USER MANUAL
Special Thanks DIRECTION Frederic BRUN Nicolas DUBOIS Jean-Gabriel Philippe CAVENEL Kévin MOLCARD SCHOENHENZ Olivier DELHOMME Philippe CAVENEL ENGINEERING Sebastien COLIN Thomas AUBERT INDUSTRIALIZATION Jérôme BLANC DESIGN Sébastien ROCHARD DesignBox TESTING Sylvain LOURY Florian MARIN Maxime AUDFRAY Victor MORELLO Gaspard COTIN BETA TESTING Marco CORREIA Jeff HALER Alex THEAKSTON Grégory ROUDGÉ (Koshdukai) Gustavo LIMA Richard COURTEL Chuck CAPSIS Tom HALL Guillaume BONNEAU Jere
Thank you for purchasing the Arturia KeyStep! This manual covers the features and operation of Arturia’s KeyStep, a full-featured USB MIDI keyboard controller complete with a polyphonic sequencer, arpeggiator, a robust set of MIDI and C/V connections, and outfitted with our new Slimkey keyboard for maximum playability in the minimum space. In this package you will find: • One KeyStep controller, with a serial number and unlock code on the bottom.
Special Message Specifications Subject to Change: The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing. However, Arturia 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.
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Arturia KeyStep! This unique keyboard controller gives you everything you need to make music wherever you and your portable tech will be. Its compact size is due in part to its Slimkey keyboard; these great-feeling keys are smaller than standard piano keys but still large enough to allow for maximum playability. But this is no toy; as with all Arturia products, it’s built like a tank.
Table Of Contents 1. Introduction and Overview.................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1. A fascinating adventure ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2. About Reading Manuals ..........................................................................................................................
3.1.5. Selecting Strum type............................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 3.1.6. Sequences & arpeggios ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. Transpose / Kbd Play in Seq mode ..............
.2.1. Editing CC numbers................................................................................................................................................................................................. 68 8.3. Examples................................................................................................................................................................................. 70 8.3.1. Connecting knobs .......................................................................
1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW The KeyStep 37 is an advanced third-generation controller and sequencing station. It is both compact and versatile, with unique features that will spark your imagination and creativity in a new way. It enables you to connect to all your studio and performance gear and control it in ways you never thought possible. Controllers have come a long way. The first generation of controllers could transmit MIDI pitch and velocity over the 16 MIDI channels, not much more.
1.3. Installation 1.3.1. Warning Do not place this product in a place or position where anyone might walk on, trip over, or roll anything over power cords or connecting cables. The use of an extension cord is not recommended. However, if you must use one, make sure that the cord can handle the maximum current needed by this product. Please consult a local electrician for more information on your power requirements. This product should be used only with accessories supplied or recommended by Arturia.
1.4. KeyStep and KeyStep 37 The KeyStep 37 has many new fascinating features. When upgrading from a KeyStep the first thing you'll notice is a new function strip with four knobs (more about these later) and a row of 37 LED above the keys of the keyboard. The Keyboard LEDs will help you to check the status of notes you are playing on the keyboard and notes the Sequencer and the Arpeggiator are currently playing.
1.4.3. The Chord / CC unit At the right of the transport button, you'll find a Chord / CC unit with a status screen, a full colour backlit LED button and four 270° knobs. The Chord button on the Chord / CC unit enables you to create a chord that will play when pressing a single key. Chord mode on the KeyStep 37 is more flexible than on the KeyStep; you can use the four knobs to create various chord types and strum patterns. First of the mighty four is the Type knob.
1.5. Overview 1.5.1. Making the connections There are quite a few ways to connect KeyStep 37 with other types of equipment, from vintage to modern. Below are some examples of potential setups: 1.5.1.1. .....with a Computer KeyStep 37 is a USB class-compliant controller, so at its most basic level it can be connected to any computer with a USB port and used as an input device for various applications.
MIDI devices Many mid-vintage devices have MIDI jacks but don't have CV/Gate connectors or USB ports. KeyStep 37 can plug directly into them and also serve as a USB MIDI converter. Sync sources/destinations The Sync input and output connectors allow KeyStep 37 to synchronize with lots of different clock types: a single pulse per step, two pulses per step, 24 pulses per quarter note (ppqn), and 48 ppqn. Between these four options you are ready to connect with almost any imaginable music technology.
1.6. Front panel overview 1. Sequencer / Arpeggiator section 2. Tap Tempo / Rest / Tie 3. Transport section 4. Hold / Chord (with Shift) 5. Shift button 6. Oct - / Transpose (with Shift) 7. Oct + / Kbd Play (with Shift) 8. Pitch Touch Strip 9. Mod Touch Strip 10. Chord/CC Bank (with Shift) 11. Chord/CC knobs 12. Keyboard functions (with Shift) 1.6.1. Sequencer/Arpeggiator KeyStep 37 provides a sequencer and an arpeggiator.
