NAMM 2015: Arturia Unveil Beatstep Pro and AudioFuse Interface

Arturia have unveiled their latest controller and performance step sequencer at this years NAMM, the BeatStep Pro looks exciting indeed, also unveiled by Arturia is the AudioFuse interface. Read on for more info…   Press Release Arturia BeatStep Pro GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to launch BeatStep Pro — an […]

When you purchase through affiliate links on MusicTech.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn more

Arturia have unveiled their latest controller and performance step sequencer at this years NAMM, the BeatStep Pro looks exciting indeed, also unveiled by Arturia is the AudioFuse interface. Read on for more info…

Press Release

Arturia BeatStep Pro

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to launch BeatStep Pro — an all-new world-class controller and dynamic performance step sequencer — at The NAMM Show 2015, January 22-25 in Anaheim, California…

Having wowed crowds at last year’s Winter NAMM show with the introduction of its breakthrough BeatStep, a compact chameleon controller and step sequencer that’s as powerful as it is portable, this time Arturia is taking things several steps further forward by introducing its bigger brother, BeatStep Pro. As an all-new world-class
controller and dynamic performance step sequencer that is unmatched in power and connectivity, BeatStep Pro has been designed to professionally perform — onstage or in the studio.

Whether you’re working with MIDI-, USB-, CV/Gate-, or DIN Sync-equipped gear, BeatStep Pro helpfully has your back by covering all bases and more besides. Indeed, its CLOCK connections can work as a 1:1 clock with an external clock generator or DIN Sync, so you can be sure that anything and everything you’ve got connected will play happily in time together leaving you to focus your energies on creative performance.

Put simply, BeatStep Pro has been designed from the ground up to provide an amazing hands-on hardware sequencing experience with 16 touch-sensitive knobs for entering of pitch, gate, velocity amounts, and timing shifts per step. It includes two independent (colour-coded) monophonic step sequencers, each with dedicated displays to show the current playback position and bank length of the currently selected sequence.

SEQUENCER 1 and SEQUENCER 2 have been greatly expanded with up to 64 steps per sequence, 16 sequences per project, and 16 projects, making BeatStep Pro one of the most impressive step sequencers ever made. Moreover, each sequencer has its own 1V/Oct CV (Control Voltage) and (10V) GATE outputs to connect to suitably-equipped analogue monosynths, such as Arturia’s award-winning MiniBrute or MicroBrute, together with a separate VELO (Velocity) output to allow for even more possibilities when working with a modular synth system setup.

An additional DRUM sequencer allows for 16 separate tracks of sequencing. Record in quantised realtime via the 16 pressure sensitive pads or use the 16 step buttons for a classic drum machine workflow. Speaking of which, when working in SEQ1 and SEQ2 mode those pads can control pitch transposition as well as accessing various musical scales
— such as Chromatic, Major, Minor, Dorian, Mixolydian, Harm Minor, Blues, and also a User setting — while the DRUM sequencer itself also has eight DRUM GATES at its disposal (to send gate outputs from the corresponding pads for triggering external devices). Drums and sequences living in perfect harmony, see? Believe us, seeing is believing!

BeatStep Pro is also a controller, of course. Switching from PROJECT to CONTROL MODE means users can trigger clips in their favourite DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), play drum sounds from an external module, or adjust parameters in their favourite plug-in. Possibilities are (almost) endless, limited only by (lack of) imagination.

Indeed, the well-specified, super-slender BeatStep Pro is a highly-desirable design. One which goes well beyond any other step sequencer currently on the market, thanks to an added arsenal of performance effects such as a realtime ROLLER/LOOPER touch strip; PROBABILITY, RANDOMNESS, and SWING settings; plus other hands-on controls
that are sure to make it a modern-day classic for tomorrow. To see one is to surely want one. Just as well, then, that it comes complete with a Kensington lock to ensure that it stays with its rightful owner!

