Arturia KeyStep 37 37-key Controller & Sequencer

The Arturia KeyStep 37 offers a fresh approach to MIDI control and sequencing. While many modern musicians have become accustomed to using their keyboard controller for basic note input only and doing all sequencing and arranging in their DAW, there are many situations where hardware control over sequencing, arpeggiation, and chord and scale modes offers a distinct advantage. That’s where the KeyStep 37 comes in. Arturia has packed this compact controller with advanced features that will supercharge your music creation process. Beyond its 37-note keyboard, knobs, buttons, and LED screen, there’s a lot of high tech under the hood that doesn’t readily meet the eye. The KeyStep 37’s velocity-sensitive keybed has aftertouch — something you typically see only on high-ticket controllers — as well as RGB LED feedback. Take a look at the rear panel and you’ll see control-voltage (CV) pitch, gate, and modulation connections for integration with modular synth setups. Then there’s the 64-step polyphonic sequencer with eight patterns, an 8-mode arpeggiator with new random modes, and a unique Chord mode with 12 voicings. You’ll appreciate the capacitive pitch and mod strips, which are easy to play but don’t have moving parts to collect dust or get damaged. Add in 5-pin MIDI DIN I/O as well as USB-MIDI and USB bus power, and it all adds up to a formidable, attractive, compact, and roadworthy package designed for the modern musician and producer on-the-go. While 37 synth-weighted mini keys obviously won’t satisfy serious concert pianists, the KeyStep 37 will hit the sweet spot for many musicians looking for playability in a compact package. Three octaves is an expansive enough range to accommodate limited two-handed playing and melodic lines that incorporate octave displacement without having to hit the octave shift buttons (which are conveniently located, in any event). And Arturia made sure the keybed is highly playable. The piano-style keys are a bit larger, with wider spacing than most minis on the market, and assuming you have average-sized hands, they are satisfying to play and feel great to dig into.