For those who’ve ever watched a synth video on YouTube, there’s an honest probability you’ve seen the Arturia KeyStep in some unspecified time in the future. The inexpensive keyboard and controller has been a gentle presence since its launch in January of 2016, particularly in DAWless circles. Now Arturia is lastly releasing a correct successor, the KeyStep mk2, and on paper, it looks as if an enormous improve.
The core of what makes the KeyStep beloved stays unchanged: 32 strong minikeys with aftertouch, a small footprint, respectable connectivity choices, and low value. The mk2 options USB-C for energy and MIDI, five-pin MIDI out and in ports, analog sync out and in, a maintain / expression pedal enter, plus CV and gate outputs for hooking up modular gear.
The headlining updates listed below are the brand new generative capabilities, Mutate and Spice, borrowed from the corporate’s Freak line of synths. Mutate makes semi-random adjustments to an arpeggio or sequence, endlessly iterating on concepts. And for those who discover one thing you want, it can save you it as a brand new sequence. With this capability to create completely happy accidents, remodeling arpeggios into sequences and again once more, YouTuber Loopop stated, “a brand new benchmark has been set for what a keyboard can do as a compositional assistant.”
Whereas Mutate will shift notes round, creating totally new patterns, Spice is a bit more delicate. It adjustments gate size, velocity, provides ratchets, and at greater settings, will introduce octave jumps. It’s targeted virtually solely on rhythmic variation.
Synth influencer Starsky Carr stated there’s “a great deal of enjoyable and a great deal of inspirational instruments” contained in the KeyStep mk2. However some critiques have been down on the build quality. Whereas the unique had a metallic baseplate that made it surprisingly heavy for its measurement and helped it stand up to long-term abuse, the mk2 has an all-plastic construct. Will folks nonetheless be enjoying their KeyStep mk2s in 10