Arturia Microlab User 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
Marco CORREIA
Ben EGGEHORN
Chuck ZWICKY
Jeff STONELEY
Jeff CECIL
Tony FLYING SQUIRREL
Clement BASTIAT
MANUAL
Leo DER STEPANIANS
(author)
Minoru KOIKE
Vincent LE HEN
Charlotte METAIS
Jose RENDON
Holger STEINBRINK
Jack VAN
© ARTURIA SA – 2019 – All rights reserved.
26 avenue Jean Kuntzmann
38330 Montbonnot-Saint-Martin
FRANCE
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

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
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.

Table Of Contents
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" section later in this chapter.
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.
4 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Overview

2.1.2. Pitch and Modulation Touch Strips in detail
The touch-sensitive pitch and modulation strips are low-profile controllers that offer a
different take on the traditional "wheel" design while maintaining their expressiveness. If
you touch the Pitch bend strip at its center and move your finger forward or backward it
will raise or lower the pitch of the played sound. Similarly, moving your finger along the
Modulation strip alters the modulation amount of the played sound, from no modulation
(bottom) to maximum modulation (top).
Arturia's MIDI Control Center software can be used to configure the Pitch strip to either
“Return to Zero” upon release (like a typical spring-loaded pitch wheel) or to hold its released
position. The Mod strip can be configured to control any MIDI CC of your choice. To give you
maximum flexibility and control over your instruments, the MIDI Control Center software
even lets you set separate output MIDI channels for the Pitch and Mod strips that can be
independent from the keyboard's MIDI output channel. Please refer to Chapter 4 of this
guide to learn more about MIDI Control Center.
♪: The amount of pitch bend and type of modulation you hear when using these controls depends
entirely on your selected preset and how it is programmed. In some cases, you may find that a preset
may not make use of these parameters and in that case, manipulating the touch strip controls of
MicroLab will have no effect on your sound.
Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Overview 5

2.1.3. Shift Functions
MicroLab has a limited number of controls due to its small size, but the Shift button allows
the buttons, strips and keys to serve useful secondary functions. These functions are as
follows:
2.1.3.1. Selecting the Keyboard MIDI Channel:
Hold Shift and press a key on the keyboard to select the output MIDI Channel for the
MicroLab keyboard. The channel number (1-16) is labeled directly above the first 16 keys of
the keyboard.
!: This shift command sets the output channel of the MicroLab keyboard only. The Pitch and
Mod touch strips can be configured to either "follow" the keyboard's MIDI output channel (i.e., if you
change the keyboard output MIDI channel, one or both strips will change with it) or to have their
own specifically defined channels for the Pitch and Mod strips that do not change if you change the
keyboard's output MIDI channel. This can be done by using Arturia's MIDI Control Center software.
Please refer to Chapter 4 of this guide to learn more about MIDI Control Center.
2.1.3.2. Chord Mode
Chord mode allows you to program a chord and trigger it by playing only one note on
MicroLab. This can be a fun and creative way to compose and perform music.
• When MicroLab is first powered on, the chord memory slot is empty.
• To program a chord, hold the Shift and Hold buttons while playing a chord
or entering notes of the chord individually (from 2 to 10 notes). All notes you
enter while holding the Shift and Hold buttons will be recorded as part of your
programmed chord and the Hold button will blink rapidly to indicate that you are
in chord programming mode.
• If you release one or both buttons (Shift or Hold), the Hold button will blink slowly
to indicate that chord mode is active. You can now play a single note and it
will trigger your programmed chord. Playing up and down the keyboard will
transpose your programmed chord up and down, with the lowest note of the
programmed chord being the reference note for the transposition.
♪: Programmed chords must contain at least two notes as it is not possible to create a "chord" with
fewer notes. MicroLab's chord programming mode must see at least two notes otherwise nothing will
be recorded.
• To exit Chord mode, press and release Shift and Hold buttons again. The Hold
button will stop blinking and the keyboard will return to normal operation.
6 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Overview

• Note that your programmed chord is "remembered" by MicroLab as long as the
keyboard remains powered. This means that if you have programmed a chord
and exited Chord mode, you can re-enter Chord mode and immediately start
playing the chord without having to re-program it again. To do this, simply press
and release Shift and Hold buttons (without playing any notes). The Hold button
will begin to blink and you can immediately play your pre-programmed chord.
♪: Programmed chords do not take into account the velocity with which you play each note. Instead,
the velocity of the entire chord will be based on the velocity of the note that you play when triggering a
chord.
2.1.3.3. Selecting Presets (in Analog Lab / Analog Lab Lite)
If you are using MicroLab with Analog Lab Lite, you can easily step forward or backward
through the preset list by holding Shift and pressing the Oct - (previous) or Oct + (next)
buttons. This is a handy feature when you are on stage or otherwise not near your
computer.
!: The MIDI Controller setting (at the lower right of Analog Lab Lite) must be set to MicroLab for this
feature to work correctly.
2.1.3.4. Selecting Filters and Presets with touch strips (in Analog Lab /
Analog Lab Lite)
If you are using MicroLab with Analog Lab Lite, you can easily select filters and scroll
through preset filter lists without having to use your computer's mouse or trackpad.
• Hold Shift and drag the Pitch strip up or down to navigate through the various
preset filters.
• To activate or deactivate a selected filter, hold Shift and tap the Pitch strip
(without dragging).
• Hold Shift and drag the Mod Strip to scroll through the filtered list of presets.
• To load a selected preset, hold Shift and tap the Mod strip (without dragging)
!: The MIDI Controller setting (at the lower right of Analog Lab Lite) must be set to MicroLab for this
feature to work correctly.
Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Overview 7

