Arturia's Astrolab: A new era of on-board synthesis! Plus a tip to get your own samples on it.
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- This new keyboard is premium in look and feel, with HUGE sound potential on-device. Check it out here: www.arturia.com
Send Jef a tip!: paypal.me/jefgibbons
Here for my wooden Maschine case: www.artswooddesigns.ca
Video on my TV! • 4K TV+Mac tips, 60Hz o...
#arturia #astrolab
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:00 What is on it?
3:00 Other gear
7:05 Hardware overview
11:14 Macros
12:00 What sounds does it come with?
15:00 New Sampler
18:20 App-Astrolab Connect
19:20 Transfer your sample trick - Hudba
I hate release embargoes... why would I want 10 videos on a new synth all at once? I'm obviously only going to watch one or two (of course I watched yours first, Jef!). Anyway, Pigments in a physical synth is crazy good, not to mention all the other V collection instruments. Not surprised you can't edit the patches on the synth because they'd basically have to embedd a whole computer with a massive touchscreen to make that possible. And who edits on the device these days anyway - most synths come with a companion editor app. I wonder how much it'll cost...
You’re the best! Thanks for the support… yeah… I just wish it had more controls for editing while in the studio. I can’t see myself using it as a controller, more as a live thing which I don’t do very often!
Approx $1600
" I hate release embargoes... why would I want 10 videos on a new synth all at once?" Perhaps you may find this hard to believe...but Arturia releasing multiple videos(7 in total)....is for marketing purposes and to showcase different aspects of the keyboard in increments. Most of the videos or 5 minutes or less....so what's your problem? Don't have the time...or perhaps you don't have an attention span of more than 30 seconds? Would you prefer a 500 page PDF file to read instead? Be grateful that CZcams videos exist(as 25+ years ago...you had to go a music store & demo one for yourself, to get any sort of a clue as to what you were getting for your money.) Also...if you did buy a synth, you were lucky to even get a DVD video to watch(as most keyboards came with reference manuals the size of a phone book.) Gen Z is quite a special breed...special needs people who need to have everything spoon feed to them and a-l-w-a-y-s have an incessant need to complain & whine about absolutely nothing.
Fantastic review of a fantastic product. Many thanks Jef
Thanks Jeff, as always, an incisive and well thought out view of a new piece of kit. A worthwhile watch. Have a great day!
You too David!
Mannnn I love this Keyboard 🎹!!! Great video bro!
Thanks CD!! It’s beautiful… definitely meant for live players, which I really should do more of!
Thank you Jef.🫡
it's beautiful, imagine an 88 key version of this with a Kawai Hammer Action keybed.
I think a lot of people would dig that!
I think this form factor favours synths over pianos / EPs and I think it's a great move
I love the design of this thing
It feels like a premium keyboard! very solid... keys feel good... and I of course love the wood!
@@jefgibbons +1 on the wood
I would like it even more in graphite grey 🤔
@@R1PPA-C +2 if it would have been actual wood
Best review
A stellar video as expected, once again proving always Jef flips the secret “delete fluff” switch and hits the “enhance excellence” filter in his workflow. I don’t think I can justify this purchase although I’d try hard to, but it kind of looks like a slam dunk for any pro live players invested at all in the Arturia ecosystem. If you can’t find the sound you need from 17,000 you probably won’t…
Thanks for the review. I need something like this for live but think it’s really petty of them not to include the Mac software versions. Also, why not the CMI and also, how much memory for custom samples?
Hey Jef, this sounds beautiful, I was thinking that I have already mastered almost everything in Maschine thanks to you, I know how to make a complete song from start to finish, the only thing I don't know is how to record the voices for a song, how to move them, when to use audio mode or the sampler. I know that you have made some voice videos but I would like to know how to make the voice for a song from start to finish in Maschine, thank you very much for your education Jef!
This looks like nice. I'm thinking about getting my hands on one. What really interests me is the physical modelling on acoustic instruments.. NOW if they made a version the size of the MINIFREAK I wouldnt be hesitating at all.
Hey LN! Yeah, physical modeling can get such great crispy organic sounds… huge fan of your stuff!
@jefgibbons thanks for the reply, the good word and for checking out the music. Also these quality videos! 🍻😎
If Arturia releases a patch that will make it really ez to add my own samples then I think I've found my ultimate controller/live board.
I'll be one of the first to post a video if/when they do!
it's definitely a classy looking board in a minimalist kind of way. sure i wouldn't mind seeing a bigger display, and some faders, etc., but as you said, that would up the price quite a bit. i know this is not the right video for it, but at some point i would like to see a video on you showcasing the Artist Tribute Presets. there's some offered on the Astrolab, that are not available for purchase on the official site. the Astrolab seems like a great choice in controlling Arturia software, but would you recommend it for NI Komplete?
