Arturia

Reviews | Arturia BeatStep Pro
86
T
he last few years have seen
Arturia expanding ever further
into the physical world, and
the MicroBrute really upped
the ante. As an analogue synth with a
built-in modulation patch panel it is a
very cost-effective starting point for a
patch-cable empire.
Last year the BeatStep sequencer/
controller arrived, but I found it too
dependent on a host computer’s USB
port for my liking. Arturia clearly learnt
a few lessons as they’ve now introduced
the much expanded BeatStep Pro. The
new unit has a similar feel to the earlier
box – a low profi le, predominantly white
box with 16 continuous control knobs
and 16 MPC-style pads. However, these
have been expanded to include 16
backlit step-programming buttons and a
much enhanced left-hand transport and
function panel.
The BeatStep Pro has three
independent pattern sequencers – two
geared towards melodic material, and
one aimed at programming drum parts.
All three can transmit on separate MIDI
channels via the back-panel MIDI port
(using the included 3.5mm to MIDI
socket adaptor), but the big attraction
for many will be the Pro’s analogue
connectivity. Sequencers 1 and 2 each
have dedicated dual CV + Gate outputs,
while the drum sequencer has eight
drum trigger ports. You’ll also fi nd
analogue clock in and out, and more
digital in the shape of the MIDI In and
micro USB port.
Flexibility is the key here, so you can
sync the unit from its internal clock,
USB, MIDI or analogue clock, in
different formats such as ‘trigger per
step’ or even DIN Sync. There are also
plenty of options elsewhere with both
Hz/V and V/Oct CV pitch standards and
V and S-type triggers for sequencer gate
and drum triggers. This only scratches
the surface of the customisation
options, and you will need to dive into
the MIDI Control Centre software to
access the vast majority of these. While
connected to a computer (via USB) you
can also use the Pro as a MIDI to CV/
Gate/Drum Trigger interface and – if
you’re tired of all the other possibilities
– as a DAW and MIDI control surface.
Both sequencers can store 16
patterns, with each being anywhere
from 1 to 64 steps in length – though
obviously you can only view/edit 16
steps at a time. Notes can be played in
via MIDI or the pads in real time,
though classic step-time sequencing is
of course catered for as well. Steps are
enabled or disabled via the smaller step
buttons (backlit according to which
sequencer has been selected). By
default, the knobs allow you to adjust
the pitch for each step. Pitches
increment in chromatic intervals, but
you may also select from a range of
other scales – or choose your own
(though there is no way of achieving
unquantised atonal sequences via the
pitch output). Once you’ve got a pattern
going, you can choose the playback
direction and speed, and engage in
some real-time transposition via MIDI or
the front-panel pads. Transposition,
along with pattern selection and swing,
can be global or per track.
An intriguing additional feature
comes in the form of the Randomness
and Probability knobs that add some
real-time unpredictability in the timing,
length and pitch of notes – though
pitches are restricted to those that are
already present in a pattern. It would
have been great to have a way of storing
a newly created randomised pattern on
WHAT IS IT?
Desktop controller and
step sequencer with USB,
MIDI and CV/Gate and
Drum Trigger connectivity
CONTACT
Who: Arturia (Source
Distribution)
Web: sourcedistribution.
co.uk
HIGHLIGHTS
1 Four analogue CV and ten
Gate outputs
2 Plenty of syncing options
3 Lots of customisation
options available
Arturia BeatStep
Pro | £199
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FMU296.rev_arturia.indd 86 12/08/2015 17:28