Beatstep Pro : Fun and Inspirational

When I bought this controller, my aim was to mainly use the knobs for controlling soft-synths, occasionally using the main features of the step-sequencer.

Playing with it has won me over with the sequencing as the main use. This might be due to the stepped action of the adjustment knobs or just laziness on my part assigning the CC-s to the controls or because it's just so much fun to use.

Build-quality and the design of the instrument is good, all the controls are well laid out. The device is easy to use apart from some secondary functions that take a bit time to figure out, or just check the manual.

The pads work OK for recording a sequence, but for finger drumming I prefer Korg padKontrol. For that I find the pads a bit small, the two row configuration is not as good as the 4x4 of the padkontrol, but this isn't the main purpose of the instrument.

Nice feature is that by touching a knob, the display shows the value of that knob. I also like the various scale and sequence direction options. Only niggle is that "Alternate" playback or forward-reverse repeats the last/first note when changing direction. Would be nice to have the option to not repeat the boundary notes.

Randomization features are also useful to bring some variety to sequences.

Great inspirational tool for live performance or for composing.