USER MANUAL
Special Thanks DIRECTION Frederic Brun Adrien Courdavault ENGINEERING Yannick Bellance Robert Bocquier Olivier Delhomme Mark Xiaomai INDUSTRIALIZATION Nicolas Dubois MANUAL Randy Lee Sebastien Rochard Morgan Perrier Yannick Bellance Valentin Lepetit DESIGN Glen Darcey Morgan Perrier Sebastien Rochard Daniel Vester Frederic Brun © ARTURIA SA – 2017 – All rights reserved. 11 Chemin de la Dhuy 38240 Meylan FRANCE www.arturia.
Thank you for purchasing the Arturia BeatStep Pro! This manual covers the features and operation of Arturia’s BeatStep Pro, a full-featured pad/ knob controller, dual analog-style step sequencer, drum programmer and live performance device. In this package you will find: • One BeatStep Pro controller, with a serial number and unlock code on the bottom. You will need this information in order to register your BeatStep Pro.
Special Message Section Specifications Subject to Change: The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing. However, Arturia reserves the right to change or modify any of the specifications without notice or obligation to update the hardware that has been purchased. IMPORTANT: The product and its software, when used in combination with an amplifier, headphones or speakers, may be able to produce sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss.
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Arturia BeatStep Pro! This unique device is a combination of many musical technologies: an assignable MIDI controller, two analog-style step sequencers, a drum programmer and a live performance tool, all in a single compact package. It has an unlimited number of potential uses and setup options, thanks to its simultaneous USB, MIDI, CV/Gate and synchronization capabilities.
Table Of Contents 1. BeatStep Pro Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1. Making the connections ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1.1. ...with a Computer .......................................................................................................................
4.2.3. Muting a Drum .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 4.2.4. Selecting the Encoder Editing Options ........................................................................................................................................................ 41 4.2.5. Step-editing a pattern.......................................................
9.2.2. Metronome/Tap Tempo button....................................................................................................................................................................... 80 9.2.3. Swing Encoder .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 80 9.2.4. Randomness/Probability Encoders ..........................................
11. Parameter Charts................................................................................................................................................... 125 11.1. Default settings.................................................................................................................................................................. 125 11.1.1. Encoders settings.............................................................................................................................
1. BEATSTEP PRO OVERVIEW 1.1. Making the connections BeatStep Pro offers an unprecedented number of ways to connect with other types of equipment, from vintage to modern. Below are examples of potential setups: 1.1.1. ...with a Computer BeatStep Pro is a USB class-compliant controller, so at its most basic level it can be connected to any computer with a USB port and used as an input device for various applications. The downloadable MIDI Control Center [p.
1.1.2. ...with external devices As you can see, the BeatStep Pro can be at the center of some amazing systems. 1.1.2.1. CV/Velo/Gate/Drum Gate The front panel of the BeatStep Pro allows you to take command of all sorts of external devices through its Pitch, Velo and Gate connectors. It also can send data to those devices from the USB port of your computer. 1.1.2.2. MIDI devices There are lots of great devices that only have MIDI ports (no CV/Gate connectors, no USB).
1.1.3. Something to consider: Ground loops A ground loop is an unwanted current in a conductor connecting two points. The result is noise in your audio signal, usually in the form of a low-frequency hum. In setups including computers, interfaces and audio devices, it's possible to end up with an annoying ground loop. We have provided you with a solution, however: the anti ground loop adapter. 1.1.3.1.
1.2. Front panel overview 1. Transport/Shift buttons [p.8] 2. Preset/Project utility [p.9] 3. Roller/Looper [p.10] 4. Swing/Randomness/Probability [p.10] 5. Tempo and synchronization [p.11] 6. Sequencer control [p.11] 7. Project/Control modes [p.12] 8. Encoders [p.12] 9. Step buttons [p.13] 10. Pads [p.14] 1.2.1. Transport/Shift buttons The Transport buttons control the internal sequencers and external MIDI devices using MIDI Machine Control.
1.2.2. Preset/Project utility 1. Transpose Link [p.55] 2. Preset Link [p.56] 3. Preset Length section [p.9] 4. MIDI Channel [p.57] 1.2.2.1. TRNS LNK button TRNS LNK enables Sequencer 1 and Sequencer 2 to be transposed simultaneously; when the pitch of one is changed, the other will follow. There's more information about this feature in the Transpose Link [p.55] section of the Projects [p.49] chapter. 1.2.2.2.
1.2.3. Roller/Looper The touch strip has two modes: "Roller" and "Looper". You can toggle quickly between the two modes by holding the Shift button and pressing Step button 9 while in Control mode. • The Looper repeats a section of the combined output of the sequencers (i.e., the Project). The loop starts when you press the touch strip, and the loop size is based on the location of your finger on the strip.
1.2.5. Tempo and synchronization Set the Project tempo here, either with a twist of the RATE/FINE encoder or by tapping the TAP/METRO button. The display will normally display the tempo, but it changes temporarily to show encoder values when editing. The metronome sends user-definable note data over MIDI, and can be toggled on/off using the SHIFT and TAP/METRO buttons together. There are four Sync options which are accessed by pressing the Sync button repeatedly while the unit is stopped.
1.2.7. Project/Control modes There are 16 Projects available in the BeatStep Pro, and each Project contains 16 patterns per sequencer. This allows for tens of thousands of possible combinations, all available instantly. The Project button is used to select the desired Project. Each Project also contains 16 Scenes [p.82]. Each Scene contains a pattern or a chain [p.66] of patterns for SEQ1, SEQ2, and DRUM.
1.2.9. Step buttons A familiar use for the Step buttons is to enable/disable events in a pattern. But they do many other things also, often in combination with another button. For example, they are used with the LST STEP button to set the pattern length. In the sections of this manual you will learn how the Step buttons are used to: • Save and recall a Project [p.50], Scene [p.82], or Sequencer pattern [p.36] • Make a pattern chain [p.66] • Enter notes in a Sequencer pattern [p.
1.2.10. Velocity/Pressure Pads The mode also determines the function of the 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads: • In Control Mode they are assignable to almost any MIDI-related function. • In Sequencer mode most of the pads trigger notes, and pads 15 and 16 are used to shift the octave range. When used with the SEQUENCER 1 or SEQUENCER 2 button, the pads are used to transpose the sequence chromatically. • If Drum mode is selected the pads trigger notes.
