While KeyLab Essential mk3 allows you to control most Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) of your choice, we have created special controller mapping scripts that allow an even deeper integration and navigation straight from your hardware controller for a selection of DAWs.
You can find the necessary information and the scripts for these DAWs below.
Please find our dedicated guide for Ableton Live here, keep in mind that the script for Live is available only from version 11.3.3 and above. Please make sure to update if needed.
- Go to Live MIDI settings menu ("Options" / "Preferences" / "Link Tempo MIDI" tab)
- In the MIDI section, select your control surface (KeyLab Essential mk3)
- Set the right In and out Ports (“KL Essential xx mk3 MIDI” / “KL Essential xx mk3 MIDI”)
- Make sure you disable the “KeyLab Essential mk3 DIN THRU”, “KeyLab Essential xx mk3 MCU/HUI” and the “KeyLab Essential xx mk3 ALV” ports:
- If for some reasons the above suggestions are not working, make sure to first double check that the correct script files are present in the following folder depending on your operating system:
Windows:
"ProgramData" being an hidden system folder, make sure to check the "Hidden items" option available in "Windows Explorer" -> "View" menu:
-If the correct script files are in place, you should see something like this:
-Now, check also that in the following location you also have the files showed below:
- In case, the above files would be missing, you will find a .zip archive attached to this article to download and manually install them in the aforementioned folders.
Make sure to extract the content in the "MIDI Remote Scripts" folder for both folders and their content to be extracted in the correct location and obtain the results displayed above.
macOS:
/Users/"Username"/Music/Audio Music Apps/MIDI Device Profiles/Arturia
Make sure to replace "Username" with your own User account name.
-If the correct script files are in place, you should see something like this:
In case, the above files would be missing, you will find a .zip archive attached to this article to download and manually install them in the aforementioned folder.
Notes
-On the KeyLab Essential mk3 controller you will have to also ensure loading the "DAW" program (device memory) to ensure all the DAW controls functions to operate properly.
Just press the "Prog" button to cycle the program until the correct one is loaded.
-Please note also that the "Save" button will act as "MIDI capture" function to save on a MIDI clip the last MIDI messages which were not recorded in case you would forgot to enable the transport "Record" function: Capture MIDI
Here are its quick setup steps:
-Use the latest version of Bitwig Studio that contains the KeyLab Essential mk3 integration script (At least version 5).
-Connect your KeyLab Essential mk3 and select DAW program (shift + pad 3).
-Open Bitwig Studio.
-Go to Bitwig Studio's MIDI settings (File Settings Controller tab):
-Choose "Add Controller", click on "Hardware Vendor", select "Arturia" & click on KeyLab Essential Mk3 in the products list:
-Click on "Add"
-Select the MIDI ports in the input and output:
Your controller is now ready to use with Bitwig Studio.
Note
On the KeyLab Essential mk3 controller you will have to also ensure loading the "DAW" program (device memory) to ensure all the DAW controls functions to operate properly.
Just press the "Prog" button to cycle the program until the correct one is loaded.
Please find our dedicated guide and scripts for Cubase here. Integration script for MIDI controllers will be available only in Cubase 12 and above.
- Download the scripts corresponding to Cubase from the link above.
- Connect your KeyLab Essential mk3 and select DAW program (Prog button + PAD 2).
- Open Cubase.
- Click on "Studio" -> “MIDI Remote Manager”:
- Click on the “Import Script” button and select the script corresponding to your device in the downloaded folder.
- If the script is properly installed, it should look like this:
- Do not forget to disable the KeyLab Essential mk3 MCU/HUI, KeyLab Essential mk3 DIN THRU, KeyLab Essential mk3 ALV ports via the following menu:
"Studio" -> "Studio Setup" -> "MIDI Port Setup"
If not done, such may lead unexpected sounds and notes to be produced when using the transport function.
Note
In case Faders would not be controlling track volumes as expected after enabling the script, make sure to double check that:
-You are currently using the "DAW" program on the controller (Prog button + PAD 2)
-Then try to move the main Jog wheel (below the screen) to force the focus on the tracks before giving it another try.
Please find our dedicated guide and scripts for FL Studio here, make sure to have at least version 20.9.2 of FL studio installed, scripts won’t be able to work in versions below.
With FL Studio version 21 or above:
-Connect your KeyLab Essential mk3 and select DAW program (Prog button).
-Open FL Studio.
-The KeyLab Essential mk3 should be automatically detected and ready to use.
- If the KeyLab Essential mk3 is not detected:
- Go to FL Studio MIDI settings ("Options" / "MIDI Settings" / "MIDI tab")
- Click on “Update MIDI scripts” at the bottom of the page
- Select the right script called “KeyLab Essential mk3” in the Controller type box under the “Input Section”
- Select a MIDI port for input and output. You’ll need them to match (see above)
- Make sure to let the “KeyLab Essential mk3 DIN THRU”, the “KeyLab Essential mk3 MCU” and the “KeyLab Essential mk3 ALV” ports disabled.
