Arturia Analog Experience The Player

Regarding the choice ...
So actually I was looking for a small midi keyboard (which can go into a laptop bag) to complete my set small nomadic laptop / soundcard CT ... A few simple keyboard with just enough as controllers ... modulation and pitch bend could have been enough for me ... I did not especially need more when purchasing this product, however, offers more than just a mobile keyboard ...
The technical features that tipped the balance toward this model are: a true standard keyboard, a solid appearance, a "wheel" pitch bend / modulation controller dedicated and editable ... bank in its "little more" ...

Level connectivity, we have: a USB (which is enough to power the keyboard: no need to power supply), a plug for a 12v power supply (in case), a midi out jack and an input jack for plugging in a sustain pedal ...



UTILIZATION

Regarding the keyboard, touch is very nice ...
Being the proud possessor of a Trinity (known for its excellent keyboard), I admit that this little model Arturia stands up very well against the Japanese forerunner ...
At first, I had the impression that the keys were fragile because they seemed much moved, horizontally speaking ... Checking the height on my other keyboards: the case for all those I have in my possession ... probably a sort of "margin" to accommodate the games most dynamic ...
In short, the keyboard is flexible, responds well even if the aftertouch is not "verifiable" on all the sounds included in the pack ...
This "slap" a little on the return of the keys to their original position but nothing too serious ...
I admit even have a doubt is that the touch is better or worse than the Trinity? ... And I find it very difficult to answer this question when I have both on hand!

Regarding the manual ... it is very clear and very necessary not necessarily because the software and keyboard are almost intuitive to use ...
Anyway, Arturia is a French brand, is not found translation a little "lousy" as in some textbooks of foreign brands.

For the configuration ... simple ... very simple: the keyboard is plug and play and is recognized as soon as we put it on.
Even if the software is not installed, the keyboard is immediately recognized by the computer and sequencer as a control surface ...

The question is not asked, but be aware that the software installs very easily but fail to start after entering the authorization number you will get by registering on the site of Arturia.

In this version, there are only 1000 sounds on the keyboard keys 37 and 49, 3500 ... story of finding meaning in the price gap between 25 and 37 keys (150 and 250 euros ...)

So for this version, Arturia tells us you have selected the best sounds from their software assets vintage ... well ... I have not really been around but I can already tell you that it's "big sound" that comes out of this "machine" ... and the selection is actually rather qualitative! It almost feel like the real synths beneath your fingers! Class instead, so ...
In fact, I could compare a few notes of a Prophet V and minimoog software side and the difference is not huge at all ... hence the title of this post ...

OVERALL OPINION

So I do not use it for a very long time but enough time to already be able to give an opinion on this "pack all in one" ...

Already, he should know that I did not foresee the bank of sounds and more ... I just wanted a sturdy keyboard and convenient ...
So I tried all the keyboards "smallness" of the moment ... but really all ... the cheapest, Nano Korg up ... one! But also passing through the Microkey, mini MKP home Akai ... Akai among others ... Edirol, E-keys, Prodipe, M-Audio, etc., etc. ...
Most of the time, was the keyboard that sinned ... especially on mini-buttons at Akai (touch of Microkey is much better ... but that does not justify the price of the beast either ... so I braked heavily on this model: 95 euros "all plastic" mini-buttons ... well, ok, there are 3 octaves and no conccurents ... but still !)...
Compared to the maximum size that I had fixed everything I could try else was clearly behind for various reasons: sometimes there was no pitch bend or modulation (MKP mini, among others) sometimes the keyboard was bad (or very bad) or general manufacturing a little cheap (plastic shell with known, by eye, it will not last long) ...
With Arturia, it has to do with the solid ... this machine measures a little less than 40cm wide but weighs yet ... 5 kilos!
So, obviously, the wooden sides, the steel hull and size keys (or almost standards as they are, in fact, longer than my other keyboards ... but a few millimeters ...).. . all this mean that, one inside the other ... it weighs heavy in the end! So certainly, we lose in "portability" but the strength is there and contrasts badly with the side "toy" of Akai, Korg of minis and with the cheap side of other models. At least then we know that it will last in time ... and on this ground, I asked a lot about some keyboards!

What I like most ... uh ... objectively? ... everything!
What I like least ... uh ... very objectively? ... I do not know, maybe time will tell me. I then make a return "edit" of this notice ...
Possibly, the fact that the keys a little smack back ... but it's pretty trivial given the overall quality.

The report is more honest: a very good keyboard, robust, consistent sound bank for 150 euros ... if you consider the price of keyboards or former capable of producing such sounds, with this heat ... if one considers the price of each software Arturia which are extracted the best sounds in this pack ... added to the purchase of a keyboard command ... then, yes, the offer is more honest!

I have perhaps not yet enough experience to say but ... if I had to redo the election tomorrow, I will do it again!

There ... enjoy ...