Arturia KeyStep 37 mk2 Controller & Sequencer

The original KeyStep 37 earned its spot on a lot of desks by simply doing the basics really well — a proper 37-key mini keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, a sequencer, an arpeggiator, and enough I/O to sit at the center of a mixed hardware/software setup. The mk2 doesn’t try to reinvent that formula but adds some really useful tools that turn it into an even more compelling device to churn out ideas quickly. There’s now an OLED display and a clickable encoder to handle editing, which means less guessing and less reliance on software. Its four dedicated knobs give you hands-on control over arpeggiator, sequencer, and Mutate parameters depending on context, and double as freely assignable MIDI CC or CV controllers when needed. It’s a small but meaningful shift — the hardware now feels much more self-contained.

The sequencing features are where the mk2 has seen a lot of improvements. The polyphonic step sequencer handles up to 64 steps with 8-voice polyphony, supports unquantized recording and pattern chaining, and the 16-mode arpeggiator now includes several generative pattern styles (as we’ve seen on the smaller KeyStep mk2 earlier). If you’re looking for some quick harmonic sketching, there are Chord and Scale modes in there too.

On the connectivity side, you’ll find: USB-C, MIDI DIN in/out, sync I/O, a pedal input, and four CV outputs — Pitch, Gate, Mod 1, and a newly added Mod 2 — all configurable as velocity, aftertouch, mod wheel, and more. The mk2 is still as compact as it ever was, still works as a terrific bridge between pretty much everything, but now with enough onboard tools to develop sketches and ideas without necessarily having to reach for a computer. Still brilliant and affordable, one of the best compact keyboard controllers just got better!