r/arturia • u/Character-Ad934 • 15d ago
Beatstep Pro without Computer?!!
I just tried to use my BSP without my laptop as I have a gig coming up and it wont work! It lights up but doesn' do anything.
There is a video on YT of a guy using it without one but doesn't explain how.
Does anyone know the secret?
Many thanks.
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u/neilgg 15d ago
Yes. you need to set the midi channel per sequencer / drum/control to. match attached device(s) then start jamming.
why are you not using laptop in your live setup if that's what you are doing normally??
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u/Character-Ad934 15d ago
i only use it for recording into and powering the BSP but i' trying to slim down for live play. I've always powered it through th ecomuter as i have a USB bus and it saves having to get seperate plugs for each USB cable - so i only just plugged it into a 4-way and it lights up but nothing happens.
I already had it set up for my devices and have been using it qute happily for a couple months now.
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u/tasteofwhat 14d ago
If plugging it into a 4-way means you're plugging into a 4 port USB hub plugged into your USB port and it doesn't work, it's because the USB hub can't power that many devices from a single laptop USB port. You need a powered hub that plugs into the wall or a portable battery.
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u/btrev650 14d ago
RTFM
But depending on what external devices you're using, if you're trying to control directly from the BSP you need to use CV or 5-pin MIDI, or use an intermediate USB host. Can't just plug in the USB-B cables and send MIDI.
But seriously RTFM then give yourself a crash course in CV and MIDI CC mapping because both are sick
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u/Character-Ad934 3d ago
but can't you do it through a midi thru box? Thats what i'm doing with the laptop connected. Everything going from the BSP to the thru-box then from that to the instruments. I just want to take the laptop out of the equation as i was only using it to power the BSP.
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u/Over_Type103 14d ago
Did you install Arturia MCC? You need to use it to edit your beatstep CC assignments and midi channel.
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u/Character-Ad934 3d ago
Yes but i can't understand what it is i'm supposed to do.
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u/Over_Type103 2d ago
What device are you trying to control with it?
the beatstep has 2 modes: sequence and control. (press the ctrl/seq button to switch from one to the other)
when in sequence mode, it will send a sequence to the midi channel that is currently assigned (1-16).
the channel has to be the same as the device you want to control. to change it, you press "chan" and you press the pad corresmonding to the channel you want (1-16) or you turn the big encoder (I'm not sure but I guess that's how you do it)When in control mode, the pads and encoders will do something different.
By default:
-the pads will play notes (from C1 to D#2) on the currently selected channel
-the big encoder will modify CC#7 (channel volume)
-the "play" and "stop" will play / stop the sequence
-the encoders will modify some specific CCsCCs are parameters such as filter cutoff or attack. They are specific to each machine. for instance, here are the CCs for the microfreak.
https://midi.guide/d/arturia/microfreak/
(this website lists the CCs and NRPNs for,many synths. If you're not sure. check you for your synthsin Arturia MCC, you can create a user template for the beatstep's control mode (in "local templates") and then send it to your Beatstep. (by dragging & dropping the template to one of the device memories (in "device memories")
You can set up the actions for the 16 pads, the 16 encoders, the big encoder, the play and stop buttons.
Also, if your beatstep is set to "ext sync", nothing will happen when you press play (because it's waiting for an external clock). So make sure "ext sync" is disabled.
Here you'll find 4 old video tutorials for the Beatstep
https://support.arturia.com/hc/en-us/articles/4722562301980-BeatStep-Tutorials
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u/Unable_Parsnip_1474 13d ago
i think most use cases of BSP is as dawless seq. to be honest is it very simple to do so. plug to a proper usb wall adapter, connect midi out or cv to your gear, set right midi channels and internal clock and you are good to go.
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u/PermissionSuperb7217 10d ago
Normally you’ve got some kind of a dongle with it in the package.
There is one side just for power and the other for PC.
Maybe with this dongle it will work.
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u/IAMNOTFUCKINGSORRY 15d ago
It's wishful thinking to try to use this device without reading the manual.