Keystep PRO review: midi keyboard & sequencer GREAT for DAWLESS hardware synth setups

Today we are checking out the new KeyStep Pro From Arturia. It's a 4 track midi keyboard & sequencer. Sponsored by DistroKid. Get 7% off using my link: distrokid.com/vip/bobeats - a great way to get your music to Spotify/Apple Music and more stores...
You can buy a Keystep Pro using this affiliate link and support the channel:
Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y
Listen to my latest release Frankly: distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bob...
Watch my SL Mk3 Review: • Novation SL MkIII REVI...
My stuff
►Patreon: bit.ly/bobeatspatreon
►Join our community here (we use Discord): community.bobeats.tv
►Merch: merch.bobeats.tv
►Patches & samples bit.ly/storebobeats
►Music: bobeatsmusic.bandcamp.com
►Circuit Patches: bit.ly/bobeatsXisotoniks
SOCIAL MEDIA
►Facebook: / bobeatsmusic
►Instagram: / bobeats
►Twitter: / bobeatsmusic
BUSINESS INQUIRY
►bonurmimusic ( at ) gmail.com
#keysteppro #keystep #midikeyboard

[@ASH-ou4cg]

This video was great. Very well presented and extremely informative. Thanks so much for your time and effort in putting this together.

[@robaire.b]

Great review. Very informative and as always enjoyable to watch

[@postalizeMike]

Your overviews and comments are very helpful

[@free2muse]

Great review Bo. Good close ups and hands on music making. Really helps to give me an idea if it's my kind of next investment or not. Cheers.

[@jeffhammel4305]

You've inspired me to look at all of the features on this wonderful controller I've forgotten about. Thanks!

[@phizzard5549]

Aaaand here comes the Arturia hype train! Definitely buying one! Thanks for the demo ✌️

[@ltnjones1714]

Thanks Bo, cool midi keyboard. very nice review 🙏 !

[@THESYNTHBARD]

Can never have enough sequencers! Love how many cv outputs it has.

[@waynestore67]

I recently purchased a KS Pro, and was pretty much lost til I watched this video. Thanks so much for the insight and inspiration. Keep up the awesome work!!

[@BoBeats]

Thanks bud!! Hope you enjou the KSP and have fun making music!!

[@pyrexcarrier]

This thing is a beast!!! Great video 🙌

[@DennisNy75]

so excited for this

[@christianthompson1473]

Good informative review, thankyou.

[@BoBeats]

You can buy a Keystep Pro using this affiliate link and support the channel: Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y

[@strangesevin]

Im trying to set up my mc 101 drums on the drum track and having issues maybe you could explain what im doing wrong for now im just adding the sequenced pattern please help . Bo love your channel brother.

[@Teltaism]

This video is useful, thank you from Japan🥰

[@jonnyhead]

Excellent as usual ☺️

[@AynenMakino]

I just ordered one of these, and just like you I'm weirdly happy about the metronome, especially that it shows you the bpm in an exact number!

[@modgrip805]

Great review. I have one and it is extremely powerful.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Love how two of the connected synths have their own sequencer. Super keyboard for eurorack though

[@roryjamesscammell]

Finally, a video that explains it in a clear and logical way. Thanks!

[@roryjamesscammell]

Yep. Works great. Plugged into the system now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnjUXpyKocR0i80

[@notbatman1001]

Arturia should hire you to do their videos. Thanks for this one.

[@BoBeats]

Actually doing a vid with them soon :-)

[@BoBeats]

Check out my new track Frankly (Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, Google Play, Bandcamp): distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bobeats/frankly Apple Music/iTunes: bit.ly/BobeatsFrankly Spotify: bit.ly/bobeatsFrankly Bandcamp: bobeatsmusic.bandcamp.com Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/bobeatsmusic

[@5stringaustin]

Hah you and loopop posted reviews at the exact same time! Can’t wait to see this!

