If you’re still waiting for the Arturia Keystep release date, the wait is over! Arturia has announced the Keystep and it can be purchased now from major stores.
The Arturia Keystep redefines the MIDI controller experience by combining the normal functionalities you normally find in a keyboard controller and a polyphonic step sequencer that enables you to control both analog and digital device.
This makes the Keystep a keyboard controller powerhouse – with its many functions that will fit into the setup of different music producers.
The Arturia Keystep is priced at $119: Check latest Arturia Keystep price
Main Features of Keystep
- Arturia’s Slimkey keybed with velocity and aftertouch
- Arpeggiator mode – (Up, down, inclusive, exclusive, random, note order, double up, double down modes)
- Sequencer mode – (8 polyphonic step-sequences with Rest, Tie, and Legato note entry)
- Rate control and tap tempo –
- REC, PLAY, and STOP buttons for performance control over the sequencer and arpeggiator
- Sustain hold button
- Sustain pedal jack
- Chord play mode
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- MIDI channel selection, GATE time, SWING valuesShift button selection
- DC jack for standalone operation
- USB MIDI connects to computer and MCC editor
- MIDI in/out ports
- Sync i/o ports
- Supports 1 pulse per step, 2 PPQ (Korg Volca), 24 PPQ DIN sync, 48 PPQ DIN sync
- Sync select switches
- Internal, USB, MIDI, Clock
- CV/GATE outputs
- CV supports 1Volt per octave, Volt>Hz modes, Gate output 5V or 12V for modern or vintage gear support
- CV Velo/Aftertouch/Modwheel output
- Capacitive-touch pitch bend and mod wheels
- Each sequence can have 64 steps, each step can have up to 8 notes
- Low power. Can be powered by Apple iPad.
Arturia Keystep Dimensions: 19 x 6 x 1.5 inches
That extensive list of Arturia Keystep features should tell you a lot about how feature rich the Keystep is. The Keystep is designed so you take a more hands-on approach, focusing on performance to create music, and less time clicking on your computer.
Key Factors To Buying The Arturia Keystep
Some setup possibilities on the Arturia Keystep
A little unsure whether to buy the Arturia Keystep? It really depends on how you prefer to make music and also the type of music you do.
Here are some key factors to help you decide whether the Arturia Keystep would be a perfect fit for you.
You Like Experimenting & Playing With Synthesizers
The Keystep features A CV/gate, which stands for control voltage gate, essentially an analog method of controlling synthesizers.
So if you have a couple of analog or digital synthesizers sitting around in your studio and like to use them in your music creation, the Keystep would be able to control all of them.
The MIDI output can also be used to control any MIDI hardware instruments. Basically, it’s compatible with all types of synthesizers we have in the world today.
You’re An Electronic Music Producer
This goes without saying, but if you produce music using lots soft synths and experimenting with sounds, you’ll love the Keystep. Instead of trying to achieve everything in your DAW, you can now creatively experiment with your music, thanks to the built-in Arpeggiator, sequencer, and chord play mode.
These functions might not appeal so much to a film music producer who focuses on lots of acoustic instruments, but would be an amazing feature for any electronic music producer.
The arpeggiator makes it nice to experiment with different arpeggiation patterns on different synths and the Chord play mode will help you with laying down quick chord patches and also for live performances.
You Often Travel or Have Minimal Studio Space
The Keystep is made to be versatile, so you can expect to see them being used by touring musicians, live performing musicians on stage and also producers who have minimal studio space.
So if you’re a traveling music producer, you might want to snag the Keystep up. It’s an ideal MIDI controller one would take for traveling as it opens up to lots of collaboration opportunities, thanks to its many setup configurations. (p.s. the sustain pedal input is a godsend for pianists/keyboardists)
Conclusion – Arturia Keystep
What are your thoughts on the Arturia Keystep? I think it’s an affordable portable keyboard controller that packs a punch for creativity. Also, it’s trying to redefine the casual MIDI controller by adding tons of features to promote musical creativity.
Let me know your thoughts on the Arturia Keystep in the comment section below so others can learn from your thoughts and perhaps experiences as well.
If you need a manual, you can find the Arturia Keystep Manual here: Arturia Keystep Manual