1.6.1.1. The Seq/Arp toggle switch When this switch is set to Seq a sequence can be played or recorded. The controls in this section select which sequence is active and the time division at which it will be played back. When the switch is set to Arp the controls select the pattern and the time division for the arpeggiator. 1.6.1.2. Seq /Arp modes The function of the Seq / Arp Mode switch changes depending on which mode is selected. In sequencer mode it selects which of the eight sequences are active.
1.6.3. The transport section The Transport buttons control the sequencer, the arpeggiator, and external MIDI devices using MIDI Machine Control. But they also can send other MIDI messages if your DAW does not respond to MMC commands. Use the MIDI Control Center to make changes. All three buttons are active in sequencer mode, while only Play/Pause and Stop are used with the arpeggiator. Each button has an secondary function when creating a sequence (Append, Clear Last, and Restart).
1.6.6. Shift button The Shift button allows access to secondary functions such as Chord mode, access to the CC banks and the MIDI channel settings for the keyboard. It also can be used to modify the feel of the sequence 'on the fly'? by changing the Swing and Gate time settings. All of these features involve holding the Shift button and pressing another button or a key. For a complete chart of Shift functions, see section 3.4 [p.40]. 1.6.7.
1.6.8. Pitch & Mod touch strips These innovative controls take the place of the standard 'wheels'? found on traditional controllers.
1.7. Rear panel overview 1.7.1. USB/DC IN This jack provides the power and data connections to a computer. It can also be used with a standard USB mobile phone charger, allowing you to use KeyStep 37 even without a computer present. 1.7.2. 12V DC IN (with optional adapter) KeyStep 37 can be used as a stand-alone device without a computer. Simply connect an optional power adapter to your KeyStep 37 (12V DC, 1.5A, center positive).
1.7.5. Sync input/output These jacks allow KeyStep 37 to interface with pre-MIDI technology that was capable of synchronization, such as early drum machines. See section 6.2.1 [p.62] for information about the types of sync signals KeyStep 37 can send and receive. 1.7.6. MIDI input/output Connect standard MIDI cables and KeyStep 37 can send MIDI data to external MIDIcompatible devices. It will also send MIDI data to those devices from your computer.
2. BASIC OPERATIONS 2.1. Plug and play Connect KeyStep 37 to your computer or an external device as shown in section 1.1 [p.8] and you're ready to go! Here are a few pointers to make the most of your first session. 2.1.1. Slimkey keyboard The Slimkey keyboard is both velocity and pressure sensitive. You can specify the velocity curve and aftertouch response using the MIDI Control Center. See Chapter 9 [p.74] for details. 2.1.2.
2.1.3. Pitch and Mod touch strips The Pitch and Mod touch strips work the same as standard wheels, except that you slide your finger along the track instead of moving a wheel. 2.1.3.1. The Pitch strip The Pitch strip has a center zone which equals no change. Moving your finger forward bends the pitch upward, and moving backward bends the pitch downward. When you release your finger the Pitch strip will snap back to zero. 2.1.3.2. The Mod strip The Mod strip works like a mod wheel: from minimum to maximum.
2.1.5. Sustain pedal If you have a momentary footswitch, plug it into the Sustain jack on the rear panel. If it works backward, turn the KeyStep37 off then on again. KeyStep 37 will now sense the polarity of the pedal and it should work fine after that. There are several configuration options for the Sustain pedal in the MIDI Control Center. See Chapter 9 [p.74] for information. 2.1.6. Oct - / Oct + Pushing one of these buttons can transpose the keyboard by as much as four octaves up or down.
2.2. Select and play a sequence Important: The sequencer will not run if the sync selection switches are set to something other than Internal and no external clock is present. Note: Chord mode has limited functionality in Seq mode. We'll describe how the two work together in section 3.1 [p.25]. 2.2.1. Sequencer / Arpeggiator toggle switch To use the sequencer you must first set the Seq/Arp toggle switch to Seq. The position marked Arp selects the arpeggiator, which is covered in section 2.3 [p.22] 2.
2.2.4. Rate knob (set tempo) Use the Rate knob or the Tap button to adjust the playback tempo. You can also set the exact tempo of the sequence before starting the sequencer by pressing the Tap button a few times. With the MIDI Control Center you can specify how many taps of the Tap button it takes to adjust the tempo, and also how the Rate knob will respond when it is turned. See Chapter 9 [p.74] for more information.
2.3. Using the arpeggiator An arpeggio is a chord of which you repeatedly play the individual notes. It's what you hear when you hold a chord on a guitar and pluck the strings from top to bottom or the other way around. A major part of learning to play the guitar is figuring out how to play different fingerpicking/arpeggio styles. The arpeggiator on the KeyStep 37 does all these things for you.
2.3.3. Transport section Press the Play/Pause button, hold down some keys and the arpeggiator will start. You can add up to 32 notes to an arpeggio. Please read Chapter 5 [p.52] to learn how to do this. Press the Play/Pause button again to pause the arpeggio pattern, and a second time to resume playback from where you stopped. You can also restart the arpeggio while it's still running by holding Shift and pressing Play/Pause.