The Astrolab would be a basic controller for NI Komplete... you could easily assign the knobs, but I don't think they'd update with the LEDs... and that's about all you could do with it other than playing the keys!
Interesting, I’m seeing this as a useful synth for playing live. Arturia’s controllers would make more sense for me since I already own their v8 collection.
Same here, but I'll be trying this new one out tomorrow night in a little show! Probably won't live on my desk though...
@@jefgibbons Arturia does a wonderful job of supporting their stuff. I’ll be keeping an eye on these synths.
I don't think it can do seamless transitions as loopop said it takes like 5 seconds to load, so probably not the best for live use unless there's time and single sounds
Great review as always ill just keep my keylab mk2 61 key and software 😆
Thanks! Yeah that’s a good plan!
Still waiting on keyboard with large touch screen, sliders, mpe, wireless capability (use without usb-c cable), ease of use, all of it’s brand vst’s inside of it for standalone use and is reasonably priced.
That sounds like the dream synth...
I want this but with my own software running ….like Pianoteq, keyscape, lounge lizard. Etc.
Arturia's version of the Mashine Mk3+
Interesting but .....
Good break down though Jeff.👍
I had the same thought! I've used the M+ exactly twice away from the studio... going to use the Astrolab in a gig tonight, but that only happens about twice a year!
thats tv is so big, can you share how size it is your big monitor sir?
Grainy Jeff -- very French avant-garde 👌
I feel grainy these days!!
Could I use DJ Serato, Maschine + to control AstroLab or use the software alone
Analog Lab/Artists?
So if I buy this keyboard does it come with all the instruments or do I have to buy analog lab separately
You get preset sounds but parameter editing requires a license. If the keybed is solid (aftertouch!) this may be a serious product. But for me in order to make sense it needs to be 100% stand alone if desired (once all is updated, licenses aquired etc.).
Will that dial change my home temperature and is it Alexa-enabled
What is the boot time? Thanx
Hi do you have any information about the Mellotron sounds ? On this keyboard?..and why they weren’t included but have an icon for that sound ..thanks ✋🏻
There was something holding back their mellotron instrument on this one, so they just included the samples in their new on board sampler.
@@jefgibbons thanks for the information ✋🏻
that much for a semi weighted is bananas..
I can either afford this or a new computer. If I buy this, I won't be able to download any of the software since I don't have a computer. So my question would be, is it worth buying this keyboard if you don't plan on using the software anytime soon? Great review appreciate your channel 👍
If you can only choose one I’d say computer first with software and a controller keyboard for sure! Get a laptop and use it on stage for now…
❤
I'm just gonna slap a Nest thermostat on to my Keylab.
Indeed! An interesting choice…
@@jefgibbons I mean, it actually seems like a decent utility decision. I'm just kidding around :)
If only it had a thermometer on it…
@@rockstarjoe it is cool! My only concern is how long it will last, but it feels very sturdy!
It would be an amazing deal if they threw in the V collection or at least reduced the cost to half price.
Does Astrolab support MPE when an MPE controller is attached?
Interesting question! I’ll have to look into that one…
Wow... worth the switch from keylab mkii 88? Only time will tell
Only if you want to play live! The MKII 88 would still be my choice for studio work.
One is a controller, then other has sounds build in. One is 88 the other is 61. Not the same thing.
@@foljs5858 Exactly my point in this video...
The product didn't really convince me. I had these Labs versions already a few years ago with an Arturia MIDI keyboard - until I later discovered NI Komplete Kontrol and Maschine. That gave me a lot more possibilities, especially with larger displays. I don't need the sounds in the keyboard. ...and if keyboards come with a sound engine, then real synths.
It's a niche market for sure, but I'm glad they are pitching it directly to the live performers and not calling this the synth for everyone... would have been easy for them to take that route and I was hoping they wouldn't as I worked on the vid.
"I don't need the sounds in the keyboard" -- well, this keyboard is all about the sounds in keyboard form, and an emphasis on gigging, so if you want a workstation or some such shit, you can keep Maschine and co.
@@foljs5858 Sorry, I'm not native speaking english. What I mean, personally for me: Astrolab makes no sense for me, because it has no own sound engine - in my case I prefer a real Synth when I need a ext. sound engine. Okay, now to your next point: NI Komplete Kontrol & Maschine MK 3 are no workstations, they are remotes. Jeff made many wonderful and helpfully clips to Native Instruments. His clips have caught my interest. So a few years ago, I bought my Arturia equipment and switched to NI. Korg Kronos, etc. they are workstations. In original post I didn't wrote that I need I workstation. If you hate workstations okay, but this was not the point.
