KeyStep: One objective meeting yours.
Sometimes, simplicity is the key to efficiency and the best way to materialize an idea into a sonic result. The design of the KeyStep is based entirely on this vision. Going straight to the point, skating over the constraints and letting musicians focus on their art are KeyStep’s ambitions. Whether your setup is analog or digital, KeyStep will allow you to reach a whole new level of control and creativity.
KeyStep is made to widen the potential of your setup, regardless of what instruments compose it. It is compatible with practically all existing synthesizers, either analog or digital, hardware or software. .
The three CV outputs send pitch and gate signals along with velocity, aftertouch or mod. ribbon signal to control an analog instrument or module.
The MIDI DIN output can be used to control any MIDI hardware instrument while the USB connection allows you to control your plugins and virtual instruments.
KeyStep also integrates a socket for a sustain pedal, sync input and output to follow or send a clock signal, and MIDI input to use an external keyboard or use KeyStep as a MIDI to CV converter.
Here is a setup example showing the possibilities of this amazing piece of technology
Never before has a portable keyboard controller incorporated this quantity of features.
Having many devices, many plugins and many modules is a pleasure. Nobody makes secret of it. However, few things are more frustrating than accumulating instruments without being fully able to use them. KeyStep allows you to regain control over your instruments.
KeyStep is loaded with features aimed at boosting your creative freedom. A 32-slimkey keybed with velocity and aftertouch, an 8-mode arpeggiator, a polyphonic sequencer with up to 64 steps and 8 simultaneous notes per step.
Like its brothers BeatStep and BeatStep Pro, KeyStep is representative of a new breed of portable controller allowing musicians to free themselves from their computer, in particular in live conditions.
KeyStep is all about spontaneity and immediacy, strengthening the link that musicians can experience with their performance and their public. Each feature has been thought out to match live artists hopes and needs including real-time sequence rewriting, smart sequence-swapping function and simultaneous playing/sequencing.
KeyStep will give an unprecedented magnitude to your live sessions.
In Sequencer mode you can record, play and transpose a polyphonic sequence with up to 64 steps and 8 simultaneous notes per step. Sequencer mode also allows you to rewrite in real-time your sequence and even to play and sequence simultaneously on two different MIDI channels.
The arpegiattor allows you to play each note of a chord consecutively instead of simultaneously. The eight possible playing directions and the Time Division knob will enable the creation of complex and mazy melodies.
KeyStep stands up to most of the bigger keyboard controllers thanks to its prolific array of features including a custom 32-slim-key keybed with velocity and aftertouch, highly reactive pitch and modulation capacitive ribbons and above all the possibility of controlling almost every type of synthesizer by MIDI and CV.
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:
32-note keyboard, designed by Arturia with velocity and aftertouch.
Polyphonic step-sequencer with 8 memories or Arpeggiator mode with 8 pattern styles.
Top panel HOLD button allows for sustain pedal operation.
Set chords and then play them back with a single note. Can also be used in Arpeggiator mode for chord arpeggiations.
Capacitive-touch pitch bend and modulation strips.
Transposes the keyboard up or down multiple octaves.
Allows for setting MIDI channel and the Gate and Swing times of the arpeggiator and sequencer.
Enable and disable the arpeggiator or sequencer. Use the REC button to record sequences in step-time or do real-time overdubs.
Tap the tempo or use it to enter rests and note ties in sequencer mode.
The USB port allows for standard class-compliant bus-powered operation. Connect an optional USB power adaptor to use KeyStep in a standalone situation.
1 volt per octave CV/GATE outputs. A separate MOD output allows you even more possibilities.
Input connector for adding a sustain pedal.
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.
Connect and sync KeyStep to any DAW or hardware MIDI equipment.
Allow you to select the clock source: Internal, USB, MIDI or Sync input.
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