Arturia KeyStep MK1 (Legacy) — Studio Hardware inventory

Device Photos

Front

Top

Basic data

Name

Arturia KeyStep MK1 (Legacy)

Physical parameters

Dimensions (mm)

—

Dimensions (inch)

—

Weight

—

Format

—

Material

—

Manufacturing (Period)

—

Manufacturer

—

Power

Voltage

USB bus power

Current (typical)

0.4 A

Current (max)

0.6 A

Polarity

N/A

Connector

USB Type-B

AC/DC

USB

Internal/External

External

Note

Can be powered from a computer, USB adapter or USB power bank. No external PSU required.

Warning: Check the polarity of the source before connecting! Improper power supply will damage the device.

Firmware and serial number

Serial number

226309

FW version (current)

Not stated

Check date

2026-03-04

Previous version

N/A

Bootloader

N/A

Update Link

https://www.arturia.com/support

Backup File

Not stated

Quick Summary

Compact 32-key MIDI keyboard with step sequencer, CV outputs and USB connectivity. Older MK1 version — newer MK2 exists.

Product Description

Arturia KeyStep MK1 — Compact keyboard MIDI controller with integrated step sequencer, CV/Gate outputs and USB connectivity

Features and functions

32 dynamic keys with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity — expressive control for MIDI synths
Integrated step sequencer — up to 16 steps per sequence with real-time editing
CV/Gate outputs — 1V/octave CV and 10V gates for eurorack/Volca/analog synths
MIDI IN/OUT on DIN 5-pin connector — full MIDI implementation for external hardware
USB MIDI — class compliant, connect directly to computer without driver
Headphone output with stereo mini-jack connector — built-in audio monitoring
Master Volume mini-fader — quick volume control
Mod Wheel — pitchbend + modulation controls for expressive playing
Octave range — Octave Up/Down buttons for expanding the range of 32 keys to more octaves
LCD display — displaying sequences, tempos and states
Tap Tempo — tempo synchronization without metronome
Internal power supply — USB bus power (0.4A typical consumption)
Compact portable design — only controller without sound engine
Wireless-ready — Arturia Wireless dongle compatible (optional)
Legacy version — MK1 model is an older type (there is MK2 with improvements)

Primary I/O (quick orientation)

Domain	Inputs	Outputs	Note
MIDI	USB MIDI (Type-B - class compliant)	USB MIDI + DIN 5-pin MIDI OUT (5-pin DIN connector, MIDI standard)	Dual MIDI output — USB and DIN. Ideal for old synths and modern DAWs.
CV/Gate	—	Gate OUT (3.5mm TS mono), CV OUT (3.5mm TS mono)	0-5V CV range (1V/octave). Compatible with Volca, eurorack, Moog Mother-32 and others.
Audio	—	Headphones OUT (3.5mm stereo mini-jack)	Only for monitoring MIDI sound from external synths (not built-in sound)

Controls

FRONT / TOP (user control)

32x dynamic keys with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity
Octave Up/Down buttons — extension range
Transpose buttons — transposing sequences
Tempo button — setting the tempo
Step buttons — for step sequencer editing
Gate button — check gate time
7× LED indicators — status display (tempo, sequence, octave)
Master Volume mini-fader — volume control
Mod Wheel (left hand) — pitchbend + modulation

Service / hidden elements

LCD display — displays sequence, tempo, mode
Tap Tempo functionality — synchronization without metronome
Wireless dongle port (optional) — Arturia wireless module

Connectors and connections

Connector matrix

Interfaces	IN	OUT	Spec / note
MIDI	USB MIDI (Type-B - class compliant)	USB MIDI + DIN 5-pin MIDI OUT (5-pin DIN connector, MIDI standard)	Dual MIDI output — USB and DIN. Ideal for old synths and modern DAWs.
CV/Gate	—	Gate OUT (3.5mm TS mono), CV OUT (3.5mm TS mono)	0-5V CV range (1V/octave). Compatible with Volca, eurorack, Moog Mother-32 and others.
Audio	—	Headphones OUT (3.5mm stereo mini-jack)	Only for monitoring MIDI sound from external synths (not built-in sound)

