Arturia has introduced the KeyLab 88 MKII, a major update to their flagship keyboard MIDI controller. The updated KeyLab 88 features the same piano-style 88-note keybed of the original, but pairs it with the updated feature set of the KeyLab MkII series.
KeyLab 88 MkII is designed to play the role of “mission control” in studio and live rigs, featuring pads, faders, modular compatibility, DAW controls and more. 
Features:
- 88 note, velocity sensitive Fatar TP/100LR piano weighted keybed with aftertouch
- 9 customizable faders
- 9 rotary encoders
- 4 CV/gate connections: pitch, gate, mod, input
- Perfect Analog Lab integration
- Full integration with all Arturia software instruments
- Universal MIDI controller: control any software or MIDI-enabled hardware
- Powers via USB
- Control presets for different DAWs, magnetic overlays for easy reference
- “Huge” pedal connectivity: expression, sustain, 3 customizable connections
- Mackie / HUI-compliant DAW Command Center
- Music software bundle included
- Optional sustain pedal and DC power supply
Arturia also shared a playlist of KeyLab 88 MKII tutorials that go into deeper detail:
Included software:
- Analog Lab – A collection of over 6,000 keyboard presets, from Arturia V Collection, featuring a wide range of sounds, from analog monosynths to lush pianos, organs to digital powerhouses, samplers, string machines, and ‘quirky modular gear’.
- Piano V – Arturia’s piano studio software instrument features a customizable collection of classic upright, concert grand, and esoteric pianos. Recreated through physical modelling, you can change the tonality and response in any way you like.
- Wurli V – described as “the most accurate version of a vintage Wurli ever created in software”.
- VOX Continental V – A modeled recreation of the classic transistor organ.
- Ableton Live Lite – Live Lite lets you record your ideas, layer tracks, warp audio, and release your productions.
Pricing and Availability
KeyLab 88 MkII will begin shipping worldwide at the end of June 2019. KeyLab 88 MkII will retail for 899€ street price / MSRP $999.
TP/100LR: the LR stands for lousy response.
Funny joke. But if I’m not mistaken, the actual “response” is going to have more to do with Arturia than Fatar. The keybed doesn’t determine the velocity engine design, just the feel. (Correct me if I’ve got that wrong.)
To clarify, because of the way the TP/100LR is hinged, there’s too much resistance towards the back of the keys. This can make it difficult to play certain chords with even velocity. A piano doesn’t have this problem because the resistance from the keys is uniform from front to back.
That’s a really good point. First, it can be tricky to get even response from black keys to white keys, and I think some careful engineering is required to get that right. A real piano has very long keys that extend back unto the actions, which mitigates the differences in leverage; and, as you say, it makes there be less difference in resistance front to back.
A semi-weighted action can have differently weighted springs between b & w keys, but this doesn’t help with uniform resistance. It does seem less problematic with the hammer action.
Still, depending on where/how the velocity is measured (key speed vs hammer speed) with black keys vs. white keys there can be a difference in the relationship between where the finger moves, and the point where the velocity is measured. I imagine this is one of the things that the engineers have to consider. It is subtle enough that most people don’t notice, so perhaps they leave it to the synth maker whether to mitigate this in the velocity calculations.
Keystep Pro next please!
Something like this, but with 8 track audio input would be ideal.
you mean, a mixer ?
Honestly.
Same price as an Apple Monitor Stand
When you put it that way, this is a bargain. xD
It is only supreme if it supports polyphonic aftertouch.
What is upgraded?
Why would you call it a ”huge upgrade”, when it is just a piano keyboard version, that should have appeared the same time than the semi weighted version.
Have they at least updated the midi implementation to allow external sequencers sequencing cv? Are any of the updates that I don’t see here, made available on the shorter versions?
You can check the Release note for KeyLab mkII Firmware here:
https://www.arturia.com/products/hybrid-synths/keylab-mkii/resources
V1.1.3 includes MIDI to CV and allows you to chose what CC to send to Mod1 and Mod2 outputs. Hope this answers your question.
Ouch, $1000 bucks for a controller.
I’d pay more than that for a high-quality keyboard controller with polyphonic aftertouch.
The laptop stand and hole in the music stand are a massive welcome. Finally a company that gets it!
Glad to see 5 pedal inputs. Those can be used not just for foot controls but sensors, b.c., etc.
So often new controllers make over-the-top proclamations: “This is the ultimate control! (no aftertouch, one pedal in, no DIN.).”
So at least with this, they’ve got some connectivity.
Novation had it right when they addressed the issue of sluggish velocity scan rates. I’d love to see more manufacturers get on board with that.
Look at the Visocunt Physis pianos for the ultimate controlling hardware: https://www.viscountinstruments.com/physis-piano-k4-83.html
a) for this price they could have included V collection
b) if the aftertouch respons is more fluent than Studiologic SL88, this might be a good option. Still could have done with triple sensors…
Remove the pads, controller, encoders ,sliders and all other extra stuff. Keep the keys and add a nice (customize-able curve) Poly AT (+ optional vertical slide sensor in the keys). Add a sturdy black box around it. Keep MIDI DIN + USB. Let it also be able to send MPE, Provide a free Web-MIDI editor (document the Sysex spec please) to configure it and then sell it for this price. Winner.