Arturia KeyLab 88 MK3 vs Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3¶
A detailed comparison of two flagship 88-key MIDI controllers aimed at serious players, producers, and composers.
(Image: Arturia Keylab 88 MK3)
(Image: Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3)
1. Concept & Philosophy¶
| Feature |
Arturia KeyLab 88 MK3 |
Native Instruments Kontrol S88 MK3 |
| Design approach |
A versatile, all-round studio controller with lots of hands-on controls. |
A premium, streamlined controller optimised for NI’s ecosystem. |
| Ecosystem stance |
Open and flexible; works well with many DAWs/plugins. |
Deeply tied to Komplete, Kontakt, and NKS libraries. |
| Best for |
Multi-role producers and players wanting a central studio hub. |
Composers and sound designers who rely heavily on NI software. |
2. Keybed & Playability¶
| Feature |
KeyLab 88 MK3 |
Kontrol S88 MK3 |
| Keybed type |
Hammer-action with aftertouch. |
Fully weighted premium keybed. |
| Playing feel |
Expressive, piano-like with extra modulation via aftertouch. |
Consistent, high-end piano feel designed for precision and reliability. |
| Extra performance features |
Aftertouch, splits, layers, scales, chords, arpeggiator. |
Light Guide for key switches, scales, drums; deep instrument feedback. |
| Ideal for |
Pianists, film composers, expressive players. |
Kontakt users, sample-library players, orchestral composers. |
3. Controls, Layout & Workflow¶
| Component |
KeyLab 88 MK3 |
Kontrol S88 MK3 |
| Drum pads |
Yes (RGB pads) |
No |
| Faders & knobs |
Many – suitable for DAW mixing and sound design. |
Minimal – relies more on screens and pre-mapped controls. |
| Transport controls |
Full transport + DAW shortcuts. |
Supported for major DAWs but less extensive. |
| Screens |
Small display mainly for utility. |
High-resolution dual displays for browsing and editing. |
| Navigation style |
Hardware-first (pads/faders/encoders). |
Screen-first (instrument browsing, parameter pages). |
| Workflow strength |
Live production, DAW control, hybrid workflow. |
Virtual instruments, sample library navigation, preset browsing. |
4. Software Integration & Ecosystem¶
| Integration Area |
KeyLab 88 MK3 |
Kontrol S88 MK3 |
| DAW support |
Wide support: Ableton, Logic, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, etc. |
Supported: Ableton, Logic, Cubase, etc., but less mixer control. |
| Plugin integration |
Broad compatibility with generic MIDI mapping. |
Deep NKS support: pre-mapped parameters, categories, tagging. |
| Arturia software |
Excellent with Analog Lab + V Collection. |
Not designed for Arturia workflow. |
| NI software |
Works, but not deeply. |
Best-in-class integration with Komplete & Kontakt. |
| Ideal use-case |
Mixed plugin environment, flexibility. |
NI-centric production, cinematic scoring, large sample libraries. |
5. Build Quality & Design¶
| Component |
KeyLab 88 MK3 |
Kontrol S88 MK3 |
| Construction |
Metal chassis + wood ends; very solid. |
Sleek, modern, premium design. |
| Layout |
Busy front panel due to many controls. |
Minimalist, streamlined. |
| Hardware extras |
Music stand, laptop stand, rack-style frame options. |
Light Guide, large screens. |
| Aesthetic |
“Instrument + controller” hybrid. |
High-end studio keyboard. |
6. Use-Case Scenarios¶
| Scenario |
Best Choice |
Why |
| All-round production / hybrid workflows |
KeyLab 88 MK3 |
Pads, faders, knobs, DAW control, broad compatibility. |
| Deep Kontakt / Komplete library work |
Kontrol S88 MK3 |
Screens, Light Guide, preset browsing, NKS mapping. |
| Live performance |
KeyLab 88 MK3 |
Performance controls + hardware layout. |
| Minimalist, clean studio aesthetic |
Kontrol S88 MK3 |
Less clutter, screen-driven workflow. |
| Sound design across multiple plugin brands |
KeyLab 88 MK3 |
Not tied to any single ecosystem. |
7. Pros & Cons Summary¶
KeyLab 88 MK3¶
| Pros |
Cons |
| Expressive hammer-action with aftertouch |
Busier layout |
| Pads, faders, knobs, transport controls |
DAW script quality varies |
| Broad DAW/plugin compatibility |
Less deep NI integration |
| Great for all-round production |
Can feel “controller-heavy” |
Kontrol S88 MK3¶
| Pros |
Cons |
| Outstanding NI/NKS integration |
Limited hardware controls |
| High-quality screens & Light Guide |
Best features depend on NI ecosystem |
| Premium keybed feel |
Less suited to DAW mixing/beat workflows |
| Excellent for cinematic/orchestral libraries |
Not a generalist controller |
8. Verdict¶
| Recommendation |
Why |
| Choose Arturia KeyLab 88 MK3 |
A flexible, hardware-rich controller great for DAW work, sound design, playing, and broad plugin compatibility. |
| Choose NI Kontrol S88 MK3 |
The definitive controller for Komplete, Kontakt, and NKS libraries, with unbeatable browsing and parameter integration. |