Arturia MicroLab USER’S MANUAL

USER MANUAL

Special Thanks

DIRECTION

Frédéric BRUN Philippe CAVENEL Nicolas DUBOIS

ENGINEERING

Sébastien COLIN Lionel FERRAGUT Nadine LANTHEAUME Luc WALRAWENS

DESIGN

Baptiste LE GOFF Axel HARTMANN

TESTING

Arnaud BARBIER

BETA TESTING

Bernd WALDSTÄDT

Charles Capsis IV

Gustavo BRAVETTI

MANUAL

Leo DER STEPANIANS (author)

www.arturia.com

Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Arturia. The software described in this manual is provided under the terms of a license agreement or non-disclosure agreement. The software license agreement specifies the terms and conditions for its lawful use. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any purpose other than purchaser’s personal use, without the express written permission of ARTURIA S.A.

All other products, logos or company names quoted in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Product version: 1.0.0

Revision date: 17 July 2019

Marco CORREIA

Ben EGGEHORN

Chuck ZWICKY

Minoru KOIKE

Vincent LE HEN

Jeff STONELEY

Jeff CECIL

Tony FLYING SQUIRREL

Charlotte METAIS

Jose RENDON

Clement BASTIAT

Holger STEINBRINK

Jack VAN

Thank you for purchasing the Arturia MicroLab!

This manual covers the features and operation of Arturia’s MicroLab, a portable and powerful MIDI controller designed to work with any DAW software or plug-in you own.

♪: While MicroLab is part of a package which includes our Analog Lab Lite software, this manual

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will focus primarily on the MicroLab controller hardware. Please refer to the Analog Lab user manual in order to learn about the features of the software.

In this package you will find:

• One MicroLab keyboard controller, with a serial number and unlock code on the bottom. You will need this information in order to register your MicroLab.

• One USB cable

• The Quick Start Guide for the MicroLab. The serial number for your unit has been placed on this sheet also.

• A card describing Analog Lab Lite and how to upgrade to the full version of Analog Lab. Also included on this card and with your purchase is a copy of Grand Piano Model D by UVI, a beautifully realistic sampled grand piano.

• A card describing how to register for and download your copy of Bitwig Studio 8-Track.

Be sure to register your MicroLab as soon as possible! There is a sticker on the bottom panel that contains the serial number of your unit and an unlock code. These are required during the online registration process. This information is also included on the Quick Start Guide.

Registering your MicroLab provides the following benefits:

• A product license key for your installation of Bitwig Studio 8-Track

• The ability to download Analog Lab Lite and Grand Piano Model D by UVI

• Access to the MicroLab user manual and the latest version of the MIDI Control Center software

• Special offers restricted to MicroLab owners

• The installation file for Bitwig Studio 8-Track is available here: www.bitwig.com/

8-track.html

Special Message Section

Specifications Subject to Change:

The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of release. However, Arturia reserves the right to change or modify any of the specifications without notice or obligation to update the hardware that has been purchased.

IMPORTANT:

The product and its software, when used in combination with an amplifier, headphones or speakers, may be able to produce sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. DO NOT operate for long periods of time at a high level or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you encounter any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, consult an audiologist.

NOTICE:

Service charges incurred due to a lack of knowledge relating to how a function or feature works (when the product is operating as designed) are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, and are therefore the owner's responsibility. Please study this manual carefully and consult your dealer before requesting service.

Precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Read and understand all the instructions.

2. Always follow the instructions on the instrument.

3. Before cleaning the instrument, always remove the USB cable. When cleaning, use a soft and dry cloth. Do not use gasoline, alcohol, acetone, turpentine or any other organic solutions; do not use a liquid cleaner, spray or cloth that is too wet.

4. Do not use the instrument near water or moisture, such as a bathtub, sink, swimming pool or similar place.

5. Do not place the instrument in an unstable position where it might accidentally fall over.

6. Do not place heavy objects on the instrument. Do not block openings or vents of the instrument; these locations are used for air circulation to prevent the instrument from overheating. Do not place the instrument near a heat vent at any location with poor air circulation.

7. Do not open or insert anything into the instrument that may cause a fire or electrical shock.

8. Do not spill any kind of liquid onto the instrument.

9. Always take the instrument to a qualified service center. You will invalidate your warranty if you open and remove the cover, and improper assembly may cause electrical shock or other malfunctions.

