Keyboards · Arturia

Make your BeatStep's knobs work in GarageBand

GarageBand plays the keys, but ignores most of the 17 knobs and 8 buttons on the Arturia BeatStep. KnobLink connects them: it recognises the BeatStep the moment you plug it in.

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Arturia BeatStepas KnobLink draws it

What each control does in GarageBand

Setup in three steps

  1. Plug in the BeatStep and open KnobLink. It shows your keyboard, controls and all.
  2. Allow instrument knobs in System Settings › Accessibility, once.
  3. Restart GarageBand, only the first time. Then play.

Questions

Does the BeatStep work with GarageBand?

GarageBand plays the BeatStep's keys and pads, but ignores most of its knobs and faders. KnobLink connects those too: knobs move the instrument's Smart Controls, faders set track volume, transport buttons work.

Do I need to set up the BeatStep by hand?

No. KnobLink recognises the Arturia BeatStep by name when you plug it in and knows its factory settings. If you changed its settings, KnobLink asks you to move the changed controls once.

Does it work with Logic Pro?

KnobLink is made for GarageBand. Logic Pro has its own controller assignments.

Other Arturia keyboards: KeyLab 49 mk3 (2024) KeyLab 49 MkII KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 KeyStep 37 MiniLab 3 MiniLab MkII