MIDI-controller / Rhythm-machine Arturia SparkLE

Arturia SparkLE

Redefining the Drum Machines

Combining the power of analog synthesis, physical modeling and samples with the intuitive workflow of a portable hardware drum machine, SparkLE is a highly creative beat production center.

SparkLE is an innovative hybrid instrument from Arturia that will take your beat creation to new levels. By combining the amazing sounds, workflow and creative tools of the Spark 2 software with the high-quality SparkLE controller, Arturia has created the ultimate beat-creating powerhouse.

Artists speak about MiniBrute

"I am always on the lookout for new tools as this way I constantly keep my production fresh. I need new gadgets to fiddle with, them and test what I can do with, as this way I get inspiration for producing my own stuff. And I got that with this little monster. I did use SparkLE in studio to create some drum sounds in my recent tracks and I will continue to use it for some time. I like the quality of samples and that it's really user friendly. This is a useful product.", -
Umek

"I love the easy and quick ways to get results using SparkLE . The possibility to build up your own kit mixed with your own samples is very cool . My favorites to go for are the vintage drum machines in SparkLE. They have the analogue sound and not one hit are totally the same , that way you don't get the ugly " machine gun " effect! Really usefull!", -
Trentemoller

"SparkLE has completely changed the way I approach drum handling in a live situation. The option to jump from pattern to pattern without waiting for the measure to complete its course means total freedom to drop in some unexpected flourishes or change style in the blink of an eye. The synth engine is tight, and its sample layering features let you sculpt your drums to perfection. Onboard controllers let you go really crazy , and the touchpad's multi functions can really throw a crowd off balance. All this, and it's so easy to use! I wasn't reaching for the manual until days later and I already had most of a live set ready to go.", -
Simon Carter (Crystal Distortion)

"The drums, samples and fx in SparkLE are so Spot on with whats happening today. And the patterns are Genius. I haven't loved a Drum Machine this much in forever.", -
Junior Sanchez

"The layout of SparkLE is so intuitive and allows for instant creative control. The pads react like playing an acoustic instrument. Your beats will immediatly have a new level of depth the first time you get your hands on SparkLE.", -
Isaac Carpenter

"Small, concise with full control to edit and manipulate any sound as well as have access to literally countless loops which you can also edit so easily. SparkLE is a brilliant inspiration and tool for any producer making any genre of music from hip hop to techno to pop to folk. Arturia - helping you make beautiful music on the road.", -
DJ Vadim

Press Clipping

"There has never been a better time than now to add a little sparkle to your rhythmic creativity with SparkLE Creative Drum Machine", -
MusicRadar.com

"Guys, this little drum instrument is way too much fun to play! I seriously have not enjoyed the act of banging out patterns on a drum machine this much since the original MPC. Kudos to Arturia on a well thought out performance interface - one that actually is about PERFORMANCE", -
Tape Op

"Although I’ve reviewed other portable beat-making devices the Sparkle wins for over all creativity and portability.", -
Bboy Tech Report

"The SparkLE is absolutely tiny but runs the same big software as its big brother.", -
Attack Magazine

"All this functionality is built into a seriously compact (284mm x 171mm x 17 mm) and portable (comes with a travel case) package. SparkLE is a truly versatile tool for a musician on the go!", -
TONELUSTER

"The fun factor involved with using this hybrid drum machine is high, and its compact, tough and portable chassis lends itself to being taken out on the road.", -
junodownload.com

"SparkLE is powerful beat-making tool with functionality and sound quality way beyond its low price point.", -
Future Music

"With SparkLE, Arturia have further refined the Spark hardware. It's a little smaller, lighter, more portable and made of some really nice feeling materials. The body itself is really nice; super rugged, thanks to some sort of super futuristic plastic. It's nice.", -
Jed James Info

"Anyone looking for an affordable drum machine with the sound of the classics and the flexibility and usability of current software and on top of that would like to operate by hand and not with a mouse, I only can recommend this combination. Unconditionally! And it does sound top notch too!", -
buenasideas.de

So much control

The SparkLE hardware and the Spark 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’s simple to use, without sacrificing the deep editing and tweaking that you need to polish your tracks to perfection.

Concept

Drum Synthesis
Most drum machines will have you searching, browsing and managing endless libraries of samples. It supports sample plackback too, but goes a step further and invites you to dive deep into the synthesis of drums.

Hybrid Solution
As a combination of hardware and software, Spark offers the best of both worlds: a great user experience and great sound, totally integrated into your studio.

Ultimate Drum Machine
Spark is arguably the most powerful and creative drum solution available today. It takes the best elements from analog drum machines, sample-based beatboxes and acoustic drum sets and combines them in a modern beat station offering powerful synthesis and expressive control.