- KeyLab Essential mk3 should be detected and ready to use.
With FL Studio 20.9.2 (latest version of FL Studio 20)
- Download the script in the link above.
- Extract the folders
- Copy the folder named “KeyLab Essential mk3” from the “FL Studio Scripts” folder and paste it at the end of this path:
Windows:
C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Image-Line\FL Studio\Settings\Hardware\
MacOS:
<username>/Documents/Image-Line/FL Studio/Settings/Hardware/
<username>: Make sure to replace it with your current User profile name.
- When this is done you can follow the “If you use FL Studio version 21” section above to set up your device properly.
Note
On the KeyLab Essential mk3 controller you will have to also ensure loading the "DAW" program (device memory) to ensure all the DAW controls functions to operate properly.
Just press the "Prog" button to cycle the program until the correct one is loaded.
Using Analog Lab (or any Arturia Programs) in FL Studio
- Please make sure that the MIDI input port is set to 10 in the plugin wrapper:
Additional Note
In case Faders or Encoders would not be controlling instrument parameters as desired, make sure to refer to the following article to manually map your controls with the help of the "MultiLink to Controllers" feature:
- Download the scripts from the above link
- Extract the folder and execute the .dmg:
- Double click on the application to install the script:
- Click on "Open" to confirm the install:
- Connect your KeyLab Essential mk3 and load the dedicated "DAW program" with the "Prog" button
- Open Logic Pro
- You should normally see the "Auto-Assign" window popping up, make sure to accept:
-In case functions would not be working, make sure to double-check the following menu and ensure that the correct "MIDI" ports are being selected:
Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Setup menu
Note
Again, on the KeyLab Essential mk3 controller you will have to also ensure loading the "DAW" program (device memory) to ensure all the DAW controls functions to operate properly.
Just press the "Prog" button to cycle the program until the correct one is loaded.
Troubleshoot
If for some reasons the script would not be working, make sure to check and attempt the following suggestions:
-If the "Auto-Assign" pop-up was not displayed on opening, make sure to first close Logic Pro, to reinstall the script with the steps described above, and then to reset Logic Pro Settings:
Close Logic Pro and open it again and accept if prompted by the "Auto-assign" pop-up.
- Then, if needed, delete also manually the "KeyLab Essential mk3" (or any other device manually created you possibly attempted using to set up your controller) in the "Control Surfaces" -> "Setup" menu ("Delete" Keyboard key).
e.g with a KeyLab 61 mkI below:
-Now, click on "New" -> "Install"
-Select the correct “KeyLab Essential mk3” device in the list and click on "Add":
-Now click on the "KeyLab Essential mk3" device in the right section of the Control Surface menu and make sure to adjust the Output and Input ports to "KeyLab Essential mk3 MIDI":
-Now, on the controller, press "Prog" to load "DAW" program and give it another try.
MIDI port selection
- Finally, if the "KeyLab Essential mk3 MIDI" port is not available for selection, make sure to also check via "Audio Midi Setup" -> "Midi Studio" that no custom devices connections as this may prevent the port to be usable for other purposes. If so, clicking on it and pressing "Backspace" key on your computer keyboard should allow you to delete it.
- Also, you can if needed attempt creating another fresh configuration from the top bar for your device to be identified properly once again:
- Once done, open Logic Pro once again, check the above steps to select the correct "KeyLab Essential mk3 MIDI" port in the Control Surface menu and give it another try.
No dedicated script for Reason currently exists, but the following steps should help configure your controller in order to benefit from most of its features:
- To set up your controller so you can control the following transport functions (Play/Stop/Record/Forward/Backward), please do as follows:
- First, please open MIDI Control Center, and select Mackie in DAW Mode, under Device Settings tab:
- Then go to Reason's "Preferences" menu -> "MIDI" tab
- Click on "Add manually" button:
- In the next window, select "Mackie" in the "Manufacturer" section and "Control" in "Model " dropdown menu.
-In the Input and Output sections choose "KL Essential xx mk3 MCU/HUI" ports:
- Now close the window, and still in the "MIDI" tab, only select the MIDI port in the "Easy MIDI inputs" section:
The Play/Stop/Record/Forward/Backward buttons should now work in Reason.
- To control Analog Lab or any other plug-ins (Arturia ones and others) from your device encoders or faders, make sure to also use the Reason's "Remote" option to map controls:
No dedicated script for Reaper currently exists, but the following steps should help configure your controller in order to benefit from most of its features.
- To set up your controller, please do as follows:
-Please select Mackie in DAW mode in the MIDI Control Center > Device Settings:
-Open Reaper
-Go to Reaper's preferences -> MIDI Devices menu
-Make sure to only enable Input for both "KeyLab Essential mk3 MIDI" and "KeyLab Essential mk3 MCU/HUI" ports but not for the DIN or ALV ones.
