Arturia KeyStep - Redefining the portable keyboard experience
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.
Sometimes, simplicity is the key to efficiency and the best way to materialize an idea into a sonic result.
The design of the KeyStep is based entirely on this vision. Going straight to the point, skating over the constraints and letting musicians focus on their art are KeyStep’s ambitions. Whether your setup is analog or digital, KeyStep will allow you to reach a whole new level of control and creativity.
Product Features:
It’s the Touch... The KeyStep controller does all this and more
We started by designing our own “slim key” keyboard action, balancing the best features of compact mini-keys with the musicality of full-sized keys into this new keybed. The size, velocity and aftertouch of this new design provide the freedom of portability without sacrificing playability.
We also designed a new polyphonic step-sequencer with 8 programmable memories that you can recall at the turn of knob. You can choose gate times and swing settings instantly to change the feel of your sequenced performance on the fly. We also included the ability to record, overdub, and transpose your sequences in real time and still play the keyboard live.
Add a flexible and fun arpeggiator mode and chord play mode and you are set for hours of musical adventures.
And the Possibilities... Keystep is the perfect performance controller in a compact package
These features alone would make KeyStep the best portable keyboard controller on the market. But we take it further by giving you a wealth of connectivity options: USB MIDI (of course), standard MIDI in and out (check), clock sync and DIN sync jacks (yes!), and CV/GATE outputs, plus a separate, assignable modulation CV output that can be used with the mod wheel, velocity or aftertouch. To say KeyStep is an amazing little controller does not say enough.
Connect
Versatility is Key: KeyStep is made to widen the potential of your setup, regardless of what instruments compose it. It is compatible with practically all existing synthesizers, either analog or digital, hardware or software.
CV for Enthusiasts: The three CV outputs send pitch and gate signals along with velocity, aftertouch or mod. ribbon signal to control an analog instrument or module.
Digital & Analog: The MIDI DIN output can be used to control any MIDI hardware instrument while the USB connection allows you to control your plugins and virtual instruments.
Sustain or Not Sustain: KeyStep also integrates a socket for a sustain pedal, sync input and output to follow or send a clock signal, and MIDI input to use an external keyboard or use KeyStep as a MIDI to CV converter.
Create
Never before has a portable keyboard controller incorporated this quantity of features.
Having many devices, many plugins and many modules is a pleasure. Nobody makes secret of it. However, few things are more frustrating than accumulating instruments without being fully able to use them. KeyStep allows you to regain control over your instruments.
KeyStep is loaded with features aimed at boosting your creative freedom. A 32-slimkey keybed with velocity and aftertouch, an 8-mode arpeggiator, a polyphonic sequencer with up to 64 steps and 8 simultaneous notes per step.
Perform
KeyStep will give an unprecedented magnitude to your live sessions.
Like its brothers BeatStep and BeatStep Pro, KeyStep is representative of a new breed of portable controller allowing musicians to free themselves from their computer, in particular in live conditions.
KeyStep is all about spontaneity and immediacy, strengthening the link that musicians can experience with their performance and their public. Each feature has been thought out to match live artists hopes and needs including real-time sequence rewriting, smart sequence-swapping function and simultaneous playing/sequencing.
Three Modes of Operation
Sequencer: In Sequencer mode you can record, play and transpose a polyphonic sequence with up to 64 steps and 8 simultaneous notes per step. Sequencer mode also allows you to rewrite in real-time your sequence and even to play and sequence simultaneously on two different MIDI channels.
Arpeggiator: The Arpeggiator allows you to play each note of a chord consecutively instead of simultaneously. The eight possible playing directions and the Time Division knob will enable the creation of complex and mazy melodies.
MIDI Controller: KeyStep stands up to most of the bigger keyboard controllers thanks to its prolific array of features including a custom 32-slim-key keybed with velocity and aftertouch, highly reactive pitch and modulation capacitive ribbons and above all the possibility of controlling almost every type of synthesizer by MIDI and CV.
Unlock the Secrets of KeyStep
KeyStep will transform the way you make music right out of the box, but if you want to go one step further in personalizing your setup, you can use the MIDI Control Center.
Edit and Customize Sequences: If you like to visualize your music, you can inspect and edit every element of the 8 different preset sequence patterns, ready for your set.
Quickly Swap Templates: If you use your KeyStep in lots of different ways, you can quickly save and load templates to change every setting at the same time.
Tweak its Performance: Change velocity curves, alter the behavior of the random mode, what KeyStep does when it detects clock signals, and even dim the LEDs to your taste.
All the Controls You Need
Slimkey Keybed: 32-note keyboard, designed by Arturia with velocity and aftertouch.
Sequencer/Arpeggiator: Polyphonic step-sequencer with 8 memories or Arpeggiator mode with 8 pattern styles.
HOLD Button: Top panel HOLD button allows for sustain pedal operation.
Chord Play Mode: Set chords and then play them back with a single note. Can also be used in Arpeggiator mode for chord arpeggiations.
Performance Controls: Capacitative-touch pitch bend and modulation strips.
Octave Shift Buttons: Tarnsposes the keyboard up or down multiple octaves.
SHIFT Button: Allows for setting MIDI channel and the Gate and Swing times of the arpeggiator and sequencer.
Transport Buttons: Enable and disable the arpeggiator or sequencer. Use the REC button to record sequences in step-time or do real-time overdubs.
Tap Button: Tap the tempo or use it to enter rests and note ties in sequencer mode.
USB: The USB port allows for standard class-compliant bus-powered operation. Connect an optional USB power adaptor to use KeyStep in a standalone situation.
CV/GATEs: 1 volt per octave CV/GATE outputs. A seperate MOD output allows you even more possibilities.
Sustain Pedal Input: Input connector for adding a sustain pedal.
Sync: Clock input and output can work with standard square wave clocks. Using out DIn adaptor cable, you can set the KeyStep to send or receive DIN sync with stop/start messages.
MIDI In/Out: Connect and sync KeyStep to any DAW or hardware MIDI equipment.
Sync Mode Selectors: Allow you to select the clock source: Internal, USB, MIDI, or Sync input.
Premium Software Included
Step range comes with a selection of industry-standard creative software to get your musical ideas flowing, so you can start exploring right out the box.
Product Specifications:
Arturia’s own Slimkey keybed with velocity and aftertouch
Arpeggiator Mode:
Up, Down, Inclusive, Exclusive, Random, Walk, Pattern and Order
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
Octave controls for keyboard and arpeggiator
Sustain HOLD button
Sustain pedal jack
Chord play mode
SHIFT button selection:
MIDI channel selection, GATE time, SWING values
DC jack for standalone operation
USB MIDI connects to computers and our 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 (camera connection kit required)
Dimensions:
21.85" x 3.15" x 7.28"
Weight:
3.97 lbs.
