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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 6, 2020 18:23:13 GMT -6
So, I pulled the trigger on one, never had a good controller before but used to play piano and I use logic and already have some Arturia soft synths etc..
Thought I’d just post about setting it up and getting going and general user experience.
Should show up next week .
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Post by bradd on Aug 6, 2020 19:28:11 GMT -6
I hate to be negative, but I recently bought one and returned it for a Nektar T6. I also use Logic and I had a hell of a time getting the Keylab to work with Logic’s soft synths. Logic’s normal controller mapping didn’t work and caused all kinds of problems. I spent about two weeks banging my head against the wall trying to get it to work and finally decided it wasn’t worth it. The Nektar on the other hand worked great right out of the box and all of the mapping features are very intuitive. I really wanted to like the Keylab, because I thought the keyboard and all of the faders and knobs felt great, but the workflow was just driving me crazy.
Maybe you’ll have better luck than I did. I am by no means an expert on MIDI.
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Post by dmo on Aug 6, 2020 21:14:36 GMT -6
I have an older Arturia 61 controller (don't remember exact model and currently getting my nightly Antibiotic infusion) - hadn't used much last few years and logic no longer would recognize it but I found a work around online and while the transport section doesn't work it does play )( except 1 key that I assume has just gone bad). I should still have the zip file that has the older drivers on my older MBP - let me know if it doesn't work and I'll send the files to see if that helps
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 7, 2020 1:14:15 GMT -6
bradd a mki or mkii ? The mkii is supposed to auto map in the logic setting so that’s a drag that you had trouble ! The nectar’s look sweet: glad that worked out !
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Post by bradd on Aug 7, 2020 7:50:09 GMT -6
I had a mkii. It doesn't automap to Logic. I followed the manual to a t for setting it up in Logic. Analog Lab worked fine and I was able to get the Keylab working as a mixer controller, but using it to control any non-Analog Lab synths was a mess. I contacted Arturia customer support, but it took them several days to get back to me and by the time they did, I'd given up and sent it back. I hope it works out better for you than it did me.
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 7, 2020 8:18:41 GMT -6
It it is supposed to, you have different daw modes and one is logic? But maybe we are describing different things? Anyway, it showed up today, only ordered it 2 days ago! My bday is Monday, dilemmas, dilemmas , if I should just open it and fire it up !  |
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Post by bradd on Aug 7, 2020 12:52:01 GMT -6
As long as your dealer will let you return it, I'd fire it up and give it a shot. There is a Logic DAW mode, but that only applies to using the Keylab as a mixer controller, not for Logic's instruments.
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Post by LesC on Aug 7, 2020 13:46:08 GMT -6
These negative comments are really a downer, and I appreciate them! I've been thinking of getting an Arturia Keylab 61 Mk II, it has a Cubase mapping, but I'm mostly interested in a good-feeling keyboard for midi control to replace my just-sold Korg X5, Yamaha AN1x, and Yamaha CS1x. I'm NOT primarily a keyboardist, and I'm on Win10 using Cubase 10.5. If not the Arturia, what would you guys recommend?
The main competitors appear to be either the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 or the Novation SL MkIII 61. The reviews of all 3 are mostly positive, and seem to depend on which included software the reviewer prefers. I don't care about included software, if it's anything good that would be a bonus. kcatthedog I'm REALLY interested in your findings! Please let me know your findings, both good and bad, either here or by private message if that's more appropriate. |
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Post by bradd on Aug 7, 2020 14:07:06 GMT -6
Les, after my experience with the Keylab MkII I did a bunch of research and went with the Nektar Panorama T6. I'm really enjoying it. I know that it also maps to Cubase.
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 7, 2020 14:27:03 GMT -6
I almost have it working but for some reason can't get the input port selection set for the DaW only for midi ?
The keybed itself ,feels really good and plays very well. It is Arturia's top of the line bed. The whole unit feels very solid and pro.
I can get sound out of the controller but so far analog lab isn't opening in the normal way, not certain why not ?