-Make sure also to allow "Control" only for MCU port.
-Finally, make sure to only enable the "KeyLab Essential mk3 MCU/HUI" port and no other ones:
-Still in Reaper's preferences, please go to "Control / OSC / Web" menu, and click on "Add":
-In the next panel, select "Mackie Control Universal" in the "Control Surface Mode" drop-down menu, and then select the "KeyLab Essential mk3 MCU/HUI port in "MIDI input" & "MIDI output" sections:
Now, start/stop/record/backward/forward/loop, track volume and pan should work.
Note
If this error message below pops up (error opening MIDI inputs and outputs), please make sure that all settings are correct and try to close and reopen Reaper, it should then work fine:
Logic Pro script compatibility
-Although we did not fully test or validate its compatibility, you should be able to download and install the Logic Pro script (refer to dedicated section above for the guide and steps) following the same described steps.
-Once installed, on next opening, make sure to click on "Auto Assign" for the script to be considered:
-Here is a quick description of the available controls:
Loop / Play / Stop / Record: Allows to control Transports functions.
Save / Undo / Redo: Allows to Save project and to revert changes
Main encoder: Allows to move from one track to another.
Faders n°1 to n°8: Allows to control the volume of the currently highlighted track (can be selected with Main encoder). Knobs n°1 to n°8: Allows to control the volume of the currently highlighted track (can be selected with Main encoder).
Fader n°9: Allows to control the Master Volume.
Without Logic Pro script installed, the KeyLab Essential mk3 will operate as a generic MIDI controller with GarageBand and won't benefit from the same integration as all the other DAWs for which we provide dedicated scripts.
Also, since GarageBand does not handle Mackie or HUI protocols nor allows users to manually map parameters to external devices (alternate methods to support such kind of features) this means that some advanced functions, such as DAW controls and Transport controls (Play, Stop, Rec), won't work with GarageBand by default.
- To start using as a generic controller, no specific setup steps should be needed as long as the controller is being identified by macOS (Audio MIDI Setup > MIDI Studio menu):
How to use Analog Lab and map controls to other Virtual Instruments parameters
Analog Lab is though fully compatible as an Audio Unit plug-in along with GarageBand and can be inserted on a track as explained below:
- Open GarageBand and create an Empty project and a MIDI "Software Instrument" track (By default an Electric Piano instrument will be selected)
- Go to Plugins section, and change the E-piano to Analog Lab (or create a new instrument track), like the image below:
If a warning pop-up appears asking you to lower security settings, accept it.
Make sure to properly select the "Arturia" device memory on the controller with "Prog" button to cycle between the memories and control parameters.
- After selecting your preset, you should be able to click on the "Rec" button in Garage band and start recording.
- Also, if you'd like to map your controller function to any other Virtual instrument (Plug-in) which offers a Midi learn function, you should be able to select one of the "User" device memories (With the "Prog" button) and map your controller controls (Knobs and faders) without any problem to the desired functions :
E.G with UVI Workstation "Grand Piano Model D":
-Open plug-in interface and right-click on the desired parameter to map
-Move the KeyLab Essential mk3 control you would like to map
Of course, each plugin will have its own way to proceed so the best to do so will be to refer to their users' manuals.
You should activate the MCU protocol if you're using the following DAWs:
- Studio One
- Reaper (Refer to dedicated "Reaper" section above)
- Cakewalk
- Digital Performer
- All other DAWs supporting the MCU protocol
- Older versions of Logic Pro (below 10.7.4), Ableton Live (below 11.3.3), and Cubase (below 12)
And you should activate the HUI protocol only if you're using Pro Tools.
To use the MCU or HUI protocol:
- Please open the MIDI Control Center > Device Settings > Global Parameters, and set the transport mode to MCU or HUI depending on the DAW used:
- Open your DAW, go to the settings, and activate the inputs and outputs for "MIDI" and "MCU/HUI" ports.
- The MIDI port will be needed to use standard MIDI features (When using "Arturia" or "User" programs), and the "MCU/HUI" port will be needed to use the DAW functions.
Here is an example with Studio One 7:
-You will have to create two distinct device:
- Adding a Keyboard set to "KeyLab Essential mk3 MIDI" ports set as Input and Output:
- Adding a Control Surface device set to "KeyLab Essential mk3 MCU/HUI" ports set as Input and Output:
- The final result should look as follows if set properly:
Warning
-If you choose 'Both' in your DAW, and that you set it to listen to MCU only, you'll encounter some issues.
-To solve this issue, simply pick between MCU and HUI, instead of choosing 'Both'.
If having any troubles with setting MIDI or MCU/HUI in your DAW, please refer to the DAW manual or Knowledge Base and/or ask for help to our Technical Support team via the link below.