Arturia Beat Step Pro Sonic LAB Review

Artruria's do-it-all CV/Gate/Trigger/MIDI/ Control surface gets a workout.

[@Epic501]

This youtube channel never fails to deliver, such great quality content.

[@Djpuzzle]

Deserves way more subs

[@909Thumper909]

I love this. Great thorough walk through. I'm glad to see someone who actually gets to know gear explaining what things really do.

[@demoscenes]

Great! This is making me even more convinced! Yes, it's just what I need and what I've been looking at for ages! Thanks for clearing the very little mist in my eyes, that made me think twice. 10/10

[@MrMooseMusic]

I love you Nick! Thank you for all the awesome videos and for one of the best channels on KZbin!

[@dwaynecarroll6098]

That Pro is amazing! Maybe to much tech for me to grasp but this great review is sending my back to my basic BeatStep to learn more about it. Great shirt Nick and a fantastic review!

[@hard-d1276]

Beeing new to using a Beatstep Pro your Video helped me a lot getting startet and quickly achieve satisfying results. Thanks a lot!

[@AveMcree]

sonicstate, I've been a huge fan of your channel for years! that is all :)

[@influxxmedia]

Best BSP demo I've seen. Brilliant Nick. Cheers

[@ivandubinsky1857]

I love your reviews. It's great to have someone discussing new gear who actually knows what he's talking about. I just got one of these...now to get cracking on learning the ins and outs. This video has given me lots of inspiration. Thank you!!

[@w0lf_larsen]

Thanks Nick! This was super helpful and I got a Beat Step Pro now.

[@NorfolkTraveller]

Thanks for a great review - just ordered one... looks awesome!

[@icantbreath7483]

Nick your the best for explaining every nook and cranny.

[@erhervert]

This guy actually explains what the equipment does, I like his videos a lot. Thanks.

[@notjulesatall]

As always, flawless review. Thank you !

[@noiselabproject9659]

Even now this unit is still awesome, had mine for quite some time and it was such a massive improvement on the original somewhat flawed Beatstep which I also have.

[@TasuLife]

great job, love your tutorials.

[@telogic1]

Nice one nick i spent almost 4 months testing this there is an issue with fw1.1.1.6 with sync but will be fixed in the next FW

[@andrewverran3498]

Bought one today, I have mc505 and mc909 which haven't the best lasting sequencer pad buttons, the Arturia Beatstep Pro seems an absolute BEAST of a sequencer and so reasonably priced it borders on ridiculously cheap for the features you get...wahoo ..can't wait .

[@mickeybreezy]

I've never noticed until now that Nick is changing the camera angles himself on an iPad while doing the review.

[@RichMakeGame]

great review Nick! one thing I'd have liked you to mention is that if you go from a short pattern (16 ) to one double the length (32) the second pattern starts half way through, because the sequencer sees step 17 as the next one to play. This puts a fly in the ointment if you want to treat patterns as segments of a song.

[@sonicstate]

Rich Edwards I think there is a setting for that behaviour in the software? (Not with the BSP now)

[@RichMakeGame]

sonicstate 'Wait to Load Project' is the closest thing I can find, which quantizes project changes, but there's nothing I can see on the pattern level. I live in hope that they gave you a work in progress firmware with the feature in development though :)

[@YomYestreen]

13:50 My god this jam at the end is so cool. Your demos are so inspiring, Nick. I might have to get a BSP even though it has notorious encoder and usb port problems...

[@Djpuzzle]

Ooooh! I knew I was in the right place when I saw that Simmons SDS8. I'm using my Beatstep Pro with two Simmons brains. Stopped by to get some tips as usual.

[@ranzadamson6473]

Hey great video Nick. A comment about the voltage - you mentioned that you weren't sure how that worked. They would most likely use a voltage regulator which takes an input voltage of 5v and converts it internally to 12v - thus allowing 10v over your CV outputs. Voltage regulators can step up or step down input voltages. (the manual talks about 12v) There are some modular guys who are testing out voltage differences on the BeatStep Pro - as there's a lot of interest how accurate it is. So far all I hear is good results. I've only had mine for a week now - so not much time to play ... but really impressed with it.

