The 8 Pads of MiniLab MkII Orange Edition can be used in two banks (1-8 and 9-16) quickly switchable with a button SOFTWARE BUNDLEĪmong the strengths of this Arturia’s package stands out the software equipment, which includes two proprietary applications: MIDI Control Center for mapping the control surface, and Analog Lab Lite, a powerful virtual analog/digital synthesizer with more than 500 sounds ready to use. The equipment is completed by 2 assignable touch-controllers to drive pitch-bend, modulation and other parameters. A generous control surface allows remote control of DAWs and soft-synthsįurthermore: 8 velocity-sensitive and RGB backlit pads, organized in two banks, 1-8 and 9-16, switchable with a special button, as well as the inevitable two swotch for octave up and down, and a Shift key for enable some advanced features, such as MIDI channel selection. Two of them are encoder/switch type: very useful, as we will see, for the selection and loading banks and sounds. The control surface is very rich if we consider the available area: despite its small size, in fact, Minilab MkII Orange Edition features 16 endless rotary encoders. Two sockets on the rear panel: one for the USB and one for the Sustain pedal CONTROL PANEL Two sockets on the rear panel, one USB for connection to the computer and one ¼ ”TRS jack for the Sustain pedal.
Considering the size of the keys, the keyboard is pleasantly versatile, with responsive and not at all disappointing mechanics even when playing repeated and articulate sequences. The base is made of metal, the chassis is made of plastic but of good quality, which does not mind even to the touch. It’s lightweight, shorter than a traditional computer keyboard, and just over a foot wide. Once unboxed, what strikes about Arturia MiniLab MKII Orange Edition is its compactness but also its robustness.
Successful restyling for the small MIDI/USB keyboard by Arturia, one of the most promising and with the best quality/price ratio in its market segment.īy Luca Barbieri Lightweight and ultra-compact, MiniLab MkII Orange Edition connects to PC / Mac systems via USBīlack livery, bright orange potentiometers, many controllers and a 25-note keyboard with velocity– sensitive mini-keys: we are talking about the new Minilab MkII Orange Edition by Arturia, restyling of the homonymous MIDI/USB keyboard that the renowned French manufacturer has launched on the market about 4 years ago.