[5][9] Pitch bend and modulation strips are present instead of wheels, and buttons allow the keyboard to be transposed four octaves bidirectionally.

The controller was widely criticised for copying the design of the Keystep; according to Robin Vincent of Gearnews, "it’s identical down to every key, button, connection and even the dip switches on the back.

"[14] Two days after the release, Arturia's CEO Frédéric Brun made a statement on Facebook, saying:[15][16] Of course we accept competition, and would absolutely understand that Behringer give their own interpretation of a small and smart controller that would also be a sequencer.

Behringer did acknowledge the criticism, saying:[16] It is our Purpose and Mission to empower Customers who don’t have deep pockets and provide them with the best possible equipment at fair prices.

We do understand that we are a fierce competitor and at times controversial as we’re relentlessly push the envelopeAt the 2020 NAMM Show,[17] Arturia announced the release of the Keystep Pro, an improved version of the Keystep with sequencing capabilities influenced by Arturia's Beatstep series.

[18] The Keystep Pro received an update in 2021, adding global transpose and offset functions.

[27][28] The controller also adds a LCD screen which displays tempo and MIDI CC values, and a scale quantisation mode.

[29][30][31] The Keystep 37 has a chord mode with control over a "strum" parameter;[27][32] the sounds produced by this function have been likened to those of the Suzuki Omnichord.