1.3. Rear panel overview, part 1 1.3.1. Pitch/Velo/Gate outputs These are normally used together to send electrical signals to an external device such as Arturia’s powerhouse monophonic analog synthesizers (MatrixBrute, MiniBrute/SE, and MicroBrute/SE) or to a modular analog synthesizer. The Pitch output is often referred to as Control Voltage or CV. 1.3.2. Drum Gate outputs These outputs correspond to pads 1-8 (the bottom row of pads) when the Drum sequencer is selected.
1.4. Rear panel overview, part 2 1.4.1. Clock input/output The included DIN adapter (1/8" TRS jack to 5-pin DIN, black) allows BeatStep Pro to interface with pre-MIDI technology that used these connectors for synchronization, such as early drum machines by Korg and Roland. See the Synchronization [p.74] chapter for more details. ♪: The use of a TRS jack will provide both clock and start signals. A TS jack will provide only clock signals. 1.4.2.
2. BASIC OPERATIONS 2.1. What is a Project? BeatStep Pro contains 16 Projects [p.49]. Each Project holds 16 patterns for each of the three sequencers (SEQ1, SEQ2 and DRUM), including all of the settings for each pattern. A Project [p.49] also includes 16 Scenes [p.82] and a Control Mode [p.79] preset, with independent settings defined by the MIDI Control Center [p.84] for each BeatStep Pro control. A Scene [p.82] contains a pattern or a pattern chain [p.66] for SEQ1, SEQ2 and DRUM.
2.2. The Blank Project Each of the Projects and patterns starts out with default, “blank slate” settings. For Control Mode this means: • The encoders are assigned to a useful variety of MIDI CC numbers • The pads are assigned to play notes based on a chromatic scale • Every control is set to transmit data on the User MIDI Channel to both USB and the MIDI output ♪: The default User MIDI Channel is 1.
2.3. Making a Project BeatStep Pro is such a spontaneous compositional tool that as soon as you change almost anything, you have started a new Project. At the heart of each Project are the patterns it contains, so let’s take a quick look at how to record a pattern. 2.3.1. Select a Sequencer First decide which of the three sequencers you want to use as the basis for your Project. If you have a melody in your head or want to improvise a bass line, select either SEQ1 or SEQ2 by pressing its button.
2.3.3. Clear a pattern If you want to start recording on the selected sequencer with a pattern that’s completely empty, hold the SHIFT button and press Step button 1. This will clear all of the data in the current pattern, so be careful! If you want to copy the current data to a different location first, follow the instructions in the Saving a Sequence [p.36] section. You can also use the MIDI Control Center [p.84] to back up the pattern to your computer.
2.3.6. Record a pattern (or three) If you’ve followed all of the steps in Making a Project [p.19] up to this point, then let’s make a quick pattern on each sequencer. For a more detailed explanation of the following procedures, see Sequence Creation [p.25] (SEQ1, SEQ2) and Pattern Creation [p.39] (DRUM). • Select SEQ1, press the RECORD button and press the PLAY button.
2.4. Project Save Your patterns can be lost unless you save the Project that contains them. Saving a Project is simple! It only takes three steps. !: When you follow these instructions you will overwrite the selected Project and all of its patterns. Be sure this is what you want to do! If not, be sure to find out which memory location is available and store the Project there instead.
2.5. Project Load !: If you need to, be sure you have saved the current Project before you load in a new one, because doing so will replace all of the patterns of all three sequencers and will also load a new set of Control Mode assignments. Be sure this is what you want to do! When you press the PROJECT button one of the Step buttons will be lit red. This helps you know which Project is currently loaded into memory.
3. THE STEP SEQUENCERS The main focus of this chapter will be the sequencing features that are accessible from the front panel of the BeatStep Pro. There are more parameters available through the MIDI Control Center [p.84], though; see the Sequence window [p.97] section of that chapter for more information. 3.1. What’s a step sequencer? A step sequencer is a very basic type of music sequencer.
3.3. Sequence Creation The BeatStep Pro provides an astounding array of options for music creation. Each of the following features plays a major role in shaping a sequence: 3.3.1. Quantize Recording The process of recording a sequence has been described in the Basic Operations chapter. But there’s an important concept to know about recording in real time using the pads or incoming MIDI: the notes will be quantized according to the time division you have selected.
3.3.2. Encoders The 16 encoders input the values of three different parameters for each sequence step: • The note each step will play • The velocity of the note • The duration (gate time) of the note. The parameter being affected by the encoders is determined by the KNOBS button: Press this button repeatedly to cycle between the three options (Pitch, Velo, and Gate), then edit that value with the encoder that corresponds to the sequence step.
3.3.2.3. Gate Time The Gate Time parameter is used to adjust the length of a note. Potential values are from 1% (short) to 99% (long), with additional settings of TIE and SLIDE. These values can be set independently for each step in a sequence. A setting of TIE does different things for the CV/Gate output and over MIDI: • CV/Gate output: the note that follows a TIE will change the control voltage but will not send a new gate signal to the attached device.
3.3.3. Scales 3.3.3.1. What the Scales do The BeatStep Pro front panel gives you the ability to assign one of eight input scales to a step sequencer: seven preset scales and one you can customize yourself (the User scale). A scale is a sort of ‘filter’ that will help you to hear only the notes you want to hear in your sequence. Here's what the Scale feature does: • It affects the notes you hear being played back.
3.3.3.2. Scale Types Here’s what each of the Scales looks like. Keep in mind that the last note pictured in each scale type is actually the first note of the next octave: Chromatic There are twelve notes in the chromatic scale: that’s the largest number a Scale can have. It’s like a musical ‘bypass’ setting: all of the notes entered by the pads will play back at their original pitches, and all notes are available when the encoder is turned. Now the ‘filters’ will start to kick in.
3.3.3.3. How the root note of a sequence is determined The actual note sent by a BeatStep Pro sequence at any given moment is the sum of two parts: 1. The note being played by the current sequence step, as determined by the current scale 2. The transposition amount set by a pad or by a note received over MIDI. (See the Transposition [p.34] section for more information.) 3.3.4. Step buttons: note on/off/edit One major use for the Step buttons is to enable or disable each step in the sequence.
