Arturia Keystep 37 Controller - Sonic LAB Review

We're looking at the latest MIDI controller from Arturia, which takes the concept of the original and wildly successful Keystep and adds extra keys and extra features.
New are 5 extra keys, making it a little more playable - it features the same small keys and the same velocity and aftertouch - but also adds tri-colour LEDs above each key for showing currently playing notes (green) /keyboard notes (yellow) and settings (blue) while in shift mode - very handy.
Also new are 4 , assignable MIDI control knobs (over 4 banks), giving up to 16 knobs - assignable CC number and MIDI channel. FInally we get a two character LED which really helps with step programming and other status messages.
There’s also a new Chord function which has a strum speed and direction, divisible by master tempo- this in practice is a nice feature and can be combined with the sequencer to “perform” extra note movements.
Another new feature is the ability to channelise the 64 step Sequencer (same 8 sequence memory) separately from the keyboard, so when in play mode, you can play a separate external MIDI channel from the main sequence - this is pretty neat actually, though I would have liked to have seen a separate port for the CV/Gate via USB.
Speaking of USB, the Keystep 37 can be powered from external 12v 1.5 supply (included) or via USB - which many will be pleased to hear is of the larger more robust connection type - those mini USB are handy but not very tough. You also get the earth de-coupling splitter doo-da for simultaneous power and data over USB - to remove the potential ground loop when connecting MIDI and CV to the same computer.
The addition of extra control knobs is really handy for performances, with each of the four banks of four controllers being freely assignable to CC number and MIDI channels, you can control key functions of external gear as you like, though you’ll probably want to use the MIDI Control Centre Software for this.
I also liked the Chord Function, which when messing with the speed and direction (strum) of the notes - up to 16 in total, gives some interesting added dynamics. You can also assign the velocity depth to the number of notes to add even more dynamic control.
Note: the Strum/Chord feature only applies to MIDI and not to the CV/Gate/Mod connections - for hooking up to modular or analogue synth gear. This CV connectivity is essentially the same as with the Keystep.
I would really have liked to see the control knobs (or even the chord parameters) be recordable into the sequencer as well, this would really open up the applications and give a rudimentary type of parameter lock function - shame they couldn’t do that.
Sequencing is more or less as simple as with the original, although the 2 character display helps a lot with counting the steps you are using. It is also possible to pre-define the number of steps in a sequence (while holding the rec button and choosing any of the 16 MIDI ch keys) 2x 16=32 etc, but what is also cool is that you could record a full 64 steps and then live switch the number of playback steps say from 64 to 16 or 5 or whatever, and back again without erasing any notes in the sequence.
I would still like to have a metronome though as I find step programming un-intuitive. But a single down beat and real-time record might get you there.
All in all the Keystep 37 has a nice extension to the original’s feature set. And seems reasonably priced at €169/£149. I’m pretty sure like the original, it's going to be everywhere.
#soniclab #arturia #keystep37
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[@CuriousDroid]

At last someone in Arturia has had the sense to spend an extra 50p on a proper USB socket, using the micro USB on any gear like this is a major mistake by any manufacture.

[@Claidheambmor]

I had nightmares about the micro USB on the original. :P

[@supermonkeycollider]

micro usb is why I sold the Keith McMilan stuff i had and loved

[@KWHCoaster]

Nice to see a robust USB connection. Mini and Micro USB are horrible for music hardware. Not too impressed with my USB-C experience on the office MacBook Air either.

[@willdahbe]

Yeah, hopefully micro USB is banished from all instrument devices. My keystep is constantly loosing connection even at the thought of moving the unit.

[@Jason75913]

@@KWHCoaster they are horrible because they don't structurally reinforce the mini and micro connectors, they could quite easily if they pleased, but they wouldn't bother that said, the large, regular B sockets like what any full-sized MIDI controller sports (and this Keystep37 as well) is quite susceptible to damage as well, equipment with busted B sockets can be found on ebay all the time, manufacturers really have to cherry-pick the socket for best durability, which they tend to only do by chance and not by intention

[@AtlasTheGarbage]

3 octaves is always the sweet spot for me considering my limited desk space.

[@llmrfantasticll]

If you a true og, you watch the review on sonic state!

[@betov75]

Great review, super useful, pre ordered one. :) I LOVE Led displays and knobs for settings.

[@mathieupe666]

That transition though 1:15

[@mgscheue]

Great demo. Very tempting.

[@ZethKeeper]

It would be total killer if there also was a 49 key version of that.

