“Designed to adapt to every creative need”: Meet the Arturia MiniLab 37 MIDI controller

Arturia has unveiled the MiniLab 37, a compact new 37-key MIDI controller designed to offer “more playability, creative control and software integration” to producers.

Building upon Arturia’s MiniLab 3, the MiniLab 37 adds 12 keys – a full octave – offering a greater musical range.

While the extra 12 keys naturally leads to a greater footprint width ways, thanks to a shallower design, the MiniLab 37 is only marginally larger in terms of size and weight.

Elsewhere, the MiniLab 37 offers all the same DAW compatibility as previous models, with a few new refinements, too. The RGB touch pads are now in a 2 x 4 format instead of a single line above the keys – similar to the beat pads on Akai‘s MPC machines.

The unit also features eight rotary encoders, four sliders and a mini display for comprehensive DAW control, plus a clickable browsing knob to keep everything needed for control in one place. There’s also an Arpeggiator, Chord mode, octave control and semitone transpose functions for inspiration whenever it’s required.

“MiniLab 37 is designed to adapt to every creative need,” says Arturia. “It can be a beginner’s first MIDI keyboard, a compact studio controller for bedroom producers, a secondary desktop keyboard for experienced users, or a portable creative companion for travel and performance.”

The MiniLab 37 is compatible with numerous DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio, Bitwig, Reason, Pro Tools, and Digital Performer. And for the environmentally conscious producers out there, you’ll be please to know the frame is made from 50% recycled plastic – and the packaging is 100% recycled.

The MiniLab 37 is available now, priced at €149. For more information, head to Arturia.

Harry Levin is a freelance journalist with credits in SPIN, Billboard, MusicTech, Grammy.com, Los Angeles Magazine, and more. His musical journey began 20 years ago with a Led Zeppelin CD. He played jazz trombone through college, produced large-scale electronic music events, and now spends his professional time writing and editing.