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

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.

This is the best small format keyboard I have purchased. I actually use every function in this mini keyboard. The keys feel weird at first as it is not mini keys (kind of reminds me of the Korg Minilogue) but in-between mini and medium sized keys. The ribbon Pitch Bend and Mod Wheels work fine. It has velocity sensitive keys and supports aftertouch. What makes this great is it has a built in sequencer, an arpeggiator, and the best part is the support for MIDI, Sync and CV. If you have older MIDI gear or Modular setup, this can be used for both. Also, while you have a sequence playing from the keyboard, you can send to another device your live playing. I have hooked up an old drum machine with a sync out, connect sync in to the Keystep, have the Keystep play a sequence to the modular and play the Waldorf Pulse 2 via MIDI. That's pretty sweet for something in this price range. Must have for noodling around or for live setup of modular synth and drum machine.

En primer lugar, el teclado llegó el día de después de pedirlo. A parte de eso es un teclado de tamaño no estandar, es decir más pequeñito. ✅ Si lo que quieres es un teclado bonito, bien construido, barato, que incluya un arpegiador y un secuanciador y con alguna que otra función añadida como los touchpads para el pitch y modulación. Y si además quieres otras funcionalidades como poderlo conectar a prácticamente cualquier interfaz, o sintetizador externo, o virtual: Este es tu teclado. 🚫 Si buscas un teclado de tamaño estándar o con presets de sonidos internos, este no es tu teclado. No es un sintetizador, o un piano electrónico. Nada de eso. Sin embargo lo he probado con los drivers y ableton live (Que por cierto, *Viene incluido gratis* en su versión standard) y va como la seda. No tengo ninguna queja al respecto. El único problema (a causa de mi desconocimiento) es que en la parte posterior tiene unos switches que dependiendo del uso que vayas a dar puntualmente al teclado (conectarlo al ordenador, conectarlo a un sinte analógico o a otros tipos de interfaz) Los tienes que ir cambiando de posición y se puede hacer incómodo si lo quieres usar con cacharros diferentes ordenador etc muy de seguido. Por lo demás es un teclado maravilloso y lo recomiento especialmente para productores principiantes que quieran cacharrear con VSTs sin dejarse un dineral.

Excelente midi, secuenciador y arpegeador, además viene con instrucciones claros para descargar un software

Excellent produit, pour les amateurs et les professionnels

Better than expected. I use this keyboard like a sequencer. The sequencer is amazing. I can use on all my analog gear and i love it. The product is very solid (metal) and the keys are smooth. Very well touch. This sequencer/controller is awesome.