Arturia is a company based in Grenoble, France, specializing in the development of music software and hardware, with products aimed at both amateurs and professionals. I’ll tell you how this post is built. First, I’m going to list the features of this Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII keyboard. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar keyboards so you can compare.

As other control functions we have: 16 illuminated pads with chord memory function, 9 assignable faders, 9 assignable knobs, transport buttons (rec, play, pause, stop, etc), a central knob to choose different functions, modulation wheels and pitch bend.
In connections we find that the Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII integrates CV outputs (pitch out, gate out, Mod 1 and Mod 2), MIDI input and output, inputs for expression pedals, sustain and 3 auxiliaries, CV input, external power supply input and USB connection.
Includes Analog Lab 4 software license with 6000 synthesizer sounds, Ableton Live Lite, Arturia Wurli V, Arturia VOX Continental V and Arturia Piano V.
Now that we have seen the features of this Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII keyboard watch these related videos to learn more.
Posts you may be interested in
The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII MIDI Keyboard is priced at €875/£789/$866 while the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is priced at €945/£866/$955. Let’s move on to the face-to-face:
Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare
|
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII |
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 |
|---|---|
|
|
In our first comparison, we have two high-quality MIDI controllers, on the one hand, we have the Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII which offers 88 weighted, sensitive and aftertouch keys, 16 illuminated pads with chord memory function, 9 assignable faders, 9 assignable knobs, transport buttons (rec, play, pause, stop, etc), a central knob to choose different functions, modulation wheels and pitch bend. And on the other hand, we have the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 which also offers 88 weighted keys, with sensitivity and aftertouch, 1 4D push encoder, 8 assignable knobs, transport buttons (rec, play, pause, stop, etc), modulation wheels and pitch bend.
Finding so many similarities between them will be somewhat complicated to decide which is the best option, but in the advantages of the Arturia, we can count on its CV connections and faders that do not have their competition. Then we could indicate that it is the best option, although if you do not need them, the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is also an excellent choice.
And here is a video of the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 keyboard
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 review.
The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII MIDI Keyboard is priced at €875/£789/$866 when the Studiologic SL88 Grand is priced at €769/£699/$785. This is the face-to-face one:
Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare
|
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII |
Studiologic SL88 Grand |
|---|---|
|
|
In this comparison we again find two high-quality MIDI controllers, on the one hand, we have the already analyzed Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII, on the other hand, we have the Studiologic SL88 Grand which offers an 88-key keyboard with TP40Wood hammer mechanism with Aftertouch, the keys have a wooden core and ivory touch, 1 innovative 6-position control joystick (4-way switch + 1 rotary encoder + ‘push’ button), 3 function buttons and 3 programmable joystick controllers.
Again we found a difficult decision due to the great similarity between both MIDI controllers, both have a great Fatar brand keyboard, as the main advantage the Studiologic SL88 Grand is that the keyboard has wooden keys increasing the simulation of a real acoustic piano, for a pianist, this will be very appreciated.
And here is a video of the Studiologic SL88 Grand keyboard
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Studiologic SL88 Grand review.
The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII MIDI Keyboard is priced at €875/£789/$866 and the Roland A-88 MKII is priced at €959/£859/$949. Let’s move on to the face-to-face:
Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare
|
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII |
Roland A-88 MKII |
|---|---|
|
|
Again we have two great MIDI controllers, on the one hand, the Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII that we have already analyzed before, and on the other hand the Roland A-88 MKII that offers 88 weighted keys with Ivory Feel (PHA-4 Standard), 8 pads and 8 knobs both assignable, octave up/down keys and modulation and pitch bend joystick.
We find certain advantages in each, on the side of the Arturia the greater number of pads and their faders that are very useful in themes such as mixing. And on the Roland side its wooden casing making it stronger and more durable, as well as having a better design. Depending on which one best meets your needs you will make the best decision.
And here is a video of the Roland A-88 MKII keyboard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USFvGCHt5PY
The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII MIDI Keyboard is priced at €875/£789/$866 while the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 is priced at €239/£215/$239 with a large difference of 638 Euro between them. Let’s move on to the face-to-face:
Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare
|
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII |
Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 |
|---|---|
|
|
In this comparison we have two MIDI controllers of the same brand, Arturia, on the one hand, the already analyzed Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII and on the other hand the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 which offers 61 sensitive keys, 1 clickable encoder, 8 sensitive pads, 9 assignable knobs, transport keys, octaves up/down, and pitch bend and modulation wheels.
As we can see the Arturia KeyLab 88MKII is the big brother offering more and better functions, however also its price difference is very big. If you want a high-quality MIDI controller, design, connections and functions, the Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII will be your decision, on the other hand, if you need a keyboard with moderate functions and a 61-key keyboard without aftertouch or counterbalance the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 will be your decision.
And here is a video of the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 review.
The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII MIDI keyboard is priced at €875/£789/$866 while the M-Audio Hammer 88 is priced at €422/£366/$419, with a notable difference. Let’s go head to head:
Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare
|
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII |
M-Audio Hammer 88 |
|---|---|
|
|
Once again, we find a comparison of 88-key MIDI controllers. On the one hand, the Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII offers its revised functions and features, while the M-Audio Hammer 88 offers an 88-key hammer-action counterbalanced keyboard, plus 1 volume fader, octave up/down keys, and modulation and pitch bend wheels.
