Arturia Minilab 37 is the 37-key version of its popular Minilab 3 MIDI keyboard controller with eight pads, eight encoders, and four faders.
In 2022, Arturia released the third generation of its budget-friendly MIDI keyboard controller, the Minilab 3. This model has come with 25 keys for years and is ideal for carrying in a backpack.
According to Arturia, there have been many user requests for a 37-key version. These wishes are now being addressed. Arturia has released the Minilab 37 today.
Arturia Minilab 37
The Minilab 37 is a new budget-friendly MIDI keyboard controller. The foundation of the new Arturia Minilab 37 is the Minilab 3, expanded to include 12 additional slim keys.
Arturia says that it’s designed for beginners, producers, performers, and musicians looking for a compact controller. It offers the freedom of two-handed play without sacrificing portability.
In addition to the 12 velocity-sensitive only mini keys, the user interface has been refined. The display is now centered; the eight RGB pads are on the left, arranged in 2×4 rows; and the rotary encoders and sliders are on the right side.
Like the Minilab 3, the Minilab 37 also lacks physical pitch and modwheel controls, instead using touch-based controls.
Inspiring Features
The Minilab 37 features an LED display and a clickable encoder to navigate the menu. This menu contains the beloved extra tools like the chord mode and the playful arpeggiator.
It also comes with seamless DAW integration with automatic mappings for major DAWs like Ableton Live, Bitwig, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio, and more.
So you can start making music right away. It also ships with professional music-making software, including Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Intro with over 500 ready-to-use presets, NI The Gentleman, and UVI Model D.
With the extension of the NKS format to other MIDI keyboards last year, the Arturia Minilab 3 has received NKS support. It is not clear whether Arturia’s Minilab 37 also has NKS support right out of the box.
If yes, it also ships with the Native Instruments Komplete 15 Select Bundle with additional software.
Connectivity
The Minilab 37 is identical to the Minilab 3 on the backside. You have a USB-C port for bus powering and MIDI communication.
Next to this is a 5-pin MIDI output socket, so you can also use it with hardware gear. Plus, there is a 6.3mm pedal control input for sustain, expression, or footswitches and a Kensigton lock on the right.
Arturia Minilab 37 First Impression
The MiniLab 3 has been a constant companion at my live gigs for the past four years. I use it with my iPad as one of my two main keyboards. Releasing a 37-key version makes sense.
Even though I appreciate the MiniLab 3’s compact size, I often miss having a few extra keys that the new MiniLab 37 has. The 37-key version is a bit more expensive at 54€ extra. However, I would choose it if I had to pick between the two, also because of the improved layout.
Arturia Minilab 37 is available now for 139€.
More information here: Arturia
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