2.3.6. Hold button When the Hold button is lit you can lift your fingers off the keys and the arpeggio will keep playing. It will keep running until you play another note or chord, at which point the new note(s) will become a new arpeggio. You may add as many as 32 notes to your arpeggio as long as you continue to hold down at least one key. The notes you play will be added to the arpeggio at the nearest time division increment.
3. SHIFT FUNCTIONS For a complete chart of all the Shift functions, refer to the end of this chapter [p.40]. 3.1. Chord mode In Chord mode the KeyStep 37 takes a single note and builds a chord from it.
3.1.2. Playing single notes We'll first have a look at how chords are formed in Keyboard mode. In this mode the KeyStep 37 will take the note you play as root note and add the notes of the chord type that you've selected with the Type knob. If for example you've selected Oct as Type and you play a C on the keyboard the Chord generator will add a "C" one octave above it, two octaves above it and three octaves above it. Turned fully counter-clockwise the Type knob is off.
3.1.3. Setting Chord span with Notes The Notes knob sets the number of notes in your chord, from 2 to 16. It takes the root note you play on the keyboard and adds notes in the currently selected chord type, over a maximum of 4 octaves. The chord notes added in the first two octaves are replicated in the upper octaves. Fully counter-clockwise only two notes will play: the root note and the second note of the currently selected Chord type.
3.1.4. Setting the Velocity to Notes ratio When you press a key on the keyboard, the KeyStep 37 registers the speed with which you hit the key and stores it in a value range from 1 to 127. This value speed (called velocity) can then be used to control parameters on external synths. The KeyStep 37 uses this velocity value in a unique way: it is applied to the note span! In the fully clockwise position, all of the velocity speed is used to maximise the note span.
3.1.5. Selecting Strum type The Strum knob emulates the effect of strumming notes on a guitar. When you move a pick or your finger across the strings from low to high with a downstroke the strings will sound with a fixed delay. The lowest, 6th string will sound first, followed by the 5th to 1st string. When you strum faster the distance between the notes becomes shorter.
3.1.6. Sequences & arpeggios When playing a sequence, the notes in the sequence can be strummed. Just activate chord mode and hear how the individual notes of the sequence are extended to strummed chords. When gates in a sequence overlap the chord generator will restart when a new gate is detected. The actual notes you hear will depend on the current settings of the Chord knobs and the current Scale.
3.2. Transpose / Kbd Play in Seq mode These two modes are mutually exclusive so we’ll cover them both in this section. You can switch from one to the other by holding the Shift button and pressing the appropriate Octave shift button (Oct– or Oct+). 3.2.0.1. Transpose To activate Transpose mode, hold the Shift button and press the Oct– button. It will become lit and the Kbd Play button will go dark. When this mode is active you can use the keys to transpose a sequence while it is running.
3.3. Skip selections: Seq / Arp It’s possible to switch between non-adjacent sequences or arpeggio patterns without launching the interim selections. In other words, if sequence 1 is playing and you want switch smoothly into sequence 3, you can jump over sequence 2 without playing it. Here’s how: • Hold the Shift button • Turn the Seq/Arp Mode knob until you reach the desired sequence • When you’re ready, release the Shift button and the new sequence will launch.
3.5. Restart Seq / Arp from beginning It’s possible to repeat the first half of a sequence or arpeggio manually, or perhaps repeat the first few notes several times, etc., as a spontaneous performance option. To restart a sequence or an arpeggio pattern from its beginning, hold the Shift button and press the Play/Pause button. We will cover the Shift functions that are used during sequence creation in the next chapter. 3.6.
3.6.2. Gate The Gate time of a Seq/Arp note is the percentage of time it stays 'on'? before the next note happens, with 10% being the shortest time and 90% being the longest. Hold Shift and press the appropriate key to make a selection. Each sequence can have its own Gate setting. Arp mode has an independent Gate setting also. When creating a sequence it is also possible to enter a value of 'Tie', which holds a note into the following step. See section 4.2.1.2 [p.44] for information. 3.6.3.
3.6.4. Sequence 3.6.4.1. Mono The KeyStep 37 is able to playback sequences in Mono, even when originally they were recorded Polyphonically. In Mono mode only the lowest note recorded in the step will sound. All other notes will be stripped away. To activate MONO press Shift + Mono. To restore the sequence to poly mode press Shift + Mono once more. In Step Recording mode, the sequencer records only one note in each step. • Playing Legato fills the next step, and creates a tie between the two notes.
3.6.5. Scales Scales express emotion in music. A single melodic line can evoke many emotions, but when you add chord notes from the scale to that melodic line, the feeling will become much stronger. When you add notes of a major scale, the result sounds forceful and happy, whereas adding notes of a minor scale can make the same melodic line seem sad. At least, that might be your response if you were born in a culture dominated by western music.
When you play a scale only on white keys, ascending from the 5th step of the C major scale, G to G', you get another series of intervals: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, semitone, tone. This is known as the Mixolydian mode. Creating different scales in this way, each with its own special emotional feeling, is an ageold trick. Scales created this way are sometimes referred to as 'church modes', which were largely unused for centuries but rediscovered by jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.