[@warp9988]

Ranz Adamson I think the chip is actually called dc to dc converter

[@jeffjuhre1494]

Just FYI, power is measured in Watts. James Watt was a famous Brit that invention the stem engine and a model of an early steam engine is at the Science Museum in London. Anyway, it is power that can't be created without a power generator, Volts can be increased but going from 5V to 10V would halve current given the same Wattage input. Watts = Volts * Amps..

[@sebprovision]

Looks fantastic. Would I be able to use with a Volca Sample and have extended patterns? I have an AJII, MS20 kit, Minibrute and Virus TI2, I think this thing would be perfect to jam on if a Volca Sample will trigger properly, then I might get both at the same time.

[@RobertKramer17]

"Now it's here... *pause* ... here it is." Love it. Great video as usual - thanks guys

[@aksen303]

great review as always, Nick. and thanks for pointing out a few features that i hadn't learnt yet (because who reads manuals, amirite?).

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Love your shirt & nice track

[@mCKENIC]

Wow! Din Sync, Midi, USB and CV... instabuy!

[@umonox]

what about Midi-CC in Seq Mode? I see 3 channels to be selected on the left where i can dial in values for the individual steps. But what about MIDI-CCs and how much of them can be assigned at the same time? Shame that it doesnt transmit on individual MIDI-Channels in the Drums Section. Volca Sample?? Cant be controlled then !!! A shame.

[@jonobell]

Excellent review!

[@NevilleHayfield]

Top Dog. Your the GOAT when it comes to the synth world Bro 👊💪🔥 you and Loopop 👊💪🔥

[@Zvark]

Need. I have a Microbrute and will be getting my first Euro(c)rack soon so this is a must have.

[@els1f]

Account Von Fraude You are stepping into a very deep pit. :) It is a fun place, though. I Just wanted an oscillator to go run into my minibrute, and told myself I would never fill up one 19" space... so I got the second 19" mount, and now I can totally see burying myself in a roomful of cables and flashing lights wondering where my money went.

[@Zvark]

Yeah when I bought the Microbrute I already knew that Euro was in my future at some point, just a matter of saving up the $ for some first modules.

[@hermansimms8410]

I wish you'd come to my house and show me how to set mine up. Your a genius. I've seen other videos but they talk to bloody fast but you your amazing 👏

[@jaeryan1337]

Nick! Do you know what settings I need to use in the MIDI control centre to sequence a Korg Odyssey module via CV/Gate (and or connections, I've heard you ALSO need to trigger the trig in?)? I've sequenced it from my Keystep via CV/Gate no problem but cannot get the BSP to sequence the Karp module....

[@hellcoreproductions]

Have had mine for a few weeks, apart from a couple of firmware niggles it has been great fun. Some pattern nudging etc would be nice though!

[@trollingisasport]

Say I recorded midi sequences with hardware synths, would it be easy to put the combined midi into a daw via the usb midi?

[@jobananas3052]

Id love for these reviews to be more frequent. Maybe a weekly gear/software review?

[@albedo0point39]

It'll be a boost switch mode power supply. Not a very complicated circuit - just a single IC and 2 or 3 external components and you can get a higher power rail: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boost_converter

[@shuffle-dance]

Definitely a possible future purchase. Wish they make it in black too though!

[@MrStanley85]

Future is here and the black version is available atm :P

[@shitmandood]

@@MrStanley85 Further in the future: I got mine last month.

[@NineHellHeaven]

Even further in the future, I ordered a black one this morning.

[@jrlx86]

The future is now, forget the past.

[@dinogoldie9716]

Can MIDI CC (such as LFO rate) be sequenced on the Beatstep Pro? If not, is there a hardware unit that does allow you to sequence external gear's knob twiddles (either from the sequencer or from the external gear)?

[@modusobscura]

Just waiting for them to expand the CC range on the drum sequencer so I can fully utilize my Novation Drumstation.

[@Bannazkit]

Hey Nick! Will you be taking a look at the new Launchpad pro?

[@sombrerosocialclub4241]

Thanks so much for keeping everithing so simple to understand. even for a dumb like me.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I wanted to get this but I read a lot of problems and bugs from folks about issues they have had that are not yet fixed with the Beatstep Pro. People who had this returned it for the Electribe 2 instead even though there are no CV outputs/inputs on the Korg Electribe.

