Arturia
KeyLab Essential 49 mk3
$299
Released 2023-05
Best MIDI Keyboards · head-to-head
KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 vs A-49
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. A-49 is cheaper at $175. Every spec and price links to its source.
Roland
A-49
$175Cheaper
Released 2012-10
Which is better: the KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 or A-49?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The A-49 is the cheaper at $175.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 | A-49 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299 Arturia store MSRP (US$299) | $175 Current street price per Thomann |
| Brand | Arturia | Roland |
| Released | 2023-05 | 2012-10 |
| Keys | 49 | 49 |
| Key type | synth | synth |
| Drum pads | 8 | 0 |
| Knobs | 9 | 2 |
| Faders | 9 | 0 |
| Aftertouch | No | No |
| Connection | usb_midi_din | usb_midi_din |
| Bundled software | Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite, NI Komplete Select, UVI Model D, Loopcloud 2-month | Ableton Live Lite |
| Release | 2023 | 2012 |
Sources — KeyLab Essential 49 mk3: arturia.com (verified 2026-06-19). A-49: roland.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 and A-49?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Drum pads: KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 8 vs A-49 0
- Knobs: KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 9 vs A-49 2
- Faders: KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 9 vs A-49 0
- Bundled software: KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 Analog Lab Pro, Ableton Live Lite, NI Komplete Select, UVI Model D, Loopcloud 2-month vs A-49 Ableton Live Lite
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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.
A-49
No sourced tester review yet.