Arturia KEYSTEP PRO User manual

USER MANUAL

Special Thanks
DIRECTION
Frédéric Brun Philippe Cavenel Sébastien Colin
ENGINEERING
Yannick Bellance Sébastien Colin Yannick Dannel
INDUSTRI LIZ TION
Jérôme Blanc Lionel Ferragut
TEST
Maxime udfray
Florian Marin
Benjamin Renard
Jean-Baptiste rthus
Victor Morello
BET TEST
Boele Gerkes
Gustavo Lima
Mark Dunn
Maxime Dangles
Paul Steinway
Tom Hall
Tony Flyingsquirrel
Chuck Zwicky
Terry Marsden
M NU L
Gert Braakman ( uthor)
Camille D LEM NS
Rob Stuart
Holger Steinbrink
Charlotte Métais
Minoru Koike
DESIGN
Sébastien Rochard
Edouard Madeuf
Maxime udfray
Jean-Baptiste rthus
Glen Darcey
DesignBox
Frédéric Brun
Yannick Bellance
© RTURI S – 2020 – ll rights reserved.
26 avenue Jean Kuntzmann
38330 Montbonnot-Saint-Martin
FR NCE
www.arturia.com
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of rturia. The software described in this manual is
provided under the terms of a license agreement or non-disclosure agreement. The software
license agreement specifies the terms and conditions for its lawful use. No part of this
manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any purpose other than
purchaser’s personal use, without the express written permission of RTURI S. .
ll other products, logos or company names quoted in this manual are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Product version: 1.0
Revision date: 27 April 2020

Thank you for purchasing the Arturia KeyStep Pro!
This manual covers the features and operation of rturia’s KeyStep Pro. KeyStep Pro is
a full-featured standalone keyboard controller complete with four polyphonic sequencers,
four arpeggiators, a wide-ranging set of USB, MIDI and CV connections and our Slimkey
keyboard that provides maximum playability with a minimal footprint.
KeyStep Pro is designed for the electronic musician looking for a reliable hardware product
that will give them fast hands-on control over up to four devices at once. Each device
can be played directly through the keyboard or controlled by one of the four sequencers/
arpeggiators. Devices can also be controlled through USB, two independent MIDI outputs
or four sets of CV and Gate outputs, giving users the ability to control nearly any kind of
electronic musical instrument available today.
In this package you will find:
• One KeyStep Pro controller, with a serial number and unlock code on the bottom.
You will need this information in order to register your KeyStep Pro.
• One "worldwide" power supply with interchangeable leads
• One USB cable
• The Quick Start Guide for KeyStep Pro
Be sure to register your KeyStep Pro as soon as possible! There is a sticker on the bottom
panel that contains the serial number of your unit and an unlock code. These are required
during the online registration process. You may want to record these elsewhere or take a
photo of the sticker in case it becomes damaged.
Registering your KeyStep Pro provides the following benefits:
• ccess to the latest version of the MIDI Control Center software
• Special offers restricted to KeyStep Pro owners

Special Message Section
Specifications Subject to Change:
The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing.
However, rturia reserves the right to change or modify any of the specifications without
notice or obligation to update the hardware that has been purchased.
IMPORTANT:
The product and its software, when used in combination with an amplifier, headphones or
speakers, may be able to produce sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss.
DO NOT operate for long periods of time at a high level or at a level that is uncomfortable.
If you encounter any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist.
NOTICE:
Service charges incurred due to a lack of knowledge relating to how a function or feature
works (when the product is operating as designed) are not covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty, and are therefore the owner's responsibility. Please study this manual carefully
and consult your dealer before requesting service.
Precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Read and understand all the instructions.
2. lways follow the instructions on the instrument.
3. Before cleaning the instrument, always remove the USB and power cables.
When cleaning, use a soft and dry cloth. Do not use gasoline, alcohol, acetone,
turpentine or any other organic solutions; do not use a liquid cleaner, spray or
cloth that is too wet.
4. Do not use the instrument near water or moisture, such as a bathtub, sink,
swimming pool or similar place.
5. Do not place the instrument in an unstable position where it might accidentally
fall over.
6. Do not place heavy objects on the instrument. Do not block openings or vents
of the instrument; these locations are used for air circulation to prevent the
instrument from overheating. Do not place the instrument near a heat vent at any
location with poor air circulation.
7. Do not open or insert anything into the instrument that may cause a fire or
electrical shock.
8. Do not spill any kind of liquid onto the instrument.
9. lways take the instrument to a qualified service center. You will invalidate your
warranty if you open and remove the cover, and improper assembly may cause
electrical shock or other malfunctions.
10. Do not use the instrument with thunder and lightning present; otherwise it may
cause long distance electrical shock.
11. Do not expose the instrument to hot sunlight.
12. Do not use the instrument when there is a gas leak nearby.
13. rturia is not responsible for any damage or data loss caused by improper
operation of the instrument.

