Musicians, producers, and sound designers looking for a quality keyboard controller with custom DAW integration and an expanded software package should check out the aquamarine Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3, a universal MIDI controller and software package that features 49 synth-action, velocity-sensitive keys, a clickable encoder, nine additional encoders, nine sliders, eight touch and pressure sensitive pads, six transport control switches, four command switches, a modulation wheel, and a pitchbend wheel. The system is designed to provide 1:1 control of the included Analog Lab V synth software, Ableton Live Lite, UVI Grand Piano Model D, and Native Instruments The Gentleman upright piano software as well as any MIDI controllable plug-in or DAW. It can be customized to other software using the downloadable MIDI Control Center software. What's more, the KeyLab Essential utilizes MCU and HUI protocols for its DAW command center, which offers seamless control well beyond standard MIDI, allowing you to control your DAW software on any platform. The controller is a Class-Compliant USB device, what works straight out of the box with Mac and Windows computers.

The Analog Lab software and KeyLab 49 controller are fully integrated, allowing you to control the elements of Analog Lab without having to reach for your mouse. The software includes over 2000 preset sounds, including vintage sounds, hybrids, modern synths, orchestral sounds, and more. With the KeyLab 49, you can navigate through presets as well as create and save your own. The keyboard can be split or layered to help create new sounds. All of the included software is compatible with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, FL Studio, Bitwig, Cubase, Ableton Live, Digital Performer, Studio One, and more. The KeyLab 49 Essential ships with a USB cable.