Hands-on: Arturia's MiniLab 37 is the ideal portable MIDI controller

I have tested more portable MIDI controllers than I can keep track of, and I will tell you right now: 37 keys is the ideal size. While Arturia's 25-key MiniLab MK3 is a solid controller that easily fits in a backpack, it feels a bit claustrophobic. The new $149 MiniLab 37 adds another octave, giving you much more room to play bass and lead simultaneously, or just play more expansive chords.

Physically, the MiniLab 37 isn't very different from its smaller sibling. It's got the same solid (if slightly springy) keybed, eight pads, eight endless encoders, four faders, a pair of touch strips, USB-C, and a full-size five-pin MIDI DIN out on the back. The extra keys on the MiniLab 37 make a significant difference in playability.

With 37 keys, you can play more complex chords and melodies without feeling cramped. The controller's portability remains intact, making it easy to take to gigs or studios. Arturia's goal with the MiniLab series is to provide a versatile, portable controller for producers and musicians.

The MiniLab 37 seems to hit that mark, offering a great balance of features and portability. Why this matters: The MiniLab 37's 37-key configuration sets a new standard for portable MIDI controllers. For developers and manufacturers, this suggests that a more expansive keyboard doesn't have to come at the cost of portability.

For musicians and producers, the MiniLab 37 offers a versatile tool that's both playable and portable. As the music production landscape continues to shift towards more mobile and flexible workflows, controllers like the MiniLab 37 will play a key role in shaping the sound of the future. One open question is how competitors will respond to Arturia's design; will we see a new wave of portable controllers with larger keyboards?

Only time will tell.