Arturia beatstep pro Using the drum seq to play a synth

One question I couldn't find the answer to was what the drum sequencer is like playing a synth. I don't intend to use it as a drum machine so this is an important point. I'd not seen anyone else go there so I have after receiving my Beatstep Pro this morning. Another point I touch on in the video which isn't explained too well is the fact that I've been finding it very difficult well actually impossible to sync up my Korg Electribe 2 with my PC and Ableton 9. I dare say it's the PC's fault I need to upgrade to a Mac but saying that even using the Korg as a master it still doesn't sync perfectly. So now I'm using the Beatstep as the master, midi out to the Electribe and Ableton set to EXT. With minimal tweaking it all seems to run very smoothly which suggests Arturia have done a great job of producing a stable clock engine. This video is only intended to show what is possible in it's basic form, I haven't even got into the vast array of features yet.

[@jasonbarton9352]

there are lots of good vids on this product-this one was the first one I could wrap my head around-thx really good!

[@ZafroSoundz]

That's great!! Thanks

[@MrFricoco]

Cool! Nice to see this type of jam/tutorial. Gives a much better idea of what it's like to use it.

[@ZafroSoundz]

+MrFricoco Thanks man, it's been bugging me, I thought it was something that hasn't been covered. I'll probably do another video of a full tune from scratch.

[@carstencolberg1427]

BUUUUUMMMMM! This one nailed it... Now I WILL buy a Beatstep Pro! :-D

[@DiegoFuego87]

I had a few issues getting it to work at first, so to clarify for anyone else trying; 1) Ensure your beatstep pro firmware is up-to-date 2) Open MIDI Control Centre > Device Settings > Set DRUM SEND to desired midi channel for new synth + Set DRUM RCV to same channel 3) Ensure Drum Map is set to 'Chromatic' - I was getting some strange behaviour with it set to other things. 4) Set your hardware to listen to same channel as the drum send One thing i'm not sure on is if it's possible to transpose the notes still on the BSP or if thats something you'd have to do on your synth or via ableton? For added fun you can run it through Ableton with a Chord Rack + Scale midi effect to get polyphony on the fly...! **Edit** Only managed to get the polyphony working well with internal VSTs, my TX81Z isn't playing as expected.

[@alexrafter]

Very helpful. I was wondering about this. Cheers

[@ZafroSoundz]

you're welcome

[@PaulRichards78]

This was awesome, thanks

[@hadesbry]

Nice and useful vid, thanks a lot

[@ct8120]

Very good! Thanks

[@willmoore1305]

Nice work. I use the BSP this way as well occasionally. It's fun. You can set the notes for the drum sequencer via their app but here's the rub: The drum sequencer's notes are the same across ALL projects. I was hoping to set up a few projects with different drum sequencer scales... nope.

[@kristiaanreekmans8574]

brilliant !!!

[@samord2615]

You legend, was worried I wouldn't be able to use my 3rd synth with the beatstep pro

[@laurencevanhelsuwe3052]

Thumbs up. Original use for 3rd sequencer!

[@xkidmidnightx]

That's really cool. I hadn't thought of that. Hummmm... that also opens up sequencing chord stabs too.....

[@ZafroSoundz]

You can hear a bit of polyphony on the last sequence. You're just limited with gate time.

[@mrfeenix1]

Same here was wondering if it could(expecting mine this week) couldn't find anything till your vid Cheers!!

[@mir0ki]

If u enable polyrhythm mode in drum sequencer,it becomes even more interesting😌

[@jeevespreston]

If you have a BCR2000 laying around, you might also consider Zaquencer firmware for it. It has 4 sequencer tracks x 32 steps each, that are each switchable between notes or drum tracks.

[@yavamaystudio8380]

Anybody know how to record a few sequences for instance pattern 1 after pattern 2 two times ,and pattern 3 ,3 times ?Problem is my device don't remember this when i switch OFF and On again

[@elbaronrouge]

Nice, got no use for the drum sequencer so looks like I can use this to get some acid going with my MB33 while the other two melodic sequencers are busy. Velocity means accent, shame there's no way to tie or slide using this method. Thanks for sharing.

[@BeatGrooveRhythm]

Nar then mi old. Nice ..... Can see ya very happy with new purchase, guna crest some mad synth lines with that. Can ya put slides and/or accents on any of the sequencer parts ? Kinda like 303 ? Also can you make the pads silent so when you select each note it doesn't sound, for creating sequences on the fly in our live sessions ? Ya know what a mean brother ?

[@ZafroSoundz]

+BeatGrooveRhythm Using the other sequencer parts there is a slide function and tie function yet to be investigated. Soniclab has a really good review that I watched, easier than reading the manual. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXPLXoKDodx5baM Don't think it's possible to have silent pads.Pressure sensitive though so pressed gently they hardly sound.