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Arturia KeyStep Pro!
This fantastic keyboard controller gives you everything you need to quickly and easily
control up to four devices (virtual instruments, hardware synthesizers, modular synthesizers
or drum machines) at once. Its standalone design means that you can use it with or without
a computer and its four powerful sequencers/arpeggiators are sure to spark interesting
musical ideas and capture your best performances.
ll the essential features of a professional keyboard controller are here, including aftertouch,
pitch and modulation touch-strips, and clearly labeled buttons and knobs that are sensibly
laid out for fast, intuitive access. The Slimkey keyboard features great-feeling keys that are
smaller than standard piano keys but still large enough to allow for maximum playability
across multiple octaves. These keys make the product smaller and more portable but—make
no mistake—KeyStep Pro is built like a tank so that it can be taken on tour with confidence.
We hope the four polyphonic sequencers will unleash your most interesting musical ideas.
The RGB LED indicators above each key give you immediate visual feedback of exactly
what each sequencer is doing. You can specify the exact pitch, length, velocity, timing and
randomness of a sequence step through touch-sensitive knobs with surrounding indicator
LED rings. The dedicated note tie, transposition, overdubbing and hold buttons bring
immediacy and power to the sequencers. You can even set independent lengths for each of
the four sequencers for amazing polyrhythmic fun! Breath new life in your sequences by
playing them in a different key. Transpose them intelligently, they'll remain in key during
transpose. Invert them, Shift them forward or backwards in time. Then send it all out on the
four Voices to your Modular system.
The arpeggiators have many inspiring modes of operation beyond the basic (up/down)
modes. The HOLD function lets you easily create complex arpeggiations with up to 32
notes (!) and the step timing can be manipulated in realtime. Experiment with rpeggiators
like you've never done before! Create and mix the output of three arpeggiators playing
simultaneously. Mix arpeggios playing at different speeds.Finally, the scale quantization and
chord memory features will make you seem like even more of a musical monster than you
already are!
Use the Drum track to create complex polymeter rhythms; rhythms of different lengths
playing on 24 channels. Or use the first 8 channels to trigger drum units on your modular
system. Use the control tracks of the four sequencers to control filters, envelope stages,
reverb times on your external synths.
ll of its features are one SHIFT/CLICK away. There's no menu diving. If you need to change
settings there's a configuration menu, but it's a set and forget thing. The real stuff that
makes your music come to life is always at your fingertips. nd what features they are!
Four sequencers, that can play huge stacked chords in every step. dvanced step editing;
take the chord stored in a step and change only the notes you want to change in that chord.
In addition to the standard MIDI ports, there is a second MIDI port that you use to control
more gear or a DMX light controller.
KeyStep Pro has a massive number of uses thanks to its simultaneous USB, MIDI, CV/Gate
connections. Each of the its four tracks can output on USB, MIDI or CV/Gate simultaneously.
Each track on KeyStep Pro has control voltage (CV) outputs for Pitch, Gate and an extra
"modulation" CV output that allows for more creative sound design by letting you control
things like controlling velocity, filter cutoff, or any other parameter of your choosing. The first
track of KeyStep Pro can be set to function as a drum or "trigger" sequencer with 8 separate
CV gate outputs that you can use with analog drum machines or your modular synthesizer.

