Arturia BeatStep Controller and Step Sequencer Review - SoundsAndGear.com

[@DopamineOverload]

I've literally become an Arturia fanboy in the last few months. Unreal, how they just do their products RIGHT. Midi Control Center is a godsend. And ALL of their hardware has customizable MIDI (well, except Keystep, which doesn't have many controls on it... doesn't matter anyway, all things considered)... in the past 4 months I've bought Keystep, Beatstep, Beatstep Pro, Keylab Essential 49, Minilab MK2, and Keylab MK2. All that's missing is probably SparkLE. I cannot believe how fun and inspired I've been, since picking up Arturia's stuff. Beatstep and Beatstep Pro blew my mind when I first really checked them out. I was like "wow. Music can be fun again." I had lost inspiration easily for a year. It's back, with my Arturia controllers. If they made a "Keystep Pro" or "Keylab Sequence" or something (25-key, 49-key, 61-key).... (to compete with the Novation 49SL MKIII, at the same price point-- maybe even with a color screen?)... they'd corner the market. They would absolutely rule all. That's all we need, is something like the Keylab MK2, but with built-in arpeggiator, step sequencer... and ideally, the ability to save like 100 step sequences or patterns in the board itself... that would be utterly amazing. And I'm not even counting Analog Lab 3... which is such a great freebie when buying the hardware. Thanks for all your brilliant videos, covering EVERYTHING Saintjoe. You're the man. Straightforward reviews, positives and negatives. You've educated this music teacher tenfold. Thanks again, man.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Awesome bro! Thanks for watching and also sharing your opinions. It's always cool to see what others think of things on the market, glad I could help out in some way even if just with a little bit of info or opinion on the product.

[@ianbarcelos]

Your wishes came true kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWqlXqangMiYo9k

[@MsBeatJunkie]

Nice, I thought about getting this for extra during my live performances. I also like their software. Thanks for the review...you never disappoint. Looking good btw! 😍

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching, appreciate the support!

[@mlit83]

My korg PadKontrol and my Dr Sample SP303 analogue sequencer is in another country. Thinking about this, Korg APC 25 Mk2 or Korg MPK Mk3 25 Key Midi cobtroller.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Cool, thanks for watching

[@user-oe1hq3wm4r]

Hey! I’m considering getting this as a drum sequencer for Ableton. Is it good for sequencing drums? Like if I had a kick drum on one track, hats on another, clap on another, would I be able to sequence each of them individually?

[@SoundsAndGear]

You could if you wish, I would say dig into the details of it to make sure it does what you want.

[@pmaughmer]

Okay pretty fresh to midi, recently got the minilab MkII (awesome review btw) I was considering this for a beat pad, not realizing till now it's a sequencer. What exactly is a sequencer used for specifically?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching. Sequencer is used to trigger notes that you record.

[@gru_day]

This firmware update is great, mainly thx to note length (for pads) and swing that is a must in any sequencer. I would like to know what Arturia added thru all those firmwares.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching.

[@matiasyanez7234]

Hi, I just bought this controller and I don't know how to use it with the ableton drum rack. When I press the pads it starts to do any other function but execute a note and if I try to transpose with the big wheel it skips the whole part where the samples are located. Any solution?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Have you reached out to Arturia for assistance?

[@nateratchet9091]

this tut just saved me a shitload of time. thank you!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@sjfleishnetworkportal]

ok with ableton live - i haven't been able to use this as an actual drum sequencer with a drum rack - i.e. assigning a specific sound to any of the 16 steps in the sequence by pressing the pads, and then doing that for multiple sounds within the same sequence - can it do this?? or do you have to change the sounds via the knobs one by one and when in sequence mode, it only seems to only be able to trigger one note in the midi over and over

[@SoundsAndGear]

Haven't tried it in a while, but there is probably something that needs to be configured in the midi settings.

[@bateimidrashnetwork]

Is it possible to use it as a controller for maschine so that you could make beats TR style? Use a kit in maschine but operating step mode or whatever via beatstep?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Tzachi Keinan you can use it as a step sequencer with Maschine yes, but not as a full controller. I have a video showing how on my maschinetutorials channel

[@bateimidrashnetwork]

I saw the tutorial. What i see is you using the beatstep as a sequencer. Not a controller. And next you're transfering the sequence from the beatstep to maschine as midi data. I'm asking about the beatstep (or beatstep pro) as a controller. Can i use it as an alternative controller to maschine software (in a similar manner like there are several different controllers for abelton live: novation launch pad, akai apc40, push etc). I want to use maschine's step mode. It's just that i find its 4x4 pad grid a bit confusing and would rather use a 2x8 or 1x16 grid. So is it possible for beatstep/pro to be used only as a controller/means to mark which steps are active for which sound?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Tzachi Keinan No, Maschine is setup to work with it's own controller, and there are no other controllers that will fully integrate like a DAW/controller setup would. That would require the Maschine software to talk back to the Arturia controller, which it doesn't do.