[@zenithpinch]

thanks for the upload

[@elliotdavidson7137]

Thank you Nick! would this work OK with a Kaossilator Pro? I've never managed to get it set up like u did in the Kaossilator review. Really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[@romboid]

Thanks tor videos like this one!

[@ohmrjames]

hehe, squirted down via USB! Great review again, thank you Sonicstate :)

[@josephmills3864]

Other than the cv I think my mpc will do what I need. I guess I will need something like this if/when I do need CV.

[@_c_y_p_3]

This one aged well! This thing will end up in the hall of fame.

[@sinsofourfathers]

Do the 12 volt gates mean that you have to attenuate if for a lot of synths, for example an ms20?

[@kuldeepgohel29]

Can you make a demo on showing how to control Behringer Model D via Arthuria Beat Step Pro; lot of people seem to be using those gears but there is no good video on showing the connectivity of both of them . Also I am planning to connect the midi from Arturia beat step pro and key step to the model d using the Y MIDI cable, so that I can have an arp from BEAT STEP continuously playing while I play live lead in to the model d using the Keystep. Pleas show a video of how to connect model d with the beahringde MODEL D! Thnxxx.

[@pluckasshed5343]

So could both the cv input output jacks be changed to just midi via the pc software

[@NF-xy6br]

nick ur videos do the damage!!!

[@funkyfredfrog]

Nice access t shirt!

[@csrader]

Want

[@inftytb]

This thing looks amazing, especially considering the price. Thanks for the great review, als always. Would it be possible to use it as a MIDI-CV interface, i.e. play an analog synth from a MIDI keyboard as opposed to sequencing it?

[@inftytb]

To answer my own question: yes, it can. But only when the sequencer is not running. It is even described in the manual. This thing becomes more interesting by the day.

[@guymorrison4800]

Little bit difficult working out connecting drums machines - you can run one in via one of the midis but can you connect via the drum out when eg drumbrute impact only has three ins with multiple sounds for each . I’d want the two midi outs for two synths.

[@dinogoldie9716]

Is there a way of hooking up two Volca Drums (each with 6 voices that can be assigned to either a single or 6 separate MIDI channels) to the BSP's drum sequencer? For instance, could row 1 of the BSP pads control Volca Drum 1 via MIDI channel 10 and then row 2 control a 2nd Volca Drum via channel 11? (or whatever MIDI channels)? Can this thing do triplets? Can you microstep nudge notes or step shift sequences?

[@jrtayloriv]

@8:56 you ask how it is possible to have a 5V input and a 10V output (how can you have more voltage coming out than coming in?). The answer is a circuit called a "boost converter" (or step-up converter).

[@NF-xy6br]

liked that song at the end

[@JustQualityMusic]

that first synth pad Nick plays sounds like EX-Machina one...you will know which one if you wached the movie/listened to the soundtrack..is that coming from erebus?

[@799riccardo]

Nick is the best of al the review..No doubt

[@AkAjjAcobsz]

Could I use the Korg MicroKORG with the Arturia Beat Step as well for looping?

[@FrewzD]

I'm looking for a video showing integration and midi mapping inside of Studio One.

[@miss.wright3035]

Tom's Diner was one of the best remixes ! Can you do some synth reviews alongside Nick Rhodes and Thomas Dolby ? Aside from Georgio Moroder being a synth pioneer, Rhodes & Dolby trail blazed midi mastery !

[@agustinbernal2760]

Hi, great video! Can you do 5/4 or 7/4 time measures?

[@williamwinslowhansen]

Wow a Simmonds man I wish I had mine still

[@leoperonoescribo]

Hi brother! Based on your experience. How can I save different BMPs for different projects in the BSP. I need to change time for the different songs. If it is not possible, is there any hardware that will allow me to do this? I have a Roland SPDSX with BPM for each song, but I did not get sync with the BSP. Obviously does not transmit messages Sync via midi, is there any magic box that does this work? thank you very much

[@BlakeFoster050]

since the simmons has 1/4 inch trigger outs and the beatstep has 1/8 inch, do you just use an adapter to link the two? or a special cable?

