How-To: Sequence and control synths using the Arturia Keystep 

Finally! A channel that knows what it's talking about and yet doesn't assume that its viewers also have that level of knowledge. Thank you.

I really appreciate this type of beginner content. ❤ Too many synth videos presume viewers already know this stuff. I’m originally a guitarist with failing hands and want to stay involved with creating music. Synthesizers have renewed my hope for musical enjoyment.

Want more tutorials? Share some topics and questions you may have. 😉👍 I always try to make tutorials on questions that I tend to come across more frequently. Feedback is always highly appreciated. Thanks! 😊

Great stuff really. There’s a lot of videos on RU-vid about this same subject but it almost appears that the channel is trying to almost show off or impress. The issue with that is that most people that are looking for this type of material are beginners like me so this guy has got it right. Keeping it simple. Thank you so much

Still worth its weight in gold two years later. Clear and concise and very useful for a midi novice like myself. It's been driving me nuts trying to get everything talking together. This is a great help. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

I came here to learn about the keystep. This video made me a lot poorer in the end since I fell in love with the sounds of the JU-06 right away.

Finally exactly what I'm looking for. I wish more people posted videos like this. Details and a description how and what they are doing. I have a hard time finding these kinds of videos. My search skills must suck really bad.

Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for! I've got the SE-02, JP-08, TB-03, Behringer Model D and a Drumbrute Impakt. The Keystep was the last piece of the puzzle.

Thanks for this! I've placed an order for the keystep pro but I'm super impressed at how much you can cram into this little guy.

Hi,many thanks for your tutorial arturia keystep and setting hardware. I have a buy it yesterday and konnect my volcas synths on ketron midi thru. It's a very easy and beautiful creative simple melody and sequences. Best regards from Naples ( Italy) :)

Very nice! I've been trying to learn how to maximize my Keystep's potential and this is a great start. Thanks for sharing.

This was one of the videos that led to me receiving my own Keystep today 👍🏻

Youre thru vs out midi description finally made it make sense to me, thank u!

I just got my Keystep a week ago and I didn't know it was such a beast until I watched your tutorial. Great job! Thank you.

Great informative video, midi can be so confusing. Love the overlay graphics showing what’s going on

Really helpful video. Thank you

Never,ind. cuz of this video I finally figured it out. Thank you. Liked and subscribed

Nice tuto. My keystep & and my boutiques in French « te remercie ». I would like to know if it’s possible to record in the ks37 a sequence of the sh01a and a second séquence in the ks37 of another synth (se02) to play both?

Thanks for explaining, I was wondering how to do this but now I know

I'm an old guitarist who's taken to synthesis like a drummer to drink. Got to sub to that. excellent simple explanation, thank you & muchly appreciated.

SUCH a great tutorial. Unlocking the deep features of the Keystep! 👍🏽🔥💜

Thank-you! I just recently bought that keyboard and that video helped me a lot :D

Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking to do

Awesome tutorial. Does this also apply to the CV out? I have a synth that doesn't have MIDI and I'd like to sequence that one while playing a lead on the one that does have MIDI.

Very clear tutorial, thank you my friend !

I’m new to this so be gentle. How would you run this setup into a audio interface for recording? Probably a stupid question I apologize for my ignorance 😂

Cool.. Many thanks

Just found your channel and an explanation to what I was looking for! Many thanks sir

So does this mean the keystep is not able to sequence multiple devices at the same time?

I loved this tutorial. It spawned a few ideas, thanks!

Thanks for sharing this. And your jam sounds awesome.

Any ideas on controlling an Alpha Juno with the Keystep? Can't seem to get it to work tho I've got the right channels selected...

thanks bud.. this is what I've been looking for. The Kbd Play + channel key combo was what I was screwing up. Would be sick if you could simultaneously output different sequences to different channels but I suppose we'd be looking at a more advanced piece of hardware.

Good stuff; quick and informative!

I sold my keystep because I couldn't figure this out--I was pushing one button too many. Seeing it in action, I just ordered another! By the way, the jams were great! The second to last one, the minor key one really reminded me of an old 80s coldwave song and now I'm going to have to figure out what...

Thank you - simple, clear! subscribed

could i overdub like you were doing (use different voices at the same time) with my vocla fm? i guess is it polyphonic?

Nice stuff good sir..Big love xx

Very helpfull thanks

Realtime record = record & 1 step press and then shift & stop one time and when you want 32 steps = record & 16 two time done. Realtime record press record & play and recording it in realtime...

Thank you so much for this! I've been wondering how to do this with my Keystep for awhile

That was fun! I have thought about getting a Keystep for a while now. I own a Beatstep Pro and enjoy using it (even though it can be a bit frustrating at times) But I think this little device is a bit of a "no-brainer" (sorry for the cliché) because it's so flexible. Thanks for the tutorial...good job!

