Arturia - BeatStep - Compact MIDI Controller & Sequencer with Creative Software for Recording - 16 Pads, 16 Encoders

This is my first synth controller, and I purchased it to operate an analogue modular synth as well as DAW. I'm impressed. It's nice and compact, light weight, but has a nice user-friendly interface. The knobs and pressure pads are responsive and solid, the features intuitive and avoiding unnecessary complications while also being quite comprehensive. The sequencer worked out of the box for both my analogue synth and FL Studio. Definitely recommend.

This is my first delve into pad controllers as I come from a piano/guitar background. After a lot of research on a midi pad controller for a budget which main feature was to kick off samples/sounds with my keyboard, I settled with this over the Akai LPD8 (which is considerably cheaper) and there didn't seem to be much of a selection with the amount of pads and slim design.I have not been disappointed with the quality as it has a robust base. The dials on it may be a plastic/rubber feel but doesn't feel cheap and nasty. It was easy to setup with registration and installation and I could use it straight away without having to read much documentation. I love the sequencer and have it set up on my midi keyboard controller (Yamaha A88) using Logic Pro X on my MacOS. I am enjoying the experimentation of the different beats and sequencing and it definitely helps with the workflow.

I have been looking for an affordable sequencer for use with my musical projects. Arturia's Beat Step controller is easy to set up and use and for the price you get a really useful, creative and competent instrument.

Buttons are very insensitive, so chaotic output.Knobs sometimes double-fire for one click.Knobs map to instrument plugin parameters but with broken value assignment.If you then try and configure manually using remote scripts, the knobs are a mix of infinite encoders and potentiometers with no rhyme or reason as to which one is which.Just very disappointing for the use-cases I've tried.

A very well built piece of hardware from Arturia! The midi-control software is a bit mind boggling for a midi novice but don't let that put you off buying this product. I currently use it for DJing but its list of uses is endless. Great product at a great price!

For what it is, and what it costs, this thing is great. I am using it as a controller to launch and tweak VSTi instruments from my mic standfor use with a midi guitar; the encoders and pads are just what I need. I dont use analog synths so I've no comment on its capabilities there.Its a reasonable step sequencer but with some significant limitations; no display of the tempo, no control of velocity (seems like it would be easy to add with a firmware update, c'mon Arturia) if it had that I would give it 5 stars.Most notably, for the cost, this thing is robust and not your typical plastic throwaway device.Impressive.Rens

I was torn between this and the keystep as I needed a sequencer to run my analog synth, this was a little cheaper and I'm no pianist so I thought it would be the best bet.I didn't realise how much of a hindrance only having the few little ports would be. And with them all Bein "out" it restricts you to using this as the master (or so I am to assume)Fine, I thought. I don't mind adapting to limitations like this. But the problems carried on when tried to synchronise the clocks with this and the analog synth to everything else. It would only send signals when the beatstep is triggering a note. So if I were to play a sequence and 1/32 my drums would sound like some sort of ecstacy riddled hardstyle music. And if I muted a note in the sequence it would stop the other synths from playing there patterns too.I did speak to arturia about this as I am a regular customer and have used there assistance a few times to some pleasant experiences. As it was this time, but they didn't really have an answer for me. I will assume this is my novice approach to synchronicity at this level and maybe i hadn't explained myself well enough to arturia.. Great company and great products. And the beatstep is built like a real tool and not just a plastic piece of... But very limited piece of gear when they keystep is only 15 moreReturned and replaced with the keystep, (midi in out, 4 cv outs, sync in out)

The build quality of the controller is excellent and it is a doddle to set up and use. Fits in a laptop bag for portability and looks great. All pads and rotary controls feel good and it's easy to create sequences with it. Definitely recommended.