When Scale mode is active, this can have a peculiar effect on your arpeggio or sequence: because all notes will be forced to play in the currently selected scale, there may be duplicate notes. For example, if you've set the scale to C major and you hold down an E and an Eb, because the Eb is 'foreign' to the C major scale, the Arpeggiator will play E twice, which causes a ratcheting effect. 3.6.5.2.
3.6.5.3. User Scales From the Arturia factory, the KeyStep 37 comes complete with three predefined scales, but you can create your own custom scales and store them as User Scale. In the example below, we'll add Bhairavi, a well-known and popular scale in Indian music. Bhairavi has lowered second, third, sixth and seventh steps. So, based on C, it plays as C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb (C'). To create this scale, we have to eliminate notes that are not part of it.
3.6.6.
4. CREATING SEQUENCES KeyStep 37 holds a total of 8 sequences, and each sequence can be up to 64 steps in length. The sequencer is polyphonic, capable of stacking up to 8 notes per step. In this chapter we will cover the front panel features, but there are more parameters available in the MIDI Control Center. You can also save and swap sequences using the MIDI Control Center, so you'll want to read Chapter 9 [p.74] for more information. 4.1.
4.2. Creating a sequence The sequencer will not run if the sync selection switches are set to something other than Internal and no external clock is present. There are three things you must do when you want to create a sequence: • Move the Seq / Arp toggle switch to the Seq position, as shown • Select a sequence location with the Seq / Arp Mode encoder • If a sequence is already running, press the Stop button. We already covered selecting and playing sequences in section 2.2 [p.
To hear your sequence, press the Play button. The results could be something like this: The Time Div value is ignored during step recording; it only affects sequence playback. ♪: ♪:To create an empty sequence of up to 64 steps, first press and release the Record button to enter Rec Step mode. Next, press and hold the Record button while tapping the channel keys to select the number of steps you would like for your sequence.
To hear your sequence, press the Play button. The results could be something like this: If you want the rest between two notes to be longer, press the Tap button as many times as you need. 4.2.1.2. Tie notes It's possible to make a note hold over into the next step, or even longer.
4.2.1.3. Legato notes The process for entering a Legato note is similar: • Press the Record button • Hold the Tap button until the end of this example Caution: the next step will erase the existing sequence. • Play one or more keys at the same time • Release all keys to advance the step • Play another key or chord • Release the keys to advance to the next step • When you have reached the end of the legato phrase, release the Tap button.
Here's another example. This time we'll build a chord that sustains through 3 counts: • Set Time Div to 1/4 • Press the Record button • Press and hold the Tap button until the end of this example • Play a C, then release it • Play C and E, then release the keys • Play C, E, and G, and then release the keys • Release the Tap button • Press Tap another time to add a rest • Press the Stop button.
4.2.2. Real-time record/replace KeyStep 37 also allows you to record or replace the notes in a sequence while the sequencer is looping. Here are a few things to keep in mind: • Real-time recording won't extend a sequence; you must record within the framework of an existing sequence. So you may first want to create a sequence of the desired length using step record mode. • It can be helpful to have an external drum machine slaved to the KeyStep 37 via MIDI or the Sync output.
4.2.2.1. Replacing notes As mentioned above, the notes you play while recording in real time will be quantized to the nearest step. Any notes that exist in that step will be replaced with the notes you played. So as the sequence loops you can replace certain notes by playing new ones within the timing range of the appropriate step. 4.2.2.2. Restart A sequence can have up to 64 steps, which can seem like a long time when you want to replace a note near the beginning of the sequence.
4.2.3. Adjusting the sequence length You can adjust the length of a sequence (from 1-64 steps) by using the Record and "MIDI Channel" keys on the keyboard. To do this, hold the Record button and press any of the "MIDI Channel" keys to set the length of a sequence. The note is not triggered while Record is pressed and Holding Record while pressing a note that is not a MIDI Channel note does nothing.
4.2.5. What is not recorded? Here are the types of data not captured by the KeyStep 37 sequencer: • The duration (gate time) of the note. However, a note will be tied into the next step if you hold it down long enough. • Time division changes • Swing percentage (saved with preset) • Controller data • Data that arrives via USB • Mono/Poly status • Overdub/Overwrite status • Scale selection 4.3. Modifying a sequence Now let's focus on ways to modify an existing sequence. 4.3.1.
Each time you perform one of those three functions the sequence will grow longer by one step. Remember: the CV/gate outputs will drive a single voice on a monophonic synthesizer. The MIDI Control Center has a parameter that specifies which note will be favored when a chord exists in a sequence step. See chapter 10 for details. 4.3.2. Clear Last This feature allows you to remove the last step of a sequence.
