I am very impressed and very happy with this particular controller. The build and quality of construction is excellent, it doesn't feel like a cheap device like some of the other controllers out there. This controller has some weight to it and the keys also have a quality feel and action. It is a great value for the price, I am also going to purchase the 37 key version. Arturias website, software and support are top notch. You won't b disappointed with this device.

I just needed a small budget keyboard with CV/Gate for my Eurorack setup away from the computer so I use it plugged into a USB phone power adaptor and it works just fine.Very decent little keyboard for any portable laptop or DAWless setup, however USB, 5-pin MIDI and CV/gate means it's ideal for almost any kind of setup.32 mini keys with better build quality than most others, but the Keystep 37 is only about £20 more for 5 extra keys and four assignable knobs if that floats your boat.

If you're starting out with desktop or bedroom music production and have been looking for a fully functional keyboard controller that won't commandeer your entire work space, look no further. There's a lot of junk in this price range, most lacking the Keystep's solid build and functionality. You're not likely to find another keyboard this size with a built-in arpeggiator, a built in step sequencer and connections for MIDI DIN, MIDI clock, MIDI sync and CV. If you're playing around with semi-modular hardware synths (Moog, Korg Volca, Behringer, Waldorf, whatever), the Keystep can handle them just fine. Combine the Keystep with the Beatstep or Beatstep Pro (or even the new Keystep Pro) or another sequencer and your possibilities become endless. Be sure to bone up on ... MoreIf you're starting out with desktop or bedroom music production and have been looking for a fully functional keyboard controller that won't commandeer your entire work space, look no further. There's a lot of junk in this price range, most lacking the Keystep's solid build and functionality. You're not likely to find another keyboard this size with a built-in arpeggiator, a built in step sequencer and connections for MIDI DIN, MIDI clock, MIDI sync and CV. If you're playing around with semi-modular hardware synths (Moog, Korg Volca, Behringer, Waldorf, whatever), the Keystep can handle them just fine. Combine the Keystep with the Beatstep or Beatstep Pro (or even the new Keystep Pro) or another sequencer and your possibilities become endless. Be sure to bone up on the MIDI standard if you want to daisy-chain multiple devices to any controller. More devices, more problems.

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

First of all: I ordered it on B&H and arrived the next day, free shipping!!! Wow! The Arturia Keystep is tremendously versatile and powerful controller. Everything is done right here! Plus, it's built very well!!! If you have hardware/software synths, a good computer (or two), a couple of iPads latest generations, buy it and you'll be more than satisfied! I use mine through Roland Juno-G, Roland GR-20, various laptops, iPads, iMac -- triggering lots of software, and I have to tell you that I can't stop using it! Don't forget one very important thing: it has a conventional MIDI IN/OUT, plus the USB, which also sends MIDI. Look around and try to find out how many controllers offer that sort of versatility?!? And for that price!!!???Two things I have to figure out: ... MoreFirst of all: I ordered it on B&H and arrived the next day, free shipping!!! Wow! The Arturia Keystep is tremendously versatile and powerful controller. Everything is done right here! Plus, it's built very well!!! If you have hardware/software synths, a good computer (or two), a couple of iPads latest generations, buy it and you'll be more than satisfied! I use mine through Roland Juno-G, Roland GR-20, various laptops, iPads, iMac -- triggering lots of software, and I have to tell you that I can't stop using it! Don't forget one very important thing: it has a conventional MIDI IN/OUT, plus the USB, which also sends MIDI. Look around and try to find out how many controllers offer that sort of versatility?!? And for that price!!!???Two things I have to figure out: how to save parameters from the Midi Control Center to the Keystep, and if I can plug it in into a battery (RAV) and only send the MIDI to an iPad, in order not to burn too fast through the iPad's battery. Other than that, look at the title of this post!!!

Excellent Keyboard Feel, USB and 5-pin MIDI

There are newer small controller keyboards, some with more features and controllers, but the Atruria 32 remains a great deal. For one thing - the reason I bought it - it has 5-pin MIDI connections; you don't need a computer in the loop. That makes it great for connecting directly to stand-alone synth engines like Korg Volcas and similar instruments. The key "feel" is excellent for a small controller, responsive, with velocity and aftertouch. An app on a computer can be used to change things like the velocity curve. I have not used the sequencer - it looks good, but I already have several sequencer options in my workflows and just haven't needed to use another one.

Fun but demanding an effort from you

I like Arturia products and this is no exception. This is a cool tool, but it takes some time to wrap your head around it. I had to watch some YouTube videos for example this one https://youtu.be/wNHeXT9YtQQTogether with the manual you become accustomed to it. For jamming it’s great and you get results in the studio which are difficult to program and of course for live use it’s also a killer. The quality of the unit is great and you will fast get used to the mini keys. Great portability. I use it with my hardware a couple of Volcas and my Korg Triton. Especially my Korg Volca Bass has a lacking sequencer. It’s great with all the connectivity. If you want to make music in a more jamming way this is a great tool a must have.