[@JWhitty]

so this whole notes mode thing youve got where all the drum pads are controlling pitches is only because the ELECTRIBE is playing them, not a synth in ableton. would it possible to do this same "notes mode with a 16 beat sequencer for each note" but directing the midi into an ableton synth or 3rd party plugin?

[@ZafroSoundz]

J Whitty it is actually playing a part on the electribe. The tribe has a drum part already programmed in. If you watch the official video on the website (If it's still there) he does a very job of showing what you're asking. All 3 sequencers can play anything, hardware, vsts, drum machines etc.. and you can map all the controls if you want to switch between sequencer and controller mode. To add to that, the sequencers will only send out on one midi channel, in this case (as I said in the video) the drum sequencer is playing pad 2 of the tribe (drum sequencer set to midi channel 2). When you press a pad/note on the drum sequencer it selects that note only and then has its own 16 step sequence. So in essence using the drum sequencer you can get a certain amount of polyphony but you are limited with gate time.

[@kristofersknesis]

Hi, thanks for the video! I was wondering about the opposite of this though - can Seq2 be used for a drum synth, such as the Volca Sample, if I intend to use the Drum Seq for another drum machine, but the VSample for percussion effects. Do you have any experience with this?

[@ZafroSoundz]

Kristofers Knesis I'm not sure about volca compatibility but basically any drum machine that excepts midi or cv either seq can be used to trigger it. Everything is customisable using the software. You would have to research the volca part though because I've never owned one.

[@kristofersknesis]

zafrosoundz alright, thanks for the reply, keep up the good work!

[@Digiphex]

Is gate sustaining MIDI notes or just CV?

[@ZafroSoundz]

I'm only using midi no cv is being used. The gate time is fairly short you can't really get it to sustain as such using this method.

[@gueims]

Thanks! I was looking to know the same. Does that means you can not only use the machine as a two synth + one drum sequencer, but three synth (one polyphonic) sequencer lines, rigth?

[@ZafroSoundz]

yes that's it really but I haven't tested the length of the gates with the drum sequencer and a synth, not sure you'll get long chords or not, I will be trying this when I get round to it.

[@dillipphunbar7924]

@@ZafroSoundz is tie-ing the consecutive notes a work-around?

[@JWhitty]

So if i understood correctly: 1) midi out from beatstep>electribe gives the Elec2 clock as well as controls the synth via the drum sequencer due to setting them both to midi ch2 2) usb out from beatstep>Live does...what? was the clock actually being sent from the beatstep>Live>electribe2? This is really cool! I dont have other sequencers but i DO have an 0-Coast that I'd be hooking up to the beatstep for sure, and I'd like to control synths in ableton much in the same way youre controlling the electribe. My question is this then: 3) can you control a melodic synth in ableton by just setting that synth to receive on ch2 like the drum sequencer outputs?

[@JWhitty]

im also not planning on using the beatstep as a drum machine or stand alone really, unless im doing techno live sets with a friend of mine where she will DJ and I will do live percussion and simple melodic content as she plays a super dry (boring as, in my opinion) industrial german minimal techno style.

[@DiSC0RDUK]

I've always found my korg microsampler annoying to use and I think this could open it up to new possibilities and workflows

[@pedrom8890]

Hello, how have you connected it to Electribe Korg, if the battery sequencer only has gate, could you clarify it a little, I would like to connect my ti2 virus to that sequencer, so I don't have to buy another arturia, greetings

[@ZafroSoundz]

Using the drum seq section on the beatstep to trigger a synth, that's it. Just connect it by midi and select midi channels. It's that simple.

[@oldcharon]

The big issue I find with this is that you can't tune it. When I tune the low C, the next "white" key should be a D, but it's a C sharp. You really need to plan this sequence ahead IMO which sucks because I have a tr-8 which is incredibly easy to use on the fly and have no need for a drum sequencer. I could really use a third melodic sequencer. Maybe they will update it with some firmware some day.

[@bonjourmyfriends]

You can assign the MIDI notes for each pad in the software.

[@Shane-zo4mg]

Is it possible to use ableton clip to trigger BSP pattern and song changes?

[@ZafroSoundz]

I've not explored that possibility. It may be possible.

[@naicotaijutsu3511]

So basically you can run 3x synths on the Pro? How did you plug it to the drum sequence? normal midi and set the right channel? or did you plug it to the drum outputs of the Pro? cheers

[@ZafroSoundz]

Yeah just set the channel on the beatstep dude.

[@marcnellis6504]

Thanks for this vid. Is there a way of changing the octave of the notes? Using Deepmind 12 and Minilogue but it's on a really low octave and can't seem to change it as I would on seq 1 and 2. Can't see anything obvious in midi control centre either. Hoping I'm missing something obvious!