5. THE ARPEGGIATOR 5.1. What's an arpeggiator? 'Arpeggio' is a musical term that basically means '˜the notes of a chord played one after the other'. For example, if you play a C chord and then play its component notes C, E, and G independently, you have played an arpeggio in the key of C major. An example of notes in a chord The same notes as an arpeggio And you can play those three notes in any order and still have played an arpeggio in the key of C.
5.2. Arpeggiator features The KeyStep 37 arpeggiator provides lots of different ways to arpeggiate the notes you play on the keyboard. These features we've covered previously: • Setting the rate or tempo section 2.3.4 [p.23] • Time division settings section 2.3.5 [p.23] • Hold / sustain function section 2.3.6 [p.24] • Independent gate and swing settings section 3.6.2 [p.34] and section 3.6.3 [p.34] • Skip knob values sections 3.3.4 [p.32] and 3.3.5 [p.
5.3. Arpeggiator modes 5.3.1. Start the arpeggiator The arpeggiator will not run if the sync selection switches are set to something other than Internal and no external clock is present.
5.3.4. Arp mode: Inclusive With the Arp mode encoder set to Inc the arpeggiator will play the held notes in order from low to high, then from high to low, repeating the high note and low note. 5.3.5. Arp Mode: Exclusive With the Arp mode encoder set to Exc the arpeggiator will play the held notes in order from low to high, then from high to low, without repeating the high note and low note. 5.3.6.
5.3.8. Arp Mode: Pattern Select Pattern to put the Arpeggiator in a semi-random mode. Keys you press in a legato fashion on the keyboard are used by the Pattern algorithm to generate arpeggio patterns. Each time you press a key the KeyStep 37 will generate a new pattern. It's a bit like having a third sequencer. This is a mode originally introduced in our MicroFreak synthesizer. It can be used to quickly and spontaneously generate semi-random patterns that repeat.
5.4. Adding Notes in other octave ranges To add notes in other octave ranges simply press the Oct- or Oct+ buttons. This will move the point where notes are inserted in the arpeggio an octave up or down. Hold Oct- and Oct+ simultaniously to reset the insertion point to the default octave. Having read section 2.3.6 [p.24] you already know that the Hold button allows you to keep the arpeggiator running after you take your fingers off the keys.
5.5. Building a multi-octave arpeggio By default, the arpeggiator will play the notes you hold down and stay within the limits of that octave. Holding down Shift and pressing one of the Arp Octave keys will extend the notes beyond that range. When you change the octave range, the arpeggiator will also play notes in the octave(s) below or above the chord you play. Here's how: • select ARP mode and press play active the arpeggio • select an arpeggio mode. For this example we'll select the 'Up' pattern.
5.6. Pausing an arpeggio It is possible to pause an arpeggio in the middle of its pattern. Here's an example: • Select any mode but Random or Order (it'll be easier to hear what's happening) • Start the arpeggiator • Press the Hold button • Play a handful of keys to make an interesting pattern • Once you are familiar with how the pattern sounds, press Play/Pause in the middle of the pattern • The pattern will pause • Press Play/Pause again. The pattern will resume and continue playing normally.
5.7. Arpeggio Tricks 5.7.1. Ratcheting In chapter 3 [p.25] we've discussed one of the features that makes the KeyStep 37 rather unique: creating your own scale. This feature opens up a lot creative options when playing arpeggios, you could for instance create a scale with very few active notes; C, F, B. All other notes of the scale, when played will be quantized to these three notes.
6. SYNCHRONIZATION KeyStep 37 can be the master clock for a wide range of musical devices, or it can serve as a slave to any one of several sources. See section 1.1 [p.8] for connection diagrams. The Sync options are selected using different combinations of the rear panel switches. For example; in the illustration below the MIDI sync option has been selected. It's important to remember that the physical switch caps correspond to the white boxes in the graphics to the left.
6.2. As Slave KeyStep 37 functions as a slave to an external clock when one of those options is selected on the rear panel (USB, MIDI or Sync In). When KeyStep 37 is in Slave mode: • The Tempo controls will not control the internal sequencer or arpeggiator while the external source is running. • The KeyStep 37 transport section will still perform as usual; you can still stop, start and pause the internal sequences and the arpeggiator, and you can still record sequences.
6.2.2. Clock connectors There are several types of connectors that have been used for musical synchronization purposes over the years.
7. MOD/GATE/PITCH FUNCTIONS The GATE/PITCH outputs at the back of the KeyStep 37 convert key presses to CV and Gate signals that are understood by modular systems. Nearly every module on a modular system accepts or generates voltages that control other modules. A gate signal can trigger an envelope or advance a sequencer. A pitch voltage as generated by the keyboard the arpeggiator or or the sequencer of the KeyStep 37 can drive an oscillator module.
7.1.3. Modulation (Mod) output The Mod output connector sends voltage values generated by one of three sources inside the KeyStep: the Mod strip, aftertouch, or velocity. You can use this output to control volume, filter frequency, or any number of other modules on the target device. The MIDI Control Center allows you to specify which of the three sources you want to use to control the Mod output. See Chapter 9 [p.74] to learn about this parameter. 7.1.3.1.
