Arturia SparkLE

REDEFINING THE DRUM MACHINE

SparkLE is the newest hybrid instrument from Arturia that will take your beat creation to new levels. By combining the amazing sounds, work flow and creative tools of the Spark Engine software, with the high quality SparkLE controller, Arturia has created the ultimate beat creating powerhouse.

Main Features :

• Full featured Spark Software
• 3 synthesis engines: Virtual analog, Physical Modeling, Sample playback
• Works Standalone & as a plug-in (VST, VST3, AU, RTAS)
• Backlit velocity and pressure sensitive Pads
• Touch sensitive FX pad
• Mode selector - Bank, Pattern, Seq, Tune
• Bus powered, class compliant USB input
• User assignable encoders
• Advanced Looper Divide/Move function
• Classic ‘TR style’ programming
• Real-time programming from the pads
• Protective travel sleeve
• Small, Portable, Solid construction
• MIDI mode for use as a controller with any software

The SparkLE hardware and the Spark Engine software make up a sophisticated beat creation environment that gives you a hands on, inspiring and unique way to create patterns, sounds and live performances. It is simple to use and create on but without sacrificing the depth of editing and tweeking that you need to polish your tracks to perfection.


Hardware overview :
Hardware shouldn't be hard

• SparkLE gives you that classic ‘TR’ style workflow by inputting your patterns from the step sequencer buttons or letting you choose to lay down your beats in real time using the 8 velocity and pressure sensitive backlit pads.
• Create stunning live performances with the advanced Looper and the XY pads beat slicer functions.
• Quickly load projects, kits and instruments using the jog dial encoder.
• Transform your beats with the touch sensitive FX pad that features 8 filter modes (including our Oberheim SEM filter) and 7 different Slicer modes.
• Write automation and control your sounds in real-time with the 3 assignable encoders and the 3 Instrument modes on the XY pad.
• Our TUNE mode allows you to choose an instrument and then play chromatic pitches across the 16 buttons or the 8 pads (depending on your preference settings). This allows you to have your kick drum follow the bass root note for deep lows, play a synth bass/lead sound or transform a percussion sound into a pitched instrument.

 

Software overview:
Software that is not soft on features

The Spark Engine features sample playback and layering, but then goes beyond any other drum software by adding a Virtual Analog engine, that is based on our famous TAE® analog modeling technology, as well as a Physical Modeling engine that allows you to create some amazing realism in your sounds.

The vast sound library, that is constantly expanding, gives you top notch, pro sounds that cover a variety of genres and styles designed to get the people up on the dance floor. You can further enhance all this within the Studio and Mixer pages that allow total control over your sound and final mix.

A wide range of excellent quality and unique effects allows you to create super basses, tight snares and wildly processed samples and synths.

Along with the Spark Engine's endless array of sonic possibilities, the Pattern view page shows a detailed view of your current beat and automation channels. You can go in with surgical precision using pencil and line tools to create or edit automation for each instrument, parameter, and effect.

Add to this a Song mode that allows you to chain your patterns to create full arrangements ready for mix down.

The Spark Engine has a 1:1 interface with your hardware that allows you to see what is going on and gives you an excellent user interface for those times when you aren’t using your hardware to control the software (yes, some other systems won’t work without the hardware attached).

In essence, SparkLE is a fun, straight forward and most importantly, musical experience that will inspire you every time you use it.


 
MIDI Control Center
All knobs, buttons and the XY pad can be reassigned to the MIDI note or CC data of your choice. The flexibility of the mapping will allow you to use SparkLE in a number of new and exciting ways.

 
Sound Engines
    
Analog Synthesis
Based on Arturia TAE ® technology, SparkLE includes more than 500 analog instruments easily customizable thanks to in-depth control over all parameters.           

Digital sampling
SparkLE comes with a complete library of pristine quality samples selected in partnership with leading third party companies. On top of this, SparkLE also allows you to easily import your audio files with features such as multi-layering, velocity splits and random selection.
          
Physical Modelling
Embedding the latest physical modeling sounds, SparkLE lets you fine tune and distort the sound of your snare drums, bass drums, toms and access a world of unheard experimental percussion.

Drums heaven
SparkLE allows you to easily build your own signature drums by mixing and matching instruments from the existing vast library or by tweeking parameters and loading your own samples.


Vintage drum machines
SparkLE gives you access to analog recreations of the TR-808, TR-909, Simmons SDS-V, as well as EPROM based LinnDrum, Drumtraks, DMX, and more.*
Other original analog instruments are also available, including basses leads and effects created by our international team of award-winning sound designers.           

Electronic kits
SparkLE embeds a broad library of electronic kits covering all modern music styles: House, Dubstep, Techno, Hip Hop, RnB… as well as experimental fields thanks to the Physical Modeling instruments.           Acoustic drum kits are included covering the main drumming styles from rock, jazz, funk, pop, etc.

Acoustic drumkits
Samples were all recorded and produced by the best third party companies for the highest in audio realism, and multi-layered for accurate velocity response.
 
Integration
The SparkLE hardware controller is 100% Class compliant, no drivers to load ! The Spark Engine software runs in true standalone operation (other systems require the hardware to always be connected to run)

Import and Export

• Import REX files and Standard MIDI files
• Export full PROJECT files to share with other SparkLE users.
• Drag and Drop export of your patterns. You can choose to export Standard MIDI files or render audio .wav files of your individual patterns.

          
Midi Controller

• MIDI mode for use with other USB/MIDI software.
• MIDI Control Center software for remapping all buttons, knobs and pads
• Templates for using SparkLE as a controller for Abelton Live and Reason

         
DAW Support

• Supports all the major plug-in formats :
  • Audio Units
  • VST
  • VST3
  • RTAS
  • AAX (coming soon)
• 16 assignable outputs within your host software.