BeatStep

Compact Control PowerHouse

The chameleon controller and sequencer that provides nearly endless possibilities. With a compact format, it is the perfect companion on the road or in the studio.

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The chameleon controller
and sequencer

Arturia’s BeatStep: a degree of functionality and performance never seen before in a portable pad controller.

BeatStep is highly versatile, capable of triggering clips in applications like Ableton Live, playing drums with BFD or EZDrummer, or tweaking synth parameters. Or doing all of those at once!

BeatStep is also a 16-step analog sequencer, and it’s like a force of nature when it comes to creating interesting musical phrases for analog synthesizers, MIDI drum machines, keyboards and DAWs.

Its advanced connectivity interfaces easily with a computer or iPad® using USB, a drum module with MIDI, or the CV/Gate inputs on an analog synthesizer.

Step Sequencer

In SEQ mode the pads become toggles for each step in your sequence.

The 16 encoders will adjust pitch for the associated step. 16 memories allow for instant recall of your favorite patterns while the pad scale modes, sequence playback modes and time division functions allow for realtime performance changes.

On top of all that it has MIDI, USB and CV/GATE connectivity, giving you a sequencer that will work with all types of gear, including analog synths, software instruments, and MIDI hardware.

Percussion Controller

With 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, BeatStep is the perfect compact percussion instrument.

The ultra-sensitive pads allow for great dynamic performances. The 16 encoders can be assigned to adjust various parameters for further real-time control over your drum sounds.

General purpose control surface

The BeatStep pads can be configured to send MIDI note on/off messages, MMC commands, Program and Bank changes, or serve as MIDI CC buttons.

With 16 encoders, 16 pads/buttons and 16 presets, there are as many ways to use BeatStep as there are live gigs and studio environments. You can trigger clips in Ableton Live or use the encoders to adjust the effects in your favorite DJ app. The transport buttons can be MMC controls or send MIDI CCs to start and stop your DAW. It can be the MIDI Clock master or slave to an external clock.

Using an iPad and a camera connection kit, you can turn BeatStep into one of the most flexible iPad app controllers ever.

All the controls
you need

Careful thought went into the layout of the front panel and the selection of the rear panel connections. Here’s a brief description of each section:

Artistscorner

PressClippings

  • Computer Music

    On BeatStep

    “Great control for synths, doubles as a set of drum pads & creative playback modes”

  • Ask Audio

    On BeatStep

    “The BeatStep is well built, well designed, compact and just plain enjoyable to use. Add to this the step sequencer and the fact it retails for under $100 and it seems we have ourselves a bit of a winner.”

  • Ask Audio

    On BeatStep

    “Arturia deserve accolades for creating something that stands out from the crowd.”

  • Sound On Sound

    On BeatStep

    “If you’re a laptop performer in the market for drum pads, a flexible control surface and a hands-on step sequencer, the Beatstep could be exactly what you’re looking for!”

  • MusicTech

    On BeatStep

    “An excellent MIDI controller that unites the worlds of software and hardware at a price that's hard to ignore”

  • Canadian Musician

    On BeatStep

    “The BeatStep is a David in a Goli- ath market. It may be small, yet it is mighty good and opens a door to in- spiration and creativity in both music creation and live performance.”

  • Audio Technology

    On BeatStep

    “Beatstep is a great controller, at a great price!”

  • Studio Magazine

    On BeatStep

    “What makes BeatStep controller an especially interesting surprise from Arturia is the fact that being a step sequencer with USB connection it also has a cv / gate output that makes it easy to use with analog synthesizers.”

  • Studio Magazine

    On BeatStep

    “If you have external midi equipment, analog hardware, an iPad or a laptop, for that matter, then you probably owe it to yourself to give the BeatStep a test run. The easy to work the features and the low price bodes well for the future if Arturia with BeatStep could setting a trend ball rolling.”

  • Future Music

    On BeatStep

    “We love Arturia, you love Arturia, and it seems the French masters of hybrid synthesis are about to spread more love. BeatStep is likely to be one of the most important tools you'll want in your electronic arsenal”

  • Sonic State

    On BeatStep

    “Basically as a tool it's got plenty to offer for the price. It certainly has a role in most setups.”

  • Resident Advisor

    On BeatStep

    “If you’re looking for something that can infuse some of the analog sequencer variability and groove to your productions, the BeatStep can get you there.”

  • Audio Fanzine

    On BeatStep

    “With its excellent build quality, its multiple types of connections and the richness and simplicity of setting mainly via MIDI Control Center, BeatStep is undoubtedly a success.”

  • Keyboard Magazine

    On BeatStep

    “BeatStep has to be the runaway bang-for-buck hit of NAMM 2014. Whether you need drum machine-style groove entry or a primary sequencer for your modular synth rig, you're covered.”

  • Meet Music Magazine

    On BeatStep

    “A very powerful and fast controller, taking only little space in your studio, perfect for your travels it will allow you programming and execution "LIVE"”

  • KRHome Studio

    On BeatStep

    “Fun, useful, flexible and packs a big punch for the price”

  • Keyboard Magazine

    On BeatStep

    “This has to be the runaway bang-for-buck hit of NAMM 2014. whether you need drum machine-style groove entry or a primary sequencer for your modular synth rig, you’re covered.”

  • Keyboard Magazine

    On BeatStep

    “Put simply, your wish is BeatStep’s command.”

  • Electronic Musician

    On BeatStep

    “This lightweight, desktop controller can be used with just about any instrument you own, whether it's software or hardware-based, using MIDI and CV:Gate signals”

  • Create Digital Music

    On BeatStep

    “Bottom Line: Hugely Powerful Controller and Software, Great Value - it’s easily become an essential piece of gear”

  • Computer Music

    On BeatStep

    “BeatStep is only slightly larger than half an A4 page but feels substantial”

Premium software
included

Step range comes with a selection of industry-standard creative software to get your musical ideas flowing, so you can start exploring right out the box.

Analog Lab Intro

Ableton Live Lite

Gallery

Main Features

16 backlit pads

  • Red = Control mode
  • Blue = SEQ mode
  • Velocity - and pressure-sensitive

16 assignable encoders with 2 modes

  • MIDI CC
  • NRPN/RPN

Transport controls

  • Send MIDI clock with Start/Stop (internal sync)
  • Send MMC Play and Stop messages

Data Encoder

  • Volume MIDI CC#7 – Control Mode
  • Rate – in Sequence mode
  • Sequence Transpose – SHIFT + Data Encoder

Kensington Lock port

16 user presets

Multiple pad modes

  • Note data
  • MIDI CC data
  • Program Change with Bank Select