3.3.5. Default Sequence Length The default length is 16 steps, but a sequence can be up to 64 steps long. If you’d like your sequence to be less than 16 steps long, simply hold the LST STEP button and then press the Step button that corresponds to the desired setting. If you'd like it to be longer than 16 steps, see Lengths > 16 steps [p.32] below. 3.3.5.1. Sequence Follow mode When working with sequences longer than 16 steps there is an important feature to know.
3.3.5.2. Lengths > 16 steps To make your sequence longer than 16 steps will involve the LST STEP button, the « » buttons and the Step Group LEDs. For example, let’s lengthen a 16-step sequence to 32 steps. We’ll use SEQ1 this time. First, press the Sequencer 1 button to select SEQ1. Next, exit Sequence Follow mode by pressing the << and >> buttons at the same time. The buttons should be dark. Here’s what to do next: • Hold the LST STEP button. • Press the >> button once.
3.3.6. Pads For SEQ1 and SEQ2 the pads act like a piano keyboard, starting with pad 1 on the left side of the lower row. You’ll notice this pad is labeled with the note name “C”. From there the note names proceed upward chromatically through an entire octave. The pads with note names will transpose a sequence while it is playing. To do this for SEQ1, for example, hold the SEQUENCER 1 button and press one of the pads with a note name (C, C#, D, etc).
3.3.6.3. Chromatic transposition In addition to transposing the octave range of a sequence, there are two ways to transpose a melodic sequence chromatically: 1. Hold the SEQUENCER 1 or SEQUENCER 2 button and press one of the pads with a note name (C, C#, D, etc.) 2. Send a note to the BeatStep Pro on the Input Channel [p.58] as specified in the MIDI Control Center [p.84]. You can transpose a sequence whether the sequencer is running or not. 3.3.6.4.
3.3.7. Swing: Project vs. Current Track The Swing feature is described in greater detail in the Swing [p.51] section of the Projects [p.49] chapter, but it is important to know that each sequencer can have its own Swing % setting. To try this, press the CURRENT TRACK button. After this, any changes to the swing percentage will affect only the current sequence on the selected sequencer. Then you can select the other sequencers and edit their Swing settings also.
3.3.8. Randomness/Probability Features The Randomness and Probability features are described in greater detail in the Randomness/Probability [p.52] section of the Projects [p.49] chapter, but it is important to know that each sequencer can have its own settings for these parameters. To try this, press the CURRENT TRACK button. After this, any changes to the Randomness and Probability settings will affect only the current sequence on the selected sequencer.
3.6. Copying a pattern between SEQ1 and SEQ2 The BeatStep Pro allows you to copy patterns from one melodic sequencer to the other. For example, if you'd like to copy pattern 01 from SEQ1 into pattern 04 of SEQ2: • Press the SEQUENCER 1 button. • Select pattern 01. • Press and hold the SAVE button until the final step. • Press and hold the SEQUENCER 2 button until the final step. • Press Step button 4 to select the destination pattern.
4. THE DRUM SEQUENCER 4.1. DRUM vs. SEQ: a comparison SEQ1/SEQ2 and DRUM look similar, but the Drum sequencer is different in many ways: • Drum mode will record parts for up to 16 different instruments, not one. • Each of the 16 drums has its own ‘track’, and when one is selected the Step buttons display the pattern events for that drum. This is similar to the ‘classic’ workflow of early drum machines.
4.2. Pattern Creation For this section we’ll assume you have your BeatStep Pro in Drum mode. If you aren’t sure, press the DRUM button. 4.2.1. Recording a Pattern To record a pattern, press the Record button and then press the Play button to start the pattern. If the pattern is already playing, just press the Record button. When both are lit and the unit is running, it is in Record mode. If it isn’t running, check the Sync settings (see the Synchronization [p.74] chapter). Now play one or more pads.
4.2.3. Muting a Drum If you’d like to mute one or more drums while creating your pattern or during performance, this is easy: • Start in DRUM mode • Hold the DRUM button • Hold the MUTE button • Press the pad that corresponds to the drum or drums you would like to mute. The muted pads will light solid so you can see which ones are muted. ♪: When individual Drum tracks are muted the Mute button will flash. When the entire Drum sequencer is muted the Mute button will be lit solid.
4.2.4. Selecting the Encoder Editing Options Use the KNOBS button to cycle through the following editing options for the encoders. 4.2.4.1. Shift The encoders can be used to ‘shift’ the timing of Drum events forward or backward in relation to the beat. This can help add a ‘human’ feel to your drum patterns. The range is -50 to +50, or half of the Time Division value. 4.2.4.2. Velocity If a drum event in the pattern is too loud or soft you can edit its velocity using the encoders.
4.2.5. Step-editing a pattern One major use for the Step buttons is to enable or disable each step in the pattern. When a Step button is lit, a note will play at the Velocity you played on the pad and will keep playing for as long as you want it to (Gate time). To silence that note event, simply press that Step button. When its LED is dark, that event will not play the next time. The Step buttons can also be used to change the velocity of an existing note while the sequence is playing back. Here's how: 1.
4.2.6. Pattern Length The default length is 16 steps, but a pattern can be up to 64 steps long. If you’d like your pattern to be less than 16 steps long, simply hold the LST STEP button and then press the Step button that corresponds to the desired setting. If you'd like it to be longer than 16 steps, see Pattern Lengths > 16 steps [p.44] below. 4.2.6.1. Pattern Follow mode When working with patterns longer than 16 steps there is an important feature to know.
4.2.6.2. Pattern Lengths > 16 steps To make your pattern longer than 16 steps will involve the LST STEP button, the « » buttons and the Step Group LEDs. For example, let’s lengthen a 16-step pattern to 32 steps. First, press the DRUM button to select the Drum sequencer. Next, exit Pattern Follow mode by pressing the << and >> buttons at the same time. The buttons should be dark. Here’s what to do next: • Hold the LST STEP button. • Press the >> button once. A white LED will appear above the number 32.
4.2.6.4. Polyrhythm The Drum Sequencer has a feature called Polyrhythm [p.63] that allows each drum track to have its own length within a drum pattern. This is covered in the Advanced Features [p.59] chapter. You can toggle the Polyrhythm feature on and off from within Drum mode using SHIFT and Step button 16. If Step button is lit, Polyrhythm mode is on; if the button is not lit, Polyrhythm mode is Off. This parameter can also be set from within the MIDI Control Center [p.84] software. 4.2.7.
