We offer two ways to set up your KeyLab mk3, based on whether you're new to Arturia products or not.
Please check out our dedicated page on how to start with your controller: KeyLab mk3 Start.
To make sure your KeyLab mk3 works properly, we advise you to plug your device directly on one of your computer's USB ports, and not through a USB Hub, adapters or extension cables.
Of course, if you need to use a USB Hub make sure to preferably use one with Power Delivery capability or with a dedicated power supply.
If having any troubles please have a look to this article:
Two MIDI ports are available on KeyLab mk3: MIDI and DAW.
→ The MIDI port will transmit all MIDI messages from Arturia and User programs.
→ The DAW port will transmit MIDI messages from the DAW program only.
Get started with KeyLab mk3 in Analog Lab and Arturia Individual Instruments
1. Install Analog Lab on your computer and make sure if not already done to activate it via Arturia Software Center as explained here: Activate and Install from the Arturia Software Center
2. Connect the KeyLab mk3 to your computer.
3. If you are using a DAW, make sure to insert Analog Lab on a track as explained here, enable "KeyLab mk3 MIDI" port via the DAW -> MIDI Preferences menu (or set it up with the DAW dedicated script as explained here if working on a supported DAW) and to adjust your audio settings accordingly in the DAW -> Audio settings menu as well.
4. If using Standalone version, make sure to select "KeyLab mk3 MIDI" port, to select your audio interface and the desired Output channels and to set the Buffer size to a value around 128 samples (for a decent compromise between latency and CPU consumption) via Analog Lab's "Audio MIDI Settings" menu:
Clicking on the "Play" button allows to test and confirm that sound is outputted on the desired Audio channel.
- The same process applies to any of our Virtual Software Instruments as well.
In case you would not be able to control the desired parameters from your controllers' faders and knobs, make sure to check that the correct MIDI Configuration is being selected via the right-panel preferences -> MIDI menu as showed below:
Here is another exemple with another individual instrument:
Important notes
-If no sound is produced, make sure to test another Audio driver & to preferably use the dedicated ASIO driver provided along with your Audio interface ((if on Windows) and to test another Audio device as well as a different Sample rate to confirm if this helps.
-Only Sample rates between 44.1 and 96 Khz are officially tested and recommended.
To activate the HUI/MCU protocol, you have to go in the Device Settings of the MIDI Control Center, and choose between Mackie, HUI, or 'Both':
Warning
If you choose 'Both' when using Reaper, and that you set your DAW to listen to MCU only, you'll encounter some issues.
To solve this issue with Reaper, simply pick between Mackie and HUI, instead of choosing 'Both'.
The Arpeggiator can be either synced to its own internal clock or to an external clock source if desired.
The following options are available:
- Internal
- USB
- MIDI
To select the source:
-Long press "Arp" button,
-Press the "third button" below the display,
-Use the wheel to select the source and press the wheel to validate.
Welcome menu
→ The Welcome menu is only available at start. If you want to switch between programs you can press once on the Prog button. Then the contextual buttons around the screen will let you choose the desired program.
→ If you don’t want to have the welcome menu anymore at start, you can disable it by pressing the 4th contextual button underneath the screen.
You can also find an option in the Settings > Global menu.
Note
Remember to also check out the User manual available here: https://www.arturia.com/products/hybrid-synths/keylab-mk3/resources.