The powerful synchronization features let you use KeyStep Pro as a master clock source or
to have it synchronize itself to incoming USB, MIDI or CV synchronization signals. KeyStep
Pro can send and receive clock signals and even has a separate clock reset CV output jack
so that your external analog gear always remains firmly synchronized in both tempo and
phase (loops and sequences always start on the "one" together).
Our MIDI Control Center (MCC) software allows you to dive deep into the KeyStep Pro's
features and to reconfigure the product so that it works best for you and your setup. MCC
really opens up a lot of options and we have dedicated an entire chapter of this guide so
that you can understand all of the powerful options.
The Keystep Pro is a USB MIDI Class Compliant device. What does that mean and why
is it important? It means you can connect it to any other MIDI Class Compliant device
without having to install drivers. Only when connecting to an iPad you will need a camera
connection cable or a USB to lightning cable. rturia has a great line of iPad synthesizers
such as the iMini, the iSem, the iProphet and the iSpark. It's worth checking them out.
Be sure to visit www.arturia.com. That’s the place to go for the latest firmware and to
download the MIDI Control Center. You’ll also find links to our tutorials and F Qs.
KeyStep Pro is easy to use, so you’ll probably start experimenting with it right out of the box.
However, please be sure to read this manual even if you are an experienced user as we
describe many useful tips that will help you get the most out of your purchase. We're sure
you will find KeyStep Pro to be a great source of musical inspiration and we hope you'll use
it to its fullest potential.
Happy music making!
The Arturia team

Table Of Contents
1. Welcome and introduction .................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1. fascinating adventure..................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2. bout reading manuals..................................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Installation....................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1. Usage Precautions................................................................................................................................................................ 6
2.2. Warning ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.3. Register your Instrument................................................................................................................................................ 6
2.4. Connecting the KeyStep Pro to the World ........................................................................................................... 6
3. Basic Operations .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1. Plug and Play........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.1. Slimkey Keyboard ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
3.1.2. Keyboard MIDI Channel Selection................................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.1.3. Pitch and Mod Touch Strips................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.1.4. The HOLD Button .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.1.5. Sustain Pedal .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
3.1.6. Octave - / Octave + .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
3.2. Record and Play a Sequence.................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2.1. Time Division ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.3. Using the rpeggiator ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
3.4. Scales & Chords .................................................................................................................................................................. 13
3.5. Creating Splits ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13
4. KeyStep Pro Overview............................................................................................................................................ 14
4.1. Making the Connections.................................................................................................................................................. 14
4.1.1. ... with a Computer...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
4.1.2. ... with External Devices.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
4.1.3. ...with an iPad®............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
4.1.4. nalog Connections (CV and Gate) ............................................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1.5. MIDI Connections ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
4.1.6. Clock In/Out................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
4.1.7. Master or Slave ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
4.2. Front Panel Overview..................................................................................................................................................... 24
4.2.1. Tempo Section............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
4.2.2. Transport Section ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
4.2.3. Built-in Metronome Speaker ............................................................................................................................................................................. 26
4.2.4. SHIFT Button ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
4.2.5. Control Section............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 27
4.2.6. Track Sections (4x) .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
4.2.7. rrangement Section ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 30
4.2.8. The Step Edit Button ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 31
4.2.9. Step Buttons.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 31
4.2.10. The Main Encoders (5x)..................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
4.2.11. Keyboard Section .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
4.2.12. The Looper ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
4.2.13. Keyboard ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
4.2.14. SHIFT Functions ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
4.2.15. The Sequence Extend Section........................................................................................................................................................................ 45
4.3. Back Panel Overview...................................................................................................................................................... 46
4.3.1. Pitch, Velo/Mod & Gate Outputs....................................................................................................................................................................... 46
4.3.2. Drum Gates................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47
4.3.3. Clock Section............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 48
4.3.4. MIDI Section................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 48
4.3.5. Metronome Section................................................................................................................................................................................................. 49
4.3.6. Sustain Pedal Input ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 49
4.3.7. USB and Power Section ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
4.3.8. Kensington Lock Port............................................................................................................................................................................................ 50
5. Making Tracks .............................................................................................................................................................. 51
5.1. Sequencer / rpeggiator (or Drum) Tracks ....................................................................................................... 51
5.2. The Three rpeggiators.................................................................................................................................................. 51
5.2.1. What is an rpeggiator?....................................................................................................................................................................................... 51
5.2.2. HOLD and the rpeggiator ................................................................................................................................................................................ 52

