Arturia Keystep Pro

Years back as a DAWless hardware player I started with 1 Beatstep, then upgraded to 2 Beatstep Pro, and after I moved to 3 Keysteps. Now with 4 machines in 1 Keystep Pro, I can discard all oldies because this Keystep Pro does everything - and more - what its predecessors could do.

Handling: It seems I can play only one of the 4 channels solo when the others are sequencing. I cannot select 2 channels simultaneously for combined solo. Sure I could set midi channel via the menu dive but that is not an option for live stage.

Also, I tried to use an external analog clock to control the BPM of the KSP using the auto clock-in, but the KSP did not react in any way to the external clock, but through the midi control center I could set the sync in on clock and at 1ppq, so that did the trick. So now I can play the KSP at less than 1 BPM which is great for super slow soundscapes. That increased the stars for features from 3 to 5.

Features: For more complex sequences I can insert up to 16 phrases in one sequence. Which in a way increases the number of steps to 16x16=256 per sequence.

Quality: After two months of usage, I wanted to upgrade the firmware through usb on macbook. The moment I connected usb, the KSP power failed and I had to return it for repair. Thomann fixed it quickly, thank you, and that increased the stars for quality from 2 to 4.

I needed a device that it can control various synths at the same time while building up the jam. Keystep Pro has been so far the best tool for me to bring out those sounds! Learning phase was quite quick and after 2 months of playing around I can quickly build a beat or create sequence with the help of chain mode. I hooked 4 different desktop synth (Three Roland boutique units and one rack synth JV 1080, minimal effects with Ableton) . I have to say, everytime when I turn my system on, a great jam is starting! And it just get better until I stop it!

But sadly there few issues I had, mostly syncing problems which I had to fight my way around. I updated fireware and worked my around midi routing but after tweaking around, everything is working now synced nicely! It is also not possible to record the arp mode in to a pattern easily, I find that a pity, maybe it will be fixed in the future updates?

I wish Arturia had released a bigger version of Keystep Pro where you can control more aspects of the sequencer. I have been enjoying this beauty since 2 months but I feel like there is a world to explore with it!

I've been using the Keystep Pro with a multitude of instruments: Software, new hardware, old/vintage hardware. As long as you can connect it, you'll be able to mess with it. The additional CV outputs just add another cherry on top of this already "sort of modular" workflow of the Keystep Pro.

Once you learn how it works (and once you set it all up with your instruments), it's super easy to get into & just start creating new tracks.
I love that the Keystep Pro doesn't hinder any creativity; it just creates this universal control unit to operate everything else you have. It's great!

This is an amazing midi keyboard and controller that can literally do anything you asks for! From sequences and arpeggiations pluss ability to controll your DAW, pluss CV GATE outputs, its the complete midi keyboard that will be in the center of your studio! Also one thing that you dont read often in the manual and people dont talk about it is that this keyboard have the ability to convert from USB midi to CV/GATE automatically if you connect the CV/GATE to euroracks and the USB cable to your computer, so then you can play midi back to the Keystep Pro and the keyboard will automatically convert the signal to CV GATE. Impressive! I really reccomend this product!

I was very reticent about buying this and had checked out the Arturia forum and there were lots of complaints (and this was my first hardware Arturia purchase, though do have v7 collection which I do use).

Since the v2 update to the OS, works a treat. Can now record arps and perform group (i.e. tracks 1-4) transposition. Using it only for CV and gate currently, with a synch coming from my Mac via USB midi when I want to record the eurorack modules, and seems pretty tight. Done a couple of weird things occasionally, but on the whole seems fine, though I have not explored all of its features yet.

Few things I would like to see added, like pingpong backwards and forwards sequencing. Fun to create with though. And for generating quick (up to 64 step sequences) for modular, a real fun compositional tool.