@@danielsonderhoff5882 what do you mean "has no own sound engine"? That it has no "dedicated' sound engine only available for itself and not also in VST form?
Sure, but on the other hand, it does have 30+ sound engines for the Arturia VSTs, so it's one of the most expansive synths to program (and you program presets for it directly using the VSTs UI, which is better than any "library manager"). No other synth has 30+ sound engines, from virtual modelling piano to hammond organs, Moog, Oberheim and all that...
I can't figure out what the performance of the hardware is, for example multitimbrality at how many parts and how many voices can it support at the same time? It's not very clear on the site, it seems bi-timbral, but it's not clear, perhaps because its performance is a bit limited
Just two parts, can be layered or split…
Native Instruments is next 😁😁 Also save your money for MK2
Cheers 🥂
It would be nice. I'm not sure its possible to have 3rd patches installed on the keyboard. That would be nice in standalone, tho. The screen using in standalone is a big pass for me
I think Arturia should speak to David Hillowitz and see if they could get Decent Sampler on the keyboard.
Great idea… super important!
It looks great, and seems well featured, but a grand an a half? Ooft.
Yeah I was wondering where they’d price it…
If I’m correct it internalises vst instruments which can be bought separately and these as such can be controlled by any decent midi controller keyboard . If you don’t have a decent midi controller key board then this release definitely worth the bucks…great keyboard otherwise Caveat Empore applies.
You say you understand why there are so little knobs and no faders etc - because there are different synths and sound engines. If that's the case - then what exactly is the Keylab controller?? Taking a layout like the Keylab with 9 knobs, 9 faders, drum pads, transport controlls, and put an audio interface and a processor so it would be standalone is what make more sense. With all the different synths inside V Collection arturia still made an effort to map a lot of parameters to those controls. So there's no excuse
Might not have articulated that well enough. I was hoping/referring to for LFO, envelopes, filters, all clearly labeled like the minifreak. There’s definitely no excuse for the lack of basic sliders that can be assigned to everything other than the fact that it DOESNT come with the ability to assign those UNLESS you own the software. Not making excuses… really wish this wasn’t the configuration. Could have solved that by including the v collection.
I don't see what you consider new tech. It's nice that you can have the software patches on it already. Would be good for a gig. But I don't really see anything special about it. I would probably rather have the Komplete Kontrol set up, plus it has polyphonic aftertouch which I think is mandatory for a midi keyboard now. The hardware synths on the other hand really are incredible. Just not seeing anything special about it, unless you wanted to gig with it and have the built in software vs a laptop.
It’s just the first time we’ve had software we can mess with on the computer, and have built patches on for years… that can be instantly transferred onto a hardware keyboard. There actually isn’t anything out there like this… unless I’m missing something else…
It surely looks nice but I‘m honestly very disappointed for what it can do. First of, I hate wheels above the keys, then there‘s an external power supply, headphone jack on the back, no faders nor pads, too few knobs, not a lot of memory and I can only layer/split 2 sounds???? The display is ridiculously small. I do like the amount of buttons though but I‘d still rather take a Novation SL MK3 with a laptop running Gig Performer on stage than this
Good points! I have hopes for where this keyboard will go, and it's a strong first release for performers that are deep in the Arturia ecosystem. I just wish they had sliders so it could be used as a proper controller in the studio. I do think lots of people will get along just fine using this as a controller exclusively, and to be fair I never use things like transport functions on controllers. I think I would have preferred buttons/ knobs with text strips above them... but that would have cost a lot more!
2k for this
Indeed… $2200 here 🇨🇦
@@jefgibbons yikes
Buy a Nektar P6 w/ analog lab
Save alot of money 🤑💰
A strange device, can't make heads or tails of it yet. And surely looks pricey.
Ask me anything! Definitely meant for the live performer…
@@jefgibbons Maybe but it looks so much like a PC in a keyboard and less like a synth. Add a laptop to an Arturia keyboard and you got the same with a more comfortable interface.
Come on, seriously?!? Playing live the primary thing is having "close enough" sounds for your set and a good keybed. The pivot point on this looks like it is directly behind the keys, ugh! At this price they could not even provide an internal PSU? Do you really think someone in the price range needing to gig would pick this over a CK61 (or even the new Hammond 4 octave if that covered their sounds) or similar for live? Not even close. What were they thinking?
Thanks for your thoughts klstay!
well worth the $1999 asking price $
it's $1599 on Sweetwater.
If they threw in V Collection I'd pick one up. They would make their money back in future upgrades.
That seems like a must to me… or at least half price.