5.2.3. Editing an rpeggio ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 52
5.2.4. rpeggiator Features............................................................................................................................................................................................. 53
5.2.5. Making the Most of the rpeggiators........................................................................................................................................................... 57
5.3. The Four Sequencers...................................................................................................................................................... 58
5.3.1. Exploring the Sequencers .................................................................................................................................................................................... 58
5.3.2. Recording ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 61
5.3.3. Editing Steps................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 64
5.3.4. Advanced editing ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 66
5.3.5. Working with Patterns........................................................................................................................................................................................... 67
5.3.6. Copy, Paste & Erase (Steps).............................................................................................................................................................................. 69
5.3.7. Copy, & Paste (Pages)........................................................................................................................................................................................... 70
5.4. The Drum Sequencer........................................................................................................................................................ 71
5.4.1. Drum vs. Seq Comparison .................................................................................................................................................................................... 71
5.4.2. Gates and Triggers................................................................................................................................................................................................... 73
5.4.3. Creating Drum Patterns........................................................................................................................................................................................ 74
5.4.4. Rhythmic Examples................................................................................................................................................................................................ 82
5.5. Special Features................................................................................................................................................................. 85
5.5.1. Scales................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 85
5.5.2. Chord Mode ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 88
5.5.3. Using Sync................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 90
6. What is a Project?..................................................................................................................................................... 91
6.1. Managing Projects.............................................................................................................................................................. 91
6.1.1. Loading a Project ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 91
6.1.2. Saving a Project ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 92
6.1.3. Copying a Project...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 92
6.1.4. Erasing a Project........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 93
6.2. ll about Tracks .................................................................................................................................................................. 93
6.2.1. Selecting a Track ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 94
6.2.2. Muting a Track............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 94
6.2.3. Soloing a Track .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 94
6.2.4. Creating Splits ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 94
6.3. Patterns.................................................................................................................................................................................... 95
6.3.1. Selecting a Pattern ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 95
6.3.2. Managing Patterns.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 95
6.3.3. Copy, Paste & Erase Sequencer Patterns ................................................................................................................................................ 96
6.3.4. Copy, Paste & Erase of Drum Patterns....................................................................................................................................................... 97
6.3.5. Erasing Patterns......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 97
6.3.6. Undo.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 98
6.4. rranging................................................................................................................................................................................ 98
6.4.1. Chains............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 98
6.4.2. Scenes .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 100
6.4.3. Wait to Load .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 102
6.4.4. Step Skip ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 102
6.4.5. Top-Down..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 103
6.4.6. Bottom-Up ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 104
6.4.7. Top-Down or Bottom-up?.................................................................................................................................................................................. 104
6.4.8. Other things to try.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 104
7. Timing............................................................................................................................................................................. 105
7.1. Tempo ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 105
7.1.1. Making it Swing.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 105
7.1.2. Metronome................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 106
7.1.3. Tap tempo..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 106
7.2. Sync.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 107
7.2.1. Sequencer Sync........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 108
7.3. Sync/Clock and Reset Outputs ............................................................................................................................... 108
7.3.1. Stop, Start & Continue........................................................................................................................................................................................... 108
8. Control Mode ............................................................................................................................................................. 109
8.1. What is Control Mode? ................................................................................................................................................ 109
8.1.1. What are CC# values?.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 109
8.1.2. CC# Patterns ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 110
8.2. Control Mode as D W utomation ......................................................................................................................... 111
8.2.1. Using CC# Patterns to Store and Playback CC Values ..................................................................................................................... 111

