Arturia KeyStep Pro Keyboard with Advanced Sequencer and Arpeggiator - Manual (Page 173)

10. KEYSTEP PRO AND YOUR MODULAR SYSTEM
In 1996 Dieter Doepfer created a case based on the 19-inch rack format that was (and still is)
a common format to house effects units and other studio gear. He also set the standard for
the power supply and the bus boards into which you plug your modules. It was to become
the standard of what we now know as Eurorack.
After a slow start, his Eurorack format quickly gained momentum: the modules were
relatively inexpensive and very compact. In the following years, the number of available
modules grew exponentially. This phenomenal growth is easy to understand: as a musician
and/or sound designer you can now create your own customised – and endlessly
customisable – modular instrument.
Modular systems have gained tremendous popularity in recent years. It's easy to
understand why: they give you a very direct hands-on experience of sculpting sound.
Literally hands-on, because you need to make real connections using patch cables and
tweak real knobs. By doing this physically, somehow the connection you have with the
sound that emerges and unfolds is more immediate. It enables you to create a unique
individual sound. Whether your music style is EDM or complex ambient music, you'll find
plenty of suitable and fascinating Eurorack modules.
The KeyStep Pro is an amazing Eurorack controller because of its rich four-track sequencer
and arpeggio architecture, its four analog Voice outputs, its eight Drum Gate outputs and
its sync/clock connections. The analog Voice and Drum Gate output signal levels perfectly
match your Eurorack gear. Furthermore, because the Voice outputs can be configured in
various ways, you can create highly complex and original signal paths and craft music that
no one has ever heard before!
Due to its compact size, the KeyStep Pro is also an ideal controller companion for your
RackBrute when you are travelling and/or performing. The Pitch, Velocity and Gate signals
of all the internal sequencers and arpeggiators, as well as the Drum Track, are available for
controlling your Eurorack modules. The eight Drum Gates can be connected to one of the
many available Eurorack drum modules, or you can use the Drum Gate signals to trigger
various combinations of melodic, harmonic and/or noise synthesis modules.
Another interesting use of the KeyStep Pro is as the master clock of your Eurorack modular
or RackBrute system. To make this possible, the KeyStep Pro has a Clock Output. A smart
solution is to connect the KeyStep Pro's Clock Out to a clock divider, which will divide the
tempo in half or smaller fractions. You can then use these timing signals to start events on
each beat, every other beat or each bar, for example.
The Clock Input allows you to slave the KeyStep Pro to a clock module in your Eurorack
modular or RackBrute system. It will accept Start/Stop/Continue message from Eurorack
sequencers. The Launch Quantize option in the Utility menu allows you to synchronise the
starting of sequencer Patterns, Scenes and Projects.
Over the past decade, Arturia has spearheaded the revival of the analog synthesizer
with some very advanced products: the MicroBrute, the MiniBrute, the DrumBrute and the
magnificent flagship mono synth, the MatrixBrute.
Arturia - User Manual Keystep Pro - KeyStep Pro and your Modular system 167