Creative Sauce vs. AstroLab 37: Small Synth, Big Moves

Arturia’s AstroLab 37 drops the weight and the keys, but not the attitude. Mike from Creative Sauce wastes no time making it clear: this is the smallest in the AstroLab family, and for some, that’s exactly why it might be the best. Forget lugging around a monster synth – this thing is all about getting those Analog Lab sounds into your hands without a computer in sight.

The whole pitch here is portability with no compromise on performance. Mike frames the 37 as a true performance instrument, not just a studio toy. It’s like someone crammed a laptop full of synths into a keyboard you can actually carry to a gig or a mate’s flat. If you’re the type who wants to make music anywhere, this is the AstroLab you’ll actually use – and not just as a doorstop.

Don’t let the 37 keys fool you – this isn’t a toy. Mike is quick to point out the synth-style keys feel solid, with aftertouch and proper touch sensitivity. The controls have that reassuring click, and the shortcut buttons make jumping between sounds a breeze. Even the colour display is sharp and usable, not just a gimmick for the spec sheet.

The rear panel is stacked for a compact unit: XLR mic input, balanced outs, MIDI, USB-C, and more. Arturia didn’t skimp on the connections, so you won’t be left hunting for adapters or cursing missing ports mid-session.

Mike doesn’t waste time demoing every one of the 1800+ presets – and honestly, who could? Instead, he points out the real trick: if you want to get a taste of the AstroLab’s sounds, just grab the free version of Analog Lab. It’s not the full buffet, but it’ll give you a decent starter plate. And with the 37, you get the pro version thrown in, which is usually a pricey add-on.

The sound engines cover everything from classic keys to modern synths, and the workflow is set up so you can tweak, save, and move presets between hardware and software. If you’re a preset surfer or a sound designer, there’s plenty here to keep you busy. But let’s be real – the only way to actually hear what this thing can do is to watch the video or, better yet, play one yourself. Words won’t rattle your teeth like a good bass patch.

Here’s where Mike goes off-script and drops the advice Arturia probably wishes he’d keep quiet: just buy the 37 and use it as a sound module with your existing big keyboard. Why shell out for the 88 if you’ve already got a decent controller? Plug in via MIDI, and you’re sorted – minus the fancy colour dial. He even suggests using a smartphone or iPad as a control surface, which is a cheeky workaround for those who want the sounds without the bulk.

But Mike doesn’t stop there. He pitches a rackmount version of the AstroLab – a one-unit rack stuffed with all the sound guts, minus the keys. For gigging musicians with a rack rig, this would be a dream. Arturia, if you’re listening: stop making us hack your gear and just build the rack box already. Until then, the 37 is the closest thing to a portable AstroLab brain you’ll get.