New tool (3.3.0): Arturia KeyLab mkII v1.3 build 023 (January 2021)

@liteshinebrite, how are you?

Recent Arturia information

Some recent information on this tool project and Arturia …

Last week Arturia updated the firmware of the entire Keylab MKII series (49/61/88 keys), after many months without adding anything new. This new version of the firmware leaves the keyboard hardware in better condition, which is excellent news, but it comes quite late. I am convinced that this new update is because the 88-key Keylab MKII exists. If only the 49-key Keylab MKII and 61-key Keylab MKII were marketed, probably Arturia would not have continued to update the firmware, leaving these keyboards dead.

From what I gather about the firmware, it is identical for all 3 keyboards. Only the number of keys varies, but all firmware functionality is identical. I only have the 49-key keyboard. But my tool should work for all 3 keyboards without issue, just the same. If something fails, it would be the link with the name of the MIDI keyboard, which should have an easy solution.

If I were to buy an 88-key keyboard, having this LUA tool already built, the 88-key Arturia Keylab MKII would be my choice. But I would prefer it in black (I don’t particularly like white peripherals). Arturia has not released the black version of the 88 Keylab MKII, and I still don’t understand why.

Don’t expect any more Arturia updates for these keyboards from now on.

About the Arturia KeyLab mklI tool

The tool just needs to be turned on and done…

If Renoise is compatible with Apple and Microsoft software, the tool will work exactly the same for all 3 Arturia keyboards.

The tool should work exactly the same for all 3 keyboards. Unfortunately, to build an LUA tool it is imperative to have the hardware to test. Arturia protects the code of its firmware and is very hermetic with the information. There’s no choice but to do my own research, and that’s a lot of work. However, I think the firmware is identically configured for all 3 keyboards. To program the code, only the “model name” and some other details will vary, and this is already provided for in the tool.

Yes. In the tool, the knobs and faders are configured to modify values directly in the pattern editor.


This is the latest version that I programmed, but have not published. I understand that there is no interest in this tool, because no one who uses Renoise has a Keylab MKII (it is an expensive keyboard for cheap software). But if you buy an MKII keyboard and you need the tool, there is no problem in posting the tool here.

The tool has 4 sections basically:

  1. Pad color control (in beta state)
  2. Full navigation and additional functions, all functional (all Daw Commands User and Transports controls). As Arturia offers the firmware, it is impossible to use Renoise to navigate. You need to use this bridge tool.
  3. Window navigation from the main wheel and other buttons (pattern, track, line, instrument navigation …).
  4. Knobs and faders assigned to parameter control within the pattern editor:
    • Note, Instrument, Volume, Panning, Delay, sFX/FX, Amount
    • Navigation between note columns or effect columns.
    • Steps navigation between lines.

You also have additional control over data erasure, among other details, all controllable from the physical keyboard.

About Renoise

Renoise is the best Tracker in the world, hands down, and one of the best DAWs with the most functionality on the market at a ridiculously low price; in the world you won’t get better music software for less than € 100. Thanks to the ability to extend functions from LUA and the available API, Renoise is a DAW that borders on perfection. The most important limitation is provided by the user, who must understand the injection of notes and little else. The rest is pretty easy.

Basically this software depends on a single developer currently (and some support people) and is still active. In a short time, without specifying, there will be a new version with new compatibilities.

Currently Apple seems to “destroy everything”, but the developer Renoise is on top of fixing compatibility issues.

For my part, I am still very active with Renoise. In fact, I will probably update this tool when I have more time. Currently, I am developing a very interesting Step Sequencer that will require a license, such as the Piano Roll Editor or the Sample Multi Controler. So I keep developing things for Renoise. I just miss that the user community contributes more things and that a site on the Renoise website is better ordered to upload and download content…

People need to share content from Renoise:

  • Elaborate native instruments
  • Sample packages
  • Phrases
  • Libraries

If you buy the keyboard and need the tool, let me know!