8. CONTROLLING EXTERNAL SYNTHS 8.1. Control Mode In Chord mode, the KeyStep 37 knobs send note values and triggers over MIDI to external synths. The Chord button has a second function that, when activated, turns the knobs into CC controllers. In this mode, they can transmit control change messages to external devices that are connected to the MIDI Out port (5-pin DIN). The same data will be sent to your computer via the USB port. Each of the four knobs can control a parameter on an external device.
8.1.2. CC messages and MIDI When in Control Mode the knobs of the KeyStep 37 will send CC messages over MIDI. A knob is assigned to a specific MIDI channel. Knob 1 could be made to transmit on MIDI channel 1 and knob 2 on channel 5. Each message has Data encoded in it that determines which parameter on which MIDI channel will change. To control parameters on these external synths you'll have to tell the KeyStep 37 with CC# codes it must send and on which MIDI channels.
8.2. The four CC Banks When switched on the KeyStep 37 will default to chord mode. To switch to Control mode hold Shift and press the chord button. Pressing it repeatedly while holding Shift allows you to cycle through the four banks: white, blue, purple and green. Below an overview of CC bank colours. CC Bank Colour CC Bank 1 white CC Bank 2 blue CC Bank 3 purple CC Bank 4 green Each bank can hold four CC# numbers.
The Knob Min Range and Max Range fields enable you to limit the control values to a certain range. It's useful when controlling ADSR settings or Filter settings where you don't want changes to be extreme. The MIDI channel enables you to target a certain synth in your setup. You may have the KeyStep 37 hooked up to a MicroFreak on channel 1 and a Drumbrute on channel 10. The MIDI channel field enables you to direct a stream of control value to a certain synth.
8.3. Examples 8.3.1. Connecting knobs To send a data stream from one knob to another the CC number of the knob transmitting the data must match the CC number of the knob receiving it. Let say you want to change the amount of Glide on the Microfreak with knob 4 on the KeyStep 37. By default knob 4 transmits as CC# 77. To be able to send data to the Glide knob on the Microfreak which receives data as CC# 5 we have to change the CC# number of knob 4.
• Click on the knob/function you want to control (the knob/function will turn red) and an assign window will pop-up • wiggle knob 4 on the KeyStep 37 and watch how the slider you selected on the DX7 V is now assigned to CC# number 77. Knob 4 is now automagically linked to the Cutoff slider on the DX7 V All software synths of Arturia's V collection have a MIDI learn option.
8.3.2. Controlling parameters on the MicroFreak Let's try and control some parameters on the MicroFreak. If you don't own a MicroFreak it doesn't matter, the description below fits every type of synth.
This only scratches the surface of what is possible when you combine the possibilities of the KeyStep 37 and Eurorack Modules, software- and hardware synths. But it should be enough to whet your appetite and get you started on a fascinating journey.
9. THE MIDI CONTROL CENTER The MIDI Control Center is an application that allows you to configure the MIDI settings of your KeyStep 37. It works with most of Arturia's devices, so if you have an earlier version of the software you'll want to download the KeyStep 37 version. It will work with the other Arturia products as well. The built-in MIDI Control Center manual has general descriptions of the features that are common to all Arturia products. To learn how to access the manual, see section 8.1.5 [p.77].
9.1.3. Connection Connect KeyStep 37 to your computer using the included USB cable. It'll be ready to go after its LEDs go through the startup cycle. Now launch the MIDI Control Center.
9.1.4. Back up your sequences If you want to make a quick backup of your KeyStep 37 sequences, click the Sync button: This will grab whatever is in the sequence memory and pull it into your computer. MIDI Control Center will give this file the current date/time stamp for a name, but you can name it something else if you like. After this, every change made in the software will also be made inside KeyStep 37.
9.1.5. Where to find the manual There is a built-in help file for the MIDI Control Center in its Help menu, as shown below: It's a good introduction to the MIDI Control Center, describing each section of the software window and defining important terms you will need to know while using the MIDI Control Center, such as '˜Working Project' and '˜Template'.
9.2. The Sync option As mentioned in section 8.1.4 [p.76], clicking the Sync button is a quick way to back up your KeyStep 37 sequences. It also allows you to do other things we'll cover later in this chapter. However, there are some things you can do even if you don't click the Sync button. Here's a quick overview of the different states: 9.2.1.
9.2.2. Non-sync operations When the MIDI Control Center and KeyStep 37 are not synced there are plenty of features available.
9.3. Device Projects 9.3.1. The Working Project When the MCC and KeyStep 37 are in sync, the Working Project is the internal memory of the KeyStep 37. Edits made to sequences inside the MCC are made simultaneously to the KeyStep 37. When they are not in sync the Working Project functions as a sort of 'target' onto which Templates or sequences can be dragged and then transmitted to the KeyStep 37 memory.