[@electrosonicnebula]

If i wanted to control various Eurorack drum modules, could I do that with a MIDI to CV converter in my modular case?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Probably

[@Franco-Zana]

can I use the step sequencer with ableton's drum rack with this?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Franco Zanaboni Yeah you could hook it up to ableton or anything else that receives MIDI, you'd just have to setup the proper notes to trigger

[@pocojoyo]

Hi, Ive read very bad opinions of the BeatStep as a knob controller, even with the latest firmware that was supposed to fix the super slow knob response. have you experienced that ?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Charlie Angel Can't say that I have as I don't use it in that way.

[@Made0nEarth]

there is free Max4Live device that make you adjust the speed of the knobs inside Ableton! i was having that problem too but is fixed with a simple free M4L device

[@vinylselektaz6475]

Is there a way to activate full level or velocity. I would like to tap the bad lightly and get a full responce

[@SoundsAndGear]

Been a while since I used this, I don't recall if that is an option.

[@ivancaro1078]

Great video, really useful! I have a question for you: How do you sync the beatstep with the Ableton's tempo? I know it has to do with the ext. Sync but I don't know how. Thanks again!

[@SoundsAndGear]

You should be able to sync via MIDI, I haven't tried it that way personally.

[@ivancaro1078]

SoundsAndGear I solved it! In preferences>midi you need to activate the "sync" option for the beatstep and activate the ext. Sync button in the beatstep. That should do, you can no longer change the tempo of the sequence alone, instead it adjusts to the Ableton's tempo (you can assign any knob to the tempo control, but the beatstep knobs are the worst). Thanks for the quick answer!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Cool, yeah, figured you could do it, just never tried it personally. Have fun!

[@teeblack06]

are you gonna be reviewing the M-Audio Trigger Finger Pro anytime soon?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Don't know how soon but I'm planning on reviewing it.

[@teeblack06]

ok cool

[@ej1mshan]

SoundsAndGear.com Great review. Looking forward to a TF Pro review as well :-)

[@SoundsAndGear]

***** Cool man, thanks for watching.

[@LEDBOO]

Instead of using the Stark LE for Spark 2 software. Can you use Beatstep?

[@SoundsAndGear]

it will not map all the way

[@theofuqua2599]

SoundsAndGear.com Will the pads for the Beatstep at least map with the Spark software pads?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Theo Fuqua I'm sure you could use it as a general pad device, and you can change the notes the pads send so you could use it to trigger, but it may not be automatic like the actual SparkLE or Spark controllers. Though the pads respond to general midi notes, so it probably would work fine. I never tried it, but beatstep works fine as a general pad controller as well. Just have to make sure you're sending from the proper note range.

[@twong1992]

Man!!!!! I love your video very to the point but can you do a video. With you making a full beat with it in your DAW to show how the syth the beat step to your DAW. Would dope man and again great video

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching, I no longer have the beat step

[@innersenseuk2304]

Hey do you know how to speed up the encoders, even with the new firmware it takes around 5 turns for it to go from 0-127

[@SoundsAndGear]

No, not sure there is a way to make them faster.

[@Made0nEarth]

there is free Max4Live device that make you adjust the speed of the knobs inside Ableton! i was having that problem too but is fixed with a simple free M4L device

[@boatgnar]

I'm using fl studio, and I can't figure out how to get sound onto the pads. Is it possibly because it is only connected to my laptop via USB?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Avery Mcpherson It connects via usb to anything, you'd have to setup the notes properly in FL or in the Arturia Midi control center.

[@gregflue3151]

Can i do drum rolls 1/16 or 1/32 like on tap music ?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Not sure what tap music is, but there is a repeat function if I remember correctly.

[@bigolbabyhuey]

can you use step sequencer mode with it to program drum patterns in beat thang?

[@SoundsAndGear]

I guess you could of you hooked them up via midi, but i don't find out as useful for drum parts since you'd have to change all the notes one by one.

[@bigolbabyhuey]

SoundsAndGear.com copy that

[@DAMNBOAH909]

hello here is my problem. it works normally in ableton in sync but only from the beginning of the track.if i turn it in the middle of project is out of sync, can u help me please

[@SoundsAndGear]

ingula akhvlediani Not sure, may want to contact Arturia.

[@fernandomonreal4682]

it is normal, Arturia will receive lot of emails, cause they claim a thing which is not technically possible, at least in the way this controller works

[@yolo14875]

Hello, I'd like to know : it the "big" knob on the left notched like the others ? Can I use it to send MIDI PGM CHANGE to my soft synths for example ? Thanks a lot !

[@SoundsAndGear]

+geekeyz Yeah it feels like the other ones, a little notched.

[@Loretek]

can i use it as drum sequencer? or is better the akai lpd8 ? help me

[@SoundsAndGear]

I suppose you could if you wanted to, it has a sequencer built in.

[@scottmantooth8785]

very helpful review here...thanks

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching.

[@scottmantooth8785]

SoundsAndGear.com very welcome...found one of these at a garage sale...looking forward to seeing what i can do with it

[@SoundsAndGear]

Nice find! Have fun with it man!

[@scottmantooth8785]

SoundsAndGear.com hope to find a few more things to add with it, but yeah, really think this will be a lot of fun once i understand just how much it will do

[@SoundsAndGear]

Cool fam!

