KeyStep Pro Tutorials | Episode 4 - Arpeggiator

KeyStep Pro comes with three arpeggiators that can run at various speeds, time divisions, and octaves. This episode describes all those functions and gives some nice tips on how to produce transitions and breakdowns with the use of the Arp tracks.

An all-in-one sequencing solution. The sequencer the world has been waiting for. #KeyStepPro gives keyboard players incredible sequencing and performance power in a compact, versatile controller.

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Product Specialist: Jakub Manaj

[MisterMotel]

please make it possible for the arpeggiator to be recorded into the sequencer. It's pretty useless now to be able to only play one arp on hold. I want to combine sounds not just play one over and over.

[HoveyKraft]

Just got mine today and came here hoping to find out how to record arp into sequencer. Although I love the instrument so far, this is a big omission. Please add this Arturia!!

[colindubreuil]

I wonder if in an update, they can add a step arpeggiator like in the Microkorg; you could turn steps on and off, and it would break up the arpeggiator rhythmically. It was a great addition to an arpeggiator, and it would be great to see it implemented here. with 16 step buttons, it could be amazing!

[perruschke]

Can i record the ARP in the Sequencer, or can i just use the Hold Function?

[kebu]

I really miss a traditional UP/DOWN arpeggiator mode both in my Keystep and Keystep Pro. "Exclu" is close, but when you increase the range of the arpeggio with one or two octaves, the note order is not logical. For example, if you arpeggiate a C triad chord (C4, E4, and G4) with an UP/DOWN arpeggiator mode with the octave setting to "+2" I would expect to hear C4, E4, G4, C5, E5, G5, C6, E6, G6, E6, C6, G5, E5, C5, G4, E4, C4, E4, G4, C5... i.e. the notes in order starting with the bottom most one and going up until it reaches the top, then going down, and repeat. This is what a pianist or guitarist would play when playing a three-octave arpeggio up and down. But with the "Exclu" mode you get C4, E4, G4, E4, C4, E5, G5, E5, C5, E6, G6, E6, C6, E4, G4, E4, C4, E5, G5... which is not really that usable. Please Arturia, add a traditional UP/DOWN arpeggiator mode for both the Keystep and Keystep Pro, or fix the "Exclu"/"Inclu" modes!

[stevemccourt]

Nice tutorial. Just got mine and it’s good overall...but it’s driving me crazy that you can’t record the arpeggiator. It’s ridiculous that Arturia did not include such a simple function? Yes, you can use hold but that’s just 1 chord, meaning you can only have 1 chord running for the length of a pattern with the arpeggiator. So for anyone like me who likes to use such a simple thing known as a chord progression in their music, the arpeggiator is practically useless besides for playing live, but then my hands are tied and I can’t do any sequencing. So I’ve already pretty much given up using the arpeggiator. Do you think Arturia will sort this out in a future update?

[striderlee]

I thought my keystep pro was defective when I couldnt sequence the arpeggiator. How could they not include this? Its really really disappointing. Might have to bail on this thing.

[jackgreen]

I have this set up with my b2600 and yet no matter what I can’t seem to get sound to play on track 2 3 or 4, am I doing something wrong?

[RepeatQuotations]

Spent a good 2 hours yesterday evening trying to figure out how to record, sequence or transpose the arpeggiator but came up short, like the rest of the users in this comment section. The KeyStep Pro UX makes it seem possible but no. The red recording button in ARP mode serves as a stop light.

Arturia Support: Any idea on timeline for this make or break feature? Is it in development?

[strangesevin]

Can record arpegiator or do you have to play them live everytime . I tried to record it dosnt seem to work

[Oktobermedia]

I would love this as a standalone module. I have the keylab 66 mk 2, it took me almost 4 months to buy, I was testing almost anything on the market, but the thing that sold me was not only the key quality but the mod wheel. Anyway, not about the keyboard I have, I would love this as a standalone module.

[paralaxeeditions]

Just got mine as well, will there be a firmware update soon?

[ukmicstv]

Just got my keystep pro. first thing i tried to do was record the arp... spent hours and now i read you cant.sorry but theres no point having it.its going back.

[dans.]

Not being able to record the arpeggatior in the sequencer is very frustrating. Please Arturia, make it possible to at least save in the Project the last Arp pattern present in each Track, so Arps are restored when reloading the Project.

[pontram]

What I would expect from a controller/sequencer kbd in this price range are patterns for the arpeggiator, like on the mininova (sadly only 8 steps there, but even that makes just an enormous difference to the simple up-and-down-on-every-note). As it is nowhere mentioned, I guess a similiar functionalty is absent on the keystep pro ?

[tobias]

You can record an Arp. Thats what i found on the Arturia website.



To record an arpeggio into the sequencer:

Select a track (2, 3 or 4) and set it to Arpeggio mode


Select an empty pattern in this track


Set Mode to Poly ('Shift'+ Poly)


Deselect overdub so it's off (to get a better idea of what's happening)


Start the Arpeggiator (press Play)


Press record, hold down a chord to start an arpeggio


Now, simply press the sequencer button on the same track to activate the sequencer and start playing back the recorded arp.

All 'Shift' edit options are now available to further edit the sequence.

[hughkremer]

But you can't record an arpeggio it turns out. This makes no sense at all.

[eancurtis]

Can you one finger note transpose the arp ?

[chandeleerjet]

Im looking for a way to do very fast arps or sequences that arent locked ro a tempo but just playing very fast lines on top of a chord progression. I’ve heard Mike Dean do it and Dez Wright but can’t figure out how to go out of beat lock mode

[tobiasdorsaz]

Merci Arturia !! la nouvelle firmware est top. ça fait que le keystep pro est désormais parfait. <3