I get a lot out of your work. I love your videos and your curiosity and engagement is infectious. I do think the KeyStep Pro needs more attention from Arturia. Apologies for the long post. There aren't many midi/cv sequencers in keyboard format except perhaps the Novation SL and arranger keyboards that have comprehensive midi sequencers. As powerful as it, is the sequencer in the KeyStep Pro is primitive. First off there is no ratcheting ( note repeats) that you can record into the tracks. This makes complex hi hats patterns impossible to program. Second, if you want longer phrases the tracking doesn't automatically flow into the next pattern while you record. You can use up 64 steps doing just two chords so you are forced to compose in terms of very short phrases and then stich them together. Yes you can subdivide the track down to eights for example but the loss of resolution severely limits your playing and expression. By contrast there are basic sequencers in VCV rack that auto flow to the next pattern when recording and it leads to much more interesting and longer phrases. The music that comes out of this can sound very square due to the low resolution of the grid. These short comings impose a very short loop-style of creation often comprised of 2 bars patterns or (less if you need the resolution to do more detailed programming) . Another issue that I have encountered is as follows: if you wish to save the project while the playing, the sequencers and externally connected clocks glitch (drop out) This means that externally clocked sequencers may have to be reset and any time based tempo effects or LFOS that are deriving their timing from the clock output on the KeyStep Pro get out of sync. Other sequencers I have used do not interrupt the flow when you save in context. Yes, you can avoid this and I do but it isn't ideal. In my opinion It needs new firmware. Arturia typically commits long term to their software. I hope we see an upgraded sequencer engine in this otherwise fine instrument. There is a real need for Arturia engineers to take a look at what is out there in both hardware and software and really allow this this reach its potential. I'd love to see a "side car" expander for this to give us more tracks. Four is very limiting. Perhaps what I am after is not possible in this configuration. If Arturia quadrupled the internal resolution and came up with a way to record and manage up to 256 steps per track (perhaps by letting us set loop points), whilst expanding the track count to 8, I'd be first in line. Keep up the awesome work.
Why doesn’t the 16 LED display on the right not show note information on beats 17-64? The 4 LED bar information on the top right moves for each group of 16 steps but the 16 step display below only shows the first 16 steps.
The 4 LED bar helps you keep track of what's playing, while the step display stays on one page so you can edit in peace. I imagine it'd be quite stressful to do anything if the pages kept jumping around.
I recently bought the slmk3. It's a class machine. I do believe the sequencer is more powerful on the keystep though the slmk3 has far better integration with DAWs
The Keystep Pro is not that bad, but i never like the small keys. I have an Arturia MiniLab. And that is also not that bad, but that's not that comfortable to play for me either. But for the small size you get a lot out of it. For the prize i prefer more a Arturia KeyLab then a KeyStep. And yes, i know that the KeyLab dont have the step sequencer. But I'm talking about the complete package and the Keylab simply appeals more. For me personal. Especially for me as a (Keyboard) Player.
How’s the latest firmware with the Keystep Pro now. A lot of complaints when it first came out saying the functionality was buggy? On. the fence about getting one ?
I get a lot out of your work. I love your videos and your curiosity and engagement is infectious. I do think the KeyStep Pro needs more attention from Arturia. Apologies for the long post.
There aren't many midi/cv sequencers in keyboard format except perhaps the Novation SL and arranger keyboards that have comprehensive midi sequencers. As powerful as it, is the sequencer in the KeyStep Pro is primitive. First off there is no ratcheting ( note repeats) that you can record into the tracks. This makes complex hi hats patterns impossible to program. Second, if you want longer phrases the tracking doesn't automatically flow into the next pattern while you record. You can use up 64 steps doing just two chords so you are forced to compose in terms of very short phrases and then stich them together. Yes you can subdivide the track down to eights for example but the loss of resolution severely limits your playing and expression. By contrast there are basic sequencers in VCV rack that auto flow to the next pattern when recording and it leads to much more interesting and longer phrases. The music that comes out of this can sound very square due to the low resolution of the grid. These short comings impose a very short loop-style of creation often comprised of 2 bars patterns or (less if you need the resolution to do more detailed programming) . Another issue that I have encountered is as follows: if you wish to save the project while the playing, the sequencers and externally connected clocks glitch (drop out) This means that externally clocked sequencers may have to be reset and any time based tempo effects or LFOS that are deriving their timing from the clock output on the KeyStep Pro get out of sync. Other sequencers I have used do not interrupt the flow when you save in context. Yes, you can avoid this and I do but it isn't ideal.
In my opinion It needs new firmware. Arturia typically commits long term to their software. I hope we see an upgraded sequencer engine in this otherwise fine instrument. There is a real need for Arturia engineers to take a look at what is out there in both hardware and software and really allow this this reach its potential. I'd love to see a "side car" expander for this to give us more tracks. Four is very limiting. Perhaps what I am after is not possible in this configuration. If Arturia quadrupled the internal resolution and came up with a way to record and manage up to 256 steps per track (perhaps by letting us set loop points), whilst expanding the track count to 8, I'd be first in line.
Keep up the awesome work.
You make everything look easy Mr. Doug
Got one a few weeks ago, it’s a truly superb sequencer, money well spent.
Why doesn’t the 16 LED display on the right not show note information on beats 17-64? The 4 LED bar information on the top right moves for each group of 16 steps but the 16 step display below only shows the first 16 steps.
The 4 LED bar helps you keep track of what's playing, while the step display stays on one page so you can edit in peace. I imagine it'd be quite stressful to do anything if the pages kept jumping around.
I’ve thought about one of these to replace my Keylab Essential
Not having any keyboard skills, I’m torn between key step pro and notations sl mk3.
I’d go for the one with the better sequencing capabilities.
Keystep any time ! It’s purpose is sequencing more than keyboard playing. Notation is design to link to a daw manly. Hope it helps.
I recently bought the slmk3. It's a class machine. I do believe the sequencer is more powerful on the keystep though the slmk3 has far better integration with DAWs
I strongly recommend the Novation SL MK3. I use mine with AUM and it works great.
Had one and was very fun to use with Korg Gadget once I figured out the initial setup. The only problem was that I could control only 4 tracks.
I have the novation launchkey mkiii 49. The sequencer on the ksp is brilliant.
The Keystep Pro is not that bad, but i never like the small keys. I have an Arturia MiniLab. And that is also not that bad, but that's not that comfortable to play for me either. But for the small size you get a lot out of it. For the prize i prefer more a Arturia KeyLab then a KeyStep. And yes, i know that the KeyLab dont have the step sequencer. But I'm talking about the complete package and the Keylab simply appeals more. For me personal. Especially for me as a (Keyboard) Player.
How’s the latest firmware with the Keystep Pro now. A lot of complaints when it first came out saying the functionality was buggy? On. the fence about getting one ?
its really good and consistent now. it was buggy the first few months but now its all good.
Namboo?
Nambu is an iOS Synthesizer from iceGear, here is the App Store link
apps.apple.com/gb/app/nambu-auv3-plug-in-synth/id1624422460
The only thing that push me away from buying this midi is not having bluetooth to connect wireless to my ipad and mac
I have the same setup with a Yamaha MD-BT01 bluetooth midi adapter connected to my Keystep Pro. Works perfectly with the iPad.
Same + the lil blue CME guy
@@andrewgobel4936 i have CME bluetooth but still i need usb to power the midi keyboard :s not fully portable keyboard