Less than perfect controller keyboard

While certainly portable, and exceedingly light in terms of the weight, I was less than impressed with both its performance and the relatively inferior quality of the build. First, the various knobs, keys, and controller elements look like cheap plastic. While I don't expect unbreakable quality for this type of low price, the unit just felt underwhelming. Second, I had trouble using an external clock source to sync the tempo and arpeggio times. Third, the sequencer and arpeggio seemed a bit wonky when it came to playback it didn't seem to do exactly what I had expected it to do. The keys are playable and are velocity sensitive, which is a nice plus. Overall, however, I cannot give this more than three stars and I would probably not buy it again.

Love it!

My main keyboard is an Akai mpk261. I was looking for a second (smaller) controller to use for playing live, and just also wanted a smaller controller to carry around with a laptop. I first picked up an Alesis v49 and loved it (great keyboard, good constructions, etc), but had some issues with Ableton Live that I just couldn't get past. So, I did some more looking around and started watching videos of the KeyStep. At first I thought it would be too small and have a "toy" feel. But, like mentioned in a lot of videos, even though the keybed is smaller than usual, it does feel nice and is actually playable (totally love the 7 extra keys!!! Two octaves is just not enough). The KeyStep is built like a tank! Nice weight to it. The arp and seq options are awesome!! You can ... MoreMy main keyboard is an Akai mpk261. I was looking for a second (smaller) controller to use for playing live, and just also wanted a smaller controller to carry around with a laptop. I first picked up an Alesis v49 and loved it (great keyboard, good constructions, etc), but had some issues with Ableton Live that I just couldn't get past. So, I did some more looking around and started watching videos of the KeyStep. At first I thought it would be too small and have a "toy" feel. But, like mentioned in a lot of videos, even though the keybed is smaller than usual, it does feel nice and is actually playable (totally love the 7 extra keys!!! Two octaves is just not enough). The KeyStep is built like a tank! Nice weight to it. The arp and seq options are awesome!! You can easily kill many hours just messing around with it. Anyway .. I can definitely recommend this keyboard. The price is great for all the functionality you get. If it only had a few buttons/switches on the device for midi mapping I would probably call it the best compact controller ever!

Popular for a Reason

I bought a Keystep to go with a Behringer Model D and Neutron I bought. When I was looking and listening to demos of the two synths above I noticed a lot of people using the Keystep. So I researched it and decided to give it a try. Glad I did. It's hard to beat for the price and features.Keyboard feels pretty good for what it is. Very slightly spongy until you get used to it. It's not going to feel like a synth action keybed in larger keyboards or even an Alesis Micron but not far from the Micron's keyboard. Feels like my Yamaha CS01's keys. It's very playable.The sequencer section and arpeggiator section are perfect for what they are meant for and do. Great for driving monophonic synth modules and it will do poly synths too. See specs for more info.Build ... MoreI bought a Keystep to go with a Behringer Model D and Neutron I bought. When I was looking and listening to demos of the two synths above I noticed a lot of people using the Keystep. So I researched it and decided to give it a try. Glad I did. It's hard to beat for the price and features.Keyboard feels pretty good for what it is. Very slightly spongy until you get used to it. It's not going to feel like a synth action keybed in larger keyboards or even an Alesis Micron but not far from the Micron's keyboard. Feels like my Yamaha CS01's keys. It's very playable.The sequencer section and arpeggiator section are perfect for what they are meant for and do. Great for driving monophonic synth modules and it will do poly synths too. See specs for more info.Build quality feels first rate. Metal bottom and plastic top. Knobs are silky smooth, selector knobs are smooth and quiet and illuminated rubber buttons feel good for what they are.Bottom line is I would highly recommend the Keystep for what it's meant to do. Drive a synth and then some!

Very versatile controller, nothing else like it currently.

I was looking for something smaller than my full size Emu Xboard 61 but bigger than my Keith M illen K-Board and this is definitely it. The keys aren't mini-keys, they're slimkeys with velocity and channel aftertouch that feel more like the excellent feel of the Emu Xboard 61 instead of the rubber drumpad-like keys on the K-board. There's no pitchbend/mod wheel, instead there's two capactive touch strips that are very responsive. I'll use the KeyStep primarily with the USB connection, but it also has mod, gate, pitch and sync outputs (and sync in) if I want to connect to modular analog gear. In addition to the USB MIDI connection there are DIN MIDI in and out and a sustain pedal input that automatically senses the polarity of your sustain pedal. The majorly cool ... MoreI was looking for something smaller than my full size Emu Xboard 61 but bigger than my Keith M illen K-Board and this is definitely it. The keys aren't mini-keys, they're slimkeys with velocity and channel aftertouch that feel more like the excellent feel of the Emu Xboard 61 instead of the rubber drumpad-like keys on the K-board. There's no pitchbend/mod wheel, instead there's two capactive touch strips that are very responsive. I'll use the KeyStep primarily with the USB connection, but it also has mod, gate, pitch and sync outputs (and sync in) if I want to connect to modular analog gear. In addition to the USB MIDI connection there are DIN MIDI in and out and a sustain pedal input that automatically senses the polarity of your sustain pedal. The majorly cool features though, are the polyphonic step sequencer and the arpeggiator. Pretty amazing that this stuff is included at all at this price, and they are by no means an after thought. It wasn't that long ago that just the step sequencer functionality would set you back hundreds of dollars if you bought a separate step sequencer. The KeyStep combines this and versatile I/O along with a great feeling keybed for less than $120.