«  Fine »

First, I want to clarify one thing that seems to me essential, contrary to what I read here in a view, it is of course quite possible to use the sounds of the software "The laboratory analog" as any plug-in instrument in any DAW. I use to share my Pro Tools MP9 and "The Analog Laboratory" works just like any other plugin. Moreover, this price should not expect to get all the Arturia synths and it is clearly stated in the specifications, only pre-sets are available with a minimum of settings (in fact, a point of view a particular software: poly or mono). But the keyboard is there and all the pre-sets responding to their essential parameters via keyboard settings (resonant filters, delay, chorus, etc ...).
And if you want full access, you must actually possess the corresponding software keyboard. In this case, the "Edit" button launches a complete software interface of the synth in question. With the "Mini Moog", the "Arp 2600" and "Moog Modular", I can attest.
The catalog of sounds and synths available was decisive in my choice: the synths correspond mostly to those used in my favorite style of music, Progressive Rock.

UTILIZATION

My keyboard does not happily meeting all the problems that some users found their own opinion here. Everything works perfectly, and with the sounds or pre-sets, the keyboard provides access to parameters more or less numerous but always well chosen, being more "strategic" in relation to the Treaty. However, the number of sounds included with the software included with the keyboard allows to cope with many situations and this software excels as a stand-alone.
As always with Arturia, the manual is a model of the kind many publishers should follow. Clear and comprehensive, it allows a quick start and efficient to both the keyboard and the software.
The keyboard, comprehensive, provides access to many settings, as I have already pointed out, in real time on the sounds loaded. It offers 10 user memories that store their favorite sounds to be able to immediately load a given sound. Storage in these 10 locations is through the interface of the software with one click or by the keyboard difficult to do more simple and convenient. To the right of the keyboard are four pads particularly useful when the "scene" is enabled. We can vary the rhythm given line in some pre-sets this mode via pads significantly changing the percussion figures in real time, with a visual indication in the software on the duration of each of these figures for so good combos.
Regarding the power of the machine capable of running all this, it is also not necessary to have a supercomputer. Take a look at my setup in the "my gear" and you will find that it is not state of the art!

OVERALL OPINION

I have another keyboard, M-Audio, but does not have all the possibilities of this Arturia thought, once again, to work in perfect harmony with the software developer. But the M-Audio is obviously sounds Arturia software, including the "Analog Laboratory", like any other plug-in Arturia control and any other sound from other developers ( Native Instruments, for example). It is absolutely not a closed system. And if the plug-in allows, you can use the other knobs and sliders settings Arturia keyboard. It is also possible to spliter it which sometimes shows very interesting.
The proposed tariff, it is a beautiful and good deal: a full keyboard, sensitive, with a significant number of adjustments and transport controls comes with intuitive software, offering 3500 sounds, most of the editable level of essential parameters, allowing a sort intelligeant with management favorites eg, this is just excellent.
Then, with experience and if necessary, I do it again this choice without hesitation.