Arturia BeatStep Pro Controller Dynamic Performance Sequencer

Product Information

The time-base for each sequence can be switched between 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, or 1/32 notes (with a triplet option for each). Nudging aside my usual reservations about the spirit of 1983 and MIDI adapters, a bigger concern was with this choice of micro–USB. Here, you have 16 discrete drum sequences that can be composed in real-time or via the step sequencing row. It works fine, but the Quick Start Guide’s claim it can provide connectivity to a tablet device is lacking a vital piece of information for users of iPads. I haven't experimented with the drum CV outs much as I don't have a hardware dum machine with CV inputs.

The same goes for plugins in a DAW, of course, and we can imagine many studio producers using it to create sequences on the fly that are subsequently recorded into their DAW for further editing. The melodic sequencers provide three 1/8" jack connectors each: Two CV outputs for Pitch and Velocity and one for a Gate output.

In lieu of switches that let you know which steps of a sequence are on, the BeatStep Pro relies on pads with LED backlighting. There’s no user control over whether notes, velocities, lengths or triggers are to be randomised; the results are a mixture of all these attributes. Additionally, the randomization and roll features also apply to the drum grooves, so your patterns can constantly shift and evolve as they cycle. Anyone expecting an elaborate scale–correction implementation that remaps notes or deactivates those not required on the keyboard will be disappointed. The system also lets you choose from a range of scales or, via the accompanying software editor, define your own, consisting of as many or as few notes as you like.

For a spot of harmless gratification, small sections of the running patterns can be looped, to a resolution of between quarter to 32nd notes. In common with step sequencers of yore, the two melodic tracks are monophonic, but drum patterns can play up to 16 simultaneous notes. These are organized as 16 projects, with 16 sequences per track, which is ample for most live performance requirements. The knobs are designed for the onboard sequencing of the unit, and don't work well when MIDI controlling other parameters.The number of steps in each is set independently of the others, to 16, 32, 48 or 64, with manual adjustment of the sequence end point allowing for odd numbers - 15, 31, 47 or 63, for example. To take care of external drum modules there are eight drum gates, for all your hits to be triggered from the on-board sequencer. There’s nothing complex about using the BeatStep Pro: it doesn’t rely on sub-menus, multi-function buttons, or convoluted processes. The second is a very cool randomization algorithm that can be fine-tuned via two knobs: one for the degree of randomness and the other for ? Before trying to interface the BeatStep Pro to my older analog modular synths, I thought it would be easier to learn how to use the device with my iPad and some soft synths.