[@BoBeats]

Be sure to watch both!! :-) support my synthtuber friends too

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

And jade Wii as well

[@derekbaker3279]

kc5string Perhaps you could do a review that reviews the two reviews? 😉😁😁😁

[@zazoomatt]

WOW.Thanks Bo for the Up close Review.............

[@valeriegrey8328]

I'm very surprised that Arturia didn't include more of the control-step-automation thing! That being said, the Pro looks like a great upgrade with lots of good features. Nice review, thanks!

[@AI-Heaven-Hell]

Hi Bobeats, if you like the metronome so much, here is a little secret: while the metronome is playing, hold TAP and press one of the time division keys on the keyboard!

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Informative video! Not just Eurorack for those CVs though. For the drum triggers I can use on my TAMA TS-305 or TAMA TS-206 Toms. The mod out can be used to control the Abyss cvs, such as reflector, delay, or phaser. And the most awesome of awesome is using the KSP in Hz/V and S_trig to control my MS-20Kit! I really have my eye on the Key Step Pro!

[@farbklangmaske]

Really helpfull. I got me one!

[@ConwayBob]

Thanks for this great demo/review, Bo. Now we know that this little keyboard contains much more than initially meets the eye. Quite a bargain at $399 USD. I also very much enjoyed the sequence and soundscape you've set up for this demo.

[@rexaguilar2353]

So was it $399 pre Covid?

[@brendankoen]

Loving the Bo 2.0 presentation by the way :)

[@richarddufresne2683]

Merci ! 🙂 Great vidéo !

[@seansnyder7744]

I got mine about a month or two ago and I'm absolutely pleased with how much functionality it has in such a small package. Had a weird MIDI issue with it when hooking it into the Behringer Model D, but I bought it exclusively for CV for the 2500 series eurorack modules :)

[@moodonha]

What kind of an issue? I am planning on purchasing it to be used with the same synth, among others.

[@seansnyder7744]

@@moodonha The Keystep Pro seemed to have sent SYSEX info to the model D and absolutely scrambled programmable parameters, which made it behave extemely odd. If you're not familiar, SYSEX stands for "system exclusive" and is a series of codes that can be sent to change settings on the device. Hopefully I bookmarked the parameter codes or printed it in case I ever decide to try using MIDI again lol. Hope this helps!

[@cliffnboyzy]

@@seansnyder7744 I have a Keystep 37 & it seems to be doing that with my DSI Tetra.. REALLY frustrating..

[@seansnyder7744]

@@cliffnboyzy That's unfortunate :/ thankfully it doesn't take too much searching to come across SYSEX info for most gear these days, and with most modern gear having USB these days, it's even easier to send the SYSEX to the unit.

[@Fluxwithit]

Well done BO

[@telogic1]

Nice revue Bo

[@wooptiedoo3538]

I love the Arturia products I have got a Matrixbrute and a Drumbrute. Especially happy with the Matrixbrute because of the unique sounds. The Drumbrute is an excellent analogue drumcomputer for it's price. I have no need for another sequencer, still the Keystep looks like another solid product for music production.

[@Tasun_]

Hey Bo, thanks for the review. Have you been able to record transpositions or arps? thanks

[@TheAudioDabbler]

Great informative video. How is KeyStep Pro when used with USB only? Say sequencing on an iPad?

[@marike1100]

I'm so behind the times I just bought a Keystep and a Neutron. And I have my eye on a cassette deck and film camera.😂 But yeah, the metronome is a huge thing actually. Lastly, those Dreadbox Chromatic modules, nice.

[@corystarman3710]

First off, thank you for this review. More importantly though, big fan of the new haircut. It looks profesh and fresh.

[@BoBeats]

Thanks man!

[@neon_one]

Man I wish it had a few more keys. I really like the ability to instantly play high and low notes together. any chance you can change the octave for sections of the keyboard? btw i think they just released a firmware update for this

[@benh.635]

Looks awesome! How do you think this would work with a mutitimbral MIDI module similar to a SoundCanvas?

[@paulburkhart2619]

Ohhh yeah, that Walking pattern thing is cool.

