Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3vsArturia KeyStep mk2
Summary
Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 and Arturia KeyStep mk2: 2 Arturia controller keyboards compared side by side. They differ on 18 of 22 compared specifications.
| 2 items | Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3CurrentView details → | Arturia KeyStep mk2CurrentView details → |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Arturia | Arturia |
| Status | Current | Current |
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |
| Keyboard | ||
| Keys | 88 | 32 |
| Key size | Full | Slim |
| Key action | Semi-weighted | Synth-action |
| Aftertouch | None | Channel |
| Keybed | Arturia semi-weighted | Arturia Slimkey with aftertouch |
| Controls | ||
| Pads | 8 | 0 |
| Faders | 9 | 0 |
| Knobs / encoders | 9 | 1 |
| Display | LCD | OLED |
| Pitch / mod | Wheels | Touch strips |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C | USB-C |
| MIDI ports | DIN out | DIN in, DIN out |
| CV / Gate out | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth MIDI | No | No |
| Pedal inputs | Sustain | Sustain, Expression |
| USB bus powered | Yes | Yes |
| Features & software | ||
| Features | Arpeggiator, Chord mode, Scale mode, DAW transport | Arpeggiator, Sequencer, Chord mode, Scale mode, Sync in/out |
| Bundled software | Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite, NI The Gentleman, UVI Model D, Loopcloud, Melodics | Analog Lab Intro, Ableton Live Lite |
| Size & weight | ||
| Colours | White | White |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 1258 × 255 × 88 mm | 484 × 145 × 50 mm |
| Weight | 8.2 kg | 1.1 kg |
Key differences
- Keys: KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 – 88 KeyStep mk2 – 32
- Key action: KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 – Semi-weighted KeyStep mk2 – Synth-action
- Aftertouch: KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 – None KeyStep mk2 – Channel
- Pads: KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 – 8 KeyStep mk2 – 0
- Released: KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 – 2024 KeyStep mk2 – 2025
- Key size: KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 – Full KeyStep mk2 – Slim