[@91splash]

can you sequencee the pitch of a vst synth in ableton with it?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Dexterr Morgan Not sure exactly what you mean, but you can plug this up to Ableton and sequence your synths with it, the pitch of the synths will change in relation to the steps you configure on the BeatStep.

[@91splash]

SoundsAndGear.com That's exactly what I meant. Thanks so much!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Dexterr Morgan No problem man!

[@hifidavid]

@@SoundsAndGear You can also set this up to trigger the key of the sequence of the softsynth from the midi keyboard. This will change the notes and octaves by hitting the keys.

[@SoundsAndGear]

@@hifidavid cool, thanks for the comment!

[@playgroundofsound7683]

do I have to have a computer? or can I just have a synth and this sequencer ?

[@SoundsAndGear]

You can use this without a computer

[@djarsenixxsound1527]

P.S. i need help why i haven't no sound out of this machine arturia beat step i have installing everything from www.arturia into my computer i need yet no sound and read and did directions as follow what's wrong ??? help please

[@SoundsAndGear]

***** beat step doesn't make any sound, it's a sequencer/controller.

[@djarsenixxsound1527]

Do I have to put some drum effects in to it to work.

[@SoundsAndGear]

***** You don't put anything in it, it's not a sampler. You use it with other software/hardware as a sequencer or midi pad controller.

[@djarsenixxsound1527]

u mean like into fl studio and in plugs

[@SoundsAndGear]

***** Yep

[@mooncosm]

How do u sync this to an external clock?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Just send midi clock to it, and press the external sync button.

[@mooncosm]

Thanks for the reply, my beatstep only has midi out (no midi in) so I can't sync it to my external master clock, or can I?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Damian Hart Via the usb input from your daw.

[@garytoca3989]

Thanks. Good vid.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@stmemusic]

I don't think there is a way to shift octaves and I agree with you that they should have had a button on the device to allow you to do so. I'd have liked a few more buttons on the device to control some of the extra features too that you can only do in the software editor. Here's my first jam with the Beatstep kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIWxpnSjhdeHo8k

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah, a set of octave up/down buttons would have been really nice man.

[@JVJF7]

I want to use it with a midi soundmodule. So I can only hit 16 drums per preset?

[@pocojoyo]

For anyone trying to use the Beatstep as a controller, knobs only have one layer of control. If you want more layers buy Novation LaunchControl.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Charlie Angel No doubt

[@pocojoyo]

SoundsAndGear.com are you sure on that ? some tell me that 16 knobs assignment can be changed with each preset ? Have you tried that ?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Charlie Angel You can change presets, but you can't have multiple pages per preset. Whereas on something like a Novation and others, you actually have multiple pages of knobs/faders per template.

[@pocojoyo]

SoundsAndGear.com Ok, but I don't understand something. There are 16 presets in Control mode. Can I change knob assignment for each preset ? I already know pads can be changed with each preset but Im not sure if knobs assignment can too be changed. Can I have 16 presets of knob assignment ? I don't need multiple pages per preset. I just need 16 presets of knob control that I can change from one to the other fairly quickly. I don't like the Novation that much and it doesn't have a built in sequencer.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Charlie Angel Each of your presets is a totally different template, so you'd have different knob/pad assignments for each one.

[@teeblack06]

pretty cool

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for checking it out fam.

[@djarsenixxsound1527]

where is sound and drum coming from ???

[@SoundsAndGear]

***** your software, plugin, or hardware instrument.

[@djarsenixxsound1527]

i really appreciate the answer i recivce from you thank you so much

[@SoundsAndGear]

***** No problem.

[@Bashanvibe]

Question. Can it be used with main stage

[@SoundsAndGear]

You should be able to use it with any program that receives MIDI input.

[@ageshero]

I have one, and i am freaking livid that there are no octave abilities at all.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah, BeatStep pro has more options, probably due to all the complaints on this one :)

[@islyfe]

Did you ever get your hands on the Arturia Keystep? If so what do you think about it?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Nah, not yet, hopefully I'll get a chance to try it out though lol.

[@lloydvallentine2]

Wish it had a scene mode like the 250$ "pro" version

[@SoundsAndGear]

thanks for watching

[@tigmil8116]

This is the most infuriating piece of music gear I ever bought. I bought it to trigger samples on my akai mpx8...I've tried for over a week now.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Interesting, did you contact Arturia?

[@JVJF7]

@@SoundsAndGear does the mpx8 have midi in?

[@SoundsAndGear]

@@JVJF7 I'm not sure.

[@smokeyrocks6750]

Good Demo i dont Like it do.

[@SoundsAndGear]

SMOKEY ROCKS All good, thanks for the comment I appreciate it, that's why I do this, so you can know what's up either way :)

[@hhunt28]

horrible sounds

[@SoundsAndGear]

Big Hens You do know the BeatStep doesn't make any sounds right? LOL.

[@hhunt28]

yes, i know, its just a midi controller

[@SoundsAndGear]

Ok....lol

[@fernandomonreal4682]

It is impossible this thing was able how it works to sync external midi instruments with DAW Midi Clock with success, it is a fraud, at least this part of the features or specifications