4.2.8. The Swing feature The Swing feature is described in greater detail in the Swing [p.51] section of the Projects [p.49] chapter, but it is important to know that the drum sequencer can have a different Swing % setting than the other sequencers. To experiment with this, press the CURRENT TRACK button: any changes to the swing percentage after this will affect only the drum pattern. Then you can select the other sequencers and edit their Swing settings also.
4.2.9. Randomness and Probability The Randomness and Probability features are described in greater detail in the Randomness/Probability [p.52] section of the Projects [p.49] chapter, but it is important to know that the drum sequencer can have its own settings for these parameters. To experiment with this, press the CURRENT TRACK button: any changes to the Randomness and Probability settings after this will affect only the current drum pattern.
4.3. Saving a Drum pattern It’s important to know that if you switch to another pattern, you will lose any edits you have made to the first pattern unless you save it first. You will know that a pattern has been modified if a dot is visible next to the pattern number in the display. You can save individual patterns from within DRUM mode without having to save the whole Project. Here’s how: • Start in DRUM mode. • Hold the SAVE button.
5. PROJECTS There are many independent features for each sequencer. But a Project is where you will find parameters that affect all three sequencers at the same time. The internal memory of the BeatStep Pro holds a total of 16 Projects. You could think of a Project as a single song (although it could be an entire performance).
5.2. Project management 5.2.1. Saving a Project !: When you follow these instructions you will overwrite the selected Project and all of its patterns. Be sure this is what you want to do! If not, be sure to find out which memory location is available and store the Project there instead. Once you have chosen a Project location, • Hold the SAVE button • Press the PROJECT button and hold it • Press the desired Step button number.
5.4. Swing The Swing setting can shift the timing of the notes in a sequence to lengthen the first note of a pair and shorten the second note. To affect all three sequencers at the same time, simply turn the SWING encoder to a value between 50 and 75. Assuming the time division is set to 1/8, here’s what will happen: • With Swing set to 50% each note gets ‘equal time’, resulting in a ‘straight 1/8^th^ note’ feel.
5.5. Randomness/Probability The Randomness and Probability encoders enable you to add an element of unpredictability to your sequences and drum patterns. To summarize how the Randomness and Probability parameters interact: • The Randomness value determines how much Randomness will occur; • The Probability value determines how often the Randomness will occur. You can specify how much these features will affect the sequencers.
5.5.2. Probability The Probability value will determine how often the Randomness will occur. Its encoder has a range of 0-100%, with 0% having no effect on the music. At 100% probability, the pattern will be constantly random with the amount based on the value set by the Randomness encoder. At low probability settings the randomness might only change the rhythm or velocity infrequently, maybe once every few bars. Lower probabilities will mean that much of the pattern is not affected and will play as normal.
5.6. Roller/Looper modes The touch strip has two modes: "Roller" and "Looper". You can toggle quickly between the two modes by holding the Shift button and pressing Step button 9 while in Control mode. ♪: There is a setting in the MIDI Control Center [p.84] that enables touch strip activity to be transmitted over MIDI. It can then be recorded and played back by a DAW. For details on this feature, see Using the Touch Strip with a DAW [p.117] in the MCC [p.84] chapter. 5.6.1.
5.6.1.2. Sync settings The Roller will work even when an external sync source is used. The results may vary depending on the source, though. If playback is stopped and no external clock is being received, the Roller will output notes at a rate based on the internal clock setting. If the Time Division is set to TRIPLET, then the roller will playback in triplet beats (except in Control Mode, which does not have a Triplet setting). 5.6.2.
5.8. Preset Link When the PRST LNK button is lit the sequencer presets are linked, which makes it possible to change the patterns on all three sequencers with a single action. You can use any one of the sequencers to make the change: • Press one of the single arrow buttons in the Sequencer control [p.11] section, or • Hold the SEQ1, SEQ2 or DRUM button and press a Step button. There’s a MIDI Control Center [p.
5.9. Selecting MIDI Channels Each sequencer can have a different value for its send channel and its receive channel. This can be accomplished from the front panel (see Output Channels and Input Channels below) or with the MIDI Control Center [p.84]. For details about that see the MIDI Channel parameters [p.118] section of the MCC [p.84] chapter. ♪: The MIDI Channel settings are Global; i.e., the Input/Output channel settings are not stored with the Project. 5.9.1.
5.9.2. Input Channels Each sequencer (SEQ1, SEQ2 and DRUM) can receive MIDI on its own channel by following these steps: • Select the sequencer you want to change by pressing the [SEQUENCER X] or [DRUM] button • Press and hold the SHIFT button • Press and hold the CHAN button • Press one of the Step buttons. Note that when the SHIFT + CHAN buttons are pressed the Step buttons show three different colors, not four. This is because Control Mode does not have an input channel.
6. ADVANCED FEATURES 6.1. SEQ1, SEQ2, and DRUM 6.1.1. Extend a sequence, pattern, or drum track It’s possible to extend a sequence, pattern, or drum track using the SHIFT and >> buttons. This process will copy up to 16 steps of note data and attach it to the end of the current pattern. The process will be slightly different depending on the selected Sequencer: SEQ1 and SEQ2 [p.59] are relatively simple to extend, but DRUM [p.61] is both more flexible and complex when its Polyrhythm feature is On [p.62].
Example 3 Original size Action New size Reason 7 steps SHIFT+>> 14 steps Steps 1-7 were copied / appended to step 8 SHIFT+>> 28 steps Steps 1-14 were copied / appended to step 15 SHIFT+>> 44 steps Steps 1-16 were copied / appended to step 29 To make the pattern a particular length, use the LST STEP button and the Step buttons as described in the Default Sequence Length [p.31] section.
6.1.1.2. Extending a Drum pattern (Polyrhythm Off) When Polyrhythm [p.63] is Off the pattern extension process is fairly straightforward: the copy/append process is done to all 16 drum tracks at once. To extend a Drum pattern: • Start in DRUM mode. Only the Drum pattern will be affected; the patterns in SEQ1/ SEQ2 will not be changed. • Hold SHIFT and then press the >> button.
