Arturia
Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3
$299
Released 2023-05
Best MIDI Keyboards · head-to-head
Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 vs Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 is cheaper at $129. Every spec and price links to its source.
Native Instruments
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32
$129Cheaper
Released 2019-03
Which is better: the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 or Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 is the cheaper at $129.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 | Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299 Arturia store MSRP (US$299) | $129 |
| Brand | Arturia | Native Instruments |
| Released | 2023-05 | 2019-03 |
| Keys | 49 | 32 |
| Key type | synth | synth |
| Drum pads | 8 | 0 |
| Knobs | 9 | 8 |
| Faders | 9 | 0 |
| Aftertouch | No | No |
| Connection | usb_midi_din | usb |
| Bundled software | Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite, NI Komplete Select, UVI Model D, Loopcloud 2-month | Komplete Kontrol software, Komplete Select, Ableton Live Lite, Maschine Essentials |
| Release | 2023 | 2019 |
Sources — Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3: arturia.com (verified 2026-09-21). Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32: native-instruments.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 and Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Keys: Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 49 vs Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 32
- Drum pads: Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 8 vs Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 0
- Knobs: Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 9 vs Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 8
- Faders: Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 9 vs Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 0
- Connection: Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 usb_midi_din vs Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 usb
- Bundled software: Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite, NI Komplete Select, UVI Model D, Loopcloud 2-month vs Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 Komplete Kontrol software, Komplete Select, Ableton Live Lite, Maschine Essentials
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3
Two whitelisted testers cover this 2023 Mk3: Sound on Sound reviewed the exact 49-note unit, MusicRadar the 61-note version of the same line. Both call it a slick, good-value refresh, praising the new mid-panel screen, deep Analog Lab V integration, scripted multi-DAW support and the synth-style key action. Both are qualitative with no lab measurements; Sound on Sound flags more integration limits. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: New mid-panel screen and refreshed, tidy layout; Deep, near-seamless Analog Lab V integration; Strong scripted multi-DAW integration across the major DAWs.
Flagged: No CV outputs; Cannot shift control to other devices in Bitwig/Live; ARP/Chord/Scale modes require menu diving.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32
Only one whitelisted, hands-on tester (Engadget) covered the Komplete Kontrol M32 in its five-controller roundup. Engadget praised its studio-grade build, satisfying clicky buttons and encoder, best-in-roundup touch-sensitive knobs and an Arturia-rivaling keybed, but flagged that it failed on Windows 10 out of the box (needing a firmware update), has no pads, and is barely portable at 18.7in/2.3lb with fiddly Ableton transport setup. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Studio-grade build with satisfying, clicky buttons and encoder; Best touch-sensitive knobs in its class; keybed in the same league as Arturia; Integrates seamlessly with NI's Komplete Kontrol software.
Flagged: Failed on Windows 10 out of the box; needed a firmware update; No drum pads; Barely portable for its size/weight (18.7in, 2.3lb); fiddly Ableton transport setup.