Arturia - Keystep - Portable MIDI Controller, Sequencer and Arpeggiator - 32 Slimkeys, 8-Memory Polyphonic Step Sequencer, 8-Mode Arpeggiator, CV-Compatible - Black

It is almost perfect. I'm going to give it 5 stars anyway, as 4 isn't enough. The only thing really lacking is more arpeggiator options (adding in more octave ranges, and different rhythms). Aside from that, it is a great controller. I'm going to echo what everyone else has said and say the build quality is surprisingly great. Pictures of it make it look much more plastic and lightweight than it actually is. It's a solid build, very sturdy, and the keys have a slight bit of resistance to them, which helps with velocity in particular. Lots and lots of connectivity options, and you can power this with either your usual 9V FX pedal adapter, or via whatever you'd charge a smartphone with (mains, power bank, computer etc). I think you can even power it via an iPad. I use it to control an Elektron Digitone, and if you're looking for the same thing then I'd recommend this. Very easy to change channels on the fly., and it worked right out of the box with no additional setting up or firmware updating. I feel most controllers are geared towards soft synths (often not even having the 5 pin MIDI sockets) so it's good that this covers all possible connectivity bases as I don't use a computer 90% of the time when I'm writing/performing. £100 doesn't normally buy you something as extensive as this. Great value and highly recommended.

I'm really pleased with this midi controller. I previously had a cheaper midi controller that I didn't enjoy using so didn't us it much. The keys on this feel really nice to use and don't make your fingers tired after using it for a while like my cheaper controller did (I believe the keys are semi-weighted). The channel aftertouch is a great feature that most mini controllers don't have. Build quality is really nice, it has a metal base and a decent weight to it. I'm using this controller on my desktop with FL Studio 20 and haven't had any issues setting it up. Since I'm using a DAW and don't have any hardware synths I haven't made use of the extra connectivity and on-board sequencing yet, although they seem great to have if I want to expand in the future. I think this controller is great for a home studio, but think it's too big/heavy if you intend to use it on the go with your laptop!

I like it can be used with MIDI as well as CV for us with analogue synths and has a sequencer and Arpeggio mode as well. A couple of niggly things: When using CV if the USB lead is plugged into something different than the sound output then it will pick up a hum. This happened when the keyboard was plugged into the laptop and my USB Audio interface was plugged into a USB hub. This solution is to make sure they are both plugged into the laptop or both plugged into the USB hub, also the keys are slightly smaller than a standard piano, as described but is still playable.

Hardware synthesizers are a new game for me. In fact, I've really only ever used soft synths for the last twenty years, and very rarely ventured beyond preset patches. Last year, though, I started recording (properly) again and I wanted to catch up on all I'd been missing (ignoring) in the synth world. I bought a second hand Arturia Minibrute and fell in love with it - but although the Minibrute has an arpeggiator, it doesn't have a sequencer. A little internet research later and I discovered that you can integrate an external sequencer and one particular YouTube video convinced me that the KeyStep was what I was looking for. I was amazed to find it at this price and assumed it was probably less fabulous than the YouTube video was suggesting. I was wrong. This is a well built, well featured sequencer/arpeggiator that has all the connections I need to allow me to connect to the Minibrute and all my software instruments (via midi and USB respectively). All the features are already described in the product listing so no need to duplicate that here. There's also a very fair and constructively critical review in SOS that's worth reading. I haven't done more than scratch the surface and I am already impressed. Of course, being a fussy git I have also found a few limitations, but no show stoppers. After forty years of playing in bands and writing and recording music, I am finally building a more integrated studio and while the KeyStep is only a small part of it, I think it will be an important one.

Using this with any softsynth or hardware synth, especially with the Arturia V Collection, this keyboard has features of use to musicians and composers alike. Surprisingly playable keys, light enough to take with you out and about, and pretty tough in coping with gigging. Set this up or program it, and you have a surprisingly powerful bit of kit for a great-value cost. Works alongside other controllers, and although the keys are slightly slimmer than larger keyboards, the fingers don't miss - and the feel is good.

Bought this recently to expand my set up and am very pleased and impressed with just how easy this keyboard is to use. Synced perfectly with my daw. Great for sequences and fantastic arpeggios. I make Industrial/EBM music and this is perfect for making those bone crunching bass lines we all know and love. Excellent midi keyboard too. Nice action with the keys. I’d thoroughly recommend this product.

If you have gear which connects to MIDI via TRS, make sure you get the right one. The Arturia Keystep uses a MIDI to TRS Type B connector. Other equipment, such as the Make Noise 0 Coast, use the MIDI to TRS Type A connector. I really didn't know there was a difference and spent days pulling my hair out, but in the end it was a very simple solution, but not one which is clearly explained when you go out to buy either of them. The Keystep itself is fantastic, easy to use but with enough sophistication and excellent connectivity to inspire the most creative of users and also the ones who like to get technical, or both. Really good construction as well if you are intending to take it on the road.

In my haste to get at the Keystep, i accidently tosed aside the enclosed USB cable. This must have been sitting on the surface in a 'clever' recess cut into the packaging. I simply didn't see or hear it as it rolled under my sofa. To make matters worst, believing the usb was missing, I resorted to my own micro usb cables, which it turns out were 'charge only' cables. This meant the device powered up ok, but wasn't recognised as connected to the USB data ports. There are no data lines on charge only cables. Consequently, the Arturia software I downloaded refused to see the Midi device. So there i was disappointed. I had the unit repackaged, with the return label printed. I was all set to return it to Amazon when at the last minute i decided to order a micro usb data sync cable. Well i could wait another day to test this theory. Only after the order was placed did i start rooting around again, to eventually find that missing link. Moral of this story. Slow down. Give Arturia credit for being the professionals they are. Consider all the other possibilities, and maybe, just maybe, you'll stop yourself right at the last minute from making an embarassing mistake. Now lets see, can I cancel that order for that micro usb data sync cable.... Now i've had a chance to play around with this the keyboard a quick word about usage. It comes with just about every interfaces you might require. I wont list them all here, but to counter another reviewer it will connect to an iPad. This is done directly through the usb 'camera' kit or indirectly through a powered usb hub. The key thing to bare in mind is the cable from the keyboard must support data ;) and also the app must support midi. Support software is available which you can download from the links provided. There is the latest firmware as well as 'the midi control center' useful to program the built in aprpedggio, although you can get by without the software. The built in 4 bar sequencer works for single notes as well as chords but i didn't find it that intuitive, so help from youtube is advised. There's also the usual Ableton lite which you get via a registration to Arturia. Whether using with a Daw or with other hardware, there are enough interfaces to control most things, from the older devices like moog's CV analog controls, to the latest Korgs and Novation grove boxes. enjoy!