6.1.1.3. Extending a Drum track (Polyrhythm On) When Polyrhythm [p.63] is On the copy/append function is performed only on the currently selected Drum track, not on the Drum pattern as a whole. You can choose to extend one or more Drum tracks and leave the others untouched. In Polyrhythm mode each Drum track can have its own length, and so the examples below apply only to the selected Drum track. The rest of the Drum tracks will remain their original lengths. • Start in DRUM mode.
6.1.2. Polyrhythm mode This feature is as interesting as it is unusual. And it has the potential to unleash creative explorations you might never have considered otherwise. 6.1.2.1. What is Polyrhythm mode? Usually a drum machine pattern will operate within a single time signature, such as 4/4 or 12/8. For example, with a single measure of 4/4 there are sixteen 16th notes, and if a drum only plays on the downbeat it must wait another 15 steps before it plays again.
6.1.2.2. What it does Here’s an example: What if you wanted a pattern with this mixture of time signatures: Instrument Pad 1 Pad 2 Pad 3 Pad 4 Pad 5 Time signature 3/16 1/4 5/16 3/8 4/4 The Pad 5 track is longest, so we’ll use that as the timing reference for our discussion.
6.1.2.3. Make a polyrhythm Here’s how to start building the example from the previous section. 1. Press the DRUM button. 2. Select an empty pattern. 3. Hold Shift and press Step button 16. It will turn blue to show that the pattern is in Polyrhythm mode. 4. Hold the DRUM button and tap Pad 1 to select it. 5. Hold the Last Step button and press Step button 3. Pad 1 now has a 3-step loop. 6. Press Step button 1 to add an event to the first step of the Pad 1 loop. 7. Press Play to confirm.
6.1.3. Pattern Chains ♪: We recommend enabling Scene Mode [p.82] so you will be able to save the Pattern Chains you create. This can only be done using the MIDI Control Center [p.84]. It is possible to automate the selection of patterns in each sequencer by constructing a pattern chain. ♪: A pattern chain is limited to 16 patterns. 6.1.3.1. Example 1: SEQ1 only For example, let's say you would like SEQ1 to play patterns 1, 2, and 3 without having to select those patterns manually. 1.
6.1.3.2. Example 2: SEQ1 and SEQ2 Let's say you would like SEQ1 to play patterns 1, 2, and 3 while SEQ2 plays patterns 3, 2, and 1. 1. Follow steps 1-4 in Example 1 above. 2. Hold SHIFT + SEQUENCER 2 to activate pattern chain mode for SEQ2. 3. SHIFT can be released but the SEQUENCER 2 button must remain pressed. 4. Press the Step buttons in the order you want the patterns to play: Step button 3, then 2, then 1. 5. Release the SEQUENCER 2 button. 6. Press the Play button.
6.1.4. Enter/edit notes with Step button + Pad When BeatStep Pro is in Record mode the pads are used to enter notes into Sequencer1 or Sequencer2 and drum events in the Drum sequencer. But there are other ways to enter notes and events that are very quick and easy: 6.1.4.1. SEQ1/SEQ2 You can enter and alter the Pitch and Velocity of a step when the sequencer is not recording or even running, To do this, hold the desired Step button and hit the Pad of the note you want to be a part of the sequencer pattern.
6.1.5. Fast Ties There's an easy way to create tied notes: the Fast Tie function. It works for all three sequencers (SEQ1, SEQ2, and DRUM). Here's how to do that: 6.1.5.1. …for patterns 16 steps or shorter • Press and hold one of the Step buttons. • Press the second Step button to tie all steps between the two Step buttons. • Release the buttons. See More about Tied events [p.69] for more information. 6.1.5.2. …for patterns >16 steps If you have a pattern that's longer than 16 steps [p.
6.1.6. Editing all steps in a pattern at once It is possible to edit certain parameters for all of the active steps in a pattern simultaneously. This is done using the SHIFT button and one of the first two encoders. 6.1.6.1. SEQ1/SEQ2 You can set the Velocity or the Gate length of all active steps in a pattern at the same time by holding [SHIFT] and turning Knob 1 or Knob 2. • SHIFT+ Knob 1 will apply an offset to the values contained in the pattern.
6.1.6.3. Example 1: Velocity offset 1. Select a pattern and set its length to 4 steps. 2. Select the Velocity setting with the KNOBS button. 3. Use encoders 1-4 to change the velocities of the four steps to the values 127, 100, 4, and 50, respectively. 4. Hold [SHIFT] and turn encoder 1until you see a value of 10 in the display. 5. The Velocity values for the four steps should now be 127, 110, 14, and 60, respectively. This can be confirmed by touching encoders 1-4 briefly.
6.2. SHIFT button chart The SHIFT button allows you to access important features in each mode. Some are shared between the two step sequencers, some are shared between all three sequencers, and some are also shared with Control Mode.
6.3. MIDI to CV conversion It is possible to use BeatStep Pro as a MIDI to CV converter. Potential applications include: • Using an external MIDI keyboard to play a vintage synth • Using a drum sequence from your DAW to send triggers to an analog modular system. 6.3.1. Sequencer mode – MIDI to CV When the sequencer is stopped, or when you have muted SEQUENCER 1or SEQUENCER 2, then: • The MIDI input defined for SEQ1 and SEQ2 is sent to the MIDI output defined for that sequencer.
7. SYNCHRONIZATION BeatStep Pro can be the master clock for an entire MIDI rig, or it can just as happily serve as a slave to any one of several sources. See Making The Connections [p.5] for connection diagrams. You can cycle through the various Sync options using the SYNC button. A white LED will let you know which mode you’ve selected. For example, in the illustration below the USB sync option has been selected: ♪: When the unit is playing a sequence, the Sync setting cannot be changed. 7.1.
7.2. As Slave BeatStep Pro functions as a slave to an external clock when one of the other three SYNC LEDS are lit (USB, MIDI or CLK). When BeatStep Pro is in Slave mode: • The Tempo controls will not control the internal sequencer while the external source is running. • The BeatStep Pro transport section will still perform as usual; you can still stop, start and pause the internal sequences, and you can still record patterns.
8. CV/GATE FUNCTIONS BeatStep Pro provides direct access to some of the best music technology the world has produced in the last six decades: USB, MIDI, Clock and CV/Gate connectors are all present on its rear panel in a space not much larger than a pencil. Connection diagrams for each of these interfaces are available in Making the Connections [p.5]. In this chapter we’ll focus on the features of the BeatStep Pro CV/Gate circuitry. See the MIDI Control Center [p.
