Arturia - Keystep - Portable MIDI Controller, Sequencer and Arpeggiator - 32 Slimkeys, 8-Memory Polyphonic Step Sequencer, 8-Mode Arpeggiator, CV-Compatible - White

It is almost perfect. I'm going to give it 5 stars anyway, as 4 isn't enough. The only thing really lacking is more arpeggiator options (adding in more octave ranges, and different rhythms). Aside from that, it is a great controller. I'm going to echo what everyone else has said and say the build quality is surprisingly great. Pictures of it make it look much more plastic and lightweight than it actually is. It's a solid build, very sturdy, and the keys have a slight bit of resistance to them, which helps with velocity in particular.Lots and lots of connectivity options, and you can power this with either your usual 9V FX pedal adapter, or via whatever you'd charge a smartphone with (mains, power bank, computer etc). I think you can even power it via an iPad.I use it to control an Elektron Digitone, and if you're looking for the same thing then I'd recommend this. Very easy to change channels on the fly., and it worked right out of the box with no additional setting up or firmware updating. I feel most controllers are geared towards soft synths (often not even having the 5 pin MIDI sockets) so it's good that this covers all possible connectivity bases as I don't use a computer 90% of the time when I'm writing/performing.£100 doesn't normally buy you something as extensive as this. Great value and highly recommended.

In my haste to get at the Keystep, i accidently tosed aside the enclosed USB cable. This must have been sitting on the surface in a 'clever' recess cut into the packaging. I simply didn't see or hear it as it rolled under my sofa. To make matters worst, believing the usb was missing, I resorted to my own micro usb cables, which it turns out were 'charge only' cables. This meant the device powered up ok, but wasn't recognised as connected to the USB data ports. There are no data lines on charge only cables. Consequently, the Arturia software I downloaded refused to see the Midi device.So there i was disappointed. I had the unit repackaged, with the return label printed. I was all set to return it to Amazon when at the last minute i decided to order a micro usb data sync cable. Well i could wait another day to test this theory. Only after the order was placed did i start rooting around again, to eventually find that missing link.Moral of this story. Slow down. Give Arturia credit for being the professionals they are. Consider all the other possibilities, and maybe, just maybe, you'll stop yourself right at the last minute from making an embarassing mistake. Now lets see, can I cancel that order for that micro usb data sync cable....Now i've had a chance to play around with this the keyboard a quick word about usage. It comes with just about every interfaces you might require. I wont list them all here, but to counter another reviewer it will connect to an iPad. This is done directly through the usb 'camera' kit or indirectly through a powered usb hub. The key thing to bare in mind is the cable from the keyboard must support data ;) and also the app must support midi.Support software is available which you can download from the links provided. There is the latest firmware as well as 'the midi control center' useful to program the built in aprpedggio, although you can get by without the software. The built in 4 bar sequencer works for single notes as well as chords but i didn't find it that intuitive, so help from youtube is advised. There's also the usual Ableton lite which you get via a registration to Arturia.Whether using with a Daw or with other hardware, there are enough interfaces to control most things, from the older devices like moog's CV analog controls, to the latest Korgs and Novation grove boxes. enjoy!

I'm really pleased with this midi controller. I previously had a cheaper midi controller that I didn't enjoy using so didn't us it much. The keys on this feel really nice to use and don't make your fingers tired after using it for a while like my cheaper controller did (I believe the keys are semi-weighted). The channel aftertouch is a great feature that most mini controllers don't have. Build quality is really nice, it has a metal base and a decent weight to it. I'm using this controller on my desktop with FL Studio 20 and haven't had any issues setting it up. Since I'm using a DAW and don't have any hardware synths I haven't made use of the extra connectivity and on-board sequencing yet, although they seem great to have if I want to expand in the future.I think this controller is great for a home studio, but think it's too big/heavy if you intend to use it on the go with your laptop!

Product itself is great, lots of features, having used a friends before. Quality keys with great touch sensitive response, however this feature can’t be turned off so if you want to have uniform volume without having to play consistently yourself it can’t be done. Big disadvantage for using live with things like Korg Volca Bass. WARNING!!! I had to return mine though, no fault of product but mine was supplied by Amazon who sent it with no packaging whatsoever, just address labels stuck over instructions on product display box. Box itself was dirty and scratched from being in their van. Box also not sealed and some dust had got in, really not acceptable for and electronic device. Not too bad if you don’t keep the box or read info on it, however I had bought it as a gift and it was in no state to give as one, also if the recipient had ever wanted to upgrade and sell it on then the product box looked a right state and would have decreased value. I’m in no way suggesting Amazon should have put what is a sturdy box in another bigger box, that would be a huge waste of packaging, maybe just a protective plastic sleeve or wrap it in brown paper. They did let me return it no bother. It does explain why Amazon themselves have a few for sale slightly cheaper with description as ‘used’ with ‘damaged packaging’...........you might as well buy one of these as that is what you will receive anyway!!!

