Using An Arturia Beatstep With The MeeBlip Anode - Metamicrolabs.com

[@cartellimarroni]

Does those pads transmit polyphonic aftertouch to play notes like a keyboard with a midi polyphonic synth that suppor and receive the aftertouch signals?

[@AJC19811]

Getting beatstep tomorrow I’m now thinking of something with midi in to accompany it may get Volga beats don’t really need synths have circuit and iPad for synths or drums but want more gear to use with the beatstep

[@littleBIGsynths]

I had that beatstep and ended up returning it a couple days later because I didn't find any use for it, but this was before I purchased the volcas. now, since discovering the volcas... I've been wanting a step sequencer again! Lol Right now I'm torn between the Korg sq1 and the Arturia beatstep ( or maybe even the beatstep pro? If I want to spend the extra $$) I think I'm gravitating more towards the beatstep right now though. Thanks for sharing this vid.

[@MetaMicroLabs]

littleBIGsynths I went with the Beatstep over the Korg SQ1 because the SQ1 doesn't pass MIDI through the USB cable on out through to a connected instrument on the Beatstep's MIDI out. You also can’t transmit clock messages through the SQ-1 when it's connected to USB. Check out my review on the Beatstep - I wish someone had written a review like this before I purchased it, just to know it can be used in the real world. www.metamicrolabs.com/2015/05/14/mmlabs-review-arturia-beatstep/

[@MetaMicroLabs]

***** I'll probably pick one up when they become available. The feature I would find most useful with the Beatstep would be a BPM setting and the Beatstep Pro has it. I've got a SparkLE controller and the Beatstep Pro looks like it sequences drum patterns in a similar way, so that'll be interesting as well.

[@littleBIGsynths]

***** Yeah, that would be really nice to have. It is a super beefed up version of the beatstep; Extremely feature packed! I ended up getting the beatstep again though... only cause I got it for $70! Its a nice little gadget... but I agree that the beatstep pro would be 100 x better.So, maybe once i see one for a really attractive price... I will purchase one.

[@sirsynth225]

Nice vid and great demo of the Meeblip with the Beatstep. However, the Beatstep is only capable (99% sure) of sending out monophonic signals, and the Volca keys has 3 voices (100% sure) - so I think the full potential of the Volca keys can never be unleashed in this setup.

[@MetaMicroLabs]

+Sir Synth: It looks like you might be confusing the Volca's 3 VCO feature with 3 voice multitimbral capability. The 3 Voltage Controlled Oscillators found on the Volca are mixed together into one sound by selecting various pitches and waveforms. One MIDI channel input note triggers up to all 3 of the VCOs to play at the same time - but not each of them independently. In a 'multitimbral' synth, more than one MIDI channel can be received and assigned to individual voices or instrument patches. In this case, you would have the capability to play several independent musical parts at the same time. It would be very nice if the Volca behaved this way, but it doesn't. For another example, in the video I also use a MeeBlip Anode which is a 2 VCO synth - those VCOs are also triggered by one MIDI note input signal. You are completely correct that the Arturia Beatstep's sequencer is capable of only triggering MIDI notes on one channel at a time. By comparison, the Beatstep Pro can sequence notes on up to 4 MIDI channels at one time. If this isn't making sense to you, feel free to ask more questions - I don't mind explaining further.

[@JoeHensson]

+Meta Micro Just to clarify this. The Volca Keys is 3 Voice paraphonic - that means it can spread oscillators to three independently triggered midi notes. Then that sound of three Oscilators is routed through one envelope, one filter and so on. It is not polyphonic - where each voice has their own envelope. And it is definitely not Multitimbral - where each set of Voices might have an entirely different configuration of parameters. But yes, it can be triggered with multiple notes. So Sir Synth is right in saying that the volca keys, being paraphonic, has more capabilities than can be accessed with a monophonic setup.

[@troylange3553]

+JoeHensson Thanks for further clarification. The Volca Keys is a 3 Voice paraphonic synthesizer that can play up to three individual notes independently by choosing the (Poly, Poly-Ring) selectable modes, but these Voices are not MIDI addressable in a Multitimbral way - they cannot each be assigned to independent MIDI channels.

[@johncameron7143]

Is there any way to control two synths with Beatstep?

[@daionsavage]

Only if you want them to recieve the same midi messages.

[@pocojoyo]

Im considering the beatstep not so much for the sequencer, but as a midi controller, specifically for the 16 knobs. Nevertheless, Ive read bad comments of the Beatstep knob responsiveness: too slow (7 turns to get from 0 - 127 ) , and after the firmware update fast option is "too jumpy and unpredictable". How is your experience if any controlling other synths with the Beatstep knobs ?

[@MetaMicroLabs]

Charlie Angel I'd agree that the Beatstep knob response rate is too slow at it's default setting. I haven't had any issues since changing the knob acceleration value in the MIDI Control Center to 'Fast' or encountered any odd unpredictable behavior. There's a 'Medium' setting for the knob's acceleration as well. Most of the time my Beatstep knobs are mapped to Bitwig or Ableton parameters and they behave just like you'd expect.

[@pocojoyo]

Meta Micro Thanks. I already ordered it

[@jimmyhoffa2530]

So u simply plugged it in without first having to use a computer to do anything to it. Ill be able to plug my beatstep straight from the box into a sampler or drum machine that has midi in?

[@MetaMicroLabs]

Yes - And you can connect it to another device using the 5-pin MIDI connector, or by using the CV and GATE connectors if you're hooking up to modular synths.

[@jimmyhoffa2530]

Meta Micro thanks you. Really been helpful

[@girlinagale]

What is the make of your tiny mixer?

[@MetaMicroLabs]

+girl in a gale: It's a Behringer Micromix MX400. They cost around $25 US.

[@girlinagale]

+Meta Micro Thanks. I recently bought a Behringer Xenyx usb mixer but when I realised it wasn't usb bus powered I sold it. I'll look at your type as good for live volume control of Android phone synth (Node Beat and Heat Synthesizer), Korg Volca Keys and sax through a Boss vocal performer.

[@troylange3553]

+girl in a gale: Keep in mind that it's a 4-channel mono mixer with one mono channel out.

[@girlinagale]

+Troy O'Hanley (Meta Micro) yup I really need a mono unit because I can hand one mono lead to the PA. Only issue is power supply, too many power bricks in life, I use an Anker 9/12v battery if possible.

[@girlinagale]

+Troy O'Hanley (Meta Micro) went to music store and got a very similar mixer and it has a 9v barrel connecter or an internal PP3 9v battery. Just £15. Meridian WAM-290.

[@DatSchreihals]

8:05 original sounds of Tron XDXD

[@MetaMicroLabs]

;)