Arturia Updates KeyStep MIDI Controller To 1.1. Here's What's New

The firmware update version 1.1, which is immediately available to all Arturia KeyStep users, adds additional functionality and features, and is free of charge.  

Since its release, the Arturia KeyStep has quickly become one of the stand out MIDI keyboard controllers for hardware synthesists and DAW users alike. The size factor, playability, programability, and set of features, CV and MIDI compatability,  along with a very reasonable price make this a serious contender for inclusion in most music studios.

And now Arturia have just made KeyStep even better thanks to the latest free 1.1 firmware update. Here's what's new...

Arturia KeyStep

New sequence length controls

Record + MIDI Channel to set sequence length

  • Holding Record and hitting one of the 16 first notes sets the sequence length.
  • If the previous sequence length was smaller, it adds silences
  • If the previous sequence length was bigger, it truncates the sequence.

Add multiple steps with MIDI Channel notes

  • Hold Record, and press a MIDI Channel note to add that number of steps to the sequence length.
  • If the previous sequence length was smaller, it adds silences
  • This can be done multiple times, and is truncated at 64.

New “Armed” setting
This new option changes the way sequencer and arpeggiator of KeyStep behaves when it receives clock signals. This can be toggled “on” and “off” in the MIDI Control Center.

  • ON: the user arms the sequencer by pressing Play. When armed, an incoming clock signal will start the sequencer. Otherwise, KeyStep will stay in STOP mode. In this mode, the incoming clock will be transmitted even when the internal sequencer isn't playing.
  • OFF: the sequencer will automatically play and send clocks when an external clock signal is received on the selected clock source.

Updated tempo quantizing behavior

Now, you can press Shift and Rate to fine-tune the tempo, quantized to 1 BPM.

If you select or tap a tempo, you can hold Shift and Rate to adjust the tempo +/-10 BPM around the previously set tempo.

Updated Arpeggiator octave behavior

By holding Shift and Oct +/- in the Arpeggiator mode, you can adjust the notes of the arpeggio by +/- 4 octaves.

New randomness options

Building on the original fun random element of KeyStep, version 1.1 offers exciting, creative new randomness abilities in the Arpeggiator. This behavior can be changed in the MIDI Control Center.

  • Full (legacy): the notes played are totally random
  • Pattern: every new note entered or released in the arpeggiator will generate a random pattern of N steps, using the pressed/held notes and the current octave.
  • Brownian (drunk walk): after every note is played, it has a random chance of moving forward, backwards, or staying on the same step.

New MIDI Control Center options

Added LED brightness setting.
Multiple small enhancements and bug-fixes.

 

Wait, What is KeyStep?

Simply put, KeyStep is a fun, powerful controller keyboard and step sequencer. It can be used as a MIDI controller for software instruments, or as an external arpeggiator or sequencer to hardware synths and modular rigs.

It’s one of the most recognizable keyboards ever made, and can be seen on stages, in studios, and on practically every booth at industry shows. It’s stylish, small, portable, and lets you unleash new-found creativity in your music with ease. 

HOW TO UPDATE

  • Connect KeyStep to your computer using USB
  • Open the Arturia MIDI Control Center software (download it for free at arturia.com)
  • Select KeyStep from the dropdown menu
  • Select Firmware Revision, and Update

 

Rounik is the Executive Editor for Ask.Audio & macProVideo. He's built a crack team of professional musicians and writers to create one of the most visited online resources for news, review, tutorials and interviews for modern musician and producer. As an Apple Certified Trainer for Logic Pro Rounik has taught teachers, professional... Read More

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