Gear Hunter

Arturia - BeatStep Compact Pad Controller

Description

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. Arturias BeatStep offers a new degree of functionality and performance for a portable pad controller. BeatStep is highly versatile, capable of triggering clips in such applications as Ableton Live, it also allows you to play drums in conjunction with such applications as BFD or EZDrummer. BeatStep is also a 16-step analogue sequencer for creating all kinds of musical phrases to be sent to analogue synthesizers, MIDI drum machines, MIDI keyboard devices, or computer programs. Its vast connectivity allows you to interface BeatStep with a computer or iPAD using USB, a drum module using MIDI or an analog synthesizer equipped with CV/GATE.

Step Sequencer
In SEQ mode, your pads become enables for each step in your sequence. The 16 encoders will adjust pitch for the associated step. 16 memories allow for instant recall of your favourite patterns while the pad scale modes, seq playback modes and time division functions allow for realtime performance changes.

Add to all this, MIDI, USB and CV/GATE connectivity and you have a sequencer that can be used with all types of gear, including analogue synths , software instruments, and MIDI hardware.

Percussion Controller
With 16 velocity and pressure sensitive pads, the BeatStep is the perfect compact percussion instrument. The ultra sensitive pads allow for great dynamic performances. The 16 encoders can be assigned to adjust parameters that allow further real-time control over your drum sounds.

General purpose control surface
The BeatStep pads can be configured to be MIDI CC buttons or assigned to send Program and Bank Change messages as well as note-on and note-off messages.

With the 16 encoders, 16 pads/buttons and 16 preset memories, you can come up with multiple ways to use the BeatStep in any live or studio environment. You can trigger clips in Ableton Live or use the encoders to adjust effects settings in your favourite DJ app. The transport buttons can be MMC controls or MIDI CC to start and stop your DAW. It can be the MIDI Clock master or slave to external clock.

Using an iPad with the Camera Connection kit, you can turn the BeatStep into one of the most flexible iPad app controllers as well.

Main Features:

• 16 backlit pads
  • Red = MIDI CC mode
  • Blue = SEQ mode
  • Velocity and pressure sensitive pads
• 16 assignable encoders with 3 modes
  • MIDI CC
  • NRPN/RPN
  • Program Change
• Transport Buttons
  • Sends MIDI clock with Start/Stop (internal sync)
  • Sends MMC play and stop messages.
• Data Dial
  • Volume MIDI CC7 Control Mode
  • Rate in SEQUENCE mode
  • Seq Transpose SHIFT+Data Dial
• Kensington Lock
• MIDI CC mode RED LEDS
  
• 16 user presets
• Multiple pad modes
  • NOTE data
  • MIDI CC data
  • Program Change with Bank
• Step Sequencer BLUE LEDS
  • 16 user step sequences
  • Step play modes
    • Forward
    • Reverse
    • Alternate >