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

I'm sure if they made that next we'd be clamoring for 61 or 88, you know?

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Nick. He’s the first YT electronic music gear reviewer and still the best. All hail the master 😁

[@shamrockit5136]

We got so many of these controllers now because they rock!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

On the KSP, I really miss the ability to “quick shift” between 16 midi channels and was actually considering selling it and going back to the OG. The KSP is not as fast and intuitive as it originally seemed to be and I’ll definitely be considering trading mine in for this one. Thank you for this Nick! You are the pioneer of the “synth review channel” and my personal favorite reviewer. My own channel is heavily influenced by your great work! Thanks for the inspiration, Forever a huge fan🤟🏻

[@Diayse]

Quick channel switch on keystep pro is available in the latest 1.3.2 firmware update!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Sébastien Rochard awesome!! I didn’t know that, thanks!!

[@stephanegagne8942]

yeah you said it, and you have all rights to repeat as many times as you want, most respect nick, awesome review as always

[@Soundsauca]

I’m in! I’ve always wanted some cc knobs for my Keystep so this is perfect but... I like the black! Oh well, it’ll happen 😎

[@elliotdavidson7137]

Thank you Nick 😊

[@randomaztec2208]

Arturia develop a small speaker that can be plugged into the sync to allow for an audible tempo indication.. 1) sell for 10 euros 2) sit back and count your profits

[@sonicstate]

That's a cracking idea

[@jm6734]

Yeh, a bit of a miss not implement a metronome in the first place. It would’ve been super cheap yet super useful. I’m considering getting this, but have a sneaking suspicion that Novation is about to take a stab at the Keystep Pro territory..

[@HotStrange]

Well this is a nice surprise. $169 seems well worth it.

[@Jason75913]

hahaha, that multi-shelf metal rack with all the gear is what I've bought recently for the exact same purpose, it even looks the exact same

[@InkyDaCaT]

Thanks Nick

[@PeterBraymusic]

Looks cool, but is the unit a bit bent? I have a Beatstep Pro that has bent out of shape over time.

[@faculea7680]

Hi, can I transpose the whole keyboard e.g half step down to play a C note to sound a B or the function is just to use with sequencer?. Thanks.

[@rdean150]

Interesting. Having finally received my KSP about a month ago, I think I will wait for this one to be released in black before pulling the trigger on it. The LEDs over the keys are super useful, and the strumming feature is a great idea. But it's kinda odd to call it "strum". This is a keyboard after all. Can you strum on a piano? Lol but I'm not sure what would be a more appropriate term. Trill?

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

Very Nice! - For my taste, a bit too many non-apparent button combos required for some of those functions.

[@hakonsoreide]

13:00 "So, what I'm gonna do is I'm just gonna pray... let's just play". Yes, sometimes praying it plays might work. :p

[@williamgeorgefraser]

The USB socket on my Keystep broke and I had to buy MIDI adaptors to plug into my computer. Glad to see they have now changed to a USB B connector.

[@craig_z]

Nice little upgrade. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some channelizing to do in the studio...

[@jnee]

feels like we get a new one of these from Arturia every week

[@0Fdigital]

Next week: Keystep 42

[@t1merickson]

That's a good thing. Progress shouldn't stagnate

[@phk70]

Does it forward midi sysex messages when midi thru is enabled? This would mean it could be used as a full blown midi interface. The original Keystep unfortunately cannot do that.

[@docmojoman9574]

@sonicstate Could the sync out be connected to say a small speaker and used as a metronome?

[@marcpinion]

Fantastic

[@wernerhaider2338]

I prefer the Hydrasynth keyboard with local off for playing anything electric. For my leads, I use the tuba anyway.

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

Something for Synths and Wood to add to their range.. I'm hoping for KS, BSP and KS37 all in one!

[@kw7865]

You beat loopop by half an hour... I wish Arturia would always sell their products in both black and white editions

[@sonicstate]

Did we? Thats unusual!

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

@a F i b I think having a white and a black always avalible would boost sales.

[@legosteveb]

It's not a race! Multiple trustworthy influencers are a gift to our community! Nick, I have been watching your reviews on gear for a long time and really love your point of view and opinions*! You are fair and trustworthy and best of all honest but without being too critical when negatives need to be mentioned! Hats off to you in an otherwise bizarre "disinformation-age". Please keep doing your reviews, even if others cover the same gear. Your voice is a cornerstone in this community and your videos influence folks for all the right reasons! * your opinions help steer our product features, as if you're on our design team! :-)

[@kellymerrill8024]

Loopops reviews are just hands, and feels like hes just reading the manual...boring. Sonicstate puts some real work into their reviews, IMO.

