At $60, Arturia’s MicroLab MK3 MIDI controller could be perfect for bedroom producersArturia has released the MicroLab MK3, a small but seemingly powerful MIDI controller that could fit nicely in your bedroom studio and your backpack. Plus, with licenses for Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Intro, and a handful of nifty features, the $60 asking price seems pretty tantalising.
The third model in Arturia’s MicroLab controller series, the MK3 sports a compact, minimalist design with plug-and-play USB connectivity. You’ll be able to hook this up and get playing within seconds, whether you’re in the studio or on the move with your laptop. The wooden panels on the side are a nice touch, too.
Arturia MicroLab MK3. Image: Arturia
You’ll have two octaves to play across on the MicroLab MK3, with velocity-sensitive mini-keys, which Arturia says are “the best quality slim keys on the market at this price point.” There are also two touch strips for pitch bend and modulation (or whatever you want to map them to) and a sustain pedal input on the back. In addition, the Chord Mode lets you play multiple notes of your choice with one finger — “perfect for effortless songwriting”, says Arturia.
If you’re new to music production software, the bundles that come with the MicroLab MK3 will be particularly useful. Ableton Live Lite — an introductory version of one of the world’s most popular Digital Audio Workstations — is included with your purchase. Here, you can record, perform and produce entire tracks using the included sounds and editing functions. Plus, for even more playable instruments, the included Analog Lab Intro package with the MicroLab MK3 gives you hundreds of sounds from Arturia’s V Collection software. Think vintage synthesizers, modelled pianos, lush pads and heavy bass sounds.
Arturia MicroLab MK3. Image: Arturia
You can pick up the MicroLab MK3 in black or white now for €60/$60 from Arturia.
Arturia has been on a run lately, releasing V Collection 11 and V Collection Intro, and receiving a high score in our review of its flagship software synth, Pigments 6. The French brand also just announced a partnership with Native Instruments, which allows KeyLab and MiniLab owners to get more hands-on with NKS plugins.
Find the best deals for the Arturia MicroLab MK3 at Thomann, Sweetwater, Zzounds and Reverb. 
The post At $60, Arturia’s MicroLab MK3 MIDI controller could be perfect for bedroom producers appeared first on MusicTech.