2.2. Side panel
The side panel of the MicroLab contains a recessed USB Type B connector that lets you
connect MicroLab to your computer. The USB connector is located on the side instead of the
back so that the MicroLab can be placed directly in front of a laptop without having to leave
extra (wasted) space for a USB connector to exit from the rear of the keyboard. This feature
is very useful in small studios or portable setups where space is extremely limited.
MicroLab ships with a removeable USB cable that includes a 90-degree connector and is
long enough to neatly wrap around the keyboard exactly one time. The channel around its
perimeter with its integrated rubber clips and magnetic holder secure the USB cable in place
when the unit is being transported. No more lost or forgotten USB cable!
8 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Overview

3. USING MICROLAB WITH ANALOG LAB LITE
This chapter will focus on to use MicroLab to Analog Lab Lite software. Note that you will
find only basic coverage of Analog Lab Lite features here. For more details about Analog
Lab Lite, please refer to the Analog Lab user manual.
3.1. Audio and MIDI setup
The first thing to do after launching Analog Lab Lite is to make sure the software is set to
output audio correctly and that it will receive MIDI from the MicroLab keyboard.
Open the Preferences window by pressing [Command] + [,] or by selecting it from the Analog
Lab Lite drop-down menu.
This will open the Audio & MIDI Settings window, which is where the preferred audio output
device will be selected. Now click the Play button: If you hear a short sine wave, then your
audio is set up correctly. If not, make sure the correct audio driver is selected and that your
headphones or speakers are properly connected and turned on.
If MicroLab (or any MIDI controller) is connected to your computer, the Audio MIDI Settings
window will reveal a section labeled “MIDI Devices”. In this section, check the box labeled
“Arturia MicroLab” so that you can use it to play Analog Lab Lite.
That's it! You should now be able to use MicroLab to play Analog Lab Lite.
Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Using MicroLab with Analog Lab Lite 9

3.2. Playing Sounds
To play sounds in Analog Lab Lite, simply play the MicroLab keyboard! Use the Pitch and
Mod strips to modulate your sounds and the Octave + / - buttons to shift the MicroLab's
keyboard range up or down. The Hold button sustains notes (like a sustain pedal on a piano)
and the Chord function lets you program and trigger complex chords using a single key.
These buttons and functions are all detailed in the Top Panel section in Chapter 2.
3.3. Selecting Presets
You can always select presets in Analog Lab Lite using your computer's mouse or trackpad.
However, thanks to MicroLab's handy shift functions you can do this even faster without
having to touch your computer at all! This is very handy if, for example, you are on stage
and don't have the computer within arm's reach. Please refer to the Shift Functions section
in Chapter 2 learn how to do this.
10 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - Using MicroLab with Analog Lab Lite

4. MIDI CONTROL CENTER
4.1. The Basics
Arturia's MIDI Control Center (MCC) is a powerful application that lets you dive into your
Arturia hardware and configure the various controls (keys, pads, knobs, buttons, sliders,
etc.) so that they best serve your musical needs.
Note that this chapter only covers the MCC features that pertain to MicroLab. As a result,
much of MCC will not be described in this guide. This is because MicroLab is an ultra-
portable product with a minimalist feature set that does not use many of MCC's powerful
features (like preset management capabilities, for example). If you would like to see detailed
explanations of all MCC features, please refer to the MCC User Manual (see the Where to
find the manual section later in this chapter).
!: MCC works with most of Arturia’s devices, so if you already have an earlier version of it installed
on your computer, be sure to download the latest version to ensure it includes support for MicroLab.
4.1.1. System requirements
Win 7+ (64bit) 10.10+
• 2 GB RAM
• CPU 2 GHz
4.1.2. Installation and location
After downloading the MIDI Control Center installer, double-click the installer and follow the
on-screen instructions.
The installer will place the MIDI Control Center application with the other Arturia applications
on your system. In Windows, you should be able to find it in the Start menu. In macOS you’ll
find it inside the Applications/Arturia folder.
4.1.3. Connection
Connect MicroLab to your computer using its USB cable and launch the MIDI Control Center.
You should see MicroLab listed under connected devices:
Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - MIDI Control Center 11