8.1.3. CV/Gate specifications Some analog synthesizers have unusual implementations that are not fully compatible with the BeatStep Pro CV/Gate signals. Please refer to their specifications before making a purchase so you can be sure the two devices will work together well. We’ve designed the BeatStep Pro to be as flexible as possible, though: the MIDI Control Center [p.84] allows you to configure the response of the CV/Gate jacks in a number of ways.
8.2. Drum Gates When DRUM is selected the notes you play on pads 1-8 (the bottom row) are translated immediately into Gate signals and sent to the Drum Gate connectors on the back panel. Two voltages are sent for each note: one for Gate open and one for Gate close. Velocity information is not sent. The Drum sequencer can record what you play on pads 1-8 and then you can use the encoders to change the gate time (duration) of each note.
9. CONTROL MODE 9.1. What is Control Mode? When BeatStep Pro is in Control Mode every encoder, button, and pad on the right half of the unit can transmit specific MIDI data to external devices that are connected to the MIDI output jack. This same data will be sent to your computer via USB. The controller assignments can be set using the MIDI Control Center [p.84] software.
9.2. Top panel functions Most of the performance controls on the left side of the front panel will control the same features in Control Mode unless configured otherwise with the MIDI Control Center. There are some slight variations, though, which we’ll point out as we go through them: 9.2.1. RATE/FINE encoder The RATE/FINE encoder works exactly the same in all modes. Its functions are described here: Tempo [p.50]. 9.2.2.
9.2.6. Transport section The Transport section works the same way in Control Mode as it does in the other modes, unless instructed otherwise by the MIDI Control Center. The functions of the Transport section are described in the Transport/Shift buttons [p.8] section of the Overview [p.5] chapter. 9.2.7.
9.4. Working with Scenes The MIDI Control Center has an option that affects what the Step buttons do in Control Mode. There are two options: 1. The Step buttons will transmit MIDI data as specified in the Controller Map [p.96], or 2. The Step buttons allow you to save and recall one of 16 Scenes [p.82]. 9.4.1.
9.5. Encoders: CC vs. MCU/HUI mode There’s a KNOBS button in the Project/Control Mode section also. It toggles the encoders between their MIDI CC assignments in Control Mode and their MCU/HUI protocol assignments. For a detailed list of these assignments, see the list in the MCU/HUI encoder assignments [p.129] section of the Parameter Charts [p.125] chapter. 9.6.
10. MIDI CONTROL CENTER The built-in MIDI Control Center manual has general descriptions of the features that are common to all Arturia products. To learn how to access the manual, click this link: Where to find the manual [p.87]. This chapter will cover only the MIDI Control Center features that are unique to the BeatStep Pro. 10.1. MCC Basics The MIDI Control Center is an application that allows you to configure the MIDI settings of your BeatStep Pro.
10.1.3. Connection Connect BeatStep Pro to your computer using the included USB cable. It’ll be ready to go after its LEDs go through the startup cycle. Now launch the MIDI Control Center. BeatStep Pro will be in the list of connected devices: 10.1.3.1. Potential issues: Windows OS The MIDI driver for the BeatStep Pro is not "multi-client".
10.1.3.2. Potential issues: Mac OS X If the cable between your Mac and the BeatStep Pro is connected properly and the Mac is having trouble detecting the unit, your Mac is experiencing what is known as a "USB port enumeration issue." Here is one potential solution. 1. Launch the Audio MIDI Setup utility. The fastest way to do this is usually to hold the Command key, press the space bar, and type in the letters AMS. 2. If you do not see the MIDI Studio window, hold the Command key and press 2. 3.
6. Restart the BeatStep Pro. It should reappear in the MIDI Studio window. 10.1.4. Where to find the manual There is a built-in help file for the MIDI Control Center in its Help menu, as shown below: It’s a good introduction to the MIDI Control Center, describing each section of the software window and defining important terms you will need to know while using the MIDI Control Center, such as ‘Project Browser’ and ‘Template’.
10.2. Device Projects 10.2.1. Project list The left side of the MIDI Control Center window shows a list containing Projects 1-16. When one of the Projects is selected from the list the MIDI Control Center can recall that Project from the internal memory of the BeatStep Pro and place it into the User Project area in the Project Browser window. See the Store To/Recall From [p.92] section for instructions about this. 10.2.2.
10.3. Project Browser The Project Browser shows a list of all the Projects that have been archived using the MIDI Control Center. These are divided into two main groups of Templates: Factory and User. The User Templates are the ones you have recalled from the BeatStep Pro using the MIDI Control Center. See Store To/Recall From [p.92] to learn how to do this.
10.3.2. Revise a Template If you’d like to modify a Template you can drag it from the Project Browser and drop it on one of the Projects in the Device Projects area. This will send the selected Project directly into the BeatStep Pro internal memory at that Project location. !: This process will overwrite the selected Project in the BeatStep Pro internal memory.
10.3.3. Revise a pattern If you’d like to modify a pattern inside an archived Template you can drag that pattern from the Project Browser and drop it onto one of the Projects in the Device Projects window. This will send the selected pattern directly into the BeatStep Pro. !: When the MIDI Control Center sends a pattern to BeatStep Pro it will overwrite the pattern in that memory location.
10.4. Store To/Recall From ♪: The Store To/Recall From transfers cannot be performed while the BeatStep Pro is running. 10.4.1. Store a Project to the BeatStep Pro The upper left-hand section of the MIDI Control Center has a button called “Store To”. Right above that is a list that allows you to specify which of the 16 Projects in the BeatStep Pro internal memory will receive the User Project you have selected.
10.4.2. Recall a Project from the BeatStep Pro it is possible to make whole Projects without a computer attached. So when it’s time to back them up, remember that you can grab any one of the internal Projects or patterns directly from the internal memory and store it as a Template in the Project Browser window of the MIDI Control Center. For example, if you want to back up Project #1 from the internal memory, simply select it in the Device Projects window and click Recall From.
10.5. Tabs The middle window of the MIDI Control Center has five tabs, each of which contains the parameters for the various modes of the BeatStep Pro. Simply click on a tab to select its window. 10.5.1. Project Tab The Project tab contains four parameters: • Swing / Randomness / Probability [p.10] • Tempo [p.11] Of these four parameters, three can be overridden by one of the CURRENT TRACK buttons. In this case the individual settings per sequencer will take effect.
