If you prefer, you can opt for MIDI–based transposition instead, from a keyboard set to the ‘transpose channel’. While you’re at it, use the touch-sensitive looper/roller strip to deliver cutting-edge fills and breaks at will. There are two step sequencers for musical riffs, each of which can be configured for different outputs, so you can have one control analog gear via the voltage outputs while the other sends its data to your MIDI hardware.

Not only can it do the task, it also seems like it might be the kind of fresh air my workflow needs at the moment. Two grey plastic adapters turn those theoretical MIDI In and Out sockets into something a MIDI cable can recognise and get chummy with. Manage a full performance, control software instruments, analog and digital synthesizers, drum machines and iPad apps, all from the BeatStep Pro. There are less obvious spin–off functions too, such as the ability to serve as a basic MIDI-to-CV converter or be the source of multiple analogue clocks. You can not only control instruments in your DAW; plug-in all the outboard gear that you have and it can become the nerve centre for your whole rig.So far I have it hooked up to my Moog sub 37 via cv controlling pitch, velocity and gate (NB - needs to 1/4" to 1/8" patch leads for this). In my tests, this was most effective when set to very small amounts, as the results with more extreme settings can be a little too random. The pitch CVs can operate in either volt-per-octave or Hertz-per-volt mode, allowing them to integrate smoothly with both Moog and Roland gear (and of course, Arturia? By running one sequence with notes on odd-numbered steps and the other on even steps, then changing the pitch values during play, and even transposing the sequences (linked and unlinked), I quickly got into a zone for the better part of an hour.

It’s a small and not especially snug–fitting connection that’s never going to scream ‘gig me hard baby’.Andertons Music Company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm registration number 716155.

If you do any audio processing in the analog domain, whether you rely on a large-format console or just a modest rack of gear, you'll realize quickly how powerful and easy-to- use these half-width,. You do have to switch it on in the MIDI Control Center, but you can sort of queue another project, have it play to the end of the patterns, and then it will change to that project. With the new BeatStep Pro, our concern hasn't just been addressed, it's been built upon beyond all expectations. When you look to the rear of the unit you get an idea of the comprehensive set of connections that bring both analog and digital computer based set-ups together.These can be configured for either the V-trig or S-trig standards via the included software as well. to modify deeper functionality or configuration, you have to rely on Arturia’s MIDI Control Centre (MCC) running on your Mac or PC. I haven't experimented with the drum CV outs much as I don't have a hardware dum machine with CV inputs. The drum sequencer, so sorely lacking from the original BeatStep, comes next, enabling you to craft whole live performances entirely from the one unit. The knobs are designed for the onboard sequencing of the unit, and don't work well when MIDI controlling other parameters.

Arturia did come up with a clever solution for that though – just touch the top of the encoder, and its value is shown on the display. To take care of external drum modules there are eight drum gates, for all your hits to be triggered from the on-board sequencer. They’re well–spaced for finger–performing and arranged into two rows so correlation with the encoders is obvious. As an added feature, the BeatStep Pro also allows you to use the 16 drum pads as a keyboard and record a sequence as you would with a standard MIDI keyboard and DAW.Either Record in real time using the velocity sensitive pads, or get the classic drum machine vibe using the step buttons. A raft of effects have also been included to push the performance to the next level, including a looper with touch strip, randomizer, swing settings and more hand controls.