The Arturia Beatstep Controller & Sequencer offers a new degree of functionality and performance for a portable pad controller. BeatStep is highly versatile, capable of triggering clips in such applications as Ableton Live, it also allows you to play drums in conjunction with such applications as BFD or EZDrummer. BeatStep is also a 16-step analog sequencer for creating all kinds of musical phrases to be sent to analog synthesizers, MIDI drum machines, MIDI keyboard devices or computer programs. Its vast connectivity allows you to interface BeatStep with a computer or iPAD using USB, a drum module using MIDI or an analog synthesizer equipped with CV/GATE. Play with any drum software Beatstep's 16 pads are both pressure and velocity sensitive which means that they allow you to capture the nuances of your performance. Beastep is the perfect control surface for producers and percussionists using iPads or software instruments such as BFD, Kontakt, Live's Drum Rack, EZ Drummer, Addictive Drums, Geist or Reason Kong. Sequence Analog And Software Syntesizers BeatStep goes beyond the typical pad controller functions by adding a step sequencer. This opens it up for people who are using either MIDI modules, CV/GATE synths like the MiniBrute or MicroBrute and also to people using plug-ins on their computer via USB. While your sequence is playing switch to Controller mode and use the pads and knobs to enable and disable effects or tweek filters, attack and decay times on plug-ins, etc. BeatStep will allow you to create new ideas and add to your live performances in unlimited ways. Enhance Your Live Performances And DJ Sets Whether you use Ableton Live, Traktor, Serato or any other DJ/clip playback software, the Beatstep pads are perfect for launching samples or enabling effects. The 16 encoders give you lots of possibilities of mapping them to eq's, filters, delays and other performance effects. BeatStep makes a stylish and portable companion to your other DJ control surfaces. Control Your MIDI Compatible Gears Beatstep is the perfect solution for stage performers looking for a solution to send Midi messages and control changes to their hardware gear and workstations. Thanks to the included Midi Control Center, mapping Beatstep to your needs becomes a breeze. MIDI Controller Mode With 16 velocity and pressure sensitive pads, BeatStep is the perfect compact solution for playing percussion. The ultra sensitive pads allow for great dynamic performances. The 16 encoders can be assigned to adjust parameters that allow further real-time control over your drum sounds. Add to this the 16 user presets and you can have controller setups for all occasions. Step Sequence Mode In SEQ mode, the pads and encoders work together to set and enable steps in a sequence and set pitches for each step. By simply pressing a pad, it will enable or disable the current step in a melodic pattern. With a few presses, you are creating and changing up musical patterns in real-time. BeatStep allows for 16 sequences to be stored in memory and recalled instantly. This allows you to play multiple patterns and create your own songs. USB It features USB Class compliant I/O for using it with your laptop or iPAD. This gives you the control you would expect to have from a pad controller. Control the transports on your favorite DAW, sequence your favorite plug-in, set up the encoders to modulate filters and eq's or mixer channels. MIDI You can use the pads to control that old drum module or the drum sounds on your workstation. Use the Step Sequencer mode to bring new life to your MIDI equipped synthesizers. This controller will give you limitless ways to create and be great with no wait, but that's not all, there is also? CV/GATE BeatStep has a standard 1 volt per octave CV output as well as a standard 1 volt per octave GATE output. You can directly interface them with the famous MiniBrute or MicroBrute synthesizers. Combining Beatstep's step sequencing capabilities with a modular synth allows for all kinds of hands on control and pattern generation. Two in one and both at once Now it is clear that this is both a pad/knob controller AND a step sequencer but it might not be clear that you can run them both at the same time. Yes, that is right. You could be using the CV/gate output from the step sequencer playing your MiniBrute and then switch to CONTROL mode and have it controlling clips on Ableton Live and using the encoders to manipulate your VST version of SEM V. Maybe playing the drum sounds on a vintage Roland drum module via the MIDI output and sequencing a SH-101 using the CV/GATE in SEQ mode is more your style. MIDI control center The MIDI Control Center software provides you with a fast and easy way to edit parameters. Editing your MIDI setups and sequences is a cinch with this software. Export your presets to back them up or create archives of your favorite presets to share with others. Includes: Arturia Beatstep Controller & Sequencer - Mini USB to USB Cable - 3.5mm MIDI Output Cable - Arturia 1 Year Limited Warranty Specifications: 16 backlit pads: Red = MIDI CC mode Blue = SEQ mode Velocity and pressure sensitive pads 16 assignable encoders with 3 modes: MIDI CC NRPN/RPN Transport Buttons: Sends MIDI clock with Start/Stop (internal sync) Sends MMC play and stop messages. Data Dial: Volume MIDI CC7 - Control Mode Rate - in SEQUENCE mode Seq Transpose - SHIFT+Data Dial Kensington Lock: Yes Step play modes: Forward Reverse Alternate > br>Random Time divisions: 1/4th, 1/8th, 1/16th, 1/32nd Pattern Length: 1 -16 steps Sysex functions: Swing 50%-75% Gate Time Legato playback mode User Scale setting Connectivity: Mini USB in/out (DC in for standalone operation) 3.5mm MIDI output 3.5mm CV & Gate outputs Multiple pad modes: NOTE data MIDI CC data Program Change with Bank Platform configuration: Windows: Seven / Eight Mac OS X: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher Required minimum configuration: PC: 2GB RAM; CPU 2 GHz (Multiple cores required), 2GB free hard disk space. Mac (Intel only): 2GB RAM; CPU 2 GHz (Multiple cores required), 2GB free hard disk space.