[@untml]

@@kellymerrill8024 I notice this too

[@androoow]

some of those sounds/notes at around 4:30 are very Vangelis like from spiral album ...noice :)

[@mattwoodman3017]

Can the sequencer trigger a sequence in my DAW as I am jamming with hardware as shown this video? also is there clock/sync from my DAW(pretty much the same question). If so, you can also use the metronome from the DAW since this midi controller doesnt have a metronome,,,whiuch is pretty annoying

[@hakonsoreide]

While I like the features, some of the limitations are also a bit off-putting. Still, it's a great keyboard for its price, and it seems Arturia has managed to find that sweet spot between price, features, style and convenience in order to sweep a huge part of the market with their Keystep and Beatstep range of controllers. After figuring out how to actually use the Empress Effects Zoia, I don't think I'll need any other sequencer ever again. It is just so versatile it's crazy. If I hadn't realised how useful the Zoia is as a sequencer, I might well have got an Arturia keyboard at some point.

[@truezebra]

CC knobs what I asked for... but larger size means it does not fit in a good handbag for airplanes. Thumbs up for full size midi connector, usb and cc knobs.

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

I mean it could still fit in a backpack though.

[@truezebra]

@@fortheloveofnoise9298 For the small traveling gigs to save cost with only hand luggage it is too big. Height allowed is 55-56cm. The Keystep 37 is 55 and you don't even have a bag around it. The original Keystep was perfect size (but no cc knobs).

[@truezebra]

@@fortheloveofnoise9298 Of course there are some available without wheels and soft protection. Not ideal for 10kg.

[@TooSlowTube]

It needs more knobs, to send different CCs - and a dedicated cow bell button.

[@TimeScribe]

Looks great but you kept the Dip Switches for clock source? This is a drag because its common to change between internal and the daw as source. Would have been easier to use if you just gave us dedicated buttons like on the Beatstep Pro.

[@Stakkeroid]

Yeah I wish they’d fixed that... the selector they use in every other device they make is super useful

[@phantazzor]

What about a minilab mk3 with chord mode and sequencer

[@technodrone313]

i was thinking about getting a controller like this but got the fruity loops controller instead. it's pretty nice.

[@1939lb]

I got mine 2 days ago.no external power supply is a misstep..I sold the 32 to get the 37 keys..serious upgrade.

[@Darqion]

Trying to decide between this one or a KOMPLETE KONTROL M32.. the Keystep has more of the hardware stuff i like.. bit more keys and hardware connectivity(but i can manage through PC), but the M32 comes with a bunch of potentially interesting software.. anyone got any insights to help me decide?

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

Pretty awesome upgrades, but they missed the main one I wanted, replacing the touch strips with actual wheels.

[@YomYestreen]

I'm right there with you! Maybe we'll finally get them next time on the "Keystep 37 Pro"? lol :p

[@Claidheambmor]

Strips mean no mechanical parts, therefore no gunk build-up and no rust etc.

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

@@Claidheambmor I'd take rusted up crackly physical wheels any day. Open it up, pop in some new pots, good as new. The touch strips are useless to me because I can't see or feel their position. Touch my finger on them and they jump to wherever I touched, which sounds awful and gets me angry. I just disabled them because I got fed up with my hand brushing against the mod strip and throwing the filter wide open in the middle of a jam.

[@johnsterthemonster9181]

I love both. I really like being able to tap my finger on the touch strip really fast to get glitchy or slightly messed up sounds

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

@@johnsterthemonster9181 I like that too, but I run into the problem that my last touch was somewhere in the middle and there's no indicator to remind me, so next time I try to sweep the filer down to zero, the touch strip screws me up again.

[@SpeccyMan]

The difference is: LCD = Liquid Crystal Display LED = Light Emitting Diode (and that is the one on this Keystep.)

[@rdean150]

I hope the Pro gets that strumming feature

[@sdjk909]

Love the proper USB socket, hate the mini keys!

[@neptunesgold1216]

Can you slide individual notes?? Like the 303

[@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 ? Regards from Portugal

[@freefinancialadvice]

Still waiting for the KeyLab Pro! Where keylab and keystep pro make a baby.

[@jm6734]

So has Arturia updated it’s firmware to unquantized record mode? Or is it still an "exclusive" feature for the Pro. An incredibly annoying policy to be honest as I’m pretty sure it’s not a hardware limitation.

