Arturia KEYSTEP PRO - 7 Timing; Tempo; Making It Swing

7. TIMING
This chapter is all about timing. How do you sync your external gear to the KeyStep Pro? Or,
the other way around, how do you sync the KeyStep Pro's sequencers and arpeggiators to
an external sequencer or a DAW? Hopefully, you'll find all the answers here.
7.1. Tempo
Using the Tempo encoder you can set the tempo from 30 to 240 BPM (beats per minute).
You can set the decimal value of the tempo by holding down SHIFT and turning the Tempo
encoder.
The KeyStep Pro can switch between two tempos: Global Tempo and Project Tempo. The
Global Tempo can be set using SHIFT + step 15/Global BPM. By default, a new empty Project
will always be in the standard Project Tempo of 120 BPM. In a Project, if you change the
Tempo setting and save the Project, the new Tempo setting will be stored with the Project.
When you reload the Project, it will have the saved Project tempo.
You can override the Project tempo at any moment by holding down SHIFT and pressing
step 15/Global BPM. When that button is lit (in blue) the Global Tempo is active; when unlit,
the Project Tempo is active.
7.1.1. Making it Swing
To set a Swing amount, turn the Swing/Offset encoder. If you've listened to music before (it's
unlikely you haven't) you have heard swing. It's when musicians play just before or after the
beat. This is often used in jazz and South American music. It evokes an emotion of freedom,
of not being forced into a fixed rhythm. It is particularly effective when you mix 'straight'
notes with 'swung' notes. The KeyStep Pro's swing range goes from 50% to 75%. By default,
it is 50%.
Swing has an important second function: you can use it to add an offset to the swing
amount of the current track. For example, Track 1 could use 53% swing and Track 2, 57%. The
effect is very subtle, but it can help make a track stand out.
To add Swing Offset to a track:
• Select the track by pressing Track 1, Track 2, Track 3 or Track 4.
• Hold down SHIFT and turn the Swing encoder clockwise. The OLED display will
show the offset amount. An amount of 50% equals no offset; an amount of 75%
equals maximum offset.
Arturia - User Manual Keystep Pro - Timing 105