A4 + Keylab 49 or Analog Keys?

natrixgli · 2014-12-03T02:02:24.000Z

I’m planning on picking up either an A4 with a Keylab 49 or an Analog Keys. This will join a Tempest, Analog Rytm, Octatrack, and Ableton/Push.

Opinions?

On one hand the A4 is smaller so I can have lazy Sunday couch jams. I also like the idea of having the nice pads on the Keylab since the AR pads are kind of rubbish. The Keylab also has a pedal input, real pitch/mod wheels, and an extra octave. I believe I could program the pads to control MultiMap kits as well which could be kinda fun.

On the other hand the Analog Keys would mean one less piece of equipment taking up space, and a nice integrated package with the benefit of 4 outputs vs 2.

I’m looking at the Analog Lab software as merely a nice bonus. I have played with it and it does sound pretty damn good. I can imagine getting some use out of it.

Zymos · 2014-12-03T02:20:52.000Z

The keylab has a pretty poor reputation- no personal experience, just what I’ve read on forums…

Aswain · 2014-12-10T18:57:15.000Z

I can speak from personal experience on this (though only two weeks worth). I have an A4 and recently picked up a used Keylab 25 as a dedicated controller. The Keylab series is a mixed bag. I think they have a reputation for lousy keybeds, but mine seems okay so far. They are very programmable (especially using Arturia’s software) and it’s nice to have dedicated programmable sliders in addition to rotary encoders at your disposal. My biggest nit to pick with this setup is it takes a LOT of fiddling to get a setup you’re comfortable with (I think, perhaps the Keylab is too configurable). Both the A4 and the Keylab have quite in depth programming structures. If you’re new to both at the same time, prepare to spend a lot of time pouring through manuals and troubleshooting dodgy behavior. For instance, just recently my Keylab has mysteriously begun sending a CC or NRPN signal to the A4 which results in a modulation command on the performance MIDI channel of the A4, and I’ve spent considerable time trying to track down why (still have no concrete explanation).
Bottom line: if you do not currently own one of the two devices, and it fits within your budget, opt for the Analog Keys if for no other reason than you will only have one manual to pour over rather than two.

Lenny · 2014-12-10T19:49:21.000Z

""Aswain"":

For instance, just recently my Keylab has mysteriously begun sending a CC or NRPN signal to the A4 which results in a modulation command on the performance MIDI channel of the A4, and I’ve spent considerable time trying to track down why (still have no concrete explanation).

I had a similar issue with my PCR keyboard with an EV5 pedal, which sends a CC11,127 whenever I change channel on the PCR. (The default value for CC11 is 127, not 0 as it is for most CCs, and the PCR is a bit strict about this.)

In the A4, CC11 is mapped to Performance Parameter E, so if turning that performance knob back to zero restores normality, then CC11 is the culprit.

Aswain · 2014-12-10T22:40:55.000Z

I’ll check that out, thanks – though I spoke in error previously. I’m pretty sure it’s transmitting over the auto channel (not the performance channel), but CC11 is the likely culprit. Unfortunately, even if CC11 is the culprit, I then have to figure out what’s sending it (one of the options I’m considering is that the aftertouch on the keybed might be malfunctioning).

This is kind of what I mean by the Keylab series being too configurable. Pretty much every button, knob, wheel, slider, pad, etc. is configurable. Plus it has aftertouch, exp. pedal input, sustain pedal input, aux input, and breath control input – all configurable. Plus there are two banks, so multiply all those possibilities by 2. It seems feature-rich until something breaks. Then it’s just a bitch to troubleshoot…

Trevor_Refix · 2014-12-11T01:18:42.000Z

Hey Natrixgli

By the way you were talking about the A4 in my DSI P08 thread I just assumed that you had one already lol. (I ordered an A4 btw).

I really really wanted the a-keys bad is a GAS sort of way BUT it just didn’t make sense for my set up. I see that you have an Octatrack too - our set ups are very similar. (Tempest, Mopho SE, Octatrack, Juno106, Rytm (bandmate’s), soon to be A4 here).

The reason that I finally decided not to go for the keys version is because of my Octatrack / Mopho (SE) combo is just so sweet - having another keyboard would just be clutter when my band hits the road again.

I Have the OT set up as the midi brain. The OT as master (sending clock and transport out to everything) and the Mopho SE midi out going to the OT midi in. That way as long as the Mopho’s channel is set to the OT’s "auto channel’ I can play any one of my synths with the Mopho keys with the press of one button on the OT - including the Mopho itself.

So I guess I’m advocating for an A4 / other cheaper mono synth combo - that way you actually get 2 synth engines for the around the price of an Akeys.

mezz303 · 2014-12-11T01:36:38.000Z

I went with the AK because I like integration.
For lazy couch time I just use the boxes that the AK come with stacked on top of each other.

As far as controllers go. The Akai MPK49 is one of the best I have had for stability, build quality and ease of use.

vos · 2015-01-31T19:14:40.000Z

Went for both - AK + A4 - What a combo !

Tornfrayed · 2015-01-31T22:06:06.000Z

""vos"":

Went for both - AK + A4 - What a combo !

Call it the A8.

damondarkwalker · 2015-01-31T22:38:23.000Z

I vote A4 for lazy couch jams. There’s my .02.

barryfell · 2015-02-01T12:34:50.000Z

I know you have already made your choice, but thought i’d chime in to say that people should be wary of the Keylab’s.

Despite the metal casing, the rest of the build quality isn’t great, and it’s a pain to set up for general MIDI duties IMO. Not a patch on my Nektar Panorama P4 for example.

The keys are also notorious for breaking. One of mine is broken, and Arturia still haven’t got back to me after 2 months of me chasing them to replace it.

I’ll never buy another Arturia hardware product.

I like the Keylab for it’s Analog Lab integration, but that’s it.

Automageddon · 2015-02-05T12:00:04.000Z

Slightly related question, can the Analog Keys be used as a master midi keyboard or does it send CV only?

G0n35y · 2015-02-05T12:38:21.000Z

[quote="“Automageddon” date=“2015-02-05 12:00:04"”]
Slightly related question, can the Analog Keys be used as a master midi keyboard or does it send CV only?
[/quote]

It makes a rather good midi keyboard. If you look above the joystick in the photos you’ll notice a midi button which cuts off the audio engine when playing away on the keys and enters the unit into it’s midi mode.