Midi keyboard for A4Mkii

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
#1

Sorry if this has been asked to death, I did search, but a lot of the answers were more specific/expert than I could grok.

I’d like a keyboard that is

  • small
  • works with the A4 (so I guess it needs a real MIDI out port?)
  • has some kind of scale mode (cos I’m still learning theory)

That’s it I guess. I looked at the NI M32, but it seems to be USB only. The arturia keystep seems to have the right ports…maybe that one?

Any of you A4 owners have a favourite portable midi controller?
Cheers
Russell

#2

The Arturia Keystep 37 is small, has flexible I/O (DIN MIDI, CV outs, Clock In/Out etc), sequencer, arp, and I “think” some scales support. The keys, which I believe are the same as the regular Keystep which I have, are really nice for such a small set of keys.

What’s the smallest/largest number of keys you’re looking at? You’ll likely find a nicer feature set at the 49 key level and up.

Edit: If I were in the market for a set of keys, I would be looking at the Novation SL MKIII.
https://novationmusic.com/en/keys/sl-mkiii

But it would be more for DAW integration. I’m sure it would serve you well with the A4 MKII.

2 Likes
#3

Dont know if it’s small but i am using linnstrument, if you know guitar/bass it might be easier… but it’s a bit larger and quite expensive

#4

Thanks for the reply, yeah, I guess size is the cause of all the trade-offs. I have to be pretty mobile, I don’t have a fixed “studio” space, I have to escape to the room with the least noise/kids, so small is important.

#5

If size is the deciding factor then I think you would be best served by the Keystep 37. Keys feel great for the form factor and the features are performable and usable. Skip the regular Keystep, which is still great but lacking some of the nicer features of the 37.

1 Like
#6

awesome, thanks

1 Like
#7

I have a KeyStep 37 and a KeyStep Pro… now I know the KSP is probably too big for what you are after, but it is absolutely brilliant paired with my A4 and opens up so many more musical/composition/performance possibilities, it brings it to life.

The KS37 set to the auto-channel of the A4 is still powerfully liberating, and has a lot of it’s own cool unique features.

1 Like
#8

Can you expand on this a little? From the outside, it seems that what the Keystep Pro adds is good sequencing capability, and the A4 already has an excellent sequencer. So I’d like to hear more about how you use these together, if you have the time to say a few words. Thanks!

#9

Ok, so the more you use the combo, the more you discover, but let me give you one scenario.

Think about working with patterns on the A4 on it’s own- you have 4 tracks, each with one sequence. If you want to make an adjustment to any/all of the tracks’ sequences, you have to move to another pattern.

Bring in the KeyStep Pro and leave the A4 on ONE pattern.
Route the KSP track outputs to the midi channels of the A4’s tracks.

Now you can have 16 sequences per track, in any combination.

Let that sink in. :partying_face::+1:

I use mine like this a lot.
Then when it comes to wanting to use the A4’s seq, I’ll just hit record and play the KSP sequence into it… the get the usual trig/plock action.

The KSP melodic performance tools are another level, from setting scales across all modes (not just MAJ/MIN), randomisation of rhythm and pitch (in key), fantastic arps, etc… obviously you can use it with multiple devices, but using it with the A4 is great (and I imagine the Digitone with it’s extra voices would work a treat too).

1 Like
#10

Thanks, that makes sense. I’d been wondering about “horizontal slicing” on the A4, and this is one way to address that.