Arturia KeyLab mkIIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 32 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment71%
PROS 71%
CONS 29%

Rank based on 32 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a metal-built controller with tight DAW integration for Ableton, Logic, or Pro Tools
  • You value a large bundled software package (Analog Lab plus V Collection instruments) as part of the price
  • You're willing to build finger strength for a heavier weighted keybed over time

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need to load third-party VST plugins directly into the control software rather than just Arturia presets
  • You want a light, soft keybed feel rather than a heavier weighted action
  • You need reliable, glitch-free DAW mapping out of the box across multiple DAWs

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Arturia KeyLab mkII
Generous bundled softwareStrong DAW integrationRugged metal buildHeavy or stiff keybed criticizedInconsistent encoder resistanceAnalog Lab limited to Arturia presets
Arturia KeyLab mkII
Generous bundled software
Strong DAW integration
Rugged metal build
Heavy or stiff keybed criticized
Inconsistent encoder resistance
Analog Lab limited to Arturia presets

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Build quality consistently impresses reviewers. Multiple commenters describe the KeyLab mkII as 'built like a tank' with a surprising metal chassis and attractive wood paneling, rare for a MIDI controller at this price. One owner compared the body favorably against pricier alternatives, rating the chassis a perfect 10/10 while noting the pots and dials were merely good rather than exceptional. This durability and premium feel is repeatedly cited as a major selling point over cheaper plastic competitors.

The weighted keybed sparks the most debate. Several users find the heavier action rewarding long-term, arguing it builds finger muscle and improves velocity sensitivity and control after a month of practice. Others strongly disagree, calling the 88-key action 'unacceptably heavy and thick,' physically straining, or too plastic-feeling compared to real piano touch. Buyers frequently ask reviewers to compare the keybed against Native Instruments, Nord, or Roland alternatives before purchasing.

Bundled software and DAW integration deliver strong value but have caveats. Owners repeatedly praise the included Analog Lab and V Collection synths as excellent value, sometimes citing five or more full instrument versions bundled in. Integration with Ableton, Logic, and Pro Tools is generally called seamless and workflow-changing, letting users tweak parameters without touching a laptop. However, some note Analog Lab only hosts Arturia's own presets, not third-party VSTs, and one user reported serious Logic mapping glitches after purchase.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?