[@Fusion_1994]

Would be good to compare Analog Keys control vs this. When you consider the new midi sequencing ability if the keys, it shows how versatile the keys now is. But I assume there are limitations too.

[@providief]

Hey Bo. Can you transpose the whole track and change the key/scale type like on the BSP? Cheers!

[@michelnassarofficial]

Yay 😍

[@MrBasic]

Since a Black Edition will probably come in a year or two, everyone will have to get a second, therefore... track count is no issue.

[@jcoxdj]

good call

[@missnoisy3034]

May I ask which camera you use for your videos? Looks great!

[@thepaintedsock]

Hi great video. Can you record midi from an external keyboard and play it back through the external keyboard?

[@marcpinion]

do a video with the betstep pro and the keystep pro lined for extra tracks.

[@winddealer1]

Be great to see the KSP attached to the Roland MC101. Is it possible to select a PATCH for each of the four Tracks at the Sequence or Scene level? How does one select midi channels for each of the tracks? The silk screens for Midi Channel 1-16 Selects seem to be missing from C2-E3. Love the metronome but lets keep it muted :)

[@AmbientoftheFel]

can you drop a list of whats in your euro rack please?

[@philmunoz9269]

Can the SL mk3 have one of its sequencer tracks function as a drumm sequencer with 24 drum tracks like the Keystep pro or do you have to use multiple tracks to sequence drums?

[@nebula0697]

Hi BoBeats, thanks for the video. I was wondering if you can mute individual drums directly from the KSP, and also if you can apply gate globally to the entire sequence.

[@frankyr.8514]

Bo Question about your setup all the devices on your left of the keysteppro...do you have a breakdown of what does what in the futur?

[@webncyber]

Thank you for this video! The original keystep had a transpose feature when the sequencer is playing if you play a key it transposes. Do you know if this feature is the same in Pro?

[@mattryan6886]

Sold!! I want one.

[@ctd_audio]

Awesome review as always Bo! That jam was worth making into a full song. Quick question as sequencing confuses me, but would you be able to sequence a track from the keystep pro through a digitakt? So you have digitakt doing it's drums and you sequence your synths from the keystep pro? Or is that not possible and have to arrange the sequence from the digitakt? I've got a keystep already - and looking to grab the digitakt so not sure whether it's worth the upgrade to the pro, and if there are any benefits to having the keystep pro when I grab a digitakt? Hoep that makes sense?! Cheers and keep jamming! Love your channel :)

[@BoBeats]

I think original Keystep + Digitakt is a good combo. You can ofc use the Pro together with it but the Digitakt has 8 midi tracks so you are fine just using that

[@CitizenOfEverywhere]

I don't want to sound ridiculously shallow, but this is an awesome product with a huge issue (for me). The colour. Hopefully it'll be available in black too, soon enough.

[@Klovar]

No, it's not shallow at all! It's a decent amount of money to be potentially a main component of someone's setup. It's just as important for it to look good in certain cases as it is to sound and feel good. (it's also the same way with Dark-Mode / Light-Mode on phone apps and websites so I totally get it) Cheers

[@whheaattzmayne3183]

Almost makes you want to splurge on the novation sl mk3

[@marike1100]

Honestly, I have a black Keystep and like everything black, it shows every speck of dust, and I keep it covered when not in use. Duh, I truly wish I had gotten the white Keystep, in all seriousness.

[@brianbrill]

Hi, Citizen. I too am shallow like you. :)

[@SighDown]

@@marike1100 Me, too!

[@JamieFVidz]

hey whats the hierarchy with like projects tracks etc? like how many "projects" would there be? and would you consider them one song each? or one set? etc and whats the loading time? and can you label them when it comes to archiving and backup up on computer? thanks so much for great review.

[@MyImmaculateQueen]

This demo sounds like Depeche Mode. Love it ❤️

[@MrPokerian]

I'm waiting to have my Keystep Pro delivered. However, I have just read the manual and don't see the possibility to loop the sequencer on the currently chosen step group, which would be very convenient. Doesn't KP offer such function? It is already implemented in Spark drum machine.

