The Arturia AstroLab 88 stage keyboard is a true dream for live performances, filled with sounds from Arturia's well-known software instruments. A new video showcases the AstroLab 88 in action!
Video: Experience the Arturia AstroLab 88 in Action
Arturia AstroLab offers a slightly different approach compared to standard stage keyboards. As the hardware version of Analog Lab, it brings the sounds from V Collection 11 to the stage, combining them with an intuitive interface ready for live performance. A new video from bonedo.de demonstrates the capabilities and sounds of this innovative stage keyboard in detail.
Arturia AstroLab 88
In 2024, Arturia celebrated its 25th anniversary. This French music technology company started as a small startup and is now one of the key players in the market. To mark the occasion, they introduced two completely different but extremely bold concepts.
One of them is the impressive PolyBrute 12, and the other is AstroLab, Arturia's stage keyboard, which combines their software and hardware developments into a powerful and versatile tool for live performances.
The AstroLab 88 is a larger and faster version, delivering the quality expected from a touring keyboard while combining it with the enormous flexibility of software instruments. It would be easy to perceive it as just an Analog Lab Pro in a box, but it goes beyond that definition.
At first glance, the AstroLab 88 is a full-size version of the original with an identical user interface and the famous/genius round controller in the center. However, there are two key differences.
New Keyboard
The AstroLab 61 had a very pleasant synthesizer keyboard. The 88 version received something far more suitable — the Fatar TP-40L, where the letter "L" indicates a lighter key action.
The lighter action is ideal for V Collection instruments that require fast playing styles. Compared to the excellent TP/110 keyboard in the new KeyLab 88 Mk.3, the AstroLab 88 feels slightly lighter and airier, yet still offers high-quality and authentic responsiveness.
New Processor and Firmware
Another important difference of the AstroLab 88 is the updated processor compared to the 61-key version. This provides two main advantages: increased polyphony and faster loading of instruments with large sample libraries.
This performance boost becomes even more noticeable with the AstroLab 1.5 firmware, which not only improves processing speed but also adds support for V Collection 11, easier playlist transfer between Analog Lab and AstroLab, and direct editing of effects and MIDI commands, including Program Change, allowing you to control external devices directly from the AstroLab.
Arturia AstroLab 1.5 Update for 61- and 88-Key Versions
When Arturia introduced the AstroLab 88 right after Superbooth 2025, they also announced a new firmware update that allows this model and its smaller 61-key version to work with the latest V Collection 11 updates.
This update was released alongside the new version of Analog Lab Pro to ensure full compatibility. The promised release date — "by July 17" — was met, and the company delivered on all its promises.
The AstroLab 1.5 firmware now fully supports the following plugins within Analog Lab Pro:
- Augmented MALLETS
- Augmented YANGTZE
- Jup-8000 V
- MiniBrute V
- Pure LOFI
- Synthx V
- SEM V3
In addition, the update includes other improvements: you can now send Program Change to external devices, there is a new ARP/CHORD/SCALE lock function that preserves settings while browsing presets, new Looper demo files have been added, the factory library has been updated, and playlists can be transferred from AstroLab to Analog Lab.
The default ARP speed is now set to 1/16, and the aftertouch response has also been improved. Additionally, a bug in Piano V has been fixed. Unfortunately, direct support for Mellotron V and CP-70 V is still not available, likely due to licensing restrictions for these plugins on hardware.
You can download both the firmware update (separate files for each AstroLab version) and the latest version of Analog Lab V (5.12.0.6227) from the resources section on the AstroLab page. It is recommended to update Analog Lab first via the Arturia Service Center, and then update AstroLab within Analog Lab itself. In any case, be sure to carefully follow the instructions to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Conclusion
The AstroLab 88 has become the inevitable next step for this instrument, significantly enhancing its capabilities as a central stage keyboard. On top of that, it retains all the existing AstroLab features: vocoder processing, audio input via physical inputs or Bluetooth, dedicated Wi-Fi connectivity to a mobile device for quick and convenient management, and the ability to host over 40 instruments and 1600+ patches. Thanks to this, the AstroLab 88 can become one of the most versatile stage keyboards ever created.
Source: Gearnews — Arturia AstroLab 88: The Ultimate Stage Keyboard?
Buy the Arturia AstroLab 88 on the MUZYKANT.ua website
You can purchase the AstroLab 88 and other Arturia products in installments of up to 5 payments using Installment Payment via PrivatBank. And don’t worry about delivery — it is free throughout Ukraine thanks to Nova Poshta.
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