The Best MIDI Keyboards of the ARTURIA brand

Obviously this really is a ridiculously long review so that the TL;DR version :: The KeyStep has a few insects and some small items to improve on, but general for the price, it’s exemplary! ::

I actually wanted a BeatStep Pro but there have been too many bad reviews about insects etc so took a risk with this alternatively.
don’t allow everything you’ve continue reading the BeatStep professional put you off this! (maybe not bashing the BSP – it simply appears a touch too high-risk right now for my liking. I may well pick one up ultimately)

So I updated the firmware regarding the KeyStep first. For guide, this was to Firmware variation 10.0.0.5

First problem – my KeyStep wasn’t saving for the initial 3 times. I had really come to the conclusion if you would like save that it was similar to this by design and I had misunderstood exactly what I read before buying, and figured the Control Centre is employed. It absolutely was currently in the firmware that is latest and I don’t alter what I ended up being doing or any settings in the Control Centre nonetheless it simply began saving all of a sudden, and has now worked since. Strange and just a little concerning, but great now that it is auto-saving.

I stay away from a PC as much as possible with my music setup, since I invest the others of my life on one, so don’t try depth during the Control Centre however it appears fairly self-explanatory and well presented.

The arp is plenty of fun and works perfectly well. No issues here. It is exactly what it really is. Hold one key down and keep increasing the pattern in the purchase set by the knob.

The mod and pitch strips have become responsive and work very well. There isn’t any indicator to exhibit where you are in the mod strip though.

It really bothers me personally that there’s no on / off switch. Why, Arturia? Whhhyyyy???

The KeyStep quality/build is great – it is solid and contains good fat (this has a metal dish regarding the base). The keys are an ok size plus don’t really ‘need’ to be full size offered what it really is, therefore it is fairly small and portable.. however…

I individually do not want it to be portable as it does not move through the home studio. I utilize a Korg K49 MIDI controller, that has size that is full, for several my gear and it surely will have fun with the tool’s sound via the KeyStep nevertheless the Arp or sequencer cannot be triggered utilising the K49 MIDI controller – you need to use the KeyStep tips straight. Bit disappointing, but you can play on the surface of the arp/sequence with all the controller that is midi affecting either pattern and that can get some good interesting outcomes. (exact same effect as playing the instrument directly although the KeyStep is operating).

The sequencer does just what it is designed to, and being able to switch MIDI channel easily is great – I have this connected to a MIDI splitter (Miditech MIDI Thru 4/Filter) and operating into a Korg Volca Bass, a Volca Beats, an Access Virus C and a Novation Bass Station 2. All four of these products have either a sequencer, arpeggiator, or both, but it is great to be able to toss the arp or sequencer pattern through the KeyStep at any of the devices. I can check out the keyStep that is same for each because of the quick push of shift+midi channel key. Playing both the inbuilt sequencers/arps therefore the one from the Keystep at that time that is same be interesting! Endless fun and perfect for motivation.

One thing I found which will be great and unexpected (and much more probably a Korg Volca plus than a KeyStep one but) it is possible to hit record regarding the Volca and press play on the KeyStep, therefore the arp or sequence will likely be recorded! The point is, although the Volcas have actually sequencers and therefore are quite capable, the KeyStep goes along with them very well!

One big enough issue I have actually along with it is you can’t set series size straight, and can not real-time record (as such) to create the distance. You can only ‘real-time’ record over a sequence, as soon as a sequence had been stepped in — so it is just a kind of step-record which can be updated live when there an sequence that is current improvement. It is possible to work for this rests which are making use of set sequence length and then playback in time because of the clock tempo (such as for example a drum machine), but it’s perhaps not ideal and does not work properly each and every time. I think it is does not catch a few of the rests pressed half the full time, when you add noise, the sequence is not almost so long as you thought it might be given just how many times you pressed the remainder key.
This definitely requires an update.

The KeyStep has randomly crashed since I got it – it simply locks up away from nowhere ..completely unresponsive, and has to be power cycled (but…NO POWER SWITCH!?) on me personally about 5 times. Not great, but I suppose maybe not a massive problem for my own entertainment just – probably not too good though if perhaps you were using it real time to entertain a venue saturated in people for me personally as I make use of it. The crashing occurred both on PC connection and attached to a USB that is standard charger. I do not have a power that is 9V to try it with however certain it might make any difference towards the crashing. Maybe whatever is inducing the crashing will be addressed in an update soon, or it may you need to be my one that does this, I do not know.

The MIDI Control Centre is nice and hassle free, although I don’t like exactly how it saves a fresh entry on every sync, and solitary simply clicking the conserved items shouldn’t auto load them. A small annoyance.

I get it using clock from a Roland TR-8 so do not utilize tempo knob on the KeyStep however it holds clock time completely well.

I’m only utilizing midi that is 5-pin and away, maybe not cv or sync, so others will have to offer their findings on those. I had shortly utilized the sync out for connecting to a Volca, which worked fine but I required clock to endure the MIDI out and sync simultaneously which it generally does not do (you must push the tiny switches during the back and choose one or one other (or internal or USB) not both at the same time…so I had to reconsider my connections. Maybe not a fault obviously however. It is by design, therefore merely to inform in case you had the same concept.

It’s got aftertouch, transpose, hold, 8 note poly sequencing! You probably realize that if you’re taking a look at buying one but I think it needs to be emphasised.

So ..despite any of the dilemmas I’ve encountered (and that’s why the 4 stars on handling & total), individually I still find it definitely worth the purchase and a lot of enjoyable. It surely improves my setup and gives me personally fresh tips and motivation constantly and it is at a fantastic cost!

