An Often Overlooked Keystep Feature!

An Often Overlooked Keystep Feature!
Today we're looking at an often overlooked Keystep feature. Present on both the Keystep and Keystep 37, "Kbd Play" is a function that allows you improvise over the top of a running sequence, given that you have at least a two voice polyphonic synth. This makes workshopping melodic ideas incredibly simple, as you can do anything from sequencing a bassline to work on melodies on top, to sequencing chords to play around with basslines underneath! Let me know how you use keyboard play, and enjoy the video :)
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
Arturia Keystep: amzn.to/3waimVR
Synthstrom Deluge: synthstrom.com/product/deluge/
Zoom Livetrak L-12 (audio recorder): amzn.to/3MUBtck
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[@DruggedBunny]

As someone else suggested, you can set the sequence playing on one channel, then, while holding down Shift + Kbd Play, press a key to select another MIDI channel... you can now play another synth while the pattern plays.

[@chickenslothstudios699]

Came here to say that 😊

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah haha, I decided to keep the video simple, since the original premise was just using the keystep with a polyphonic synth. Thanks for watching!

[@skriptico]

and a third with Cv/trigga(?)

[@petercane6376]

This is the honest truth. I have my keystep boxed up in the car ready to sell. I did not know the sequencer was so good. I have just spent a lot on a Korg SQ64 which I cannot even update the firmware on. Thanks to your video I will right this minute go and get the keystep out of the car and use it. Some other poor soul can have the SQ64. Grhhhh. But thanks buddy.

[@JakeSweeper]

Heh... The Keystep often comes up as the 1st suggestion for folks who want a midi controller, but don't want to be tied to any one connection type or software. It can handle standard MIDI, usb-midi, and Control Voltages; It's Swiss Army Knife of the electronic music world. :)

[@FreeBeat]

It really is!

[@patrickbodine1300]

Videos like this actually add value to my gear. Not knowing is costly. So much to learn, so few videos on how to actually use the gear that I have spent hard earned money on. Thank you! And please, keep coming up with these informative videos!

[@FreeBeat]

Isn't that the best feeling? Discovering a new feature that you didn't have to pay more for lol. Thanks for watching!

[@jahovahjira]

I love your commitment to upload new videos everyday. You are so gifted with not only music skills, but communication skills as well. You make this world a better place! Thank you for all your work!

[@patrickbodine1300]

Yes. I learn something from him nearly every show.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@iosmusicman]

Yet another piece of kit I’ve so far under utilised. Thanks for sharing as always. Cheers. Lee

[@FreeBeat]

It's amazing what the Keystep can do, thanks for watching!

[@sixgunsal81]

I hard some Rush in there. I'm not sure if that sounds like Grace Under Pressure or Signals. Freakin awesome, though.

[@FreeBeat]

My favorite band haha. Upon listening again, some of those chords sound kind of "Distant Early Warning-ish," maybe that's it?

[@sixgunsal81]

@@FreeBeat Just a sign of good musical influence and and natural talent. Thanks for the how to videos on the nts-1 and arturia keystep. It really helped me out.

[@traildoggy]

Cool. I just tried this and it is working in Analog Lab VST also. thanks

[@FreeBeat]

Nice! How are you liking it?

[@jaydeepalmer]

I do that with my volcas, really cool feature! There's a way to play the sequencer/arpegiator without affecting the transport on the device you're controlling, but still have the tempo synced, that really beefs up the sequencing capabilities of some volcas 😎

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@synthsproblems3475]

Have a keystep for years and dont know about this . tnx a lot

[@FreeBeat]

Definitely, thanks for watching!

[@slakk5093]

I love the keystep quick midi channel change. Will keep it around for that one feature, so handy for the digitakt. Can quickly change which channel I'm controlling without touching the digitakt itself

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah it's amazing on any multichannel gear like that. So nice to pop between whatever you want on the fly!

[@Hakucho64]

Or you can set your controller to send to the DT’s auto channel, and just switch tracks on the DT.

[@slakk5093]

@@Hakucho64 Yes you can, but what if i dont want to touch the Digitakt, and I want to use the other 8 channels of midi to control other gear that is plugged in to the Digitakt? This is why this feature is so handy!

[@wiggesobk]

Wow i didn't knew that. So cool! Thanks for posting this video! 👍

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, its awesome! Thanks for watching :)

[@Wizkidmelburn]

I was wondering if there is a way to sequence a sampled breakbeat on this nifty lil' thing. Thx

[@FreeBeat]

This is just a controller, so you could control any sampler :)

[@joeblow593]

Ya know what else would be cool with the keystep 37 is to use the control knobs while all this is happening. Maybe a demo of that?😀😀

[@FreeBeat]

Maybe I'll do that in a Sunday Sessions jam video in the future, good idea!