8.2.2. Recording Control Changes in Step Edit Mode:.................................................................................................................................... 112
8.2.3. Controlling Parameters in a D W ................................................................................................................................................................. 114
8.2.4. More about CC# Patterns ................................................................................................................................................................................... 115
8.2.5. Visual Feedback ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 115
8.2.6. Realtime Recording of CC# values............................................................................................................................................................... 116
8.2.7. Erasing CC# Values................................................................................................................................................................................................. 116
8.2.8. The Live Track............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 116
8.3. Front Panel Functions..................................................................................................................................................... 117
8.3.1. The Tempo/Fine Encoder ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 117
8.3.2. Tap Tempo/Metronome Button........................................................................................................................................................................ 117
8.3.3. The Swing/Offset Encoder................................................................................................................................................................................. 117
8.3.4. Transport Section ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 117
9. KeyStep Pro Configuration ................................................................................................................................ 118
9.1. The Utility Menu................................................................................................................................................................... 118
9.1.1. MIDI Channels ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 118
9.1.2. Sync.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 119
9.1.3. Metronome .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 119
9.1.4. Launch Quantize...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 120
9.1.5. MIDI Settings ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 120
9.1.6. CV Settings.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 122
9.1.7. Controller....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 123
9.1.8. Looper Touch Strip................................................................................................................................................................................................... 124
9.1.9. Drum Map..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 125
9.1.10. Miscellaneous.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 125
9.2. MIDI Control Center....................................................................................................................................................... 126
9.2.1. MIDI Control Center Basics............................................................................................................................................................................... 126
9.2.2. Device Projects ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 127
9.3. Project Browser ................................................................................................................................................................ 128
9.3.1. Building a Project Library................................................................................................................................................................................... 128
9.3.2. Revise a Template................................................................................................................................................................................................... 128
9.3.3. Revise a Pattern....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 129
9.4. Store To/Recall From.................................................................................................................................................... 130
9.4.1. Storing a Project to the KeyStep Pro.......................................................................................................................................................... 130
9.4.2. Recall a Project from the KeyStep Pro....................................................................................................................................................... 131
9.4.3. Template Utilities ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 131
9.5. Device Settings.................................................................................................................................................................. 132
9.5.1. Midi Channel............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 132
9.5.2. Sync ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 133
9.5.3. Metronome ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 133
9.5.4. Launch Quantize .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 133
9.5.5. MIDI Settings ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 134
9.5.6. CV Gate Settings ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 135
9.5.7. Controller...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 135
9.5.8. Touch Strip ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 136
9.5.9. Drum Map .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 137
9.5.10. Misc................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 137
10. KeyStep Pro and your Modular system ................................................................................................ 138
10.1. The Modular dventure.............................................................................................................................................. 139
10.2. Hardware or Software?............................................................................................................................................ 139
10.3. Using MIDI to Control Modules in VCV Rack............................................................................................. 140
10.3.1. KeyStep Control Mode and VCV Rack .................................................................................................................................................... 140
10.4. CV/Gate Functions ....................................................................................................................................................... 142
10.5. Voices 1-4: Pitch, Velocity and Gate .................................................................................................................. 142
10.6. Routing Signals............................................................................................................................................................... 143
10.6.1. Shift Magic................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 143
10.6.2. CV/Gate Signals: D W Configuration ..................................................................................................................................................... 144
10.6.3. CV/Gate Specifications..................................................................................................................................................................................... 144
10.7. Drum Gates....................................................................................................................................................................... 145
10.7.1. Which Keys Do I Use? ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 145
10.7.2. Can my D W send Drum Gate Signals? ............................................................................................................................................. 145
10.7.3. How Should I Route the Signals? .............................................................................................................................................................. 146
10.7.4. Drum Gate Specifications ............................................................................................................................................................................... 146

11. Declaration of Conformity................................................................................................................................ 147
12. Software License greement........................................................................................................................ 148