Hence why if we were shopping for a 25 key controller, we wouldn’t waste our time researching each & every keyboard, frantically comparing features. Because fact is, when it comes to value, there’s only one keyboard that in today’s market deserves the throne.

Both the Minilab 3 & the Launchkey Mini MK3 have 25 semi-weighted keys, which are velocity sensitive. But just like with the Akai (above), when it comes to key feel it’s no competition. The Minilab 3 steals the show. The keybed is that bit deeper & the keys themselves feel slightly larger, allowing more more expression and better control. The latest version of Analog Lab also gives you access to the Sound Store, Arturia’s ever-growing collection of soundbanks, The MiniLab Mk2 is about 50% heavier than the previous model, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s still light and portable, but the extra weight gives it the presence of a serious bit of gear. Compared to other keyboard controllersThere’s no doubt about it – the Arturia Minilab 3 is an ideal midi controller for any beginner. And here’s just 3 good reasons why… On the topic of integration, the Minilab 3 gives you 4 assignable faders, which also play a huge part when integrating with Ableton Live, allowing you to change the volume, sends and pan of each clip via your controller. A feature/ level of integration you don’t get with the Launchkey Mini MK3.

Given a choice, as much as I love so many encoders, I might choose to eliminate some in exchange for transport controls and a couple of function buttons. However, I’m sure that not everyone will agree with that, and it’s very much a matter of personal opinion. Connectivity 4.0 The MPK Mini Mk3 is still the king of the small keyboard controllers, but the MiniLab runs it close. The MPK Mini Mk3 has better pads, better keys, an LCD screen, and a long history of success. Transport controls – the Minilab 3’s are so much more in-depth. Those you find on the MK2 are 9for today’s standards) quite basic.The keyboard itself impressed us with its stellar build quality, while Analog Lab gave it 5000 presets culled from the company’s V range of vintage synth emulations, each with pertinent parameters auto-mapped to the hardware’s rotary encoders. Build quality is an area where you have to come and go a little with keyboard controllers this size. They are small and relatively cheap, so it makes no sense to manufacture them with heavy-duty materials. Plastic is pretty standard, but there’s still a significant improvement from the first generation MiniLab. Depending on your experience with Arturia controllers, the software bundle will either blow you away or be a little underwhelming.

The latest incarnation of Analog Lab gives you instant access to the 6,000+ preset sounds containedWhile the Akai MPK Mini gives you a set of 4 assignable buttons, the Minilab 3 gives you a set of assignable faders. No question about it though, we prefer the faders of the Minilab 3, especially when you consider just how well they integrate with Ableton Live session view. Choose the Minilab 3 or the Launchkey Mini, & you’ll bag yourself 8 assignable knobs. However… while those on the Arturia are endless encoders, those you find on the Novation do have specific start/ end points. Something that if you’re a plugin-junkie, could be restrictive However, I would still place the Arturia MiniLab Mk2 somewhere near the top of its class in this area. The keys are synth-action, and they are surprisingly responsive. Build quality 4.6

We’re not at all happy about the software situation, clearly, but if you put that to one side and approach MiniLab MkII as a supremely affordable MIDI controller for studio and mobile use that happens to come with what amounts to a demo of the full Analog Lab, it’s an absolute belter. Whichever keyboard of the two you buy, you’ll get a good set of transport controls that integrate well with most DAWs. However yet again, those on the Arturia do give you a lot more in-depth control – use the Minilab 3 to control Ananlog Lab & you’ll soon see what we mean. Despite the Minilab 3 being launched in 2023, when virtually every 25 key midi controller has a built-in note repeat function, the Minilab 3 does not. Why Arturia??? As for drum pads, the Akai steals the show. Aside from the pads being that much bigger & being arranged in a 4×2 style, the pads also feel more responsive to play. You can achieve softer, more delicate sounds with the pads on the MPK Mini than you can with the Minilab 3. Both the Minilab 3 & the MPK Mini have 25 semi-weighted keys, which are velocity sensitive. However, when it comes to key feel, we’d say those on the Arturia have the edge. Aside from being that bit larger, they have a slightly better travel depth too. All of which makes them that bit more expressive to play.The Minlab 3 also gives you the luxury of a screen to display a variety of useful info from your DAW – yet another workflow perk you don’t get with the MK2. The Novation Launchkey Mini is a very popular keyboard controller, especially with Ableton users. But, for me, it doesn’t match the MiniLab Mk2 in many areas; buy Arturia. Arturia MiniLab Mk2 vs Alesis V25 Bit of an odd difference this… but the wood texture on the side of the Minilab 3 feel that bit nicer than on the MK2. Slightly more textured if you ask us.