Arturia has announced the KeyStep Controller and Sequencer, a portable, USB MIDI controller keyboard and polyphonic step sequencer with CV connectivity. The French concern also announced special “dark” editions of it’s MiniKey Lab controller and BeatStep sequencer.
Arturia KeyStep 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 our 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 (camera connection kit required)
The KeyStep’s 32-note keyboard contains Arturia’s proprietary Slimkey action with aftertouch and velocity sensitivity. It also sports a newly-designed polyphonic step sequencer with eight programmable memories, recallable at the touch of a knob. You can choose Gate times (10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90%) and Swing settings (Off, 53%, 55%, 57%, 59%, 61%, 64%, 67%, 73%, and 75%) instantly to change the feel of the sequenced performance in realtime. Furthermore, Arturia also added an ability to record, overdub, and transpose sequences on the fly, while still playing the keyboard live. Finally, the KeyStep features an Arp Mode with eight arpeggiator pattern styles (1 / Up, 2 / Dwn, 3 / Inc, 4 / Exc , 5 / Rand, 6 / Order, 7 / Up x2, and 8 / Dwn x2) and Chord play mode for setting chords and playing them back with a single note or via the Arp Mode, allowing for chord-based arpeggiations.
Arturia’s KeyStep has an abundance of connectivity, including USB MIDI (to connect to computers and Arturia’s MCC editor); Standard MIDI IN and OUT; SYNC IN and OUT (supporting 1 pulse per step, 2 PPQ, 24 PPQ DIN Sync, and 48 PPQ DIN Sync); GATE and PITCH CV OUTPUTS (supporting 5V or 12V and 1V/oct or Hz/V, respectively); assignable MOD (modulation) output that can be assigned to the capacitive-touch strip, velocity, or aftertouch; and a SUSTAIN pedal input connector
The KeyStep’s front panel contains more productive performance controls, including a Hold button (allowing for sustain pedal operation); Shift button (for setting Keyboard MIDI CH and the Gate and Swing times of the sequencer and arpeggiator); Oct- and Oct+ Transpose buttons; capacitive-touch Mod (modulation) strip; Rate knob and Tap button (to tap the tempo or enter rests and note ties in Seq Mode); record, play, and stop transport buttons (for enabling and disabling the sequencer or arpeggiator, using the record button to record step-time sequences or realtime overdubs).
Keep It Dark
Arturia also announced Dark Editions of its BeatStep and MiniLab products with all sorts of bundled excitement. The BeatStep is a compact, flexible and FUN pad controller allowing you to trigger your clips in a DAW, to control your virtual drum but also to sequence both software and hardware instruments thanks to its USB, MIDI and CV/Gate outputs.
The Dark Edition comes bundled with the Oberheim SEM V, a faithful reproduction of the original Oberheim SEM from 1974. The second instrument of this bundle, Analog Lab allows you to pick your sound from among 6000 presets of all our legendary synthesizers virtual recreations. The third part of the bundled triad, Ableton Live Lite, allows you to be immediately operational.
The MiniLab is a complete portable controller keyboard to play and control your virtual instruments, offering a full set of controls in a compact footprint. The Dark Edition comes bundled with Analog Lab, and its 6000 keyboards sounds, the Oberheim SEM V, and the UVI Grand Piano Model D, offers you the sound of a sampled Steinway. Last but not least, Ableton Live Lite provides DAW action.
Arturia’s KeyStep Controller & Sequencer will be shipping in Spring 2016 for €119.00 / $149. The Dark Bundled Editions of the MiniLab and BeatStep cost €99.00 / $129, and are available now.
Arturia
