Arturia KeyStep 37 controller and sequencer review

Here's my review of the Arturia KeyStep 37 controller/sequencer/arpeggiator while plugged into some modular, a MIDI synth and a computer.
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Arturia sent me this keyboard for review.
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Index - 0:00
Intro - 0:20
Playing the keys - 3:15
Chords - 8:00
Arpeggiator - 13:28
Sequencer - 21:53
Conclusions - 31:07

[@spacey_jones]

Just picked one of these up - I watched the first ten minutes then went straight to some jamming and got lost for about an hour 🤤 Back now... maybe after the video I'll even read the manual

[@pedrobravo4404]

There's no stock for the keyboard in my country (all of them were probably christmas gifts) so I started reading the manual before I can get it lol. Fun manual by the way

[@muppetpaster]

It can be setup way way more elaborate than you might think, in the MCC software.

[@hoover2615]

The best review I've seen regarding this nice little keyboard!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Thanks!

[@7thdanwebninja]

Only found your channel a few months ago, keep it up, lovely content and in this instance looking forward to trying out your ideas on my keystep pro :)

[@_goldfarb_]

I heard a vague rumor that there might be a release from Aruria ... looked all over the internet and couldn't find single mention of this new KeyStep 37 anywhere! thank goodness I found this great review! ;)

[@adrianrabbage4996]

Looks like a fairly awesome bit of kit, may have to go and have a look and a play, assuming we're allowed to do anything in the coming weeks that is! Thanks for the great video too Robin, some inspiring ideas there. Cheers!

[@livinproof718]

Getting mine in 2 days ... best review vid... strum is the feature I reall want to check out

[@hireality]

Great review Robert 👍

[@krazywabbit]

I REALLY needed to see this!!!! I am a newb starting out in the hybrid world of daw/dawless. I was only using iOS or my Mac and finally succumbed to GAS and got some used gear (Arturia Microfreak, Keystep 37, Maschine MK3/Jam, Roland TR6S/MC101) not saying that is the best but I was tired of watching and not doing. Then I learned after the fact of needed something to control/sequence the gear if I wanted and thought I failed by getting the 37 vs Pro. I do not have any modular gear and do not think I am ready for that part of this arena. Looks like with what I have, the 37 will do me just fine. Thank you very much for easing my worries. Have a great day. I also subscribed.

[@AaronNickols88]

Your ready for modular, I'm new to modular gear, I got a arp 2600 can be somewhat tricky to dial it in but when I stay persistent the sound is massive. Don't doubt yourself hope in. No doubt your wallet will not be happy . Safe travels

[@work4synths]

Hello! Your videos are always awesome! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I want to buy the Keystep 37 but I’m a bit concerned about the chord feature. I just read the manual and checked some tutorials and it seems to me that when chord mode is active it affects the sequencer. So basically each note in the sequence becomes a chord. I would like to know if it is possible to keep the sequence as is (single notes) but instead use the chord mode for playing the keyboard while the sequence is also playing but on another MIDI channel. I would like to know if that is possible before getting this keyboard. Thanks a lot!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I think that’s a no

[@andreasstrohlein6772]

I really hope they enable the CV/Gate for Strum mode in a firmware update! As you say, such a missed opportunity.

[@edenhunter9904]

thanks Molty, good review x

[@ademozarslan]

Thank you. I love ks37.

[@Annatar3469]

Thank for the video! I have a question though: if external midi controllers pass through the midi thru on the Keystep 37, can they be quantized to the selected scale?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I’ve no idea 😳

[@justinlalugski2083]

now i just gotta find one. i signed up to be notified when Sweetwater got them in stock. i got the notification, immediately went to buy one, and they were already sold out lol

[@KnightMirkoYo]

Great review, thanks :3

[@bristolfashion4421]

yes but what happens when you press the middle C ?

[@kombosabinho]

Take this like right in the face. Absolutely fantastic video!

[@paulbrocklehurst7253]

I *hate* minikeys! Can either the KeyStep 37 _or_ Keystep Pro enable a separate MIDI keyboard to control it? I appreciate that it's essentially a 'mother' keyboard & I've asking if I can use yet another keyboard as it's mother but that's the only solution I can see if I want to use 'grown up' keys not these 'baby' ones even if there's velocity & aftertouch in it.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Sure, it has a Midi input

[@BrewerShettles]

Great Video!!! Adding spaces!! 25:07

[@Bajazo]

Hey :-) When i press record while its on Seq and i play my notes and then i push the play button nothing happend. Maybe you can help me?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Not sure - try following what I did in the video nice and closely.

[@New_Zealand_Music]

Thank you very much my friend. Excellent video. Sub

[@victorventura1006]

In Arpegiator , what is the diference in This arpegiator and the Arpegiator in Analog Solution Leipzig V3 , i Think im not shure, the Arpegiator in analog Solution have a diferent vibe ( analog vibe ) The Apegiator in Arturia have a digital vibe ? This Exist ? In Arpegiators ?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

The Leipzig doesn't have an arpeggiator. It has a CV sequencer where you dial in steps on knobs - different in every way from the sequencer and/or arpeggiator in the Keystep - there's nothing similar about them so they are strange things to compare. But sure, the Leipzig will have a more analogue vibe because that's what it is.

[@technokat]

Got one, bit creaky late at night / hates hubs 🔥

[@chris5375]

Wich Audio Interface did you use in this video ?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I think it’s a MOTU M4

[@WhoMichaelWho]

Why has no one mentioned walk and pattern mode before? I've watched a lot of keystep 37 videos.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Pattern mode is the best - i use it all the time

[@unknown75332]

Hey ! Is keystep working with the FL studio with all his features?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I have no idea but why wouldn't it? It's just USB and MIDI and stuff.

