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...
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Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:
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#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.

[@postalizeMike]

Your overviews and comments are very helpful

[@jeffhammel4305]

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

[@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!!

[@phizzard5549]

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

[@robaire.b]

Great review. Very informative and as always enjoyable to watch

[@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.

[@THESYNTHBARD]

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

[@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.

[@ltnjones1714]

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

[@pyrexcarrier]

This thing is a beast!!! Great video 🙌

[@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!

[@notbatman1001]

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

[@BoBeats]

Actually doing a vid with them soon :-)

[@DennisNy75]

so excited for this

[@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

[@jonnyhead]

Excellent as usual ☺️

[@modgrip805]

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

[@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

[@zazoomatt]

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

[@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? 😉😁😁😁

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

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

[@Teltaism]

This video is useful, thank you from Japan🥰

[@christianthompson1473]

Good informative review, thankyou.

[@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!

[@brendankoen]

Loving the Bo 2.0 presentation by the way :)

[@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!

[@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?

[@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.

[@telogic1]

Nice revue Bo

[@Fluxwithit]

Well done BO

[@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.

[@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!

[@farbklangmaske]

Really helpfull. I got me one!

[@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.

[@richarddufresne2683]

Merci ! 🙂 Great vidéo !

[@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!

[@paulburkhart2619]

Ohhh yeah, that Walking pattern thing is cool.

[@powermix24]

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

[@mattryan6886]

Sold!! I want one.

[@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

[@michelnassarofficial]

Yay 😍

[@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.

[@zackorr421]

Bo the hair is on point. 👍🏻

[@BoBeats]

Thanks bud!

[@MyImmaculateQueen]

This demo sounds like Depeche Mode. Love it ❤️

[@barono9552]

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

[@BoBeats]

hey, totally unrelated but I just put out an in-depth live streaming tutorial. give it a watch! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ_RooOcZtinmNU

[@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.

[@b.benjamineriksson6030]

After this review I forgive you for cutting your hair.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Stephen Roldan all barbers 💈 are closed, so you’re not alone there

[@b.benjamineriksson6030]

@@FuZZbaLLbee not in Sweden.

[@frankmason5525]

Bo, I honestly think your hair looks better since you cut it. It makes you look younger. Great review btw.

[@666catanist]

@@frankmason5525 I think it makes him look handsome honestly. It fits his face shape better.

[@theknotsewsuite]

Sold!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@TheVoltar100]

Nice

[@marcpinion]

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

[@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?

[@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.

[@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?

[@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

[@kellymerrill8024]

Great review, not a fan of "just hands" reviews. I like the dynamics of edits, text and graphics. Well done!

[@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?

[@sr7bbird]

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

[@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?

[@mixedmeteor]

A couple of things I don't like: It doesn't transmit program changes, and routing one track to 2 separate CV outputs, it doesn't really trigger notes properly, the response is weird and sometime notes just don't play. If you route 1 track to 1 CV set it's fast and fine however. Hoping another firmware update handles this (currently using 2.0.1)

[@markzzzsmith]

So there needs to be a future video on how to use the half a dozen cheap Keysteps you bought cheap as everybody upgrades 🤔

[@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.

[@providief]

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

[@missnoisy3034]

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

[@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

[@loopeneihui9086]

The Keystep Bo. 🥁💥 Hehe. After that is being said I‘ll show myself out. 😬

[@BoBeats]

😂👍

[@danielgtr85]

Id totally buy the pro bo in black.. I'll grab my coat

[@benh.635]

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

[@MadelnMachines]

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

[@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?

[@sr7bbird]

as a digital performer its got way to many inputs and outs that i need. really wish for a novation circuit pro!!! i have two circuits and still feel limited as far as sequencing.

[@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

[@MarshalArnold]

I like this, but am not a fan of no physical pitch/mod wheels. Sadly, that's a big deal to me so I don't know if I'll go for this...at least until they release a version in black 😎

[@geekindakitchen]

I am surprised there's not already a black edition.

