Digitakt with Arturia Keystep

Elektron Gear Digitakt
1

Hi :wave:t2: Elektronauts!

New here and this is my first post.
Forgive me I’m a total newbie to electronic/digital hardware at the moment however I’m a fast learner.

I’m trying to setup my Arturia Keystep with my DT.
I’ve managed to get only so far before scratching my head in confusion.

Got the USB power sorted. :+1:t2:
Connection to the DT is via a dual standard mini cable - black and red - 2 x both ends (4 connections in total). I’ve plugged in only the black to the Arturia midi OUT - into the DT midi IN.

Have checked MIDI Configuration on DT.

PORT CONFIG >
SYNC > Clock Received checked. Others not.
PORT CONFIG > Input from MIDI+USB
RECEIVE NOTES and RECEIVE CC/NRPN Checked.

CHANNELS
TRACKS 1-8 named 1-8
TRACKS A-H Off
AUTO CHANNEL 10

Now all seems good to here, hearing the TRACK sounds via the Arturia Keystep in Chromatic.

However when playing pattern I cannot hear via the Arturia any keyed TRACK sounds.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

2

Wanting to help here but have a hard time understanding what you’re trying to do.

2 Likes
3

Are you in Sequencer mode on the Keystep? You might need to turn on Kbd Play when the sequencer is running (I think it’s Shift + Octave Up).

1 Like
4

Trying to use the Keystep as a synth as well as trigger sequences. I know the DT isn’t a dedicated synth but i do know it is able to produce synth like sounds using a midi keyboard.

I was trying to follow this short tutorial but found it unashamedly difficult to follow with no detailed instructions. See link

Arturia Keystep and Digitakt

5

You need to assign a waveform to one of the 8 sample tracks. Set it to loop the waveform. Now, when that track is selected you will hear it when you play on the keystep. Hope that helps.

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6

These is the midi cable I’m using

Dual Midi 5Pin Cable

As said I’ve only plugged black into IN and OUT

7

Ok will give that a go in the morning.
Thanks :raised_hands:t2::black_heart:

Will jump back on to let you know how I go :metal:t2::black_heart:

8

Ok will also try this too.
Thanks :pray:t2: :slight_smile:

9

Ok @protocol_jimmy
I’ve had another look and play and read of instrument manuals this morning over coffee.

Keystep is now reset and is playing each TRACK sound that I select chromatically. Eg. TRACK #1 usually kick drum sound/sample.

I’ll assume that from the other suggestion to make one of those TRACK # sounds a wave and to loop, perhaps even delay to create more a synth sound to play via keyboard :thinking:

All in all it’s reading and fiddling - trial and error to learn. But I like this forum a lot so far as there is a great deal of activity and enthusiasm regarding digital and electronic hardware use for music. And since the COVID lockdown on many places - new ideas and creation are being born.

Which is fantastic! :raised_hands:t2::black_heart:

10

Hey @StreetDeezy :wave:t2:

Yeah I’ve noticed that once adding a loop or delay prolongs the key stroke on the Keystep midi.

It’s a matter of discovering a sound that fitting to play via keyboard to give nice long synth sounds.

However this may influence me to purchase a decent analogue keyboard synth to marry up these ideas :bulb:

11

Also
@protocol_jimmy and @StreetDeezy
The back of the Keystep I’m wondering if this setting is correct too? :woozy_face: see pic

image
image1279×1280 375 KB

12

That setting is for USB. it’ll accept sync from USB. If you need midi, put both in the up position.

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13

Ok great. But doesn’t the Digitakt setting allow for both MIDI + USB ? So it’s not applicable ?

14

It matters, digitakt and keystep cannot be connected properly via usb as the digitakt doesn’t function as a usb host. Switch your jumpers to midi.

4 Likes
15

Ok great! Thanks for that. Will adjust settings accordingly. Now maybe I can move forward on successfully using my MIDI properly and get my expectations back! :joy:

16

I have connected my Keystep with my DT2, as explained in this video:

I have enabled clock receive and transport receive.

But when I press play in the transport on the Keystep, this doesn’t start the DT playing.

What am I missing?

17

Did you make sure to properly set the dip switches on the rear of the keystep? Try that.

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18

Yes, they’re in the right place. Set to “internal”, like he says in the video
Thanks @NightlyClosures

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19

@NightlyClosures Realised that I didn’t have “program send” or whatever it’s called ticked. All working now.

Can I ask forum members a question:

Now that I have the DT2 and DN2 connected, has anyone got any ideas/suggestions regarding workflow? Presumably it’s slightly different to working on just one machine…but how?
Also, since the audio from the DT2 is going into and then out of the DN2, how do I control the master volume levels? What if I wanted to fade out the sounds from the DN2, but keep the DT2 sounds playing?

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20

I’d have the DN going into the DT in case you want to sample it. I also have my DT sending start/clock to the key step.

1 Like