How good is 'project' (or 'long' composition) programming on beatstep pro ?

[mybeatstepproforumid]

Hi , I am a prospective purchaser of beatstep pro, wondering how good it is at longer 'song' compositions.

Quite a few videos/tutorials have given me a fair idea of how to program sequences, which have a maximum of up to 48 steps, and can be stored in 16 locations corresponding to 16 buttons.

Am i right in assuming that these can be linked in a programmed order using the project save facility ?
The kind of thing i'm thinking of is, say, four iterations of one of the sequences, then 2 iterations of another, then maybe, then move to four of a different sequence, and so on, all creating a longer composition, that can play automatically initiated with one action, without 'ongoing live' intervention ?

i.e what is often called 'song' mode on many units.

If this is case, are users generally happy with how this works and is programmed ?

 I'm asking because i'm curious as to whether this is more geared to a 'live performance' which constant selection, or whether it can do longer compositions (without being connected to a computer, which i'm trying to take some time away from, and use something simpler, with real buttons)

Thanks if you can put me in the picture from experience as an owner or user of this unit

With regards

[psn]

There is no song mode on the BSP, no way to program one sequence to follow another.

[mybeatstepproforumid]

thanks for your response.
I find that quite surprising.
Would it play a series of sequences in numbered order if you store them in consecutively numbered sequence memory locations, as in, proceeding , say, through sequences 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6 , 7 , 8, if you light up that group of sequences in a line and initiate it (or some similar process)?
Quite a few drum machines behave like this even if they have no song mode as such
Thanks

[psn]

No, each sequence must be initiated manually, in real time, on the beat.

[mybeatstepproforumid]

thanks -
a quick additional question if i may - can a step sequence be composed using an external midi keyboard ?
i see that the notes can be selected using knobs, or by pressing the pads acting as a one octave virtual keyboard...but even though you can shift octave, that seems a bit constraining if you are entering notes over a wide octave range

[Valentin Arturia]

Hi mybeatstepproforumid,

The seq maximum length is 64 and we are actually working to implement "Song mode". You can plug an external midi keyboard allowing you to record some sequences or transpose the ones that are running.

[mybeatstepproforumid]

Great , that is good to hear Valentin.

I think this would be an excellent addition.

Are you working on this as an upgrade to the existing unit ? (would i be right in describing this as a 'firmware' upgrade to an existing device ? ), or would this call for a more fundamental redesign (a new physical layout on a later release ?)

I feel there is a gap in the market here for a very user friendly and 'what you see is what you get' interface that can be used for creating and running compositional ideas, for people who don't read or score music fluently. Beatstep pro is approaching this role, but could perhaps be even better with song programability.

A greater capacity for chords/polyphony within one or both sequences would also help in this regard.

The 'general direction' and concept of beatstep pro i think is promising - i think there is no reason why a 'what you see is what you get', simple interface with real controls rather than tedious menus shouldn't also have a capacity to program full compositions. After all MIDI reflects the essentials of what you get with sheet music (timing, ties, pitch etc) and beatstep allows all of these with simple button combinations.
 
There are a lot of people who would like to spend more time away from over-complex computer software suites which do a lot, but require way too much mouse, screen, menus etc. These often require endless learning and way too many drop down boxes and redundant capacities (as well as squinting at a screen to find and move the cursor through an absurdly over-complex virtual environment).

Whereas things like the Roland TR8 and beatstep represent a move to hands on simplicity and intuitive, fast, realisation of ideas.

 Hands on simplicity CAN be combined with a capacity to create big MIDI compositions....i think there's a prize there, a niche, that is waiting to be taken, and beatstep pro is tantalisingly close : ) 

[Filterseducer]

Hi , I am a prospective purchaser of beatstep pro, wondering how good it is at longer 'song' compositions.
.....
Thanks if you can put me in the picture from experience as an owner or user of this unit

With regards

Hi, I Think the right question would be simply "how good it is?"

Well, if you are intersted in long compositions it doesn't come with song mode, and actually the sequences are triggerd on the fly when hitting the pads; without waiting the end of a seq to launch the next one. While playing in reverse or alternate mode is hard to keep your project playing in sync. Discussed on topic: "Changing playback direction knocks sequence out of sync"

Truth somethings hurts but check for example in this forum how long is the topic called "Problems with BeatStepPro" or "Feature request thread". Check also how many times the words "issues", "bugs "and "problems" appear.

Regarding memory locations check also how many user are reporting problems when saving or restoring their projects: missing sequences, missing steps in a sequence, or simply lost projects after 2 weeks without using the unit.

So, I would propose you to watch videos in utube (as I did and everything was looking pink and cool) but also get informed about users feedback. Follow also future firmare releases fixes and feats.

Play good music, safe and easily 

[mybeatstepproforumid]

yep, in spite of my pipe dream of going retro with external devices, i'm beginning to think i probably need to go to Ableton if i want to get into step sequencing on a simple and intuitive level, though as of now, i'm really not up on all that.

Where i 'come from' up to now is orthodox acoustic recording, which is my real interest, and logic has been my recording suite, and it's pretty good for my interests... but i'm looking into step sequencing to adopt a different approach to composing.... i want to look at music in more abstract way, separated from what my instrument plays, but the 'normal road' for acoustic players (sheet music) isn't for everyone, especially if your musical education was a bit unorthodox and 'by ear'.

Logic automated stuff is all a bit questionable....piano roll is OK, but I suspect Ableton *with the appropriate add ons* could really be the best route....beatstep and most other outboard gear, comes so close...but there just seem to be gaping holes in the capability which are quite hard to explain : )

Gonna see if i can get some people i know who are ableton heads to give me some pointers : )

[Filterseducer]

So maybe Push is a good option for you. Of course no CV or retro gear is allowed and is really "in the box" way of working. But find one usb cable and you are done. And it works. More expensive too.

[mybeatstepproforumid]

Wow....just checking that out on youtube ! that is interesting ! a big investment, along with the ableton software ...but looks very intuitive and versatile.