And finally, great solution from Thomann as usual!!

I required an easy keyboard in order to connect either to a computer, a MIDI instrument or a modular synth. This one has all of the connections needed, this a a pro. The secrets appear to be quality that is goodI’m not a ‘real’ keyboard player, therefore I can’t inform).
The cons, yet, are quite several :
– If you want to replace the control voltage environment, or any environment, you will need to sign in for their website, download a software, produce a file, save yourself it to an USB drive, go offline, plug your keyboard into the computer, upload the generated file, etc. I’m unsure if I’m accurate sufficient, this is so complicated I’m not certain I understood every thing. Not to mention, there is no Linux version. You will want to an source pc software that is available ? To be honest only a micro-controller with a few tips and knobs, perhaps not a jet fighter !
– When you replace the octave environment, the key flashes white colored.
that is distracting and cannot be changed, even with their software center thing. Users complain, nevertheless the company does nothing.
– The firmware was not updated for 36 months. Although it only actually leaves you with some annoyances just like the flashing buttons, it is an idea that they’re in no rush to present customer support.

I have actually absolutely no regrets buying this.
It works so well with my Arturia V collection, also aided by the Ableton Suite. I had no nagging problems getting hired to work with Sibelius too.

I was just a little worried before I got it that my rock-climbing guy fingers may not such as the mini secrets, but my issues were unfounded. The keys are good to relax and play, very expressive and appear to be able to take a beating. The system that is whole sturdily built and genuinely appears more expensive than it had been. I’m little of a finger drummer but the velocity sensitive pads are of the identical quality that is high the rest of the device. Having 16 rotary encoders is a life improvement that is genuine. I was previously using a mouse :p

The pitch and modulation strips work very well. The pitch fold auto-centers when you let go, since it should.
The modulation strip will stay at the value of the final touch.
Controlling modulation via a touch sensitive strip is actually much better than having a wheel, if you’d like because you can select specific values without moving through the intermediate values. That just isn’t possible with a wheel, therefore yay 🙂

So, I’d say if you’re interested in a 2 octave midi controller on a tight budget the MiniLab is excellent bang for your buck.

purchased to produce electronic music, it is very well developed therefore the tips give a normal reaction when pressed (quite near to a genuine piano). the knobs aren’t super smooth nonetheless they are endless encoder that makes them a very addition that is nice to similar services and products. You get a good choice of presets you need to install plenty of computer software to use all of them with it, but.

I’ve bought this MIDI Controller for my house studio setup, mostly to make use of with Ableton Live.
the style (much like every Arturia item) is outstanding. Quality is also good, but I’m missing more functionalities being unique control the DAW. The actual DAW Command Center part is worthless for me personally since I have Push2.
It is great if they range from the Arpeggiator function the KeyStep has into this controllers.

Found this a great starter MIDI keyboard . The fact it comes down with Arturia soundlab and Ableton Live Lite was the good reason i bought this . It is easy to use also you are going to after per week in the event that you didn’t understand much about MIDI Keyboards . It really is light and appears great when all plugged in also .

Had my eye with this keyboard for my home studio after making use of a cheaper 25 midi keyboard for much too long. It is addition has already established a impact that is huge of on my innovative process and keeps me motivated.

Pros:

It’s insanely lightweight. Therefore if willing to purchase a good, situation portability defintely won’t be a back sore.
If you are big into Arturia VSTs this works really efficiently for filter & ADSR adjustment, very easy to proceed through presets. For Abelton users being able to have moderate control for the session if you find yourself recording straight down anything helps move without pauses and speeds the process up extremely somewhat, though most readily useful designed for live use.

Cons:
Though the quality is excellent for the purchase price, I do feel the tips might be a bit more heavyweight. Comfortable to play but would the feel just does not compare to piano secrets.
Aware the Keylab MK11 accommodates for this (though double the cost), the range of outputs is a bit small. Besides this this controller ideal for the musician that is electronic home studio or live use. Really worth every cent.

If you want to play keyboard as a musician, I would not suggest it. The keys are light and cheap, I dislike a great deal the secrets which are black colored whenever playing they offer almost no feedback. I definitly advice should you want to play piano/keyboard to buy a much better keybed and secrets.

I happen utilizing Arturia’s V assortment of synthesizer plugins for quite a while and decided to try their equipment considering this experience. The keyboard appears great and is sold with a lot of good features. But, a BIG minus is that the pc software it utilizes is buggy and hard to create. The documentation supplied is lacking and there’s perhaps not assist that is a lot be had from their website. A shame, as it is otherwise a good product nevertheless the bad instructions and numerous pc software pests make for a frustrating user experience.

I recently started initially to learn music and discover piano. I chose to get a Midi keyboard I suggest a cheaper piano and a tool to write music ratings faster regarding the computer and perhaps later on an instrument to generate some music on my own because I thought its 2 in 1, and by that.

I like the quality and its particular features a lot but I had been only a little disapointed on how one of the keys’s feel compared to my Yamaha E413 that is a cheaper and older electric piano(and incredibly used). The important thing’s in the Arturia Keylab49 are a whole lot softer, these are typically to simple to press to feel good for me at the very least.

despite the fact that I might have made a blunder buying a midi keyboard considering I would also like to master to play the piano on, the Arturia Keylab is fantastic for creating music plus it works perfectly with Ableton, you rarely have to get in touch with the mouse/keyboard so it really speeds things out.

Pro’s: Great quality, a lot of features, works perfectly with music pc software’s

Con’s: Key’s are soft, response time is not as snapy as I could have liked to