Latency and jitter

Clock sources

Internal tempo (tap tempo capable), USB MIDI Clock

Clock IN/OUT format

PPQ (pulses per quarter note) — standard MIDI sync

Typical latency

< 10 ms (USB MIDI latency)

Jitter spec

Typical < 150 ppm (parts per million timing deviation)

Buffer support

512 samples (for USB audio)

Impedance and signal levels

Line Level (dBu)

-10 dBV (CV outputs)

Mic In level

—

Output Impedance

~1 kΩ (CV), 32 Ω (headphones)

Input Impedance

~100 kΩ (CV/Gate inputs on external devices)

THD

< 0.5% (ulta-low distortion)

Frequency Range

20 Hz — 20 kHz (headphone output)

Other Specifications (from metadata.specifications)

Key	Value
No other specifications

Additional technical details

Key	Value
No additional technical details

Typical routing

KeyStep MK1 + Volca Bass (classic setup): Old Czech combination of Keystep with Volca Bass synth
• Connect KeyStep MIDI OUT (5-pin DIN) → Volca MIDI IN
• CV OUT → Volca CV IN (Filter control or Pitch modulation)
• Gate OUT → Volca Gate IN (sound trigger)
• KeyStep generates sequences from here, Volca plays sounds
• Tempo synchronization via internal tap tempo
KeyStep MK1 → Eurorack (CV/Gate principles): Integration with eurorack modular synthesizer
• CV OUT → VCO pitch input (1V/octave standard)
• Gate OUT → envelope trigger input (5V gate)
• MIDI USB → DAW for sequencing
• Keyboard plays eurorack modules directly through CV/Gate
• Headphones: monitor nothing (KeyStep has no sound), listen to eurorack OUT
KeyStep MK1 in DAW workflow: Use with computer and software synths
• Connect USB → computer
• DAW (Ableton, Logic, etc.) sees KeyStep as a MIDI input device
• Play on KeyStep keys — sequencer data goes to DAW
• Create step sequences on KeyStep, send MIDI notes to VST synths
• Simultaneously: CV outputs → control external hardware synths

Connection instructions: The examples below show typical signal flows in practice. For specific details (jitter, buffering), see section above.

SW / drivers

Component	Windows	macOS	Linux	Note
No specific driver data; use the Documentation/Links section.

Custom firmware details

Author

—

FW family

—

Custom FW targets

No explicit custom FW targets in metadata.

Custom CC mapping

CC	Meaning
No custom CC mapping.

Custom FW global settings

Settings	Meaning
No custom global settings.

Custom FW extended menu

Item	Detail
No extended menu details.

Documentation and manuals

Manufacturer / Links

Service log

Date	Event	Who	Note
2026-03-04	Rename + metadata update to MK1 variant	Studio Administrator	Renaming to arturia-keystep-mk1 clarifies legacy status. Images moved to arturia-keystep-mk1. Features and hw_pic paths updated.
2026-03-03	Initial inventory	Studio tech	Added to inventory

Presets / User banks

Storage type

Internal flash memory — nonvolatile storage

Number of banks

16 sequences

Current bank

User selectable

Backup File

—

Export format

USB MIDI export (sequences as MIDI file)

Note

KeyStep MK1 stored sequences internally. Backups can be captured via USB MIDI during editing.

Notes / service / modifications

Older MK1 model - there is a newer MK2 with improvements (pad sensitivity control, more sequences, etc.)
USB power supply — completely safe, no external source
CV/Gate compatibility — fully compatible with Moog Mother-32, Volca series, eurorack
MIDI dual output — USB and 5-pin DIN allow parallel use
Wireless optional — Arturia Wireless MIDI dongle is available as an accessoriy
Headphone output — only for monitoring, without built-in audio
Portability — ideal for live gigging or studio mobility