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The four sequencers, Exploring the sequencers, Using the transport buttons – Arturia KeyStep Pro Keyboard with Advanced Sequencer and Arpeggiator User Manual

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5.3. The Four Sequencers

The KeyStep Pro has four sequencers, each of which can hold 16 patterns/sequences. And

as each sequence can be up to 64 steps in length, you have 4096 steps to fill! Your actual

sequences can be much longer because you can chain sequences together: for example,

play sequence A three times, followed by sequence B two times and ending with sequence

C once. Don't forget that the sequencers are polyphonic, capable of stacking up to 16 notes

per step.

The KeyStep Pro thus enables you to create and play up to 64 unique sequences wherever

you go. And despite its small footprint, there are lots of ways to modify your sequences

during a performance. We'll cover those later in this chapter.

Sequences can be stored in Projects. A Project is a collection of sequences that you create

for a specific event, such as a recording session or a performance.

5.3.1. Exploring the Sequencers

A sequencer will play a series of notes, stored in steps. Per note, each step can store a pitch

value, a velocity value, a gate time, a time shift and a randomness value. These values will

be transmitted over MIDI (via the USB or 5-pin DIN connectors). They will also be sent to the

Voice outputs corresponding to the tracks; for example, for controlling a modular system.

Once stored, the steps are referred to as a Pattern. Patterns can be modified, copied and

chained together.

The 64 steps are grouped into four pages: page 1 holds steps 1-16, page 2 holds 17-32, page

3 holds 33-48 and page 4 holds 49 to 64.

5.3.1.1. Using the Transport Buttons

You control the sequencers with the three Transport buttons; Record/Quantize, Stop, and

Play/Pause/Restart.

Each button has an additional function when creating a sequence:

• 'Shift' + Play will restart a sequence

• 'Shift' + Record/Quantize will toggle between quantized and unquantized

recording mode

• Pressing Stop repeatedly will clear any stuck notes.

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Arturia - User Manual Keystep Pro - Making Tracks