10.5.2. SEQ1 & SEQ2 Tab The tabs for SEQ1 and SEQ2 are identical. We’ll cover them in the Sequence Window [p.97] section below, but there is one feature we’d like to point out here: pattern selection. Click one of the SEQ1/SEQ2 tabs and look below it for the second set of tabs immediately below the 5 mode tabs. These allow you to select the patterns within each Sequencer. ♪: If you’re using a laptop with a smaller screen you might see a plus sign (+) on the right, as we’ve shown next to tab 15.
10.5.4. Controller Map Tab The Controller Map tab shows the entire set of BeatStep Pro controls. From here you can select one of the 16 encoders, Step buttons, or Pads and map them to the MIDI parameters you need to control your system. We’ll go through some examples of MIDI mapping in the Controller Window [p.110] section of this chapter. ♪: If Scene Mode [p.
10.6. Sequence window 10.6.1. How to Navigate 10.6.1.1. Scroll If you have a scroll wheel you can move the piano roll view up and down. Place the cursor in the piano roll field first, not over the keyboard graphic. If you hold the Shift key on your computer keyboard the piano roll will move sideways. You can also click/drag the scroll bars at the edge and bottom of the window to reposition the sequence view. Scroll bar locations 10.6.1.2.
10.6.2. Front-panel parameters Most of these parameters have been covered extensively in the Step Sequencer [p.24] chapter: Front-panel parameters for SEQ1 and SEQ2 However, the Transpose parameter is even easier to use inside the MIDI Control Center than it is from the front panel. See the Transpose parameter [p.98] section below for information on that.
10.6.3. Sequence Length Changing the sequence length here affects the SEQ window. For example, here’s how it looks when the length is set to 12: The patterns can be up to 64 steps long, and the unused steps are darkened because they are outside the pattern length area.
10.6.4. Sequence Events 10.6.4.1. Enter/delete notes Double-click a square inside the piano roll to enter a note. To delete notes, select a note with a single click or drag a box around several notes. Then press the Delete key on your computer keyboard. 10.6.4.2. Move notes To move an existing note, click and hold the middle of note. The cursor will become a hand icon. Then drag the note up or down to place it anywhere within the MIDI note range.
10.6.4.3. Copy/paste notes After selecting a group of notes you can make another copy of those notes in another section of the sequence. Just hold the Alt key (Option on a Mac), select one of the notes, and drag them all into the new area. The new notes will have the same velocity and gate time values as the original notes. 10.6.4.4. Note velocity If you click on the top of a note box you will see the cursor become a vertical arrow icon.
10.6.4.5. Note length/Gate time If you click on the right edge of a note box you will see the cursor become a horizontal arrow icon. Drag the cursor left and right to change the gate time of that note to a value between 0 and 99%. 10.6.4.6. TIE a note If you continue dragging the horizontal cursor to the right past 99%, a value of TIE will appear. The right edge of the note box will become an arrow: A new note will appear in the next Step.
10.7. Drum window 10.7.1. Navigation 10.7.1.1. Scroll If you have a scroll wheel you can move the pattern view horizontally. Place the cursor in the pattern field (not over the pad names), then hold the Shift key on your computer keyboard and use the scroll wheel. The pattern view will move sideways. You can also click/drag the scroll bar at the bottom of the window to reposition the pattern view. Scroll bar location 10.7.1.2.
10.7.2. Front-panel features Most of these parameters have been covered in the Drum Sequencer [p.
10.7.3. Pattern length (Polyrhythm Off) When the Polyrhythm [p.63] parameter is disabled you can change the length of the entire Drum pattern by clicking the white line and dragging it to the left or to the right: Here’s how the pattern length looks when the length is set to 12: The patterns can be up to 64 steps long, and the unused steps are darkened because they are outside the pattern length area.
10.7.4. Track length (Polyrhythm On) The Polyrhythm [p.63] feature was explained in the Advanced Features [p.59] chapter. In this section we will focus on how to utilize that feature from with the Pattern window of the MIDI Control Center. To toggle the Polyrhythm feature on and off, use the pull-down menu in the Pattern tab window: When the Polyrhythm feature is active, you can click on the white line at the end of the pattern length boundary and drag it left or right for any Drum track independently.
10.7.5. Pattern events 10.7.5.1. Enter/delete events Double-click on a square inside the pattern view to enter an event. To delete events, select one event with a single click or drag a box around several events. Then press the Delete key on your computer keyboard. 10.7.5.2. Move events To move an existing event to a different drum, click and hold the middle of that event. The cursor will become a hand icon. Then drag the event up or down to place it in the drum track you want.
10.7.5.3. Copy/paste events After selecting a group of events you can make another copy of those events in another section of the pattern. Just hold the Alt key (Option on a Mac), select one of the events, and drag them all into the new area. The new events will have the same velocity and gate time values as the original events. 10.7.5.4. Event velocity If you click on the top of an event you will see the cursor become a vertical arrow icon.
10.7.5.6. TIE an event If you continue dragging the horizontal cursor to the right past 99%, a value of TIE will appear. The right edge of the event will become an arrow: A new event will appear in the next Step. The overlapped arrow shows that the two events are tied: You can continue dragging the cursor to set the Gate time of the second event. If you want an even longer event, you can keep dragging the cursor until the second event’s length value also becomes TIE, and so on.
10.8. Controller window Here are some examples of what you can assign a BeatStep Pro control to do using the MIDI Control Center: • Configure Step buttons or pads to transmit MIDI notes • Set a pad to switch between two values of any MIDI CC# each time it is played • Assign an encoder to control any MIDI CC# and define its operational range ♪: If Scene Mode [p.
The options of each field are different for each control type. However, there are two fields that are always available for each control: MIDI Port and MIDI Channel. 10.8.1.1. MIDI Port There is an option that allows you to choose whether the MIDI data for each control will be sent out of the physical MIDI port, the USB connection to your computer, or both. 10.8.1.2. MIDI Channel control Another option is available for setting the MIDI channel for the control.
10.8.2. Toggle MIDI CC values with a pad One popular musical effect is to take an audio loop, filter it heavily for one section of a song, and switch it back to the full-open sound later. You can configure one of the BeatStep Pro pads to send those commands to a filter module inside your DAW. We’ll use Pad 9 for this example.