[@RundFyrkant]

Soooo, the black edition is coming up?

[@MusicFillsTheQuiet]

It comes in pints?!? I'm getting one.

[@nth7485]

Only one more octave and we've got ourselves a deal, Arturia!

[@JacobSkriver]

My only gripe is the dip switches. Would have been nice with a rocker switch

[@disectormusic]

neat

[@victorroberts4637]

There better be F%#KING MASSIVE firmware update coming for the Keystep Pro. This looks a lot more immediate and has better features, yes - half as many tracks, but it’s less than half the price too! Arturia, I want to speak to the manager! :) 😂

[@jmsiener]

Not having that chord strum with CV makes my rings sad.

[@patchnovae]

yeah, this video answered that long standing question, no chord strup or arp out cv makes me sad. Does anyone know if the keystep pro has the same limitations with its zillions of cv out and drum sequencing?

[@MediaMusik777]

my favorite mini keys midi controller in the world currently hands down every function is useful on this midi controller everything......now if they made this with bluetooth,360 touch led encoders, assignable expression pedal input,midi 2.0 and I would pay 300 bucks for that maybe 350 for that expression pedal ...

[@sopasopasson5563]

Keys does not go out over CV ??

[@donaldpriola1807]

The LED doesn't show the tempo if you move the tempo knob? One thing that bugged me about the original is not having a tempo indicator.

[@kmontzka]

Yes, it does show the tempo when the knob is altered. A big plus

[@Stadsjaap]

Please tell us that LCD screen can tell us what tempo we're at!

[@Stakkeroid]

Oh yeah damn that would be an essential upgrade

[@kmontzka]

Yes it does. The loopop video confirms it

[@botany500kojak]

I have to have something clocking the keystep that shows the exact tempo. Worst thing about the original Keystep.

[@proteus1]

What's the best midi full size keyboard on the market?

[@PaulGBass]

Probably the Novation 61 SL Mark3

[@Am6-9]

I’d love to see a 37 controller with proper full size quality keybed, aftertouch and eight faders. 49 keys is too big for my desk, and 25 keys is not enough. Don’t care about CV/gate and arpeggiators. Just good quality keys and faders, please.

[@Claidheambmor]

Unfortunately not every need under the sun can be accommodated for.

[@lawrencegt2229]

Any built in sounds or just a controller?

[@Claidheambmor]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_controller

[@LukeLendrum]

My wallet isn't ready! Mercy!

[@girlinagale]

The Midi Pack, Insane unbelievable... ah hi Nick. Life is mostly waiting for ads to p*** off.

[@annother3350]

Paste the video url into the bing.com search bar and watch through Bing - no more Ads

[@girlinagale]

@@annother3350 Really, sounds interesting I'll try it.

[@girlinagale]

@H Kay I've been recording Underworld - Drift this afternoon in Audacity, just to make a CD for the car. I tried a Bing search (Windows 10 laptop) but KZbin opens in Microsoft Edge which still plays ads.

[@annother3350]

@@girlinagale Open bing.com in a browser window, paste the url into search bar -- bing allows you to preview the whole video through bing which KZbin classes as 'embedded' and embedded videos dont feature ads

[@Claidheambmor]

Between the KZbin ad blocker on Chrome installed on my laptop and KZbin Vanced on my mobile I never see ads anymore. It's amazing. :D

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Looks like a very welcoming upgrade to the original. Thou i really hope this time round the Midi Control center allows you to have a gate retrigger or legato option. Really which they had included this on the first one, can be a deal breaker for me on this one.

[@Claidheambmor]

I can't imagine gate retrigger and legato being integral parts to every one of my songs. Takes all sorts I suppose!

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@@Claidheambmor Well I thought it would be an integral option at least seeing as it was an option you could change on the Arturia Mini and Microbrutes via the software.

[@heyitsadamjae]

13:05 thanks for killing my ears / monitors!

[@mmhcreates]

3:40. lovely Octave sweep pattern.

[@boimesa8190]

🤤😭🤤😭🤤😭🤤❤️

[@drlegendre]

Calls for a 1.5A power supply? This thing can't possibly need more than a a few dozen mA, maybe 150mA tops. Think about the fact that it can optionally power from a USB 2.0 port. The port can only source a max of 500mA, which places an upper limit on both power & current requirements of 2.5W & 500mA, respectively. So don't ask me why they paste that 1.5A figure on the side.