[@3000Stormer]

great maschine!!!

[@reazallykhan8614]

hi nick can I use this to sequence my Roland mc202

[@DjKrijn]

I want one, I bought online a microfreak, I'll probably buy this one also soon

[@zwerty007]

Can you do microtonal stuff with this? It looks like the outputs are all scaled to 12tet scales. Can you configure the user scale for not 12 tet scales?

[@noiselabproject9659]

How can I use my original beatstep, keystep & Beatstep Pro all together ? Now the old beatstep only has a midi out so it has to be the clock source, it goes through the keystep ok and then on to other gear without any double clock speed triggers but won`t go through the Beatep Pro without the Beatstep Pro filtering out all midi going through to it`s midi out apart from the dang clock. I used a thru box to split between keystep and Beatstep Pro and I get that 2 clocks making a double bpm thing ? in my setup, if only the Beatstep Pro could not pass on the midi clock from an external midi sync to it`s out then all would be fine. Any ideas anyone ? or will I just have to get some kind of device that filters out a midi clock from the Beatstep Pro`s midi out ? although the price of a device may not be worth it perhaps ?

[@djvartan]

What a bang for a buck!. Reading some of the comments, ill take this with a few bugs over a Rene any day!

[@neuron05]

+djvartan Actually, it is the perfect brother to Rene :)

[@foxglove9]

Excellent review once again! Does anyone know what that "Program Review" device Nick was using to (I think) switch camera views? Also what was the black box next to his laptop that I believe all the audio was being plugged into?

[@sonicstate]

Stephanie McKeon MIDI Designer Pro on an Ipad is the swticher controller, the blsck box was the Behringer X-AIR 18 Mixer

[@foxglove9]

sonicstate Thank you!

[@paul_ward_music]

Useful information. Can you tell me if it possible to trim/scale the pitch control Voltage coming out of this device? I have a MiniMoog that isn't quite 1 Volt per octave. Ah, you answered it. Sorry! No scaling What a stupid, stupid omission! Crossed off the buy list - Sigh...

[@Psychlist1972]

When this showed up, I was a bit bummed that you need the app for so much of the configuration, especially around the analog integration. I look to external sequencers specifically because I don't want to have my PC handy. I would have paid a bit more for a small OLED or something that lets you navigate parameters locally. But I can't have everything, I guess. :) It's a nice and solid unit, though, with a ton of features.

[@reazallykhan8614]

can I use this unit to sequence my old Roland mc202 ? thanks mate

[@reazallykhan8614]

+Robin Fitton it doesn't mate .. its cv sometimes its either speeding up or slowing down

[@reazallykhan8614]

+Robin Fitton I just want stop start to work and time to sync

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

that is why Elektron does a better job at sampling/sequencing in spite of the higher price tag.

[@orbitalchiller]

Can it record directly from inputs from a midi keyboard while using the sound from any connected device ?

[@reneharmsen5403]

Is it possible to record the transpositions shown on 13:50?

[@lusbeklusbek4557]

So, NO POLYPHONY at all ?! I really can't sequence chords with an analog poly synth ? Maybe a way with the drum sequencer track? Thanks

[@christophermoody6840]

The first 19 seconds sounds like cash money millionaires project chick from the early 2000's

[@DJBENVERA]

I have a Simmons SDS9. Did you connect it to the BSP using CV or MIDI? curious what voltage was used if using CV...?

[@fadyaswad1503]

Hello nick, great review as usual! Could you please tell me the commands I should use in the MCC to allow my beatstep pro to control program change on a sub 37? I was able to do it for the slim phatty but for some reason I can't find a way to switch banks on the sub 37. Thanks!

[@sonicstate]

You need to set the LSB and MSB bytes which are on each of tha BSP pads if you set them to Program change mode. But they only work after you send the Controller setup to the BSP

[@fadyaswad1503]

I've been around synths for a couple of years, but It wasn't until recently that I've gained interest in Midi CC, so please bear with me. I've tried all sorts of combinations of CC 0, CC 32 and program changes to no avail. Can you please guide me through the process using a practical numerical example? Ex: I want to go to bank 4, preset 16, what would be the commands and CC values that I need to use? Or if there's any documentation readily available it would be great as well, Thank you!