[@robzelinsky8103]

Great video review, as usual! Have you tried or can the Keystep Pro work exclusively with a DAW (I use Studio One 5) utilizing 4 midi tracks in the DAW coinciding with the 4 tracks on the keyboard? And are the outputs on the back of the keyboard able to control parameters (drum gate, cv ...) in the DAW?

[@BoBeats]

I have not. I have only used it with my dawless setup

[@aslandunya9527]

do you run your synths to line ins of ur interface? or do you use preamps to gain the signal? are all synthesizers line level at full volume?

[@MadelnMachines]

Do you get notes from the scale when just playing the keyboard or does it have to be through the sequencer?

[@DaJesuts]

Is this a good sequencer for saving different sections of my songs for a concert? I have a bunch of songs and was wondering if the scene function would allow me to go between sections of my prewritten songs

[@lufebarrlob]

Hello! query, you can choose midi channels, in this chain: track 1 (ch1) out midi 1 + track 2 (ch2) out midi 1 ?? I have a workstation that receives 16 channels, I would like to make the most of it by adding the keystep pro

[@renzokukengame1684]

Hi,can you help pls,i just bought arturia keys pro and taiga synth.do i need audio interface or can i conect direct to my speakers(witch already have amplifier) Tnx

[@matthewtunnicliffe201]

Great review as always, and a very tempting piece of kit. Have you any idea if it's possible to increase the number of external synths used by using a midi interface?

[@BoBeats]

well, 4 tracks is max but you can use a midi usb splitter/thru box to hook up more than 2.

[@matthewtunnicliffe201]

Cool. That would be useful because although there's a 4 track limit it would give more scope for swapping instruments during a song. Thanks for your reply.

[@viewoftheaskew]

@@BoBeats there's also the MIDI through jacks on connected equipment for extra MIDI feeds

[@PFDarkside]

Any tips on how to create sequences live? I’ve got a good handle on performing Pre-recorded sequences/patterns/projects but I’m looking to create them live.

[@electrosonicnebula]

Hi does anyone know if I can use the MIDI IN to connect a pad controller just to control modular drum voices using the gate outs and sequencer of the Keystep Pro? Specifically could I connect my Roland SP303 to do this?

[@joachim595]

@bobeats Can a Juno-60 with its vcf control input be controlled directly from the Keystep Pro?

[@kpereszczak]

Hi Bo. Can I play from one synth eg. Korg minilogue xd 4 different tracks on KSP in the same time by midi channel?

[@cybernaumemusic]

Is there way to use many time divisions on one sequence. like part of 1/8 then rest 1/32.

[@Colonel_Satan]

Is it possible to control an analog synth and a synth in my DAW independently? I can’t seem to get them to run separately.

[@barono9552]

White doesn't fit in my studio, I am waiting for the black edition! Big THX BoBeats ;)

[@TheVoltar100]

Nice

[@hristiangeorgiev5236]

Great demonstration. Thank you. Can you please tell me where do the drumsounds come from? ThaNKS a bunch.

[@BoBeats]

I think its the Blck Noir in this video

[@jdssurf]

Would the keystep pro be cool used with the beatstep pro?

[@dinogoldie9716]

How many different CC parameters can the controller track automate on a single step? Does the controller track allow simultaneous automation on all instruments or is there a risk of using up all automation on a single instrument/sequencer track?

[@buschovski1]

Hi Bobeats. This has got to be a question I didnt think through but can the same synth be on two tracks? Id love to have the PolyBrute on two tracks.

[@zack4japan]

i got my keystep 3 months ago, but thinking about it, it must be easy enough to link the two via midi to expand the octave range? Set the KS to low and KSP a higher. Rather than flogging on fleabay already :-)

[@kpereszczak]

Hi.Can I play live by connecting only a synthesizer and speakers? I mean, do I need an additional music card, e.g. focusrite?

[@sinneD84erz]

Thinking about to buy it to trigger my emu e4x. Anyone expirience?

