak the arpeggiator's behavior) are somewhat independent of each other, i.e. the Arpeggiator doesn't automatically start just because you enter the Arpeggiator Edit pages. Also, quitting Arpeggio Edit doesn't turn off the Arpeggiator. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 30: Editing The Arpeggiator

    To select a parameter for editing, click the Encoder. Then turn the Encoder to edit. When done, click the Encoder again. When browsing the parameters, the values are underscored. When a parameter is ready for editing, its value is surrounded by a square. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 31: Arpeggiator Parameters

    Rand: Random. Plays all held notes in random order. • Order: Plays notes in the order in which you pressed keys on the keyboard. • Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...
  • Page 32  ♪ If the volume envelope of a sound has a long release, reducing the Gate time helps arpeggiated notes sound more defined. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...
  • Page 33 Sync parameter is set to Internal. If you turn this knob while external Sync is set, the message “External Sync selected” is displayed.  ♪ You can also set the rate using the Tap Tempo [p.31] button. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...
  • Page 34 The Arpeggiator can play notes in a range of zero to three octaves up. At zero, it plays only the actual notes as held on the keyboard, at 1 it adds one octave up and so on. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 35: Tap Tempo

     ! Remember that Hold can be activated by its own for long evolving pads, for instance. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 36: Vegas Mode

    ! In the MIDI Control Center app you can set the time before Vegas Mode kicks in or disable Vegas mode and let KeyLab Essential go into sleep mode instead (with screen and LEDs off). By default, Vegas Mode starts after 5 minutes. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 37: Factory Reset

    Firmware / Exit / Reset. 4. Release buttons 1 and 2. Press Reset to reset KeyLab Essential to its original factory settings or press Exit to exit to normal operation. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential operations...

  • Page 38: Keylab Essential And Analog Lab V

    KeyLab Essential.  ! KeyLab Essential works like any other MIDI controller with non-Arturia software and plug-ins, but with the advantage of MIDI Control Center letting you determine exactly what messages and values each of its controls sends.

  • Page 39: Audio And Midi Setup

    Click the gear icon at the upper right corner of Analog Lab V to open the Settings section. Click on the MIDI tab and select KL Essential from the MIDI Controller drop-down menu, if it has not already beed automatically detected. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential and Analog Lab V...
  • Page 40 Now – and this is important – make sure the ARTURIA program mode is selected by clicking the Prog button in KeyLab Essential. You may have to click a few times. You can also hold the Prog button and press Pad 1.

  • Page 41: Browsing Presets

    Liked. Pressing the button below the heart symbol has the same effect. A heart icon appears in Analog Lab V to indicate a liked preset. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential and Analog Lab V...

  • Page 42: Browsing Within Types

    The Knobs and Faders are assigned to the Arturia instrument’s Macros. Since you can assign multiple parameters to a Macro, you can get a lot of mileage out of twisting a single knob on KeyLab Essential.

  • Page 43: Pads

    47 (B1) 5.6. Controlling Parts in Analog Lab V When KeyLab Essential is in Arturia mode (press the Prog button until you get there), the Part feature allows you to remotely control multi presets in Analog Lab V. To use this feature, you can either load a Multi preset (turn the Main Encoder and click to select) or add a part to a single preset.

  • Page 44: Editing An Existing Multi Preset

    Edit Part 1: Lets you tweak further parameters in part 1 • Edit Part 2: Lets you tweak further parameters in part 2 • Remove Part 2: Removes part 2 • Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential and Analog Lab V...

  • Page 45: Editing In The Part Menu

    Browse Down: Scrolls forward in the preset list and loads the preset •  ! To load a preset, you can also click on the Main Encoder. Loading the preset allows you to listen to the preset. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential and Analog Lab V...

  • Page 46: Controlling Parts

    Browse Up: Scrolls backwards in the preset list and loads the preset • Browse Down: Scrolls forward in the preset list and loads the preset • Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - KeyLab Essential and Analog Lab V...

  • Page 47: Daw Control

    ! Clarification: KeyLab Essential can remotely control Loop On/Off, Stop, Play, and Record in any DAW. Full integration will be added to more DAWs in the future. In the meantime, the user can use create similar functionality in MIDI Control Center. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - DAW Control...

  • Page 48: Transport Control

    In addition to the above functions, there are numerous DAW-specific functionality in the 5 DAWs currently supported. For full info, please refer to these manuals. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - DAW Control...

  • Page 49: Daw Control With Mackie Control Universal

    Enable the MIDI input port KeyLab Essential (49/61) mk3 MCU/HUIM in your DAW’s MIDI preferences. • Add and set up Mackie Control in your DAW’s “Control Surfaces” settings if it has them. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - DAW Control...

  • Page 50: Declaration Of Conformity

    This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits of the European Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to Electromagnetic Compatibility according to 2014/30/EU, and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - Declaration of Conformity...

  • Page 51: Rohs

    For more information about collection points and recycling of these products, please contact your local municipal office, your household waste disposal service, or the shop where you purchased the product. Arturia - User Manual KeyLab Essential mk3 - Declaration of Conformity...

  • Page 52: Software License Agreement

    The License is not a sale of the original SOFTWARE. 2. Grant of License Arturia grants you a non-exclusive license for the use of the software according to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. You may not lease, loan or sub- license the software.
  • Page 53 (a) return of the purchase price or (b) replacement of the disk that does not meet the Limited Warranty and which is returned to Arturia with a copy of your receipt. This limited Warranty is void if failure of the software has resulted from accident, abuse, modification, or misapplication.

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