Arturia KeyStep 37 mk2

A Controller-Sequencer Designed for Hybrid Setups

Designed to effortlessly switch between a DAW and a hardware setup, the KeyStep 37 mk2 is aimed at musicians seeking immediate control and advanced exploration features. It naturally sits at the heart of a modern workflow: creating arpeggios, converting them into sequences, live variations, then precise control of your virtual instruments and CV/Gate gear without breaking the flow.

Keyboard Design

The KeyStep 37 mk2 features a 37-key Slimkey keyboard in a compact format, with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch to nuance attack and add expressiveness (pressure, filter opening, vibrato, etc., depending on the controlled instrument). The 2 capacitive touch strips dedicated to pitch-bend and modulation offer smooth control, especially effective for lead lines and evolving textures. Ergonomics are enhanced by an OLED screen and a clickable encoder, designed for quick editing without getting lost in menus.

Sound Quality

The KeyStep 37 mk2 is a controller-sequencer: it does not generate sound and has no internal amplification. Its "sound quality" therefore depends on the instruments you control (virtual synths, sound modules, Eurorack modules). However, it stands out for control quality: MIDI (USB-C and DIN) + CV/Gate, aftertouch, velocity, and assignable modulations allow for dynamic and musical performances, delivering a more lively rendering on your piano sounds, keyboards, pads, and analog sequences.

Built-in Effects

• No internal audio effects (no built-in reverb, chorus, or delay): processing is done on your synth, module, or DAW.
• Mutate: immediate variations of your sequences to break habits.
• Spice and Dice: generation of new ideas and live transformations, performance-oriented.
• Played automations: recording gestures (pitch-bend, modulation) to add movement to patterns.

Technical specifications

Number of potentiometers	5	Transposition	Yes
Arpeggiator	Yes	Aftertouch	Yes
Compatibility	iOS	Inputs	Sustain pedal, Midi, Sync In, USB Midi
Controller	Transport bar	Outputs	Midi, USB Midi, CV Gate : pitch, gate, mod, Sync out
Provided software	Analog Lab Intro, Ableton Live Lite	Color	White
Velocity sensitive	Yes	Sequencer	Yes
Category	Master keyboard	Power supply	USB-C
Number of keys	37	Display	OLED
Touch	Dynamic with aftertouch	Weight	1.09 kg
Key format	medium	Dimensions (mm)	547 x 148 x 43

Keyboard	Slimkey, 37 keys, velocity-sensitive, with aftertouch	CV/Gate outputs	4 controllable outputs (Pitch, Gate, Mod 1, Mod 2), assignable to velocity, aftertouch, modulation wheel and more
Touch strips	2, capacitive, for pitch bend and modulation	Synchronization	3.5 mm input/output
Display and navigation	OLED screen with clickable encoder and RGB LED feedback	DIN MIDI connections	full-size input/output
Controls	4 encoders + control button	USB MIDI connection	USB-C (class-compliant)
Polyphonic step sequencer	up to 64 steps, 8-voice polyphony	Pedal input	sustain / expression (TRS)
Live variation tools	Mutate, Spice & Dice	Power and security	power switch and Kensington security slot
Pattern chaining	yes	Power consumption	low
Harmonic modes	chords and scales	iPad compatibility	yes (camera connection kit required)
MIDI CC button	4 banks, access to 16 assignable CCs in all modes	Box contents	KeyStep 37 mk2 unit, USB-A to USB-C cable
Encoder assignment	custom MIDI CC controllers and CV / Gate destinations