The first press of Pad 9 will send a CC# 74 command with a value of 127, opening the filter completely. The second press of Pad 9 will send a value of 78, which will close the filter down part way but still let a lot of the audio pass through. 10.8.3. Set encoder range for a MIDI CC The encoders are assignable using the same techniques described for the pads. Let’s give a quick example of an interesting use: setting the rate of an LFO so it operates only within a certain range.
10.9. Device Settings The right side of the MIDI Control Center window contains essential parameters you can use to optimize BeatStep Pro for your setup and your working style. You will need to scroll down to see them all. 10.9.1. Global parameters 10.9.1.1. Pattern Link The first parameter determines how the sequencers will respond when a new pattern is selected from the front panel. There are two settings: Absolute and Relative.
10.9.1.2. User Knob Acceleration There are four response curves for the encoders: • Slow (Off): the encoders transmit every value. It takes more turns of an encoder to move from minimum to maximum. Use this when greater precision is desired. • Medium: when turned quickly the encoders will skip a few values. It takes fewer turns of an encoder to move from minimum to maximum. • Fast 1: when turned quickly the encoders will skip a few more values.
10.9.1.7. Seq1 Randomize Octave The Randomness parameter for SEQ1 can be forced to select the same chromatic note but allowed to select it from a different octave range. To enable or disable this feature, use the drop-down menu. 10.9.1.8. Seq2 Randomize Octave The Randomness parameter for SEQ2 can be forced to select the same chromatic note but allowed to select it from a different octave range. To enable or disable this feature, use the drop-down menu. 10.9.1.9.
10.9.2. Touch Strip 10.9.2.1. MIDI Send/Receive Use the pull-down menu to specify whether the BeatStep Pro will send and reeceive MIDI controller data. The range of transmitted and recognized values is detailed in Using the Touch Strip with a DAW [p.117]. 10.9.2.2. MIDI CC Use the virtual knob or the value field to select the MIDI CC number the Touch Strip will transmit and receive. 10.9.2.3.
10.9.3. MIDI Channel parameters 10.9.3.1. User Channel Use the pull-down menus to select the User MIDI Channel for BeatStep Pro. This is the same parameter as the Control Mode MIDI Channel that you can set from the front panel. Changing the User Channel is a quick way to reassign many controls at once.
10.9.5. Transposition These parameters affect the way the BeatStep Pro will respond to Transposition commands: 10.9.5.1. Transposition Latch This preference allows you to choose whether a sequence will be transposed momentarily or latched when receiving incoming MIDI notes on the Transposition Input Channel. With either setting the transposition will happen immediately; the difference is what will happen once the key is released.
10.9.6. CV/Gate mode This is where you select the electrical behavior for each sequencer. The various settings are described in the CV/Gate Functions [p.76] chapter: see the CV/Gate specifications [p.77] for SEQ1/SEQ2 and the Drum Gate specifications [p.78] for DRUM.
10.9.7. Sync These allow you to specify the response to various synchronization and tempo options. 10.9.7.1. Clock In/Out Settings This is where you determine which clocking signal will be transmitted and recognized by the Clock input and output connectors. Settings: 1step, 24 ppq (pulses per quarter note), 48 ppq, and 2 ppq (Korg). 10.9.7.2. Tap Tempo Choose whether it will take 2, 3, or 4 taps to set the Tempo. 10.9.7.3.
10.9.7.5. Wait to Load Pattern Similarly to the wait to Load Project, you can choose if you want the patterns to switch instantaneously or wait until the end of the current pattern before switching. There also is a front-panel shortcut that will toggle the Wait to Load Pattern parameter on and off. From Control Mode, hold SHIFT and press Step button 14. When the Step button is lit, Wait to Load Pattern is On. When it is not lit, Wait to Load Pattern is disabled.
10.9.9. Transport You can define the MIDI channel and CC number for each of the three main Transport commands independently. All three must transmit the same type of MIDI information, though: MMC, MIDI CC, or both.
10.9.10. Drum Map There are four options for the MIDI note assignments of the pads in Drum mode: • Chromatic: MIDI notes 36-51 are spread evenly across pads 1-16 • General MIDI: pads 1-16 conform to the General MIDI specification. • Spark: Conforms to the layout of our Spark drum controllers. • Custom: user-definable drum mapping. Enter a MIDI note value for each pad with its knob or by double-clicking in the field and entering a number.
11. PARAMETER CHARTS 11.1. Default settings The following tables list the default settings for Control Mode: Loop determines if the encoder will stop when it reaches 0 or 127 or loop around. 11.1.1.
Bank MSB Range Default settings / notes MIDI channel USER, 1-16 User MIDI ports USB, MIDI, USB&MIDI USB&MIDI Min range 0-127 0 Max range 0-127 127 Loop ON/OFF OFF Aftertouch Range Default settings / notes MIDI channel USER, 1-16 User MIDI ports USB, MIDI, USB&MIDI USB&MIDI Min range 0-127 0 Max range 0-127 127 NRPN mode Range Default settings / notes Bank MSB 0-127 127 Bank LSB 0-127 0 Data 0-127 Varies MIDI channel USER, 1-16 User MIDI ports USB, MIDI, USB&M
11.1.2.
11.1.3.
11.2. MCU/HUI encoder assignments Mackie Control Universal (MCU) / Human User Interface (HUI) settings: 129 Item Position left/right Type CW CCW Channel Vpot 1 1 Gen. purpose 1 1 65 1 Vpot 2 2 Gen. Purpose 2 1 65 1 Vpot 3 3 Gen. Purpose 3 1 65 1 Vpot 4 4 Gen.
12. SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT In consideration of payment of the Licensee fee, which is a portion of the price you paid, Arturia, as Licensor, grants to you (hereinafter termed “Licensee”) a nonexclusive right to use this copy of the SOFTWARE. All intellectual property rights in the software belong to Arturia SA (hereinafter: “Arturia”). Arturia permits you only to copy, download, install and use the software in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
6.
13. DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY USA Important notice: DO NOT MODIFY THE UNIT! This product, when installed as indicate in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirement. Modifications not expressly approved by Arturia may avoid your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product, use only high quality shielded cables. Cable (s) supplied with this product MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions.