[@ZafroSoundz]

Press shift and octave top 2 far right pads.

[@marcnellis6504]

@@ZafroSoundz yeah, I had tried that but just stays on same octave. Odd

[@ZafroSoundz]

@@marcnellis6504 Right ok, I get what you're saying now. No, octave won't effect the drum track. Each pad is an individual note. You would have to go into the software and make a custom scale. Most drum machines start at c1 so you'd have to start at maybe c3 or whatever to get higher octaves. I guess you would be able to save the different octaves on different patterns, it's not something I've tried.

[@marcnellis6504]

@@ZafroSoundz cheers, I will have another look at the software tomorrow and see if I can change the pitch of each note. Really hope I can do it as will be a game changer for doing solo sets

[@marcnellis6504]

So yeah, changing from chromatic scale to custom worked. Took it up a couple of octaves. Hopefully Arturia will address in the next update the option to change octave without having to use midi control centre. Cheers again!

[@djfeisar]

is possible to use the drum of beatstep pro whit a polifonic synth? 2 or 3 notes in the same time?

[@ZafroSoundz]

+djfeisar Yes it is but as far as I've tested it gate times are limited. I haven't fully tested this idea yet. The Social Entropy Engine on the other hand does this with ease and you have 8 tracks too. Take a look at them, the extra money in my opinion is well worth it.

[@djfeisar]

I Hope With the new upgrade it's will possible. Fort the others two parts. i don't like to play with pc for live set.

[@ZafroSoundz]

Yes , it should be polyphonic, but we've just had one update last week or so, so I'm not expecting another one soon. But like I say the Engine completely out guns the Beatstep no doubt.

[@TheChodyTaint]

Could you explain how you synced the Electribe to the BSP? I tried the same thing, using my BSP to send clock to my friend's Electribe, but the Electribe always runs at double speed. We're both new to MIDI and don't really know what we're doing, and I haven't been able to find anything on the internet. Thanks!

[@ZafroSoundz]

+Cody Cruse Hey there, yes this is a problem I encountered and quickly tried to resolve, and as you say I couldn't find anything on the net either. It's really quite simple, firstly in your midi control centre for the BSP go to the right hand column DEVICE SETTINGS and scroll down till you find sync. Set CLOCK IN/OUT SETTINGS to 1 STEP. Now in the KORG ELECTRIBE 2 enter MENU, go to PAGE 24/26 GLOBAL PARAMETER Enter, SCROLL to page 3/17 CLOCK MODE Use the knob to choose EXTERNAL SYNC then Scroll to page 8/17 SYNC UNIT use the knob to select 1 STEP. That's it, there's not that many settings so it didn't take too much time tinkering to work this out, hope this resolves your problem, feel free to msg back if you need any more help. Cheers

[@ZafroSoundz]

+Cody Cruse Did this help at all?

[@Jaysusitsme]

I'm going to set mine up this way later.... result to follow :)

[@ZafroSoundz]

Cool

[@Jaysusitsme]

Hi - I've tried all the above but its not working , all my tracks are about 50% faster but that's it. Should the sync on the top left of the BSP be internal ,usb(which is what i'm using), midi or clk ? I only get a response when its set to int. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks bruh.

[@TheArtosan]

Am i understanding this correctly as: you use your beatstep pro as a sequencer in ableton and your electribe is put between to play in sync? I tried connecting the BSP with electribe but no sound by this setup. Bsp's midi out to electribe's midi in. Bsp sync button to int. Electribe midi receive to short + programm, sync to ext or auto. Midi channels to 1. No sound. It would be nice to attach the bsp to electribe for creating better melodies than the internal step edit by doing it with the sequencer of bsp. Any idea?

[@ZafroSoundz]

Square .Idiot As you've said is pretty much how I would do it. Unless you've changed something in the bsp midi control center. I've just plugged my bsp into the e2 and it works straight away. Make sure you're in the grey midi out using the grey adapter, also set e2 to 1 step and sync polarity hi. Just double check your settings.

[@ZafroSoundz]

As for sequencing into the tribe I'm not sure that will work I'll have to investigate.

[@ZafroSoundz]

yes just turn off midi receive filter

[@TheArtosan]

It works! My mistake was that i used the din of the bsp on my electribe, i thought it didn't matter, it did. Thanks for the help! Now i can play! :)

[@ZafroSoundz]

Square .Idiot nice one dude 😎

[@kleitonsantos8612]

electribe2 + beatstep pro + arturia microbrute? good Sync??

[@ZafroSoundz]

Yeah you can sync them up pretty good.

[@chrisliddiard725]

So there may be a way to play 3 note chords after all ;) Slowed down to 8th notes and this could be interesting. thanks. Now i wonder if it can send out midi cc in a rythmic way instead just notes. I have the kordbot which is still awaiting its promised sequencer. If this could trigger the 12 stored chords, it would be a god send. Love this hack, thanks.