[@errorkit]

bought it right after your Review Bo, thank you, I love it! One little Question: Is it possible to Record Steps/Sequences into my KSP thru my Keylab 61 MKII? I can play my Poly D without a Problem but I can't record my Keylab Playing :/ too bad because as a Piano Player you sometimes need more than 3 Octaves...much Love 🔥✌️

[@BoBeats]

Unfortunately I dont know this. Thanks for checking the vid :-)

[@errorkit]

@@BoBeats too bad, thanks anyway!

[@BryanVehonsky]

Does scale mode actually override/deactivate the physical keyboard keys that are out of scale like how some of the NI controllers do?

[@mikaelbildt3990]

Hi there, Bo. Thanks for this and many other videos. Wanted to ask if you happen to know how to tune the keystep pro to A 432hz instead of A 440hz? If this is possible? Thanks either way, Greetings

[@phoenixrising1576]

Can the Keystep pro record incoming midi data? So i can play my Juno and record that performance on the Keystep? Thanks...

[@DaJesuts]

How do I route a track to midi out 2? I have midi out 2 connected to my behringer model d, but now I’m getting into the weeds of midi channels as opposed to the physical midi output and it feels like my head will explode.

[@joelizquierdo8624]

Can you combine it with the Beatstep pro?

[@adeevision1297]

This and the novation circuit tracks are similar in price and spec but which do you think is better ? one is 2 track and the other is 4 i'm quite confused !!!!!

[@powermix24]

The beautiful thing about this review is my Keystep pro comes a day before my Birthday! thanks for the amazing sounds!

[@davidbailey4404]

Thanks for the excellent review. All my lovely old analog gear was stolen, and what I'm left with is four MIDI modules. I see there are two MIDI outs on the KS Pro. Can I chain them and control 4 MIDI channels (1 module per channel) from the two MIDI outs? Or is it 1 channel/1 MIDI out? It would mean a lot to me for you to reply, as I'm definitely going to buy a Keystep Pro if It will let me address each MIDI channel independently. If not, what would you recommend? Many thanks...

[@bilonggrisimmeri]

@David Bailey That's an excellent question, but I don't think it does what you want. I guess it sends MIDI on which ever track is active to be played by the keyboard. Maybe you can download the manual from Artruria's website. I wanted it to do voice allocation, so if you play a 4 note chord, it sends MONO note on messages on MIDI channels 1-4. Or 1-6 or 1-8, depending on how it is set up. It doesn't!!!

[@GrzegorzJaworski]

Bo is the Keystep Pro will be very good controller, sequencer for Minilogue XD module, because for me looks for ideal pair, extend 16 step + better keyboard + possibility for controller more DAW less setup ?

[@theknotsewsuite]

Sold!

[@AdamsOlympia]

Has anyone with an Analog Four tried using KS Pro to create an unquantized sequence and then transferred it over to A4's sequencer? Curious if the sequencer resolution of the A4 matches up well enough that it transfers faithfully? I'm new to my A4 and planning to buy KS Pro today or tomorrow. Hoping it works well, as this seems like an excellent workflow to quickly bang out four tracks for the A4 -- then freeing up all of KS Pro's sequencer tracks for my other hardware and software. (iPad/Microfreak/MD/OT/Neutron/Deepmind 12)

[@sr7bbird]

i would love to see this linked up with the beatstep pro.

[@zackorr421]

Bo the hair is on point. 👍🏻

[@BoBeats]

Thanks bud!

[@AdamsOlympia]

I hope I have better luck with this purchase than I did with my first and only Keystep. Half an octave of its leftmost keys died within a few months of buying it new.

[@xisotopex]

other than the keys, whats the difference from the beatstep?

[@ThesisOfSyn]

great video as always, id be really interested to know what your camera/lighting setup is? i was sure I've seen it either in a video or in a description before but i can't seem to find it again. Your videos are such high quality!

[@scottharris7222]

Sync? : Hi Bo ... great video... while you have it can you do a quick test of Keystep Pro acting as a slave from whatever external sync sources it supports in slave mode. Much appreciated. Excellent overview and review!