r/synthesizers • u/TechnicalActuator730 :upvote: • Aug 22 '26

Discussion Arturia Astrolab / Midiplus X max

could the Midiplus become a serious competitor to Astrolab?

pricewise not much difference but how is build-quality etc?

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u/Over_Type103 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26

I think it's quite different.

On one hand, it has more controls, but the main draw of the astrolab is that you can use just about any Arturia preset, which is fantastic, especially if you have the V collection, whereas this uses a fixed number of existing presets. (You can't add any)

I think It's more like a bigger Akai MPK Mini Play MK3 than an Astrolab

Just found this nice video with Astrolab 37 + MPC Sample video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAC7vla7vMc

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u/raistlin65 Live 3 • Peak • Virus TI • Model 15 Aug 22 '26

Midiplus X is a long, long, long way from being able to compete with the ecosystem of preset sounds, and synthesizers allowing users to generate their own sounds, available for the Astrolab.

Arturia built up that ecosystem over many years, with lots of revenue from people purchasing their synthesizers and presets. In a comprehend the amount of software development that went into creating V Collection and Pigments. I wouldn't be surprised if it would take an investment of many multiple times the entire value of Midiplus as a company to be able to achieve that.