Arturia - MicroLab MK3 White

At 406mm long and weighing in at just over half a kilo, Arturia's MicroLab Mk3 White fits in anywhere you'd never think you could put a keyboard. Just take it out, plug it in via USB-C, and you're ready for a jam session in a café, on a messy desk or on the edge of a sofa. And don't worry about the feel: its responsive mini-touches mean you can play dynamically, without feeling like you're tapping on rubber keys.

If your tracks call for expressive flights of fancy, the MicroLab Mk3 White's two tactile strips are there to prevent you from gesticulating in a vacuum. Pitch bend on one side, modulation on the other, they respond to your fingertips. The hold and one-finger chord functions are a welcome addition for those who didn't go to conservatory for ten years but still want to shine with a well-placed jazzy chord.

Compatible with all major production software, the MicroLab Mk3 White is immediately cooperative. It doesn't need convincing, it causes smooth MIDI and synchronises with your DAWs without raising an eyebrow. Once you've launched Analog Lab Intro, you're in control of hundreds of inspiring sounds from Arturia's most legendary vintage keyboards.

The MicroLab Mk3 White's sustain pedal input isn't just a technical detail: it opens the door to another expressive dimension. Whether you're a contemplative piano player or an aggressive synth player, adding a pedal allows you to shape the end notes with as much delicacy as dramatic tension. And for those who play the pedal like a foot, Hold mode saves the day, without weighing your feet down.