4.1.4. Where to find the MCC manual
MIDI Control Center has a great user manual in its Help menu, as shown below:
The MCC User Manual describes every section of the software and defines important terms
you may need to know while using the MIDI Control Center. We recommend you take a look
if you would like to find out more about MCC.
4.2. MicroLab and MCC
Editing MicroLab parameters in MCC is simple. A visual representation of MicroLab is shown
on the right and various editable parameters are shown in the area below the image. Device
Memories and Local Templates are displayed in the left column, but these features are not
really necessary when using MicroLab due to MicroLab's minimalist feature set. As a result
they are not covered in this guide.
4.2.1. How to use MCC
• Select the MicroLab feature that you would like to edit. As you move the mouse
over the MicroLab keyboard on your screen, a red box will appear over any
feature that can be edited (as shown below).
12 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - MIDI Control Center

• Click any red box to select it. The currently selected control will be highlighted in
red (see below)
• Any editable parameters for your selected control will appear at the bottom
section of the screen.
• These parameters can be adjusted to suit your specific musical needs. You can
open drop-down menus to select from the available options or click-drag a knob
to set its numerical value. You can also double-click the value displayed below a
knob to enter it numerically if you wish.
Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - MIDI Control Center 13

4.2.2. MicroLab's Available Controls
You can modify the following items on MicroLab:
• Keyboard
• Hold Button
• Pitch Slider
• Mod Slider
4.2.2.1. Keyboard
•Channel lets you select an output MIDI channel for the MicroLab keyboard (from
1-16). This can be useful in situations, for example, where you have configured
your virtual instruments to receive MIDI data only on specific channels. By
switching between channels, you can play different instruments.
♪: It is possible to change the MIDI Channel setting directly from MicroLab (without using MCC) by
using shift commands. See the Shift Functions section in Chapter 2 of this user manual to learn how to
do this.
•Key Velocity Curve lets you adjust the "sensitivity" or "feel" of the MicroLab keys
by adjusting the velocity response curve of the keyboard. Some performers
prefer "heavier" action whereas others enjoy a "lighter" action from their
keyboards and MicroLab's four options ( Linear , Logarithmic , Exponential and
Full ) can help adapt the keyboard to suit a player's preference. We recommend
experimenting with these settings to see what works best for you.
14 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - MIDI Control Center

4.2.2.2. Hold Button
• MicroLab's Hold button can be configured to work as an on/off switch ("toggle")
or a momentary switch ("gate") through the Option drop-down menu. Toggle
means that you must press the Hold button once to engage sustain mode and
press it again to switch it off. Gate means that sustain mode is active when you
are pressing it and that it is immediately switched off the instant you release the
button. You can select what method works best for you.
4.2.2.3. Pitch Strip
• The Mode drop-down menu lets you switch MicroLab's Pitch strip on or off. The
default Pitch Bend setting means the strip will operate as a pitch bend controller.
Set this to Off you would like to deactivate the strip.
•Option menu lets you set how the Pitch strip behaves upon release. A traditional
pitch bend wheel (found on many synthesizers and MIDI Controllers) is normally
spring-loaded so it will snap back to its center position when released. The
default Standard option on MicroLab does exactly this—when you release the
touch strip, the pitch control returns to the middle position in your software. If
you would prefer the Pitch strip to maintain its position when you remove your
finger from the pitch strip, set this to Hold .
•Channel lets you select an output MIDI channel for the Pitch strip. Note that by
selecting 1-16 , you set the Pitch strip's output MIDI channel explicitly and this
does not have to be same as the MicroLab keyboard's output MIDI channel (for
example, keyboard can be on channel 1 but Pitch strip on channel 3). It is also
possible to have the Pitch strip "follow" whatever MIDI channel the keyboard is
using by selecting Keyboard from the drop-down menu.
Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - MIDI Control Center 15

4.2.2.4. Mod Strip
• The Mode drop-down menu lets you switch MicroLab's Mod strip on or off. The
default Control setting means the strip will operate as a modulation controller.
Set this to Off you would like to deactivate the strip.
•Channel lets you select an output MIDI channel for the Mod strip. Note that by
selecting 1-16 , you set the Mod strip's output MIDI channel explicitly and this
does not have to be same as the MicroLab keyboard's output MIDI channel (for
example, keyboard can be on channel 1 but Mod strip on channel 5). It is also
possible to have the Mod strip "follow" whatever MIDI channel the keyboard is
using by selecting Keyboard from the drop-down menu.
•CC Number lets you select the MIDI CC number that the Mod strip will control,
with a short description of what it typically controls according to the MIDI
specification.
♪: Note that not all software instrument designers adhere to the MIDI specification for CC and may
choose to use CC numbers in non-standard ways. Refer to your virtual instrument's user guide to see
what parameters you can control with the modulation strip.
• The Min Value and Max Value settings let you set minimum and maximum
bounds on the modulation strip. The default 0 (minimum) and 127 (maximum)
settings give you access over the entire modulation range when using Mod strip.
Reducing this range, for example setting the minimum to 50 and the maximum
to 100 , will mean that the Mod strip will range from 50 to 100 as your finger
moves from bottom to top.
!: If you would like the mod strip to work in reverse (moving your finger down toward you
increases
the output value) you can reverse the Min and Max values (i.e., set Min to 127 and Max to 0)
16 Arturia - User Manual MicroLab - MIDI Control Center