Great info for new users who have no clue what they are doing...like me...easy to understand the basics video...I am thinking of getting the Key step 37

This man's videos are so crystal clear, great stuff. Maybe someone can answer this tech question I have the Keystep and Minibrute 2 which has the same sequencer. I can get it to do typical straight electronica lines, which are fun and have that sequenced sound. However trying to use rest, ties, and swing to create more funky lines is just impossible. Is there a cure for this condition? I come from loopers so just used to playing whatever line into the looper. I wonder if it's because I need to be able to write out the line I hear in my head in musical notation (which would be a nice thing to learn anyway) and even then I don't know if I could ever make lines so easily, and so funky, as picking up a bass or other instrument. I was wondering is are there sequencers that allow you to live record into the ratchet spaces in between the beats, so the experience ends up feeling like a looper?

What is the name of every piece of equipment in the video ( the synths )

How do I connect or sync my Arturia Keystep with my Behringer TD-3 Bassline synth?

Thanks. Subbed. 🐂💨💨💨💨💨💨💨

Excellent, very easy to follow! One bit at the end though, I didn't get how you had the JU-06 playing a sequence and then still being able to play it. Are you just hitting play on the sequence and then, as the Keystep is still set to the MIDI channel for the JU-06, it can still play the notes of the JU-6? Appreciate the clarification! Your videos are very well done and appreciated!

Great tutoring question can that set up be ran to a amplifier for a live set up ? Thanks Neil

It would be nice to use Keysteps sequencer for Volca Sample as a drum machine. On MIDI channel 11 all 10 samples on Volca are triggered by the notes... so theoretically it is possible.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS DEMO, and also thanks for keeping it simple without a computer linked. its so tricky to find demos aimed at novice/beginners. I'm not a musician, but I like to have fun. experiment, play with something far from your comfort zone. The worst part of trying to learn synths, sequencers etc is trying to reach out for help!, as mostly you receive experts musicians that have 20 years experience that knock you down, or worse the ones that simply say 'Goggle it' ... have they ever tried Google recently, all that yields is junk. Thanks again.

This may be a dumb question, What are the samples you are using on the volca sample. Stock? Or from somewhere?

Thank you very much. If I can ask you two questions.... 1. It's impossible to sync the clock of the Keystep + the SP 404 to control the samples tempo? 2. This is the big problem. I just pressed REC + 1 to make the sequencer just one step but I couldn't change it back by pressing REC + any number, so my sequencer has only one step. Do you know how to solve this problem? Thank you very very much.

Is it worth getting a second hand keystep (July 23) or should I wait until I save for a beatstep? There’s a second hand keystep available for £90 at the mo. I currently use monologue and ju06a, but I need to be able to make longer sequences that the 16 step length available. How many hardware synths can be sequenced in one jam at a time? Cheers

Great channel! Any information about using the Keystep is quality information and time well spent as far as I'm concerned. Thanks, I learned quite a bit. 💥🎹💡🐒🌟

Really helpful. Late to the party, but does this work for additional synths (on midi channels 3, 4 etc)? As in, can I hook up more than 2 synths and switch between them and play parts live? And does that also work with a sequence running on one of them?

Question: I have multiple volcas connected to the volca mix and I want them controlled by my new keystep 37, along with having my korg kaoss mini pad 2 connected to the mix's fx send. How can I make this work? Thanks.

I want to get a Jupiter xm for its portable speakers and battery power( SICK ASS TUNE BRO) and I want to be able to play notes live and sequence it but the xm doesn’t have a sequencer i can only add notes manually I think from the screen. I don’t play the piano feel like that takes a wop load of time to put an idea down. But can this midi controller or a midi controller help me compose notes....I’m not trying to use my laptop for this I guess this is more for fun and I’m also trying to learn to play the piano. But I want to be able to compose a song or a melody have the sequencer track it. And I want the Jupiter xm so I’m trying to look for alternatives to have a sequencer where I can press notes and have it record it and I could be able to hear it through the xm speakers.

Which Volca sample drum patches are you using - they sound hot!

Can anyone please help me to sync my external synths to my Reason DAW tempo? I dont have any midi in out on my soundcard. I have a arturia keystep as my main control keyboard. I want to insert midinotes in the daw and let my external synths play and then record in reason. Ive got a midithru 4 by miditech to hook up my m32s, dfam, odyssey. How do i do? 😬 I also have another keystep, beatsteppro to use...

Great info! thank you. Does anyone know how to stop the SH-O1A from starting to play a recorded sequence anytime you push start on keystep or another midi device? This drives me nuts.

Thank you, so much! Very useful. Excellent, keep going with you tutorials. 👍👍

Which channel controls the CV/Gate sequence? I’m probably missing something…

Hi! Thank you so much. I'm trying to sync the keystep and the sp 404 using the keystep as the main clock. Do you think this is possible? Thanks again!!!

hi, is this a normal TRS cable which you use for the synchronization to the Volca Sample, or is it a TRS A to TRS B cable, so a fliped cable?

Great demo...how did you sync the sample up?

My keystep doesnt record over usb with iPad synths. Plays the synth but wont record. Doesnt even trigger sounds over midi. On omni or when channel matched

My Arturia Keystep will only record 1 note and not multiple notes played. What am I doing wrong?( connected to a elektron Digitone).

