I have only had the Keystep 37 a few weeks using it with Live as a controller for external and software synths. It has worked fine for that. Works with standalone synths too. Then I decided to have a go with the Arp/seq and I can’t get it to work at all. I’ve been through the manual and youtube vids and it seems pretty simple yet so far nothing!? I’ve got the dipswitch set to usb with the usb cable plugged in.I can play an instrument but when I try recording some notes in the sequencer and hit play the play/restart button doesn’t fully light up it flashes and doesn’t play anything. Same with the sequencer. I have the MMC installed too 1.1.6 and have tried to change seq settings and turning chord mode on and off. Nothing.
In the manual there is this: “The sequencer will not run if the sync selection switches are set to something other than Internal and no external clock is present.” Live is running an external clock and I’ve made sure the keystep is in sync in preferences. Help.
Have you started the transport in Live?
Can you share a screenshot of your Live MIDI settings?
I’m not sure what you mean about the transport. Right now I’m trying to get the sequencer/Arp to work using a standalone synth and not using live but here are the snapshots anyway. I have submitted this issue to support it would be nice to hear from them.
Hi Gothboy,
So you’re recording notes in the sequencer (record + play buttons and enter notes immediately)
and then hit play the play/restart button doesn’t fully light up
it flashes and doesn’t play anything. Same with the sequencer
It looks like the K37 is waiting for a midi, usb or clock start signal
Mine is working properly with a standalone synth. And the play button is lit, not flashing.
The dip switches are set to Internal: the two dip switch are down
If i change the dip switches to anything but Internal, the play button flashes and the sequence is not played.
Yes, flashing means it’s waiting for a MIDI clock signal. What I mean by the Live transport running is pressing the Play button in Live.
I understand, tmoore.
But if Gothboy’s dip switches are not properly set, whether in midi/usb (Live or any daw), clock or internal (standalone), it will result in the reported behavior. Are is dip switches properly set in the context he is using K37?
Personally, I think the dip switches on the K37 are ill placed and confusing.
Thank you for responding. Things are happening! So now I’ve got the Keystep 37 midi’d directly to my Behringer 2600. The Keystep is powered by USB but no Live no software with the dip switch set to Midi The Keystep is triggering notes as I play them. So that’s all good. I recorded some notes into the sequencer and voila it plays the notes and the Tap button flashes. A little reading in the manual and I’ve got the Arp as well.
If i change the dip switches to anything but Internal, the play button flashes and the sequence is not played.’
This seems to make no actual sense do we have that right?
So what about Live how do we do that?
Hi Gothboy,
I was away for the weekend and came back Tuesday morning.
So it’s going in the right direction.
Internal means K37 is in control, else it is not in control and is awaiting for a signal to start Arp or Seq. So your statement is correct. It would be the same with any external synth or controller. I’d say it’s a Live problem, Live should be set to send MIDI clock..
I once had Live but didn’t use it.
As slave, with Live or any DAW, the K37’s dip switches should be in MIDI or USB mode. Usually the latter since you probably connect the K37 through a USB cable. USB transmits Midi.
So the problem is probably that your DAW eg. LIve is not sending MIDI (=USB) signal to the K37. When I say send MIDI control, it is can be done through USB (USB transmits Midi).
In your screen capture, I see Typhon, Keylab but no Keystep. Is declaring Keystep a control surface sufficient? I can’t tell. I think that if Keystep is a surface control, it should be set to Internal. Else it’s not a control surface. If you want Live to be in control, remove Keystep from control surface and make sure it appears in MIDI Ports like Keylab and Typhon.
I found this on Live Midi settings. Hope it helps.
https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/209774265-Using-hardware-synthesizers-with-Live#configmidi