[@unknown75332]

@@MoltenMusicTech Thanks for the reply, its hard to find a case with that setup, I’m curious about the chord mode and arp mode, because i can see a lot of inputs on the back .

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It works over MIDI so there's no reason why FL Studio wouldn't work with it. The extra outputs on the back are CV/Gate for analogue and modular synths and have nothing to do with computers or FL Studio - you just use USB/MIDI and it's all fabulous :D

[@unknown75332]

@@MoltenMusicTech Anayways thanks for taking a time to answer, i will explore this further :)

[@chitlun]

I feel positively coshed round the head and mugged by Arturia for buying a Keystep Pro! This thing has more “Pro” features than the the KSP... 4 pages of assignable midi controllers, the amazing Chord/Strum functions and that fantastic Pattern Mode on the arpeggiator, which I use pretty much 100% of the time on the MicroFreak but have the ability to save said random arpeggio into a sequence, then record 4 ‘tracks’ of controller info into it! None of these amazing functions appear on the KSP. Pro, my arse! We’ve only just been given the option to map the mod strip to the CV outs with the 2nd firmware update. Oh and don’t get me started on the appalling midi clock timing on the “Heart of your setup” KSP... Rant over. Top vid, as always Mr V, peace ✌️

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Fair play. The Pro does have an 8 channel drum machine, oh and 4 channels of sequencing.... and individual note editing so it's not all bad :D

[@chitlun]

Fair do’s.... Sadly, I’m old enough to remember a time that, when you bought a bit of kit, it was a complete product... Some of the bugs n missing features I can forgive but the lousy midi timing is unacceptable! Considering the way they marketed it, as being the beating heart of your set up. The only way I can stabilise the timing on it is using an original Beatstep (ironic!) or Model:Cycles as master clock.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I've never used it with MIDI so....

[@chitlun]

... Clearly end of discussion. Wow, it almost seems like I’ve offended you.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No, not at all, just that i have no experience of the MIDI side of the Keystep so i can't comment on whether your issues are universal or individual or whatever. So, for me, i've not encountered any bugs or issues in my usage of it but because i havent done what you've done i can't confirm or refute your experience of it. So i have nothing to contribute - sorry. Certainly not offended :D

[@linux4868]

Trying to get rid of cables and I watch your video, lol.. :)

[@mauriziomauricone]

That’s exactly the reason why I never gotbinto modular. Cables getting in the way of knobs and other holes all the effing time LOL

[@ademozarslan]

Teşekkürler.

[@jeffgreenlee1226]

Hey Robin, Small suggestion: you might want to isolate your mic from your desktop! Every time you tap a button or play a key, it sounds like you are hitting a bass drum!!! :)

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I know, but i'm not sure how i do that as everything in this shed is connected - it's not the end of the world. I might see if i can get some sorbaphane feet.

[@SuperGinkgo]

@@MoltenMusicTech Really enjoyed your review, just bought the black version... if you are still having fun n games isolating your mic, blu tack should work in a pinch. Thanks again 😊👍

[@djdigital3806]

Cool. l have one of those in black🎹

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yeah, not my favourite colour

[@EleniEliades_]

@@MoltenMusicTech : F I B B E R !!!❕🎹🐾🐱🔥

[@eancurtis9333]

Can you note transpose the arp?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes if you play another chord. If you want to transpose with a single finger then you should write a sequence.

[@eancurtis9333]

@@MoltenMusicTech ugh

[@MoltenMusicTech]

@@eancurtis9333 Is Arp transposition a common feature? It's not something I've come across before but then I've never looked for it because arps for me are all about playing chords or a number of notes which you then play somewhere else if you want to transpose them.

[@eancurtis9333]

@@MoltenMusicTechi guess not ..its hard to play along to sequences in pop style songs with the keystep where the root notes switch fast.. it becomes messy

[@stiktougaizeur]

13:15 The chord Strum mode does not work on monophonic synths ? Does that surprise you ? What is it in "monophonic" that you don't understand ? Have you ever seen a monophonic instrument able to generate chords, without a trick ? I don't get it. What did you expect ? Magic ?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Ha! The point of a strum is precisely because it strikes each element individually. It could easily be translated to a ratchet style of gating which is obvious at slower strum speeds. No magic required.

[@stiktougaizeur]

Molten Music Technology yes but the point of a strum is to imply several tones, and several tones imply polyphony.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Sure, of course, but why can't I have both? It's very similar to an arpeggiator so I don't see any reason why those notes couldn't also appear at the CV output. It's an oversight in my view but there we are.

[@geephlips]

Does it work with the MIDI out?

[@junglungs]

@@MoltenMusicTech I'm also curious if strum would work via MIDI DIN? Any idea?

[@See_Sharp]

Can it produce a funky bass line?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Every day of the week

[@karl.weaver]

10mins squeezed into 35mins?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

If you’re looking for KZbin shorts, you’re in the wrong place 😁

[@MYLIFE-hq7je]

Hi! Do I need to buy the pro version if I don't use external synths, but I need a sequencer?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

This has one channel of sequencing while the Pro has four. Both can sequence over midi or usb so I guess you can use them with software synths if that’s your plan. Both can do it so get the one that has the features you need.

[@MediaMusik777]

the new swiss cheese..... i like the white and is the first gen

[@fromgreetings]

How many keys has it got? Please answer

[@MoltenMusicTech]

37