[@ProfessorSynth]

Good tip. More on the Deluge please

[@FreeBeat]

More on the way!

[@ericMT]

Obviously this only works with MIDI, as CV/gate is monophonic. But that’s a very cool feature for jamming with a MIDI poly synth.

[@FreeBeat]

Correct :)

[@SonicVibe]

I like the keystep and kinda love the sequencer on it cool tips on keyboard ⌨️ play

[@FreeBeat]

It's so much fun!

[@DopamineOverload]

Definitely overlooked feature, but how about the keyboard play thing on a different MIDI channel using a totally different sound or other piece of gear? That's how I like to use my 37. Sequence using a monophonic synth, and then daisy-chained to something else on a different MIDI channel. KS37 Midi Out > Hardware Synth 1 Midi In > Hardware Synth 1 Midi Out > Hardware Synth 2 Midi In. And on and on (especially with Thru boxes). Good times!

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah that's an awesome feature. I decided to leave it out of this video just to keep things simple for the viewer, especially since I only discussed playing on one polyphonic synth. Thanks for watching!

[@DopamineOverload]

@@FreeBeat Word man. You know me, I tend to comment on your videos all the time with extra details, haha. Love your channel and it's great to see how much it's grown since I subbed to you WAY back before 1k.

[@adamv.2760]

This video is the reason why I bought a Keystep 37

[@wyntube07]

will it work with the volca keys?

[@Stefan-do2kp]

Is there a similar feature like kbd play in the keystep pro?

[@FreeBeat]

I looked in the manual for it, but I couldn't find it. If anyone out there actually owns a Keystep Pro I'd definitely appreciate a response!

[@haraldfielker4635]

I bought the Behringer Swing :)

[@FreeBeat]

Are you liking it?

[@creatingspacesproducer]

Can you keyboard play over it also in 'steps'? With my mjnilogue xd i can play a sequence and then 'arp' over it which is very cool because you stay in tempo

[@FreeBeat]

I don't believe you can play an arp over a sequence sadly. Thanks for watching!

[@808Wood]

Most important part of this was missing is where to set your jumpers on the back so that you can use this feature. Those jumpers on the back are a pain in my arse.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, I've covered those in a few other videos and decided to skip them for this one since the main topic of the video was the keyboard play feature. Sorry!

[@wraaangsolo]

Hello there, maybe someone knows, can you hold a chord in the sequencer mode?

[@FreeBeat]

Yes you can!

[@wraaangsolo]

@@FreeBeat thank you!!!

[@marcelocg]

Does the Keylab Essential have the same feature?

[@FreeBeat]

I do not believe it does.

[@dadjacobs8977]

I'm new to sequencers and I don't own a computer but have some drum machines and synthetic. Will this work to make music or do I need other things?

[@FreeBeat]

What all do you have?

[@dadjacobs8977]

@FreeBeat korg electribe er-1 drum machine. Boss sp303 sampler. Korg mini korg. Yamaha dx11. Tons of guitars and and a bunch of petals. A Roland jump 106 That I bought from a thrift shop that doesn't work. That I need to fix. In other casio keyboards and stuff

[@dadjacobs8977]

@@FreeBeat and an Alesis Quadreverb

[@Jux925]

What would happen if it were a mono synth?

[@kaziqmaziq6703]

Weird! This is also posssible!

[@audiblevideo]

Serious question: could you record your performance into the Deluge whilst keeping the sequence from recording into it as well? Episode Idea: show using the Korg Nts1 (or any external FX unit) with the Deluge and how to route the signals (either back into the Deluge or into a mixer - fx send and return) As an aside you should really check out the Boards of Deluge patches (5 volumes) now

[@FreeBeat]

I'm pretty sure that would work actually!

[@MrNamaikisaru]

Arcade game vibes

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@sodiumlights]

(thank you for not using the term 'underrated' x)

[@FreeBeat]

No problem haha, definitely a good habit to get out of!

[@sodiumlights]

@@FreeBeat 😄

[@audiblevideo]

LOL apologizing for having the deluge in every single video... Maybe start a secondary channel with the Deluge and friends and keep this one sans Deluge for all the "complainers" ;) I mean complainers in the nicest possible way... seriously

[@FreeBeat]

Haha "Deluge Beat." Thanks for watching!