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Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 2:43 am
by The_G
Anyone have this? If so, how do you use it?

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 1:59 pm
by paclos
I use it to sync all my hardware equipment, as the source of the MIDI Signal.

I have,

-Mopho+Tetra
-Streichfett
-NordDum2

I have not tryed it for live act or something similar but I guess it is one of the best options for it.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 2:01 pm
by Alume
The question is, where do you want to use it for?

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 1:22 am
by The_G
I have no idea. Maybe to do live stuff, or just had a creative way to control my hardware without a laptop. Keystep also attractive, though I understand it can only sequence one instrument at a time whereas the beatstep can sequence multiple.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 1:25 am
by The_G
Basically I was at the shop buying a mic and took a look st these.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:52 am
by Alume
Ive used one before and they are good fun. Its really nice to have the option to sequence cv signals etc. but i cant give any in depth info

I dont know trying it out cant hurt, if you get on for around 180 euros im sure you van sell it for the same price again.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:25 am
by WOLF!
Do you need the control voltage and gate signals?
I had the first beatstep model but sold it and got a Zaquencer.
I expect the gate signals to be 5V (because it's fed with USB power); so that's not high enough for some synths.
Another very capable and cheap sequencer is the Yamaha RM1X.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 7:13 pm
by Andre_Crom
I like it to:

- sequence drums, it is pre-mapped to access the scale which triggers most vst drummachines like d16 drumazon and nepheton or most sample packs with sampler patches. it's more fun and intuitive to record the drums while jamming on the pads, instead to click stuff in.

- sequence melodies and chords. again, you can just jam and have a more intuitive workflow than with clicking stuff in, and you don't need to be a good keyboard player. it also offers scale functions.

so i'd recommend it. what really sucks though is it's saving process (NO auto-save), so you might wanna record all you do with it in midi into your daw.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:12 am
by Hades
Andre_Crom wrote:I like it to:

- sequence drums, it is pre-mapped to access the scale which triggers most vst drummachines like d16 drumazon and nepheton or most sample packs with sampler patches. it's more fun and intuitive to record the drums while jamming on the pads, instead to click stuff in.

- sequence melodies and chords. again, you can just jam and have a more intuitive workflow than with clicking stuff in, and you don't need to be a good keyboard player. it also offers scale functions.

so i'd recommend it. what really sucks though is it's saving process (NO auto-save), so you might wanna record all you do with it in midi into your daw.
do you use the pro model or the 1st one they made ?
I've been meaning to buy one exactly for jamming in drum patterns as drums have always been one of my weak points and I hate clicking in notes.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2017 5:03 pm
by Andre_Crom
Hades wrote:
Andre_Crom wrote:I like it to:

- sequence drums, it is pre-mapped to access the scale which triggers most vst drummachines like d16 drumazon and nepheton or most sample packs with sampler patches. it's more fun and intuitive to record the drums while jamming on the pads, instead to click stuff in.

- sequence melodies and chords. again, you can just jam and have a more intuitive workflow than with clicking stuff in, and you don't need to be a good keyboard player. it also offers scale functions.

so i'd recommend it. what really sucks though is it's saving process (NO auto-save), so you might wanna record all you do with it in midi into your daw.
do you use the pro model or the 1st one they made ?
I've been meaning to buy one exactly for jamming in drum patterns as drums have always been one of my weak points and I hate clicking in notes.
sorry for the late reply.

i have the pro model. sounds like it is what would help you to get away from the mouse, the drum pads are great for jamming and recording the midi live, while the "1-16" drummachine style buttons are good for creating patterns in a classical drummachine style.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2017 6:34 pm
by Hades
ok, thx for the info.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 3:53 pm
by michal
I am using Beatstep Pro mostly:
- as a trigger for modular or synthesizers like Pittsburg Lifeforms (CV), Vermona Mono Lanchet (MIDI), Korg MS 20 MINI (CV)...
- for a live performance
- for special occasions in Ableton

...Is very easy and intuitive (after some time and reading the Manual)

- on other-hand, from time to time it freezes and I have to restart it - especially when I work too fast with it


conclusion:
After (I guess) two years of usage I can recommend it to everyone who is looking for a cheap sequencer. I am not saying it is the best sequencer ever, but for 200€ it is a beast! ..and now is also in black color yeah

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:47 pm
by Críoch
Hey guys..

2020

How are these holding up?

Good quality or POS?

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 9:43 pm
by Mono-xID
I'll buy one next month. A must-have for eurorack.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 2:41 am
by Críoch
That's good to know man. Keeping my eye out for something tactile.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 6:14 am
by Ben Kohonays
Interesting alternative.

Twisted Electrons Crazy 8 Sequencer

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 9:07 pm
by 2latuile
Got one second hand recently (the pro model), just starting to use it and it's a welcome change (my first real step sequencer... xD). Not played with the drum track so far (I have to find a way to avoid getting a midi loop between the BS and the MPC) though. No bug nor issue so far, a rather decent user interface, and for the money there's really not much to complain about IMHO.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 12:42 pm
by Críoch
Im evaluating a BSP atm. Might end up sending it back. Got a good deal on a black b-stock with Cover. Have some time anyway.

I'm just not gelling with it. Ive been playing with the Roland mc202 the week & I've got the Roland style , 202 / 303 sequencer appreciation front & centre of my mind. Im honestly finding the BSP to be quite boring.

I've had it 3 or 4 days & I've genuinely been finding it difficult to get a good sequence going. Seems lifeless, too rigid or something. Even with swing , odd seq lengths & using the velocity to mod stuff.

I'm just not feeling it.

I've been using it primarily with a Dominion 1 Synth. Bit underwhelmed running a sequence into it. Far prefer banging the keys or sending midi out from Ableton. The D1 sounds special like that TBF. It sounds quite ordinary with the BSP. Even pulling the midi or CV away from the BSP & playing the same patch on the D1 , vibing.. playing some notes; sounds way better.

Need to do some trial & error. Investigate the BSP with some other synths , run the D1 off some Ableton step sequencers & also the Analog Rytm sequencer. I am fortunate to be spoilt with other options.

Really disappointed by the BSP. Maybe it's not for me. I've wanted a hw step seq for a lonnng time. Had great visions of being able to spit out cool shit like fuck with it.. but dunno. Not what i expected lol 😄

It's probably user error to some degree. My mindset is probably wrong right now. Expecting too much.

Still, it is a great unit. I can see how cool it is & maybe it's more suited to a modular environment. Build quality was far superior to my expectations. Wish the cables were a wee bit longer though 😭😄 - but anyway, that's the least of my problems right now!! 🤪

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:05 pm
by orchard
Ah, shame. I've not long had one and really like it. It's fun.
For just getting some quick ideas going, it's really easy.
Only been using Ableton as sound sources so far to keep things simple but sequencing/modulating velocity and assigning to various parameters is wicked.

And yeah, build is really nice.

Re: Arturia Beatstep Pro

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:48 pm
by Críoch
Good to hear!

Ill spend some more time with it regardless. It's a great bit of kit, no doubt.. but not interested in keeping it if we don't click. Boo hoo 😅