[100 mA] First of all: I ordered it on B&H and arrived the next day, free shipping!!! Wow! The Arturia Keystep is tremendously versatile and powerful controller. Everything is done right here! Plus, it's built very well!!! If you have hardware/software synths, a good computer (or two), a couple of iPads latest generations, buy it and you'll be more than satisfied! I use mine through Roland Juno-G, Roland GR-20, various laptops, iPads, iMac -- triggering lots of software, and I have to tell you that I can't stop using it! Don't forget one very important thing: it has a conventional MIDI IN/OUT, plus the USB, which also sends MIDI. Look around and try to find out how many controllers offer that sort of versatility?!? And for that price!!!???


Two things I have to figure out: how to save parameters from the Midi Control Center to the Keystep, and if I can plug it in into a battery (RAV) and only send the MIDI to an iPad, in order not to burn too fast through the iPad's battery. Other than that, look at the title of this post!!!

[100 mA] The sequencer and arp are a plus.

[24 VDC, 500 mA] Don't have a lot to compare it to, but sequencer and key action seem about as good as I could ask for as a newb electronic music creator.

[27.72 lb] I was looking for something smaller than my full size Emu Xboard 61 but bigger than my Keith M illen K-Board and this is definitely it. The keys aren't mini-keys, they're slimkeys with velocity and channel aftertouch that feel more like the excellent feel of the Emu Xboard 61 instead of the rubber drumpad-like keys on the K-board. There's no pitchbend/mod wheel, instead there's two capactive touch strips that are very responsive. I'll use the KeyStep primarily with the USB connection, but it also has mod, gate, pitch and sync outputs (and sync in) if I want to connect to modular analog gear. In addition to the USB MIDI connection there are DIN MIDI in and out and a sustain pedal input that automatically senses the polarity of your sustain pedal. The majorly cool features though, are the polyphonic step sequencer and the arpeggiator. Pretty amazing that this stuff is included at all at this price, and they are by no means an after thought. It wasn't that long ago that just the step sequencer functionality would set you back hundreds of dollars if you bought a separate step sequencer. The KeyStep combines this and versatile I/O along with a great feeling keybed for less than $120.

[6 oz (170 g)] I bought a Keystep to go with a Behringer Model D and Neutron I bought. When I was looking and listening to demos of the two synths above I noticed a lot of people using the Keystep. So I researched it and decided to give it a try. Glad I did. It's hard to beat for the price and features.


Keyboard feels pretty good for what it is. Very slightly spongy until you get used to it. It's not going to feel like a synth action keybed in larger keyboards or even an Alesis Micron but not far from the Micron's keyboard. Feels like my Yamaha CS01's keys. It's very playable.


The sequencer section and arpeggiator section are perfect for what they are meant for and do. Great for driving monophonic synth modules and it will do poly synths too. See specs for more info.


Build quality feels first rate. Metal bottom and plastic top. Knobs are silky smooth, selector knobs are smooth and quiet and illuminated rubber buttons feel good for what they are.


Bottom line is I would highly recommend the Keystep for what it's meant to do. Drive a synth and then some!

[Black aluminum] It works great! Shuts on/off power in sequence so everything doesnt go at once. and has a couple plugs that always stay on so I can leave my computer plugged in and use it while the rest of the gear is off. solid!!!

[24 VDC, 500 mA] The sequencing makes sure my monitors don't pop when I turn them. It is a really simple piece of equipment that protects much more advance more expensive gear!

[Black aluminum] It is a fine little MIDI keyboard. I do wish the black keys were a little wider, but I think they are as skinny as they are so that wider fingers than mine can fit between.

[2.4 W] Great sequencer keyboard, I use it with Ableton and it works like a charm. The built in ARP is super fun and I look forward to exploring more features.

[27.72 lb] Having a sequencer to power up your pa is a great to protect from unwanted surges that can damage your gear. The furman M-8S is just the ticket to handle the job and get the best price at B & H.