[@klinkske]

So to make me buy it, it needs to be black and have more feedback on the real time recording. Got it, Arturia? 😎

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

To make me buy it, it needs to be any color besides black, and have physical pitch/mod wheels. I'm tired of all electronics coming in black, black, white, and black. Black is the new beige, and white is equally boring. I want some color in my studio.

[@Subtronik]

@@gnarlysoundscapes7210 agreed. I’d even buy a red version over this white one.

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

@@Subtronik lol I'd love a red one. Would look good with my Behringer Neutron. :-)

[@Subtronik]

@@gnarlysoundscapes7210 definitely! I‘m also a Neutron owner and was thinking the same thing. Hopefully Arturia sees these comments 🙏

[@klinkske]

@@gnarlysoundscapes7210 black is the new beige? I wonder how old your stuff is. my old stuff is pretty black in here. let's see: M1 ms 20 polivoks tr 808 cr78 sub 37 cs15 pro one arp ody TTSH - i even have a black sh 101 (ok that is special, i admit)

[@canvoodoo]

Very John Carpenter.

[@djyucatec4999]

Behringer already working on it....Behringer swing 37....at half price...LOL

[@el_dani]

that‘s what Elektron should have done with the Digitone Keys

[@Claidheambmor]

Ah, that word again. 'Should'. The most important word in the dictionary for the entitled and self-infatuated.

[@el_dani]

@@Claidheambmor they did it with the Monomachine and Analog Keys (the LED strip), so this way the Digitone keys seems not that inspirational (doubling the voices would have been ace) - anyway this place is to exchange opinions, in the end you vote with your wallet..

[@Ancaja123]

I literally wanna sell both my keystep pro and og keystep just for this, and im pretty bummed I even got the Pro (it is a buggy mess)

[@ifincstudios]

You trying to sell it?

[@untml]

This can be very buggy as well, With arturia it's better to wait a year of upgrades (and complains) before you buy

[@artao5]

Or perhaps you just need to learn how to use your KeyStep Pro. Professionals the world over are loving it, and Arturia regularly updates the firmware.

[@untml]

@@artao5 Arturis launch product with half backed firmware is already known fact. Nick even remarked about one or two on this video.But to be fair it's not shipped yet. They do seems to fix some of the important bugs and introduce new features but only after many costumer requests and complains and only with the most selling products. So i would advise for everyone who looks for smooth sail to wait. But maybe it's better (for me) you will buy and deal with arturia support promising "it will be fix on the next firmware" instead of me :)

[@synthfreak291]

FUCK, two months ago I bought the old one.

[@artao5]

What the heck? ........ My KeyStep Pro FINALLY shipped this morning. So as I was browsing KZbin and saw this review video of the KeyStep 37, I figured HEY! Let's see their review of the KeyStep Pro. I was rather shocked and befuddled to see that you haven't done one. .... um ... How odd. What's up with that? The only vids you have regarding the KeyStep Pro are from NAMM and Superbooth. It's a very VERY odd omission to not review the KeyStep Pro. What's the reason for that? Did Arturia refuse to send you one or something? o.O

[@thefishdog]

Does it control Netflix lol

[@sonicstate]

If you have the right software 😁

[@annother3350]

No, Netflix controls you...

[@nastyaria7749]

почему все пренебрегают тем чтобы показать как звучит обычное пианино

[@billB101]

Literally just bought an original keystep.

[@Claidheambmor]

Glad you confirmed it was a literal purchase, for a second I thought you might have figuratively bought one instead.

[@billB101]

@@Claidheambmor No.

[@frankschneider7190]

badly prepared

[@Claidheambmor]

Sorry to hear you weren't properly prepared for your day, hopefully you had a good one regardless!

[@_o__o_]

wadup with the silly thumbnails?!?

[@Claidheambmor]

What's up with your silly use of the English language and inability to use capital letters?

[@deathdrivera.d.7718]

Buggy AF

[@doubleohdutch2108]

Yup, like I said a few months ago, ARTURIA is flooding the market with unnecessary keyboards. Again, please release V7 for Ipad Pro, I already have 5 midi controllers.

[@Claidheambmor]

Not everything made by every company is done so for your specific needs.

[@doubleohdutch2108]

@@Claidheambmor Naaah, off course not. Me and all the people on the Internet and music related forums that also want it, Flooding the market with keyboards is a really bad idea business wise. People who have a good keyboard (Fatar, Hammer on) are not going to buy a new one (midi that is). On the other hand, software would sell like cookies. Bye now.

[@dreamsofwidnes8949]

why so out of breath during the review???