Arturia KeyStep

Arturia KeyStep Keyboard Controller

The Arturia 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.

You need a portable USB MIDI controller but also want a keyboard that provides a musical playing experience? You have some MIDI modules you want to connect as well but don't want the footprint of a large keyboard? You have modular and analog gear you want to control via CV/GATEs? You want a step sequencer with polyphonic capability that can sync to your favorite modern and vintage gear? If only a single piece of gear could do all of this...

Arturia started by designing their 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.

Arturia 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. Also included is the ability to record, overdub, and transpose your sequences in real time and still play the keyboard live.

These features alone would make KeyStep the best portable keyboard controller on the market. But it's taken 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.
 

Adapts to your setup!

KeyStep was imagined and designed to become the modern musician's trump-card. Whatever your setup, KeyStep will merge into it to overdrive your workflow and effectiveness. With KeyStep and its range of connections you can control any digital or analog synthesizer from the past, today and even tomorrow. Sequence them all!

Features:

- Arturia's own 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
- SHIFT button selection: MIDI channel selection, GATE time, SWING values
- DC jack for standalone operation
- USB MIDI connects to computers and the 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(R) (camera connection kit required) 

All the controls you need

Careful thought went into the layout of the front panel and the selection of the rear panel connections. Here’s a brief description of each section:

1-Slimkey Keybed

32-note keyboard, designed by Arturia with velocity and aftertouch.

2-Sequencer / Arpeggiator

Polyphonic step-sequencer with 8 memories or Arpeggiator mode with 8 pattern styles.

3-HOLD button

Top panel HOLD button allows for sustain pedal operation.

4-Chord Play mode

Set chords and then play them back with a single note. Can also be used in Arpeggiator mode for chord arpeggiations.

5-Performance controls

Capacitive-touch pitch bend and modulation strips.

6-Octave shift buttons

Transposes the keyboard up or down multiple octaves.

7-SHIFT button

Allows for setting MIDI channel and the Gate and Swing times of the arpeggiator and sequencer.

8-Transport buttons

Enable and disable the arpeggiator or sequencer. Use the REC button to record sequences in step-time or do real-time overdubs.

9-Tap button

Tap the tempo or use it to enter rests and note ties in sequencer mode.

10-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.

11-CV/GATEs

1 volt per octave CV/GATE outputs. A separate MOD output allows you even more possibilities.

12-Sustain pedal input

Input connector for adding a sustain pedal.

13-Sync

Clock input and output can work with standard square wave clocks. Using our DIN adaptor cable, you can set the KeyStep to send or receive DIN sync with stop/start messages.

14-MIDI in/out

Connect and sync KeyStep to any DAW or hardware MIDI equipment.

15-Sync mode selectors

Allow you to select the clock source: Internal, USB, MIDI or Sync input.