With AS1 MidEast, conventional keyboards can play Arabic scales and microtuned notes without radical panel layout modifications to include Arabic scale commands. In practice, AS1 MidEast is a controlling device which sends appropriate messages to the connected keyboard so that specified notes of the scale play one quarter of a tone below standard pitch, as required for Arabic Scale use.

AS1 MidEast is extremely user-friendly thanks to its 12 Arabic scale memories which store and recall any favorite setting, a display showing the status of the various functions, 'one-touch' commands and no complex programming tasks. It provides 3 modes of operation, allowing keyboards to play Arabic Scales, and has a wide range of uses, from the direct connection to a keyboard to more complex MIDI setups which include computers and sequencers.