Arturia Keystep Reviews

Very good quality keyboard & sequencer!

A really good choice for a midi keyboard and sequencer at a really compelling price! I love the keystep!

Unnecessary annoyances

I needed a simple keyboard to connect either to a computer, a MIDI instrument or a modular synth. This one has all the connections needed, this a a pro. The keys seem to be good quality (I'm not a 'real' keyboard player, so I can't tell).

The cons, yet, are quite a few :

- If you want to change the control voltage setting, or any setting, you need to sign in to their website, download a software, generate a file, save it to an USB drive, go offline, plug your keyboard into your computer, upload the generated file, etc. I'm not sure if I'm accurate enough, this is so complicated I'm not sure I understood everything. And of course, there's no Linux version. Why not an open source software ? The thing is only a micro-controller with a few keys and knobs, not a jet fighter !

- When you change the octave setting, the button flashes bright white.

This is distracting and can't be changed, even with their software center thing. Users complain, but the company does nothing.

- The firmware hasn't been updated for three years. While it only leaves you with a few annoyances like the flashing buttons, it's a clue that they're in no hurry to provide customer service.

My main keyboard for analog modular system since two years, still looking for an alternative!

First: The unit never let me down. The CV outputs are the main reason for my choice using that unit.

But: I'm still missing one thing: Note-On-Arpeggiator-Reset.

The arpeggiator/sequencer is optimized for techno / full synced setups only. I'm using the device playing along a band - if the tempo changes slightly, I'll have to re-sync pressing the tap button - loosing one hand which I would hardly need for turning my knobs!

To explain this point a little more: If I do not re-sync, it may happen that there is no sound at all when I press a key because the internal sequencer is between two steps at this time. It comes even worse: the next note will come for sure - but with broken timing.

In other words: The internal sequencer is just running and my play is been treated like a gate - just turning "sound" on and off.

Arturia technical support promised to implement this option into their next firmware. This was February 2017 (2.5 years ago). Unfortunately there has never been any upgraded version! Instead of that they seem to prefer launching several other products - which I somehow like but do not have the courage to buy after that story.

Until I find some replacement, I'm using MAX/MSP for my sequencing stuff and never even think about pressing "play" on the Arturia.

Thinking about modifying the unit by myself: getting the tap button out and connect it to some foot switch to be able to sync without using my hands.

Highly recommended MIDI/CV keyboard

A highly intuitive and creative keyboard with the possibility of amending sequences on the fly, as well as various modes of arpeggiation. It's highly convenient for its connectivity through Analog CV and/or MIDI. a great keyboard to allow you various options of controlling all sorts of gear. Highly recommended. My favourite MIDI/CV keyboard.

Nice

Very sturdy and I like the action of the keys. Although those are minikeys there play way better than for example the keys of the minilogue and it has a lot of features and connectivity

Superb build quality

This is my second Arturia purchase after the Beatstep Pro and this keyboard has a great quality feel to it that is familiar from my last purchase. Proper rugged construction and the keys feel excellent, chunky, weighted, real high quality.

Control is fairly intuitive and much of it is self-explanatory.

A con for me is - NO OFF/ON SWITCH - maybe they have a reason for this, I don't know, but I'm old school, I want an on/off switch please.

There's a reason so many of these are sold, you really can't do better for the money.

Best midi keyboard outhere

Everything regarding this piece of equipment is great, the integration coudn't be better and it works with ableton and my external instruments flawlessly. You have not reason to not liking it and for the price it s just too good to be true hah

Simply Great

I use it in a home studio set up,I was looking for a midi controller,plus this has a sequencer build in, which has proved very useful,doing double duties.I am very happy with this controller/sequencer,reasons why.

1.Compact and portable

2.Well built

3.Keys feel fab

4.I love the sequencer: step,live record,transpose, chord,gate and swing plus my favorite random

My only criticism would be, it?s a pity they did not include some knobs,especially as there is space for them on the front panel.I wouldn?t t hesitate to recommend,it looks and feels good,with great features,which are easy to figure out and it?s s great fun to use,with very interesting results.

need it for every studio

totally happy wiht this midi controller, a lot of options at the back , CV , pedal, midi IN/OUT gate, trig options , just perfect

Impressed by the quality!

For the price you really can't miss.

Pros,

Compact

Great feel on the keys.

CV/Gate is great if you have modular or semi-modular synths.

The chord function is really good especially in live situations where you want to improvise on the fly or in the studio sketching ideas.

The sequencer is really good to and it reminds me of the sequencer on my Bassstation II.

Musthave clock-midi station in your rig

It's just like a door and always helps out in difficult situations!