9.4. Project Browser The Project Browser shows a list of all Projects available to you inside the MIDI Control Center (MCC). They have been stored on your computer. These are divided into two main groups of Templates: Factory and User. The User Templates are the ones you have recalled from your KeyStep 37 with the MCC. See section 8.5 [p.86] to learn how to do this. A Template contains the patterns from the sequencer along with their settings for swing, gate and sequence length.
User Templates: click +/- to expand or collapse Project view Arturia - User Manual KeyStep 37 - The MIDI Control Center 82
9.4.1. Building a library You can build a limitless library of sequences and setups in the User Templates area. Make as many sequences as you like, wherever you are, with or without a computer attached. Then the next time you use the MIDI Control Center, simply press the Recall From button. This will transfer the KeyStep 37 sequence memory into the Project Browser of the MCC, where it can be saved as a new Template.
9.4.2.2. Not synced If the MIDI Control Center and the KeyStep 37 are not in sync you can still edit the sequences of an archived Template. Simply select the Template in the Project Browser and its sequences will appear in the MCC Seq Editor window, ready for editing. If you would like to confirm the results by having the sequences played on a device that is attached to the KeyStep 37, there are two ways. First use the Save or Save As.....
9.4.3. Send one sequence to KeyStep 37 9.4.3.1. When synced Important: The following process will send a single sequence to KeyStep 37 and will overwrite the sequence in the target memory location. There are two ways to send a single sequence to the KeyStep 37 when it is synced to the MIDI Control Center. First use the +/- buttons in the Project Browser to open the Template and locate the sequence you want to send. Then you can do one of two things: • drag the sequence on the Working Project.
9.5. Store To/Recall From 9.5.1. The 'Store To' button The upper left-hand section of the MIDI Control Center has a button called 'Store To'?. It is used to transmit a Template from the Project Browser window to the KeyStep 37. The following process will overwrite the internal memory of the KeyStep 37. If you are not sure those sequences have been backed up, be sure to archive them to your computer using the Recall From button.
9.5.3. Save, Delete, Import/Export, etc. These important features have been documented in the MIDI Control Center manual, which you will find in the software Help menu. Look in section 6.1 [p.61] of the Help file for information about Save, Save As....., New, Delete, Import and Export. The Import / Export buttons pictured above perform a different function from those at the top of the Device Settings window (see section 8.6 [p.87]). Their files have the extension .KeyStep 37.
9.6.2. Import Device Settings To import the Device Settings, click the Import button. Then navigate to the appropriate location in your computer and follow the screen prompts to load in the .KeyStep 37_ds file.
9.7. Editing basics 9.7.1. Data entry There are two main ways to enter new parameter values in the MIDI Control Center: click something and move it, or type a number into a field.
9.7.2. Selecting the tabs The middle window of the MIDI Control Center has two main tabs: Seq and Device Settings. Seq contains all 8 sequences from the KeyStep 37 memory, and Device Settings has all of the parameters for the various KeyStep 37 functions. Simply click on a tab to select its window 9.7.3. Seq tab The Seq tab contains eight numbered sequence tabs: The Seq tab These tabs allow you to select each of the sequences and fine-tune their note data. You can even create brand new sequences here.
9.8. Sequence window Below the individual sequence tabs is the sequence window. Right below the tabs are two virtual knobs and a pull-down menu. These are the per-sequence parameters. The sequence window also has a note window with a piano-style keyboard along the left side. To the right of this keyboard is a grid with horizontal rows for note placement that correspond to the virtual keys. The vertical columns represent the steps within the sequence. 9.8.1. Navigation 9.8.1.1.
9.8.2. Per-sequence parameters The knobs display that sequence's Length (in steps) and Swing %. The pull-down menu on the right allows you to select the Gate Length for the notes in that sequence. Remember: each sequence can have its own Length, Swing and Gate settings. 9.8.2.1. Seq Length A sequence can be as short as 1 step and as long as 64 steps. There are two ways to change the length value: click on the knob and turn it, or click in the field and enter a value between 1 and 64.
9.8.2.2. Seq Swing % There are 10 values for swing % available from the keyboard when you use the Shift button and play a key. But inside the MIDI Control Center you can select any number between 50% and 75%. Same thing here: to change the swing % value, click on the knob and turn it, or click in the field and enter a value between 50 and 75. 9.8.2.3. Seq Gate length The Gate parameter will adjust the length of all of the notes in the selected sequence.
9.8.3.2. Move notes To move an existing note, click and hold the middle of note. The cursor will become a hand icon. Then drag the note up or down to place it anywhere within the MIDI note range. You can also drag it to the left or right to place it anywhere within the sequence. If a note already exists at the new location, it will be replaced by the note you are moving. It's also possible to move several notes at the same time.
9.8.3.4. Note velocity If you click on the top of a note box you will see the cursor become a vertical arrow icon. Drag the cursor up and down to change the velocity of that note to a value between 1 and 127. The color of the selected note will change to indicate the velocity value: white is the lowest velocity value and red is the highest velocity value. When the velocities of multiple notes are edited at the same time they will all change to the same value. 9.8.3.5.
