I also have just (in the last 6 months) bought a beatstep, luckily discounted by Arturia (Thank you Ben).
I don't mind that I have just got one, this happens all the time with Apple and other manufactures, it's just par for the course. The beatstep is a great little tool, big enough to use, small enough to carry in my laptop bag, it's a cool little tool and i'm not bothered that a new one has been announced, i'll happily carry on using it.
My point is more targeted at the train of thought that follows an idea. In my opinion, this is the 3rd product in a row that has befallen to the same 'jumping the gun' pitfalls. I love these new products and new ideas, it's what keeps things moving forward but having an idea and releasing a product is a tricky thing to get right.
I feel that if Arturia were to sit on their ideas a bit longer rather than releasing the first idea, then these products would be far more rounded, there would only be one version which would help all manner of things, from support to manufacturer and their customer base would be happier.
Minibrute was released then Microbrute. Options on the Microbrute no available on the original Minibrute were then made available in a MiniBrute SE. I get the difference between Mini and Microbrute but SE? Just release 1 product, wait until you feel an idea is fully formed, then release the idea.
Spark CDM then SparkLE. Sark was the full on monster that had all the whistles but then SparkLE was released to pick up the guys who didn't want to spend £400. Each had it's own software, now Spark 2 is 'Compatible' with the both hardware units.. Support and workflow seems to have sided with the cheaper unit.
Beatstep now beatstep Pro. A great idea released too early in my opinion, now with the pro version things added that didn't make the original.
It feels like Arturia need to sit on ideas a bit more before funding and releasing them.
Thanks, Stuart