[@ZafroSoundz]

Thanks dude

[@dnch]

what if you want to record cutoff movement for example?

[@ZafroSoundz]

The only way to do that is with cv or if you can map your synth velocity to filter.

[@ZafroSoundz]

+zafrosoundz You can't record midi cc knob movements. There is only gate vel and pitch. So for me when I use it with my mini brute I send the cv vel out to the filter in on my brute then you can use vel to control the filter.

[@Coboldt64]

so are polyphonic sounds e. g. with the Volca keys possible... Whow!

[@ZafroSoundz]

I'm not entirely sure as I've not tried it. I don't have a volca keys to test it. I'll have to investigate.

[@Coboldt64]

@@ZafroSoundz I tried it, it works even with other Synths. You have to change the Drum-Map to "Spark" in the Midi Control Center to get higher Notes...

[@575garden]

is it possible to adjust the cv output on the beatstep pro?

[@ZafroSoundz]

Yes there are some limited controls, volt per octave, hz/volt, V trig or S trig, drum gate pos or neg.

[@575garden]

oh really?, how do I access them?

[@ZafroSoundz]

With the Arturia midi control centre software.

[@575garden]

ok great, I didn't realise that enabled you to do that. I'll have another look at it. Cheers for the reply.

[@ZafroSoundz]

It's fairly basic but you can alter scale too, if you go into midi control centre connect your BSP go to device settings on the top right of the interface then scroll down till you find cv options. Glad to help.

[@marcuunk8564]

1 queustion.. do you must need a computer with it?

[@ZafroSoundz]

No. But it is powered by USB. You need a sound source. So a synth or in this case a computer. It just sends midi and cv information to any sound source (module) you wish to play through cv connections midi din or USB. To use the software to upgrade firmware or change particular settings you need a computer.

[@marcuunk8564]

Yes but i have a Electribe 2 , can i use my BSP with it without Pc? Wich midi in and out should i use?

[@shoba7665]

Love me sum Abbletin

[@christophersmith1430]

ABILTON

[@ZafroSoundz]

What of it?

[@christophersmith1430]

+zafrosoundz just messing bro fair play!

[@ZafroSoundz]

I watched it back I didn't understand. A bil ton :) Mumble mouth mo fo.

[@frallorfrallorfrallorfrall5342]

perfect tool for mminimal techno :D

[@zoned7609]

Lol how he mispronounces Ableton 😝

[@ZafroSoundz]

Hilarious 🙄

[@clashclashbangbang]

This doesn't make any sense.

[@ZafroSoundz]

Clash Clash Bang Bang why is that? maybe I can explain it to you.

[@clashclashbangbang]

Why should I use a sequencer to sequence another sequencer?

[@ZafroSoundz]

Fair point but the clue is in the title, I just happened to use the tribe as my sound source it could have been anything, a synth or a vst. That's not the point of the demonstration though. If you had read the description then perhaps it would've helped.

[@ZafroSoundz]

Also, of course you would use a sequencer to sync another sequencer, you can even use a sequencer to make program changes in another sequencer. If one sequencer is better than another you could use that sequencer to input into the crappy sequencer. There are a lot of possibilities. If you need any help or tips just let me know dude.

[@yavamaystudio8380]

The micro USB is definitely not pro , this tiny socket is extremely weak , and make lot of problem be carefully using this ,also this stuff cant record chords , and don't remember sequence of patterns after switch off. generally is far from PRO...

[@ZafroSoundz]

Yes the micro usb wasn't the greatest idea but as long as you're careful it isn't a problem. As for chords, no it was never polyphonic or claiming to be. The only way to play chords is by using the method I show in this video. As for saving patterns, make sure you have the latest firmware and use the save pattern function and you'll have no problem with patterns saving when you turn off the machine.

[@yavamaystudio8380]

Ok Thank you i have latest firmware 1.40 but device remember how was a pattern but NOT remember Sequence of few patterns for instance pattern 2 after pattern 3 two times after pattern 1 is it possible to save this after switch off remember it ?

[@ZafroSoundz]

YAVAMAYstudio I see. That isn't something I've investigated. You're talking about saving your pattern chain. As far as I know there isn't a save function for chains.

[@Ninja6485]

With the latest firmware (2.01?): go to control mode, then hit the save button and press a step, just like you would save a pattern in either the green, yellow, or purple sections. This saves your sequence chains. You can then recall them just like you would load a pattern: press the control button and then press the step you want to load.

[@Ninja6485]

...Also, if it's not working, you need the latest software on your computer to make sure scene mode is switched on in the control center. If you have outdated software, it won't show you the option.