Hardware synthesizers are a new game for me. In fact, I've really only ever used soft synths for the last twenty years, and very rarely ventured beyond preset patches. Last year, though, I started recording (properly) again and I wanted to catch up on all I'd been missing (ignoring) in the synth world. I bought a second hand Arturia Minibrute and fell in love with it - but although the Minibrute has an arpeggiator, it doesn't have a sequencer. A little internet research later and I discovered that you can integrate an external sequencer and one particular YouTube video convinced me that the KeyStep was what I was looking for. I was amazed to find it at this price and assumed it was probably less fabulous than the YouTube video was suggesting. I was wrong.This is a well built, well featured sequencer/arpeggiator that has all the connections I need to allow me to connect to the Minibrute and all my software instruments (via midi and USB respectively). All the features are already described in the product listing so no need to duplicate that here. There's also a very fair and constructively critical review in SOS that's worth reading. I haven't done more than scratch the surface and I am already impressed. Of course, being a fussy git I have also found a few limitations, but no show stoppers.After forty years of playing in bands and writing and recording music, I am finally building a more integrated studio and while the KeyStep is only a small part of it, I think it will be an important one.

I have a Korg NTS-1 synthesizer, I love it! But the ribbon keyboard is too small to be anything but a sound demonstrator. A keyboard controller with a midi 5 pin Din output can connect to the Korg, but these are becoming quite rare at the budget level.The KeyStep 32 is the cheapest option, sadly it cost more than the Korg! Is it worth it? Well, they do work well together and the Keystep arpeggio and sequencer functions are excellent.The Keystep comes with access to Ableton which is a whole new ball game, I'm set on a new path! This thing is very versatile, EVERYBODY seems to have a keystep, I'm glad I've got it!Doug

Despite its size the Arturia Keystep is not a toy. It is the only keyboard in its price range that has MIDI and CV sockets AND a built-in arpeggiator and ARP setting.The two and a half octave keyboard can be modulated up and down for higher and lower registers and there are two slide strips, one for pitch bend and the other for note modulation.Best of all is the actual keyboard itself. You can see by the picture that the keys are shorter but not that much narrower than those found on full-sized instruments.These many features at such a low price makes it an essential purchase for the electronic musician on a budget.The only thing I would have liked was some other free software than Ableton 9 Lite...it seems to be given away with boxes of cornflakes these days! A lite version of the Arturia VST synth package would have been nice. Also the keyboard is powered via USB, but an optional 9v adaptor will be required should you only be using the MIDI or CV ports.Oh, please be aware that this is a controller only. It needs to be plugged into a computer running a DAW / VST host to make a sound.

Using this with any softsynth or hardware synth, especially with the Arturia V Collection, this keyboard has features of use to musicians and composers alike. Surprisingly playable keys, light enough to take with you out and about, and pretty tough in coping with gigging. Set this up or program it, and you have a surprisingly powerful bit of kit for a great-value cost. Works alongside other controllers, and although the keys are slightly slimmer than larger keyboards, the fingers don't miss - and the feel is good.

En primer lugar, el teclado llegó el día de después de pedirlo. A parte de eso es un teclado de tamaño no estandar, es decir más pequeñito.✅ Si lo que quieres es un teclado bonito, bien construido, barato, que incluya un arpegiador y un secuanciador y con alguna que otra función añadida como los touchpads para el pitch y modulación. Y si además quieres otras funcionalidades como poderlo conectar a prácticamente cualquier interfaz, o sintetizador externo, o virtual: Este es tu teclado.🚫 Si buscas un teclado de tamaño estándar o con presets de sonidos internos, este no es tu teclado. No es un sintetizador, o un piano electrónico. Nada de eso.Sin embargo lo he probado con los drivers y ableton live (Que por cierto, *Viene incluido gratis* en su versión standard) y va como la seda. No tengo ninguna queja al respecto.El único problema (a causa de mi desconocimiento) es que en la parte posterior tiene unos switches que dependiendo del uso que vayas a dar puntualmente al teclado (conectarlo al ordenador, conectarlo a un sinte analógico o a otros tipos de interfaz) Los tienes que ir cambiando de posición y se puede hacer incómodo si lo quieres usar con cacharros diferentes ordenador etc muy de seguido.Por lo demás es un teclado maravilloso y lo recomiento especialmente para productores principiantes que quieran cacharrear con VSTs sin dejarse un dineral.

Excelente midi, secuenciador y arpegeador, además viene con instrucciones claros para descargar un software

Better than expected. I use this keyboard like a sequencer. The sequencer is amazing. I can use on all my analog gear and i love it. The product is very solid (metal) and the keys are smooth. Very well touch. This sequencer/controller is awesome.

Short if it's small USB connection, it's really sturdy. And that connection is pretty tight, so no drop-outs.I have found this quite handy for working on my laptop when away from the studio. A person not into much keyboard needs will find this adequate for the occasional music-making needs.I was impressed. I had an M-Audio 49 key and this impressed me much more. I love it's small footprint. Haven't twiddled with all the knobs and such. Just use the mod pads and keyboard. It's a bit smaller than a normal keyboard sized keys but I had no trouble adjusting.I've bought a bunch of stuff I returned, sold or gave away but this has a solid place in my music making needs.

Au déballage, on sent la qualité et le côté soigné de la conception. Le clavier lui-même n'est pas particulièrement "dédié" à un jeu pianistique, mais vu l'encombrement, ce "mini" clavier est plus jouables que les minis claviers korgs, akai ou yamaha. En revanche, son toucher est moins sympa que celui des korg par exemple. Le sequenceur arpeggiateur par contre est vraiment très amusant et facile à utiliser, rien que pour ça, je mets 4 étoiles. Il est parfait pour emporter en vacances et piloter un logiciel sur un ordinateur portable.