10. Do not use the instrument with thunder and lightning present; otherwise it may cause long distance electrical shock.

11. Do not expose the instrument to hot sunlight.

12. Do not use the instrument when there is a gas leak nearby.

13. Arturia is not responsible for any damage or data loss caused by improper operation of the instrument.

1. Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Overview........................................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.1. Making the connections .................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.1.1. Top Panel............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

2.1.2. Pitch and Modulation Touch Strips in detail............................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1.3. Shift Functions................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6

2.2. Side panel.................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

3. Using MicroLab with Analog Lab Lite............................................................................................................ 9

3.1. Audio and MIDI setup ........................................................................................................................................................ 9

3.2. Playing Sounds................................................................................................................................................................... 10

3.3. Selecting Presets ............................................................................................................................................................... 10

4. MIDI Control Center .................................................................................................................................................. 11

4.1. The Basics ................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

4.1.1. System requirements ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

4.1.2. Installation and location.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

4.1.3. Connection........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11

4.1.4. Where to find the MCC manual........................................................................................................................................................................ 12

4.2. MicroLab and MCC ............................................................................................................................................................ 12

4.2.1. How to use MCC.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

4.2.2. MicroLab's Available Controls........................................................................................................................................................................... 14

5. Software License Agreement............................................................................................................................. 17

6. Declaration of Conformity ................................................................................................................................. 20

1. INTRODUCTION

MicroLab is Arturia’s most compact and portable USB MIDI keyboard controller to date. It has a 25-key, velocity-sensitive keyboard, integrated USB cable and features for perfect integration with Arturia's Analog Lab Lite as well as software synthesizers from other companies. The attention to detail poured into MicroLab makes it perfect for the on-the-go musician that needs an ultra-light, ultra-portable keyboard.

Beyond being a great MIDI controller, MicroLab comes with our Analog Lab Lite software that includes an impressive array of classic synth and keyboard sounds. The integration of these two products results in a powerful hybrid synthesizer with excellent functionality and great sound. There’s an affordable and simple way to upgrade Analog Lab Lite to the full version of Analog Lab, which provides access to many more thousands of the sounds you will hear in Analog Lab Lite! To upgrade, go to www.arturia.com/analoglab-update.

MicroLab also features our innovative pitch and modulation touch strips: low-profile controllers that offer a different take on the traditional "wheel" design while maintaining their expressiveness. The modulation strip can be assigned to control any CC of your choice and the pitch strip offers a choice of ‘last position hold’ or ‘return to zero’ modes of operation.

The included MIDI Control Center software lets you configure various controls of MicroLab in a simple and easy way directly from your computer. This lets you adapt MicroLab to suit your musical needs.

Made for the musician on the go or the performer with limited space, the MicroLab gives you a great depth of features in a portable package that is ultra-light and looks great. We hope it will enable you to capture your musical ideas no matter where you happen to be.

2 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Introduction

2. OVERVIEW

2.1. Making the connections

Setting up MicroLab for use with Analog Lab Lite is fast and simple:

1. First install Analog Lab Lite on your computer and be sure to register and authorize it (see Chapter 2 of the Analog Lab user manual).

2. Connect the MicroLab keyboard to the computer. MicroLab is powered by its USB connection, so all you have to do is connect a USB cable from your computer to the MicroLab keyboard.

3. MicroLab is a class-compliant USB device, so its driver will be automatically installed when you connect MicroLab to your computer.

4. Launch Analog Lab Lite! MicroLab is automatically detected as MIDI controller. If it is not, select it from the MIDI Controller menu at lower-right side of Analog Lab Lite.

You're all set! Play some tunes and enjoy the amazing presets!

Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Overview 3

2.1.1. Top Panel

1. Shift button: This button lets you access the secondary functions of MicroLab. The secondary functions are listed in blue text under the buttons and strips and in black above the first 16 keys of the keyboard. These functions are described in the

"Shift Functions"

2. Hold: Pressing this button engages the "sustain" function for notes being played on the keyboard. This is like pressing the sustain pedal on a piano.

♪: The Hold button can be configured to work as an on/off switch ("toggle") or a



momentary switch ("gate") through the Arturia MIDI Control Center software. This is covered in detail in chapter 4.

3. Octave - / + buttons: These buttons shift the keyboard range +/- 4 octaves. The farther from center the keyboard has been transposed, the faster the + or button will blink. Pressing both buttons simultaneously re-centers the keyboard back to its default octave range.

4. Pitch and Mod Touch Strips: These touch-sensitive strips generate pitch bend and modulation MIDI messages that are sent to your music software. Use them to add expressivity to your playing.

5. Keyboard: MicroLab features a 25-key velocity-sensitive, slim-key keyboard. This keyboard generates standard MIDI messages that can be used to play any of your favorite virtual instruments.

section later in this chapter.

4 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Overview

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