BeatStep Pro will be shipping in Spring 2015 and available to buy directly from Arturia online or through the company’s global network of dealers and retailers for €249.00 EUR/$299.00 USD. For more detailed info, please visit the BeatStep Pro product webpage from here: http://www.arturia.com

Advanced AudioFuse Interface

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to unveil AudioFuse — successfully setting a new standard in audio quality and workflow with this eagerly-awaited nextgeneration audio interface — at The NAMM Show 2015, January 22-25 in Anaheim, California…

AudioFuse admirably succeeds where many audio interfaces have failed, fusing the superior sound of high-end mixing consoles with unsurpassed connectivity and instant-access audio streams, stylishly housed in a compact, carefully-constructed chassis. Clearly, anyone who’s remote recording but still seeks the sound of a professional studio need look no further!

By being built on a fully-symmetrical audio chain where every stage has been diligently designed, AudioFuse offers unrivalled sonic purity. Its two DiscretePRO® microphone preamps take the best of yesterday’s vintage mixing consoles and today’s technology to provide a unique, totally discrete circuit that goes beyond the limitations of integrated circuits. AudioFuse’s 24-bit AD/DA (Analogue-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analogue) convertors are of the latest generation, delivering audio with startling transparency (at up to 192kHz sampling rate). In conjunction with Arturia’s advanced clocking system they guarantee extremely accurate timing. Sounds serious? It is. Quite literally.

Like what you’re hearing? How about this, then. AudioFuse has been directly developed with workflow of musicians in mind. Need to adjust the gain on INPUT CHANNEL 1? Turn the topside GAIN 1 knob. Need to switch between two pairs of speakers connected to the rear-mounted (SPEAKER A and SPEAKER B) balanced 1/4-inch outputs? Press the SPEAKER A SPEAKER B button. More level needed for the two front-mounted PHONES outputs (on both 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch connectors)? Turn up the appropriate PHONES knob. Nothing is buried behind convoluted menu-driven access systems, so no need to stop in your tracks and risk stopping the creative flow mid flow while scratching your head trying to work out what to do next. Quite the opposite, in fact. For everything is directly accessible and controllable. Which is how it surely should be.

Modern-day musicians more often than not need to connect a variety of equipment to an audio interface. Here, too, AudioFuse succeeds and even exceeds in meeting their expectations. Everything — microphones, instruments, turntables, pro audio equipment, Macs, PCs, tablets… even iOS and Android smart phones — can be directly connected with minimum fuss and maximum flexibility, thanks to clearly-labelled ADAT, MIDI, phono, S/PDIF, Word Clock, USB, XLR/ balanced 1/4-inch combo connections, to name but a few… the lengthy list goes on. One thing’s for sure: never has so much been so professionally packaged into something so small.

Speaking of which, AudioFuse also acts as a three-port USB/MIDI hub as well as offering a TALKBACK feature (to give directions to talent in another room using the built-in microphone) and INSERT connections (to add external line level devices, such as compressors or other effects processing, into the signal flow before the digital conversion stage). Enjoy zero-latency DIRECT monitoring of recorded signals then blend them into the COMPUTER mix courtesy of another clearly-labelled knob.

Knowing that each and every AudioFuse unit has had to pass rigorous testing and even comes complete with its individual measurement chart showing the output plot is another good reason for owning one. An aluminium chassis toughened to withstand the rigours of the road together with its eye-catching leather-covered top ensures that

AudioFuse looks as good as it sounds. Its well-thought-through user interface ensures that it is easy to use while maintaining that all-important creative workflow. Working with AudioFuse is an unforgettable and enjoyable experience… a next-generation audio interface, indeed!

AudioFuse will be shipping in Spring 2015 and available to buy in a choice of silver, grey, and black colour finishes from Arturia online or through the company’s global network of dealers and retailers for €549.00 EUR/$599.00 USD. For more detailed information, please visit the AudioFuse product webpage from here: http://www.arturia.com

logo

Get the latest news, reviews and tutorials to your inbox.

Subscribe
Join Our Mailing List & Get Exclusive DealsSign Up Now
logo

The world’s leading media brand at the intersection of music and technology.

© 2024 MusicTech is part of NME Networks.