While the Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII offers more features (connections, controls) than its competition and therefore is a better choice as a MIDI controller, the price of the controller is doubled. On the other hand, the M-Audio Hammer 88 offers fewer control features and gives us a weighted 88-key keyboard for less. If you have the budget, go for the Arturia, otherwise, the M-Audio Hammer 88 is not a bad choice.
And here’s a video of the M-Audio Hammer 88 keyboard
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the M-Audio Hammer 88 review.
While the answer to this question lies mostly in what specific need you have, for example, if you want to have a keyboard with the widest range of notes possible, or if you want to have as many control features as possible, or perhaps a mix between the two, that is without leaving behind the different connections and software licenses that most MIDI controllers offer, we will give an objective opinion according to our experience in music production and thus also with the price demanded by the controllers, a kind of value for money.
In this post, we generally have 88-key MIDI controllers and also a hammer action keyboard, and as a star product, we can say that the M-Audio Hammer 88 is an excellent choice for beginners. It also offers 1 volume fader, octave up/down keys and modulation and pitch bend wheels. It has three pedal inputs: sustain, expression and footswitch. Although it’s not that cheap, it’s worth every euro it costs.
Also, look at these models with a similar price and features:
I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of the Icon iKeyboard 4X keyboard. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar keyboards so you can compare.
This keyboard usually has a price around 98.00 €
Now that we’ve seen the features of this keyboard Icon iKeyboard 4X watch these related videos to learn more.
Post you may be interested in
Some comments from people who come to the forum about this model:
Comment:
The downsides are:
– The octave shift does not let you know exactly how many octaves you’ve shifted, just the direction
– at the very least for Reaper the ribbon controller doesn’t control volumes, though it can do pan
– The manual is a bit lacking and out-of -date.
Other than these points the only real other thing to note is the fact that default velocity bend is over-sensitive – everything happens at high velocities being MIDI. I set it to Curve 5, which will be much better and as good as my previous controller.
Overall it is top quality and high functionality for the purchase price, although some may miss several assignable controllers.
Comment:
The keyboard Icon iKeyboard 4X is usually 10 € more expensive than Akai MPK mini Mk2, but the difference is so small that this can vary..
And then a video of the keyboard
|
Icon iKeyboard 4X |
Akai MPK mini Mk2 |
|---|---|
|
|
And then a video of the keyboardAkai MPK mini Mk2
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Akai MPK mini Mk2 review
The keyboard Icon iKeyboard 4X is usually 54 € more expensive than Akai LPK 25.
And then a video of the keyboard
|
Icon iKeyboard 4X |
Akai LPK 25 |
|---|---|
|
|
And then a video of the keyboardAkai LPK 25
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Akai LPK 25 review
The keyboard Icon iKeyboard 4X is usually 29 € more expensive than Swissonic EasyKey 49, but the difference is so small that this can vary..
And then a video of the keyboard
|
Icon iKeyboard 4X |
Swissonic EasyKey 49 |
|---|---|
|
|
And then a video of the keyboardSwissonic EasyKey 49
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Swissonic EasyKey 49 review
The keyboard Icon iKeyboard 4Xis usually 13 € cheaper than Arturia Keystep, but the difference is so small that this can vary..
And then a video of the keyboard
|
Icon iKeyboard 4X |
Arturia Keystep |
|---|---|
|
|
And then a video of the keyboardArturia Keystep
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Arturia Keystep review
Also look at these models with a similar price and features:
I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of the Miditech i2-mini 32 keyboard. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar keyboards so you can compare.

Now that we’ve seen the features of this keyboard Miditech i2-mini 32 watch these related videos to learn more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3D01WmbFHg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEw-JwCVT9g
Post you may be interested in
Some comments from people who come to the forum about this model:
Comment:
Comment:
The keyboard Miditech i2-mini 32is usually 46 € cheaper than Akai MPK mini Mk2, but the difference is so small that this can vary..
And then a video of the keyboard
|
Miditech i2-mini 32 |
Akai MPK mini Mk2 |
|---|---|
|
|
And then a video of the keyboardAkai MPK mini Mk2
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Akai MPK mini Mk2 review
The keyboard Miditech i2-mini 32is usually 2 € cheaper than Akai LPK 25, but the difference is so small that this can vary..
And then a video of the keyboard
|
Miditech i2-mini 32 |
Akai LPK 25 |
|---|---|
|
|
And then a video of the keyboardAkai LPK 25
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Akai LPK 25 review
The keyboard Miditech i2-mini 32is usually 27 € cheaper than Swissonic EasyKey 49, but the difference is so small that this can vary..
And then a video of the keyboard
|
Miditech i2-mini 32 |
Swissonic EasyKey 49 |
|---|---|
|
|
And then a video of the keyboardSwissonic EasyKey 49
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Swissonic EasyKey 49 review
The keyboard Miditech i2-mini 32is usually 69 € cheaper than Arturia Keystep.
And then a video of the keyboard
|
Miditech i2-mini 32 |
Arturia Keystep |
|---|---|
|
|
And then a video of the keyboardArturia Keystep
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Arturia Keystep review
Also look at these models with a similar price and features: