Ribbons are a (minor) compromise compared to the tactile response wheels provide, but their main downside is probably lack of visibility. Control all of your synth gear with an Arturia KeyStep! KeyStep Pro is a powerhouse little four-track sequencer, arpeggiator and controller keyboard. The slimkey keybed offers velocity and aftertouch, while each step of the 64-step sequencer can have up to 8 notes. This video from Autoland Audio shows an Arturia Keystep sequencing a held chord to three synths a Prophet 08, Bass Station, and Matrix-1000. Tons of ports make it a good choice for analog enthusiasts. Lets look at this in detail though the sequence length and arp octaves alone already have me sold. It would be great, especially when just noodling around and jamming, to be able to use the arpeggiator regardless of whether youve hit play or not. You dont have a large pool of patterns to play with, but if you create something worth preserving, you can back up and restore from here too. FL Studio. Arturias KeyStep was already appealing a mobile MIDI keyboard with sequencer and arpeggiator. But however you play, individual note durations are discarded in favour of a single value for the whole pattern (from 10 percent up to 90 percent). Arturia has upgraded its KeyStep sequencer and controller to 37 keys, expanded the Chord mode, added new Arpeggiator patterns, a display, MIDI controls and lights above the notes. Adding legato notes is similar to adding tied notes: you hold the Tap button until youve entered those that should be legato; releasing it marks the return of normal progression. Includes a well-rounded arpeggiator for extra variety Can be master or slave in a MIDI, USB-MIDI or analogue environment. You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. The KeyStep from Arturia is a 32-note, slimkey keyboard with an integrated 64-step sequencer/ arpeggiator. USB / MIDI controller keyboard with sequencer . The Keystep is limited to just eight patterns, each of up to 64 steps. This is undoubtedly cheaper than adding 16 buttons would have been, but buttons are faster and more direct. You can record eight different sequences, each with up to 64 steps. Lets take a look First impressions are good; the Keystep is a solid marriage of metal base and creamy plastic shell. Of course, no matter how much I praise operational simplicity, its hard not to wish for just a tiny bit more. Our sequencers can be seen all over the world, and are loved by top artists, studios, and amateur producers alike. But to put that another way: the arpeggiator is fast and a genuine pleasure to use. In the meantime, Arturia has confirmed the KeyStep Pro and also that it actually offers four real CV channels that have equal rights and also drums. KeyStep 37 . The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publishers. The idea of a sort of Oberheim Cyclone meets a Suzuki Omnichord plus the features of the Arturia Keystep (and the promise of a sequencer, editable arpeggio patterns, and scales) was just sort of too good to be true. Second, it speaks more than just MIDI. Its actually cooler than this.) There isnt much else to say about one-note chords, other than they can be spooky, wonderful, complex things. The final performance control is a Hold button; it is handy for drones, for letting arpeggios run hands-free and for adding extra notes to an active arpeggio. If you leave the modulation wheel anywhere above zero, theres no physical sign of it. Powerful performance controls. The two and a half octave keyboard can be modulated up and down for higher and lower registers and there are two slide strips, one for pitch bend and the other for note modulation. I launched MIDI OX and tested each key. In common with classic arpeggiators of the past, it is not key-synced, so you wont interrupt its perfect flow no matter how waywardly you feed it notes. I did a ton of research on it trying to get it to work with a DAW but it would never connect. All play and no work. Compact and portable (at just 482 x 145 mm), its easy to imagine the Keystep at the heart of a live sequencing and performance rig. The step sequencer offers 8 memories, while the arpeggiator mode offers 8 pattern styles. Arturia have avoided the primary shortcoming of the original Beatstep by including all the essential synchronisation options from the word go, along with the increasingly sought-after CV/Gate sockets. or already have a pad controller ; You want to connect and control an analog synth; This is NOT a conventional MIDI controller. KeyStep is a new breed of portable musical tool combining the functionalities of a keyboard controller with a polyphonic step sequencer to control both analog and digital devices . Sequencer. Fortunately, this isnt necessary because theres also a 9V adapter socket. Once you accept that every change made to a pattern is stored automatically, you should have no qualms about embracing the Keystep for its immediacy. Und dank eingebauter CV/Gate- und Sync-Buchsen versteht sich das schlanke Keyboard auch mit analogen Synthesizern, Modularsystemen und Drummachines. Partnered with my 15-inch MacBook Apart from the need to stop before notes can be entered in step-time, its fast, flowing and ideal for live interaction. Inclusive is simply an Alternate mode in which the notes play from low to high then back again, repeating the lowest and highest notes. Lovers of expansive drones are sure to want to activate Hold too, in which case the flashes are twice as fast. Arturia KeyStep gets a big thumbs up for its key quality and the excellent sequencer and arpeggiator. Actually, putting the mini-jacks on the top too would have been even better! Joining the regular Up, Down and Random modes are Order (playback is in the order entered), plus Inclusive and Exclusive. Sequencer/Arpeggiator KeyStep 37 provides a sequencer and an arpeggiator. For example, the Arturia Keystep is eight-note polyphonic, meaning it can sequence any synthesizer (monophonic or not) with up to eight different notes in a chord. If its designed to be portable, why is it so long? Im relieved that the Micro USB port is less wobbly than that of my Beatstep Pro though, even if I still wouldnt be completely at ease trusting it in a live situation. Arturia Keystep. Despite its size the Arturia Keystep is not a toy. Great care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this article but neither Sound On Sound Limited nor the publishers can be held responsible for its contents. The Prophet 08 is just playing a held chord from the sequence. Theres no row of flashing LEDs to indicate progress through a pattern, nor are there options for changing direction, skipping steps or repeating them. 8 mode arpeggiator with new random modes Chord mode offers 12 chord voicings included a user-defined chord Unique strum, velocity and note controls for Chord mode Arturia KeyStep MIDI Controller Keyboard, Sequencer (Fremont) $100. Right now, the performers note input is heard exactly as entered. This manual covers the features and operation of Arturias KeyStep, a full-featured USB MIDI keyboard controller complete with a polyphonic sequencer, arpeggiator, a robust In the final pair of x2 modes, each note is played twice as the pattern goes up and down. Ditto the choice of whether they are transposed in a latching or non-latching way. Web site designed & maintained by PB Associates & SOS. Using the Shift key and the transpose buttons, you can toggle the behaviour of the keyboard in relation to the sequencer, choosing either to transpose the pattern dynamically or to use it for regular performance, on a separate MIDI channel if necessary. Lowest generally seemed to make the most sense to me as the Keystep was generating analogue bass lines from a Studio Electronics Tonestar while a Waldorf Streichfett provided choral accompaniment. Any help would be greatly appreciated. A Micro USB port ensures class-compliant MIDI communication with your Mac or PC, plus it supplies power. Within the MIDI Control Centre, you decide whether the CV output should talk Oct/Volt or Hz/Volt and what type of gate is required, with the usual options offered. Unlike, for example, Arturias MicroBrute, the Keysteps gate output has sufficient poke to drive the envelopes in my Eurorack modular. Arturia KeyStep is another interesting device presented by Arturia at the annual NAMM Show 2016 in Anaheim. Blue text indicates the MIDI output channels, gate lengths for sequenced notes and the 10 possible swing values. An arpeggiator, then, is a form of music technology that will take a group of notes played simultaneously on a keyboard and turn them into an arpeggio. It covers chord sequencing, one-finger chord playback and sports a rather decent arpeggiator. Set the sequence length using Record + 16 first keys; Sequencer / Arpeggiator Arm setting - when receiving an external clock, the sequencer will only play if My vote would be for a faster means of deleting patterns and an actual means of undoing drastic changes. The KeyStep 37 works well as a second controller keyboard too, with expression on tap using the neat pitch bend and modulation strips. In episode 2, we'll dive deeper into KeyStep 37's performance and music-making capabilities. Unlike, for example, Arturias MicroBrute, the Keysteps gate output has sufficient poke to drive the envelopes in my Eurorack modular. Mit seinem integrierten Sequenzer / Arpeggiator steuert der Keystep sowohl Hardware- als auch Software-Synthesizer. KeyStep 32-key Controller & Sequencer Specifications: 1x Quick Start Guide fr KeyStep (englischsprachig) Weiterhin im Lieferumfang Ihres KeySteps enthalten ist eine Lizenz fr Ableton Live Lite, ein umfangreiches Recording / Sequencing Programm. Overview; Compare Editions; Lifetime Free Updates Page 16: Tap Tempo/Rest/Tie MIDI Control Center. I like the Arturia Keystep and love it even more, now that all of the keys are working. Its not really slow enough if youre fond of drawn-out pads though but there are solutions to hand. It only has a single sequencer track, which is where the KeyStep Pro is far more fully-featured, but it is 8-note polyphonic and can go up to 64 steps. For reference, this was to Firmware version 10.0.0.5 First issue - my KeyStep wasn't saving for the first 3 days. The range of ins and outs is one of the big draws here. At the back of the Keystep we find a 9V power socket, three 3.5mm CV outputs, a quarter-inch sustain pedal port, MIDI I/O sockets and DIP switches to determine the sync source. KeyStep was imagined and designed to become the modern musicians trump-card. Incoming MIDI notes (from a keyboard or another sequencer) cannot be captured, but they are pretty useful for transposing Keystep patterns instead. Its a 32-note slim keybed of Arturias own making. In place of a regular pitch-bender and mod wheel are two ribbons, the former having a snap to zero action. However, once I hit record and began banging in notes, chords, ties and rests, this seemed less of an issue. If the knobs and pads arent suitable for your needs, the next best option is the Arturia Keystep. Its a 32 key MIDI controller that is still very portable and functional as a studio keyboard. (Not bashing the BSP - it just sounds a little too risky right now for my liking. First, the keyboard itself. The play button stays lit on both but no sound is produced and the sequence step lights don't flash. Then, for re-synchronisation or simply to restart because you feel like it, Shift and Play is a logical enough button combination and works smoothly. For reference, this was to Firmware version 10.0.0.5 First issue - my KeyStep wasn't saving for the first 3 days. A quarter-inch input is provided for a regular sustain pedal, whose configuration options cover those of the Hold button, plus a selection of MIDI CCs. All keys responded quickly and reliably. The MIDI Controller Centre softwares Settings page.The Time Division isnt stored in the pattern, its always live. Unlike the Pro theres no metronome and so if you want to record a live sequence youll going to need to find something to play along to. (The Arturia site is a little unclear on this it sounds like they mean just shifting the arpeggiator up and down by octave. Essentially, if theres a decision youre allowed to make, the MCC is the place to make it, even if in some cases youd have preferred to wait until performance. But then it is designed to be portable, which in turn raises another question. Re: A FREE video tutorial outlining the differences bet Re: Which low cost outboard hardware to buy? And depending on the receiving instrument, they could just as easily be a set of loops or long-playing samples. But the 1.1 update improves some details and adds major new musicality. Updated Arpeggiator octave behavior By holding Shift and Oct +/- in the Arpeggiator mode, you can adjust the notes of the arpeggio by +/- 4 octaves. Clearly building on the success of the BeatStep Pro sequencer hardware, Arturias Keystep is a keyboard with both step sequencer and arpeggiator modes. When I first saw the demo for the Isla Instruments KordBot I got all excited. Swing involves lengthening the odd notes while delaying and shortening the even ones, and both note length and swing values are remembered on a per-pattern basis. The MCCs graphical editor might seem like overkill, but Arturia can turn out that sort of thing in their sleep and some are bound to find it useful. NO, its Behringer who blindly copied the entire design and functionalities of the Arturia Keystep without respect for the original designers (Arturia, Axel Hartmann). There are also CV controls for controlling analog synths (cables not included), and full sized midi ports. Novation SL Mk3 Essentially, if theres a decision youre allowed to make, the MCC is the place to make it, even if in some cases youd have preferred to wait until performance. So hold Shift+Octave + or -, and whichever notes youre playing will be arpeggiated up or down by octave. Win! Thats pretty much it for real-time recording. This manual covers the features and operation of Arturias KeyStep, a full-featured USB MIDI keyboard controller complete with a polyphonic sequencer, arpeggiator, a robust The restart function also has a place, because the arpeggiator also has patterns of up to 32 notes. 39 ratings . And yet, flexible though it is, the BSPs pads and encoders dont cover every aspect of step sequencing, hence the arrival of the Keystep. For example, if you clock the Keystep from an external pulse derived from a clock divider (or from one of the drum triggers of a Beatstep Pro), life in the slow lane is more easily achieved. This method of erasing the last step can be performed until all are gone and it works whether the sequencer is running or not. Arturia already had a cute little entry-level Arturia KeyStep. Small but mighty, the Arturia KeyStep redefines whats possible with a small-format sequencer. Our sequencers can be seen all over the world, and are loved by top artists, studios, and amateur producers alike. 2016 stellte Arturia den ersten KeyStep vor. Real-time recording works differently because it doesnt create new steps, it merely overwrites the data found in the current pattern. - 37-Note Slim Keys with Vel & Aftertouch - 4-Track Sequencer, Up to 64 Steps Each - Melodic Sequencer - Realtime & Step - Pitch, Vel, Gate, Time, & Probability - Scale Quantization + Poly CV Out - Drum Sequencer - 24 Part, Polyrhythm - Arpeggiator - 7 Modes - Designed for the mobile musician, producer, or analog enthusiast, the KeyStep from Arturia is a 32-note, slim keyboard with Polyphonic Step Sequencing, Chord and Arpeggiator modes. I connected the reassembled Keystep to my PC (via USB) and got the familiar start-up light show. Other reasons to download the MCC software include the tweaking of the signals sent and expected by the Sync I/O mini-jacks. I may well pick one up eventually) So I updated the firmware on the KeyStep before anything else. Der Arturia Keystep ist die kompakte, transportable Steuerzentrale fr jedes Setup, egal ob mit oder ohne Computer. For the latter, the Keystep offers the following clock values: 1 step (Gate), 1 step (Clock), 1 pulse (Korg format), 24 ppqn and 48 ppqn. Exclusive is similar except it drops the repeats. When you do, Hold flashes as a reminder the mode is now active. Keystep Features. If you were hoping for a MIDI recorder that plays back as is, the Keystep is not it. Naturally, the note lengths also depend on the envelope of the connected synth. If you like, you can send aftertouch or velocity instead. Given that theres no pattern chaining, 64 steps at the slowest (1/4) division offers a reasonable opportunity for varied chord progressions. 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