Arturia KeyStep Pro Keyboard with Advanced Sequencer and Arpeggiator - Manual (Page 49)

4.2.11. Keyboard Section
In this sub-section, we'll have a look at everything to the left of and directly above the
keyboard; the lower half of the KeyStep Pro. The Keyboard has 37 velocity-sensitive keys
that generate aftertouch signals. 'Velocity-sensitive' means that each key detects the force/
speed with which you press it. The magnitude of aftertouch depends on how hard you press
a key down after it has reached the bottom of its travel.
4.2.11.1. Pitchbend / Mod Touch Strips
These innovative touch-sensitive vertical strips replace the standard 'wheels' you usually
find on a MIDI controller and are used to add expressivity to your performance. Each strip
has a corresponding ladder of nine red LEDS to indicate the position of the control. Like
most traditional wheel controllers, the Pitch touch strip is 'spring-loaded', meaning that it
immediately returns to its center value when released, whereas the Mod touch strip retains
its current value when released.
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♪ : The KeyStep Pro will remember the last position of the Mod strip of the currently selected track
when you switch to another track. In a sense, you therefore have four modulation strips, one for each
track!
The Pitchbend Strip
Pitch-bending is a technique whereby you bend the pitch of the currently playing note
upward or downward.
The Pitchbend strip is where you perform all your pitch-bending tricks. The middle of the
strip, indicated by a horizontal black stripe, is the neutral point; if you touch the strip there
nothing will happen. If you move your finger up (away from you) or down (toward you), you
will hear the pitch of the currently playing note go up and down. So far it's not much different
to bending with a wheel. Unlike a wheel, however, you can place your finger directly on any
other point of the strip. The pitch will then jump instantly to that value!
Arturia - User Manual Keystep Pro - KeyStep Pro Overview 43