Arturia BeatStep Pro Controller Dynamic Performance Sequencer

Product Information

As a MIDI controller it has enough customizable knobs, pads, and transport controls to drive your music where you want it to go. Using the pads and shift key, you can change a pattern’s direction and playback rate or activate any of the scales printed on the panel. Although not yet flawless, looping is one of several non–destructive ways to avoid ‘sequence fatigue’.

Arturia are aware of this, but until there’s a solution, direction changes should be practised with care. This is one of several ‘opportunities’ to get out of sync, and not just with other gear but with other Beatstep Pro patterns too. That adapter is the stupidest Y shaped plug that requires this big open space to right behind the BeatStep on my desk so the tiny connecter doesn't snap off inside the Beatstep itself and I can move the cables around to get to where they need to go properly (apparently the micro USB port is VERY fragile so watch it).Everything you need to know about your Project is right in front of you, with an independent display for each sequencer so you know at a glance which sequence is playing. You can use MIDI over USB, 5-pin DIN MIDI (for connection to older MIDI hardware) or CV/Gate with eight CV outputs (for even older hardware). The drum sequencer, so sorely lacking from the original BeatStep, comes next, enabling you to craft whole live performances entirely from the one unit. Sporting a full array of CV outputs, plus MIDI and USB connections, everything from vintage synths to cutting-edge software is fair game for the Arturia BeatStep Pro's powerful sequencing and control. BeatStep Pro features three independent step sequencers and a set of general purpose MIDI controllers.

For a spot of harmless gratification, small sections of the running patterns can be looped, to a resolution of between quarter to 32nd notes. Here, you have 16 discrete drum sequences that can be composed in real-time or via the step sequencing row. The knobs are designed for the onboard sequencing of the unit, and don't work well when MIDI controlling other parameters.For maximum convenience, both CV outputs offer either Octave/Volt or Hz/Volt operation, joined by either V–Trig or S–Trig gates (a lusty 12V).

Programming drum sequences is a breezily straightforward process, with no real surprises if you have any previous experience with drum machines.For note entry and performance, the 16 backlit rubber pads transmit velocity and polyphonic aftertouch (once you enable this in software). Naturally, the drum sequencer also works via MIDI and USB, but in an impressive nod to the growing ranks of modular users, there are also eight voltage gate outputs for direct triggering of analog gear. It takes only a minor sprinkling of mental agility to map these positions to the more condensed layout of the step keys, which are arranged in a single row.