[@sutusmihaly]

@@geekindakitchen ..me too...why this ugly white design on all their devices??

[@thepaintedsock]

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

[@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

[@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 :)

[@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

[@henrikandersen4777]

@BoBeats thanks for the videos i have watched alot of them super cool. , im currently in the process of buying "used" setup to make beats /and song making. I do make Edm "bigroom/trap/remixes" and hiphop type beats/loops and i love 80´s music to relax to, but i havent made songs whit that sound but im thinking that could be cool in the feture to dabble into. i got a few option as there so many stuff out there im confused too many damn options in 2020. im gonna buy everything used, and i can start whit one piece at time if the setup gets big. i have ableton 10 live Speakers/headphones/mic/interface-dac/arturia keylab to its gonna build onto my current setup 1. novation 61SLmk3 + launchcontrol xl Or/midi fighter twister 2. Used push 1 0r 2 + some sort of launch controler + keys maby could be keystep or Kontrol s25/49/61 3. Mpc live/One + keys + lanchcontrol xl. 4. Keystep pro + launchcontrol xl Random stuff i have looked at but dont know anything about is Roland 101 and novation circut setups. I would love to hear your opinion or sugestion to a setup - my piano skills are beginner like and im a beginner finger drummer. Monney not a big issue as im buying everything used, and have spare income,,so im not thinking too much about total cost, more like what gonna be the "best/good" for a new entry into this realm and a long term good buy, after im getting better at it all. Thanks Henrik - Dk

[@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 ?

[@hopkinsjonathanuk]

So, the big Q - do we go for an SLMK3 or the KSP? Or something else? Which would be your choice if you could only have one?

[@angelesk9382]

Jonathan Hopkins selling point for me on this is that you can do a free time off the grid sequences on this new key step which i don’t think you can do on the mk3

[@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

[@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?

[@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?

[@Heleno.]

If I have an instrument connected to each Keystpe Pro track, Keystep Pro allows me to trigger the four tracks and send sequences and play the four instruments simultaneously with its respective track, or I have to trigger each track and send its respective sequence one of each time..

[@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!

[@PaladinGunn]

I really have no need for it, since I'm in the box, but I'd sure get one if I had some hardware !

[@morten1]

Buy one piece of hardware, then that logic falls apart ;)

[@dawlessstrolling5306]

I have a hybrid setup, but besides "serious" production with that I LOVE "strolling" around in the (analog) hardware territory..(hence my channel).. so inspiring and fun! And I take the good experiences with me in my DAW/hardware setup.

[@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

[@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?

[@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!!!

[@paulluna8099]

I want to know if you are going to keep the Keystep Pro?

[@echris459]

is it possible to run all 4 sequencer-tracks with 4 different instruments and improvise at the same time with a 5th instrument (5th midi channel)?

[@MrSkyzof]

Yes, and you can put your sausages on the left side and the bread on the right side. For mustard press Shift + Oct + ( Sorry i couldn't resist ;) )

[@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.

[@jdssurf]

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

[@TheB1gduk]

Hi Bo, I have been wondering about this. How much better is the sequencer on the KS Pro than the Roland JDXi which also has a 4 track poly sequencer (one fixed drum track) , has between 16 to 64 steps each , has arp and can output midi of all four channels at once or any combination to an external sequencer or gear. Granted it doesnt have all the analogue outs (CV/GATE) or aftertouch but it does come with a vocoder, drums, analog synth and effects etc in a unit now roughly the same price as a KS Pro. If Midi sequencing was the requirement what benefit would a KS Pro offer, I think the sequencing ability of the JDXi is easily forgotten and the unit underrated.

[@bilonggrisimmeri]

@Dwayne Barker I agree with you, but Bo can't make comparisons with everything out there. He's a reviewer. That said, the choice today is amazing. We're spoiled for choice.

[@MadelnMachines]

Seems great but 4 tracks is pretty weak! We need a Keystep double pro with 16 tracks and full size keys and a decent size screen.

[@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.