[@yavamaystudio8380]

What is project ,what for is it ? working only with cv gates analog ?? is possible to create all song with automatic changing pattern ? im using midi to trigger my modules ,my beat pro dont remember pattern recorded in order when i switch off how to resolve ?

[@iNuchalHead]

Was the Arturia Beatstep Pro ever discussed on Sonic TALK?

[@iNuchalHead]

Sonic TALK 410 c. 34:50

[@normichtrailrider.7343]

+Sonicstate can I hook this up to a let's say a korg minilogue and record a sequence via midi , then play overtop of it ?

[@normichtrailrider.7343]

@sonicstate

[@orbitalchiller]

i want to know that type of things as well. It will always be within the limitations of the synths you are using though, this is not some kind of looper, if you see what i mean.

[@normichtrailrider.7343]

orbitalchiller I have a pigtronix infinity looper , and I can accomplish a loop , but the thing is the midi sync from my minilogue to the loop pedal is wacky , because my minilogue is receiving master clock from my arturia drumbrute.

[@orbitalchiller]

I ve been looking into the Pigtronix Infinity as well. I want to keep my gear as simple and computerless as possible and play long sequence and be able to stack upon them. I guess the Arturia BSP is a machine with so much connectivity possibilities you could just pick one to experiment with it and always find a compromise. I wish they would have made a Beatstep Pro / Keystep sandwish. Maybe a Keystep Pro is on the way ? BTW i have a minilogue too, nice sounding synth. :)

[@BruceCastillo]

can i trigger a simmons sds 1000 with this via the gate outputs?

[@jamessisson3703]

Typically Mr Batt, a voltage can be boosted using a Ferrite Ring wound with Copper Wire and Switching Transistor. It's probably been miniaturised into a single component by now.

[@leomaz9763]

Hi, I need you to show the Connectors with the rhythm machine. The connection from the rear panel to the rhythm machine. Thank you! Hola, necesito que muestren los Conectores con la máquina de ritmo . La conexión desde el panel trasero a la máquina de ritmo . Gracias!

[@cjayamsterdam]

been thinking of getting one of these for a while now. just wondering, can the drum sequencer also be used as a third "regular" sequencer? i mean, can i use seq 1 - seq 2 and the purple drum sequencer all 3 for synth? for example 1 is my rev2, 2 is my nordlead and 3 is my blofeld? or is the purple drum section really just for drums? 🧐

[@fincorrigan7139]

Yes as of Firmware 2.0 (2 years ago) but it is restricted to 2 Octaves. It may have been upgraded since then though

[@theshinyobject2438]

Excuse my confusion but are we talking about one measure here? how many messurs can you line up

[@Marc_Angel]

Cocorico!!!

[@DoctorRazzArea4]

i wanna sync up my polysix, tr606, and yamaha rx-11 but I feel like it'd be waaaaaaaaay too confusing with this thing

[@derivativ3]

I absolutely love this unit, it’s an amazing piece of hardware but I have one minor problem with it: Aesthetically the user interface is wonderfully well made, except the horrible color choice of the purple and yellow. Is there a way to apply some kind of thin plastic overlay/skin to it? quite a minor issue and mainly personal preference but it would be great to see another option Amazing demo as always

[@cresshead]

Q. 4/4 time signature only correct? another Q. no song mode i guess but can you select and chain patterns?

[@sweeterthananything]

cresshead 1. incorrect! by setting last step to 12 or 9 or whatever you want. you can even have different lengths on each sequence for polyrhythms. 2. no, also not even quantizing on the pattern changes, although that's the most requested feature for future updates. the thing to understand is that despite having modern features it's more like an old modular sequencer (e.g., ARP. SQ-1, etc) than a groovebox or electribe in its roots. features that might look like are there for live performance tweaking are more for fast ideas and inspiration.

[@DJSTOEK]

🖤

[@MusicFed]

so can this do portamento or not?

[@fkthewhat]

should be performing nick!

[@michaelwayne680]

Does it work thou had mine for 2 weeks its a big paper weight.