9.8.3.6. Tie a note If you drag the horizontal cursor far enough to the right a value of TIE will appear.
If you double-click in the next step a new note will appear. The overlapped arrow shows that the two notes are tied: You can click on the second note and drag the cursor to the right again until the second note's length value also becomes TIE, and so on. When the lengths of multiple notes are edited at the same time they will all change to the same value.
9.9. Sequence management 9.9.1. Copy a Seq tab to another Seq tab If you would like to make several sequences based on a common musical phrase, you can take one sequence and copy it to one or more of the other tabs in the Seq window. If the MCC and KeyStep 37 have been synced this process will overwrite the target sequences in the KeyStep 37 internal memory. To copy a sequence from one tab to the next, simply click the tab you want to copy and drag on top of the destination tab.
9.9.2. Drag/drop onto a tab It's possible to build a '˜Greatest Hits' group of sequences inside your KeyStep 37 using sequences from different Templates. If the MCC and KeyStep 37 have been synced this process will overwrite the target sequences in the KeyStep 37 internal memory. Here's how to do this: • Select a sequence by opening its Template in the Project Browser • Click and drag it onto the desired Seq tab • Repeat the process with the next seven sequences.
9.10. Working with Device Settings 9.10.1. Common features Some parameters have pull-down menus with additional options. For example, the Aftertouch curve has four settings: The options of each field are different for each parameter. 9.10.1.1. MIDI Channel Another example is setting the default MIDI channel for a parameter. The 'User Channel'? setting allows you to change the MIDI channel on which the keyboard transmits data.
9.10.1.2.
9.10.2.
9.10.2.4. Velocity curve Three velocity curves are available so you can choose the one that best matches your playing style. • Linear (the default) has an even response across the dynamic range • Log requires the least amount of speed to play louder notes, but it's harder to control the dynamics at lower levels • AntiLog is a mirror image of the Log setting: requires a lot of speed to play louder notes 9.10.2.5.
9.10.3.
9.10.3.1. Sync Clock In/Out settings KeyStep 37 is endowed with the ability to transmit or receive clocking signals from a huge range of vintage devices. Here's a brief look at each setting: • 1step (Gate): Interprets the rising edge of the voltage as a Note On command and the falling edge as a Note Off. Then it will advance to the next step. • 1step (Clock): It is likely the input clock has a fixed period, so KeyStep 37 interpolates between the edges of the clock signal to derive a steady tempo.
9.10.3.6. Transposition Latch This allows you to choose whether a sequence will be transposed momentary or latched. With either setting the transposition will happen immediately; the difference is what will happen once the key is released. When Latch is Off the sequences will transpose back to the center pitch immediately after the key is released. When Latch is On the sequences will stay transposed after the key is released, and continue at that transposition until another key is pressed.
9.10.3.11. Arm to Start This determines the start/stop behavior of the sequencer when working with external clock sources. Note that Arm to Start only applies when KeyStep 37 is synchronized to an external clock source. This parameter does nothing when KeyStep 37's clock source is set to Internal. OFF: This is the default setting and is common behaviour for sequencers receiving synchronization signals from an external source (via MIDI or sync jack).
9.10.4. CV/Gate settings This is where you select the electrical behavior for the Control Voltage connectors. Here's a quick reference chart for these parameters. Parameter PITCH CV Output [*]0 Volt MIDI Note [**]1 Volt MIDI Note Note Priority MOD CV source MOD CV max voltage Pitch Bend Range GATE CV Output Range/Values Description/Function Volts per octave [*] Hertz The two standards.
9.10.4.2. MIDI Note reference (0V, 1V) KeyStep 37 provides the option to set a separate reference note for both Volt per Octave and Hertz per Volt formats. This parameter will change from a 0V reference to a 1V reference depending on which Pitch CV Output option is selected. Volts per octave uses a 0V MIDI note reference Hertz per Volt uses a 1V MIDI note reference 9.10.4.3.
9.10.4.7. Gate CV Output We've included three types of Gate signal response: S-trig: This stands for "Short-circuit trigger", though sometimes it's called "negative trigger". It involves keeping the voltage high and then shorting the trigger circuit whenever the note should play. This format is used by Dr. Bob's classics, Korg and Yamaha synths, among others. V-trig: An abbreviation for "Voltage trigger", also known as "positive trigger".
9.10.6. CC Bank settings This is were you set the value the CC knobs will transmit when turned. Although editing these values is also possible on the KeyStep 37 itself, editing the values here is more quicker.
10. SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT In consideration of payment of the Licensee fee, which is a portion of the price you paid, Arturia, as Licensor, grants to you (hereinafter termed “Licensee”) a nonexclusive right to use this copy of the SOFTWARE. All intellectual property rights in the software belong to Arturia SA (hereinafter: “Arturia”). Arturia permits you only to copy, download, install and use the software in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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11. DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY USA Important notice: DO NOT MODIFY THE UNIT! This product, when installed as indicate in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirement. Modifications not expressly approved by Arturia may avoid your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product, use only high quality shielded cables. Cable (s) supplied with this product MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions.
