8.8Great
Arturia KeyStep 37 mk2 by Arturia. A 37-key slimkey controller and standalone sequencer with an OLED screen, four encoders, generative tools, and CV/Gate.
Plugin comparison
Arturia KeyStep 37 mk2 vs Squarp Core
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which midi controller to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
Squarp Core is a 6HP Eurorack MIDI-to-CV/Gate brain with 14 engine types and deep generative tools, driving up to 64 outputs through one or two xp32 expanders.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Arturia KeyStep 37 mk2 | Squarp Core |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229 | 190 euros (590 euros with one xp32) |
| Dubspot Score | 8.8 | — |
| Formats | USB-C, MIDI DIN, CV/Gate | Eurorack module |
| Keys | 37 slimkey, velocity and aftertouch | — |
| Sequencer | Polyphonic, up to 64 steps, 8 voices, up to 64 sequences | — |
| Arpeggiator | 16 modes | — |
| Display | OLED with four mode-aware encoders | OLED 64 x 128 pixels |
| CV/Gate | Four assignable outputs | — |
| MIDI | Full five-pin DIN In and Out, USB-C | — |
| Included | Analog Lab Intro, DAW starter license | — |
| Type | — | Eurorack MIDI-to-CV/Gate interface with generative engines |
| Width | — | 6HP (3U), 25mm deep including ribbon cables |
| Outputs | — | Up to 64 assignable, 32 per xp32 expander |
| Engine types | — | 14: Pitch, Gate, Velocity, Aftertouch, CC, Clock, Sync, LFO, AHDSR, Slope, DC, Motif, Euclid, Logic |
| CV range | — | -10V to +10V configurable, V/Oct and Hz/V, custom-scale quantization |
| Clock | — | Internal 1 to 360 BPM, external MIDI clock sync, master Swing |
| MIDI and USB | — | USB Device, USB Host, TRS (type A) in and out, dedicated DIN-style MIDI Out |
| Power | — | 5mA at +12V, 5mA at -12V, 150mA at +5V |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.