Published
Tue, Apr 9, 2024, 17:45
- AstroLab packs ten types of sound synthesis and highly expressive controls.
French firm Arturia is putting out a new hardware instrument.
AstroLab is a stage keyboard, designed both to control other synths or software instruments, and create and modulate its own sounds. It has 61 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and seven encoders to manipulate sounds, plus a central large, clickable dial to select between 1,300 presets.
Sounds are generated with dozens of virtual instruments, including 33 of Arturia's lauded recreations of vintage synths. Sounds are created using 35 synth engines that employ ten different types of sound synthesis.
Also onboard are many of Arturia's FX, with two dedicated delay and reverb controls plus two assignable FX knobs where you can add chorus, phasers, distortion and more. Chord, scale and arp features allow all the expected additional performance controls. It also offers a 32-bar looping feature and a vocoder if you plug in a mic.
Astrolab comes with two pieces of software: AstroLab Connect and AstroLab Pro. Connect allows you to browse presets, build playlists and access more sounds from Arturia's store, all on a mobile device. Pro is a DAW plug-in that gives you control over sound libraries, shows full-instrument views, offers deeper controls over FX and allows you to create new macros for the synth's encoders. Both apps connect via Bluetooth.
Arturia, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary with this release, says it created the keyboard to offer musicians the maximum amount of creativity and expression while performing live. That said, AstroLab would also serve as a comprehensive control device at the centre of a studio setup, and one especially tailored to those who are fans of Arturia's V Collection of vintage instruments.
Watch a video about AstroLab.
AstroLab will be available to purchase tomorrow in the US and from next week in Europe, priced €1,599 / $1,599.