Could you use Keystep to input seqence into both SH01A AND JU06 and then still play one of them live ?

10:15 when you layer the internal ju-06 sequencer with the keystep synth does that only work with a polyphonic synth? Or can I do that with a mono synth?

My keystep won’t work with Roland boutique tr08 over midi or USB. Should it?

The second sequence is almost a carbon copy of Red Light from Siouxsie and the Banshees

1 Question, how do you connect them all to a speaker?

Ive been trying to figure out how to do this with the berringer model d . When I play an arp and try to play over it it wont work

great! A question: how have you set the double little switches in the back of the keystep?

If you can tell me the settings to get this to work with the mv1 verselab? I cannot figure it out for the life of me.

Hey man, this tutorial was fantastic! I realize it's a year old now, but if you could answer me these quick questions, I'd appreciate it: Is that a special 3.5mm MIDI cable connecting your drum machine to the Arturia? And: What would the difference be if you connected the MIDI out/thru of one of the synths to your drum machine, rather than using the "sync in/out" connections?

Excellent video

So what are u running the sound from each machine into? A mixer etc?

Global settings korg volca sample sync in change? 🤔

Nice demo thanks.I have the Keystep Pro which presumably will work the same but i'm new to multiple synth ( side chaining ? ) so what do you think - shall i give it a whirl ?

Hey great video thanks so much.. Just one question... How did you learn to play piano? Thanks for everything very informative..

Can i ask, how to use the best of just the Arturia. Nice to have a table full of equipment but is not for beginners. Does the Arturia give no sounds without help of other triple cost equipment?

So the MIDI outs are actually MIDI thrus?🤔 Can you add a 3rd and seqence 2 and play live over both?

Hi, this is a great video. I'm considering purchasing a Keystep because of it. I have just one question tough: how do you assign the synths to their own individual channels? I understand how you flip between MIDI channels 1 and 2 using the shift key, but how did you assign the SH-01A to channel 1 and the JU-06 to channel 2? I have a Novation MiniNova and a MicroKorg. Is it possible to use these with the keystep?

Love it Bro 👊💪👏🔥 This is Exactly what I was thinking of doing. Was into my Synth's back when I was a youngster. I was 21 when I had to sale my gear. JP8000,DX7, DX27S,CS1X MC303 and a few other bits. I was Gutted. Long story. Anyway, 24 years later. I am a single parent, with 2 Awesome Boy's. I've started wanting to try and get them into the Synth world 🔥. Or it might be a midlife crisis 😵‍💫. So I've got myself a keystep 37, volca sample 2, Volca Fm, Novation circuit and slowly trying to Build it up. On the circuit, can I use synth 1 on a different midi channel to Synth 2, and drum 1, 2 etc etc. Love the video. Wicked stuff. Love from the UK 👊💪👏👍🙏🔥🔥🔥

thank you for this awesome review !!! QUESTION: Can this also be linked to my DAW and trigger VST;s WHILE jamming with hardware like you have shown in this video??? thank you !!!

Great! How to sync the drum machine? Do I have to use the software and set it up in key step?

Hi there, Why would you use thru box to double the midi if you could just use a midi Y splitter cable? Much cheaper and the same no? And also why do you say that in your case not necessary to use thru box or splitter or anything because both synths have midi thru? I just checked and non of them have midi thru. There is only midi IN and OUT on their back. Let me know pls. Thx

👍🏼 thank you!

realized something, I have a yamaha tx81z and a yahama tg33-- both have midi thru! so fortunately I can daisy chain those with the keystep. No need for a midi splitter in such a setup. I need to try that, now! I highly recommend these older rack synths, btw, they usually have a midi thru port and you can typically get them at a good price.

that was crystal clear. thx for that. i would be interested on how the 3 synths audio are recorded . Are they connected thru a mixer with an audio interface and back to the computer with a DAW ?

So can you for example use this with 1 synth sequence a bassline patch and then change to say a lead or pad patch and play or sequence over it? Or would changing the patch change the bass sound you already sequenced?

Man i don't have good heart enought to tank u, because tanks to u and your SHIFT 1 OR SHIFT 2 IN KEY STEP i could recieve signals accordingly, YOU SAVE SO MUCH TIME AND released me from AGONY, TANKS MAN tanks tanks :)

What do you have the audio outs routed to of each synth?

Great video! - Could I connect the Keystep to my larger Arturia midi controller (61 keys), and just use the arp and sequencer from the keystep, but play it using the larger keyboard? How would I do that? Many thanks.

How would that work with a modular, using the CV and Gate outs? I wanna play a sequence on the modular and use Keyboard Play on a Volca

Love your videos! Thanks always learning from you. I was wondering if the same can be done with the km-25 (Roland 25 key for the boutique)

What I'd like to know is. How would you go about playing two synths together? I have the behringer crave and the volca keys. I want to play them together in unison through my midi controller. is there a way to do this analog? Or, is it necessary that I go route through my audio interface into my daw?

If you get a Arturia key step pro could you do a similar video as you have using this set up but with the key step pro. This video was very helpful.