A well built midi controller with good connections

I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality of this keyboard. Small, sturdy and well designed. The key bed feels very nice to me. I use a lot of hardware synth modules and this unit seems to be able to fit just anywhere with the benefit of having midi and CV connections which makes it very versatile. Im not sure there are any other options out there regardless of price and size. The Sequencing is Basic but useful. I have found it very useful for Jotting out Ideas, Riffs and loops that can be expanded on at a later date. Im sure there would be a market for a Pro version with a better sequencer and a proper display, Hint Arturia. One thing that i didnt like was No Power Supply included by Arturia, which annoys me because using it stand alone is one of its biggest selling points. i would have happily paid 10 extra euros for a proper power supply. But all in all very satisfied with this product. Midi Controllers over the years have been an easy target for companies scrimping and saving on decent parts, and hopefully we see more solid products like this in the future.

Best keyboard controler for CV's

I'm using the Keystep in addition to the Moog Mother 32 and the Moog DFAM.

The keystep allows you to control other synth's using Midi or CV (which is rare in cotroler synth). It's build with an internal polyphonic sequencer and arpegiator which is compatible with the Moog's.

It's a really robust portable synth, i was amazed by the quality of it.

The midi in and out allows you to sync the Keystep to an external source and then plug it with the midi out to sync another module.

For the CV's you have 3 signals that you can send, a Pitch (which is sending signal from the keys), gate (used to send start and stop signals) and the MOD output whiwh allows you to control other synth (for exemple a VCO) with the touchable mod "wheel" of the Keystep (i use is to control the LFO of the Moog Mother 32 and it's amazing).

When you'll register it on Arturia's website, they will give you a software that can allow you to parameter you midi's outputs, upgrade the firmware and modifying the overall parameters of the Synth.

Nonetheless, i found the sequencer and the ajustable parameters kind of non intuitive, you'll have to read the manual (which is not included but you will find it on Arturia's website) carefully to be able to properly use the Keystep and all it's features.

Exept for that little cons, it's a really great controller, especially if you are using modular synthetisers.

Light-weighted, concrete, stable

Nice controller with multiple functions like midi in/out, sequencer, arpeggiator..... etc. The only thing I don't like is the pitch bend and mod bend. I still prefer the traditional pitch wheel.

Excellent product, highly recommended!

PROS:

-The keys have aftertouch and feel very nice for such a small and compact design.

-Lots of sync options. My personal favourite being that it translates MIDI to Korg pulse which allows me to easily sync my DAW to Korg stuff like the Volcas. And it has minijack sync I/O.

-Proper MIDI ins/outs (not just USB) and CV outputs.

-Excellent polyphonic 64 step sequencer (very user friendly when connected to a computer). I don't really use the step sequencer much but it works great! Very nice arpeggiator too.

-Very intuitive in use. Very easy to learn all basic functions.

-Lots of "under the hood" settings and options (like velocity curves CV/gate settings, etc.). A lot more than I will probably ever need. Far too much to get into here but the manual can be downloaded from the Arturia website.

-Very nice design, looks classier than most midi keyboards.

-Excellent build quality, feels sturdier than most midi keyboards I've used.

-9v power input so it can be used as standalone.

CONS:

-Although it has a 9v input it can't be used with standard Boss type adapter. It requires a 500mA adapter to work. This is EXTREMLY inconvenient but it's also the only negative thing I have to say about the Keystep.

Great product, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

worth the money

i bought this mainly as a midi>cv converter, but started using it as a controller as well. has aftertouch and everything and plays decently despite the mini keys. in my case, this really beats paying twice the amount for a kenton box.

only thing i missed was not being able to alter the pitch bend range without the hooking it up to the editor, as this is something i tend to change a lot during recording. then again, can't have everything...

Neat little keyboard for fun and inspiration

First of all, I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about Arturia products before, as they usually have good hardware, but have serious software, firmware and driver issues.

Fortunately this is not the case on this particular product.

So, what do you get in this size?

Answer would be: lots of features, including ones from bigger master MIDI keyboards:

MIDI IN/OUT, MIDI clock sync, USB, Touch "wheels", Polyphonic Sequencing and Arpeggiato, transport controls, programmable memories and truckload of other features.

Also it is quite heavy for its size and built like a tank, so you would not have to worry if you constantly need to haul it around the world.

It is pretty power efficent, so you can plug it directly into your iPad, without worrying if it would get enough juice to function.

Keys themselves are compact, but not too small and still fully usable, also they have nice feeling and are even velocity sensitive with aftertouch, which is pretty unusual in this price point.

There has been some memory programming issues reported on early firmware versions, so just to be sure to get the latest firmware from Arturia website and update it, before taking into use.

In conclusion, it is one of the best mini keyboards I have personally encountered and you will get lots of value from this money.

Best controller ever

One of the best and most practical!

One of the best portable midi keys

The keybed is excelent quality, the aftertouch is quite ok, the sequencer is just SUPER! Build quality is very good. An excelent product!