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Post by LesC on Aug 7, 2020 15:12:47 GMT -6
Les, after my experience with the Keylab MkII I did a bunch of research and went with the Nektar Panorama T6. I'm really enjoying it. I know that it also maps to Cubase. Thank you, I'll look into it. It's so inexpensive, I guess I never considered it thinking it's a toy. The reviews I've read so far are favorable except for some negative comments about the keybed. I'm not a keyboardist so I probably wouldn't notice the difference, for example I thought the Yamaha CS1x and AN1x felt great. But I want a good keybed for other keyboardists to use. Any comments about the Nektar keybeds compared to the Fatar's and others? Or the Nektar keybed compared to the Keylab MkII? |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Aug 7, 2020 15:47:26 GMT -6
Les, after my experience with the Keylab MkII I did a bunch of research and went with the Nektar Panorama T6. I'm really enjoying it. I know that it also maps to Cubase. Thank you, I'll look into it. It's so inexpensive, I guess I never considered it thinking it's a toy. The reviews I've read so far are favorable except for some negative comments about the keybed. I'm not a keyboardist so I probably wouldn't notice the difference, for example I thought the Yamaha CS1x and AN1x felt great. But I want a good keybed for other keyboardists to use. Any comments about the Nektar keybeds compared to the Fatar's and others? Or the Nektar keybed compared to the Keylab MkII? If you want something for keyboardists to use, get 88 keys. |
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Post by LesC on Aug 7, 2020 16:20:30 GMT -6
I have a great digital piano already, I want a keyboard, preferably semi-weighted. I've asked the advice of several professional keyboardist friends, and they said even 61 keys is more than enough when they go into a recording studio to record, as opposed to performing live.
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Post by LesC on Aug 12, 2020 22:45:41 GMT -6
I'm still debating between the Arturia and the Nektar T6 (thanks bradd!). They both have Cubase maps, and they both seem to control VI's from other companies. And they're both out of stock at Long & McQuade, so I have some time to ruminate further. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 13, 2020 1:57:38 GMT -6
Nope, can’t get the one logic setting correct, don’t know why so can’t complete the mapping.
Have CS call into Arturia.
I like the controller just fine but if it won’t map. I’ll send it back.
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 13, 2020 16:10:17 GMT -6
It’s working, very helpful answer from Arturia CS still had to change a couple of settings, but now controller is working fine running Analog Lab and in Daw mode Logic.
The controller definitely has an excellent feel to the keyboard, nothing feels cheap or flimsy. The Arturia lab plugs sound excellent and now Logic daw mode is working so will be fun trying this puppy on for size.
Les, if you are interested, I believe Cosmo music has more: 30 day trial period, seem very flexible about returns.
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Post by LesC on Aug 13, 2020 17:25:39 GMT -6
I'm glad you're OK now, and happy to hear about apparently good Arturia support. I usually try to buy from L&M since it's so close to me, but I'll take a trip to Cosmo tomorrow. Unfortunately they don't seem to have the Nectar T6 on their website, I would have liked to compare the feel of the keyboard.
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Post by Ned Ward on Aug 13, 2020 17:35:28 GMT -6
I have a Kurzweil K2000 that I really like the action on, but it's on the other side of the room for MIDI control. May need to move things around. I bought a M-Audio Oxygen 49 and the key action feels great and it doesn't have that soft PVC coating on the mod and pitch wheels - down here in S. CA I'm 2 miles from the beach, but that stuff starts melting after a few years...
49 keys is good for non-keyboard players like myself, but will have to buy and cut a 1x10 so that I can lower the keyboard x stand it's on....
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 13, 2020 17:35:58 GMT -6
I understand Cosmo can get the nektar but might be special order?
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Post by bradd on Aug 13, 2020 21:17:37 GMT -6
Glad you got it working. The keyboard really did feel nice.
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 14, 2020 6:34:09 GMT -6
Ya, but as has been pointed out, the Arturia is a little proprietary, triggering but not controlling third party synths/keys controls, whereas the nektar does.
If you are planning on buying the full Arturia collection you have a lot of synths available, but if you already have a number of 3rd party synths/ keys, you might prefer a non Arturia controller?
I emailed Nektar yesterday and they answered in one day : reassuring.
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 14, 2020 9:50:31 GMT -6
Just grabbed v collection 7 from Gs and a guy in Russia for $175, and he just sent codes and am downloading now: I was expecting the worst, shame on me!
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Post by ulriggribbons on Aug 14, 2020 11:06:54 GMT -6
I've got one that I bought for interfacing with Analog Lab, and for controlling a sampler for playing shows. After a few shows and rehearsals, started having problems with some of the keys already.
Love the features, just wish the keybed was a little more robust.
$.02
Jon
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 14, 2020 11:51:33 GMT -6
Which model ? The mkii are supposed to have their best Keybed/board?
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Post by ulriggribbons on Aug 14, 2020 12:06:56 GMT -6
It's the KeyLab 61MkII.
For details. The keys still work, but 2 of them make more mechanical noise (clacky) than the others. Will have to open it up and see if there is anything to be done in terms of loose screws maybe.
I don't feel like I'm a pounder, but maybe I'm a pounder? =)
I've a Roland A-80 (not something that leaves the studio with how much it weighs) as my primary studio controller. The features of the KeyLab (and weight) made it pretty ideal for what I was doing.
Regards
Jon
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