Controls

Step Sequencer
Spark integrates a step sequencer with 16 keys allowing you to create patterns with up to 64 steps (four 16-step zones). You can choose between follow mode (follows the position of the step when playing), or static (fixed 16-step zone). The arrow buttons allow you to switch the display easily between the 16-step zones of the pattern you are editing. Like on classic drum machines, it is also possible to place accents on each step by selecting the accent button.

Velocity-Sensitive Pads
8 velocity-sensitive pads enable you to perform your groove with all its nuances and intensity. Thanks to their pressure-sensitivity, they will also help you create rolls with great precision. You can choose if you want your performance to be quantized or not, depending on whether you want to emphasize the spontaneity or the precision of your beats.

Jog Dial
Thanks to the Jog Dial, browsing and loading your kits and instruments has never been so fast and easy. As you turn the Jog Dial the LCD screen displays important information, while on the computer screen the Project cover flow helps you spot your favorite projects at a glance.

Live

XY Pad
The touch-sensitive XY pad offers real-time performance effects, right at your fingertips, for dramatic transformations of your beats. The Filter allows you to process your entire mix through an 8-mode filter. This includes 5 modes from our TAE® Oberheim SEM filter plus our great-sounding low-pass, high-pass and band-pass filters. The Slicer gives you amazing beat slicing, reverse playback, deep tape-drop effects, strobe, beat-sync pans, bit crushers and more. This unique performance tool will give you more hands-on live control than you’ve ever had with any other drum machine.

Instrument Knobs
Each instrument track (above each pad) is controllable thanks to 3 knobs. These encoders give you in-depth access to the sonic parameters. Each knob is already pre-assigned, but you can also remap it to your liking onto 6 different sound parameters. These 6 key parameters differ depending on the type of synthesis used for that particular instrument, making each instrument's response unique.

Looper
Spark's advanced Looper is perfect for creating live breaks. The Looper acts on the pattern position itself, allowing you to repeat sections of a pattern at the press of a button. The Divide and Move functions allow you to set the size and the position of the loop within your pattern. You can shift these in real time to create all kinds of new and interesting beats that will keep the people on the dance floor. This feature alone can take a show from good to great. There’s an astronomical number of ways to twist and tear up your beats when using the Looper in conjunction with the XY pad.

Production

Mixer & Effects
Spark's mixer recreates the interface of a professional mixing board, providing on each of the 16 stereo tracks: volume fader, panning, mute/solo, 2 auxiliary sends and up to 2 insert effects. Each drum instrument can be processed through 14 unique, professional-grade effects: compressor, reverb, bit crusher, multiband EQ, chorus, delay, distortion, phaser, plate reverb, destroyer, flanger, space pan, limiter and sub generator.

Automation
Every instrument can be automated. That means that you can turn the knobs while recording your performance, and all the sound modifications will be saved within the sequencer. All instrument and insert effect parameters can be automated within the Spark software. The step sequencer allows the automation of 15 different parameters per instrument, plus full automation of all the insert effects parameters for each instrument.

Song Mode
Spark's software comes very handy when you want to quickly order your pattern creations and convert them into a Song. You can recall your songs at any time by pressing the 'Song' button on the hardware interface. Simple functions such as copy/paste and drag-and-drop from the pattern circle will help you achieve your ideal song in no time.

Sound engines

TAE® Analog Synthesis
Part of the sound engine embeds our TAE® technology, which stands for True Analog Emulation. TAE® is an unprecedented way of modeling and creating the specific sounds from classic analog synthesizers such as the Yamaha CS-80, Roland Jupiter 8 or Oberheim SEM. Incorporating this award-winning technology has allowed us to recreate all the punch, warmth and thickness of the sounds from the most sought-after analog drum machines in the world.

Physical Modeling
Physical modeling is a technique of synthesizing the properties of natural objects when they are struck or plucked. At its most basic level it allows you to create very dynamic and accurate acoustic sounds. But physical modeling can be pushed to create wild, new sounds the world has never heard. This gives a whole new method of sound creation that no other drum machine can offer.

Digital Sampling
Sample playback technology is the bread-and-butter of a drum machine, and this little machine delivers it in abundance. You can layer multiple samples to create vast sound collages or set the layers to split across velocity, cycle through the samples or trigger randomly. The inclusion of post-processing templates such as filters and Bode Frequency Shifters makes for some great sonic possibilities. It's library includes multi-layered acoustic drums, deep dance/trance hits and a plethora of sound effects and instrument stabs. It even lets you drag and drop your own samples onto pads and then chop, layer and edit them within its sound engine.

Kits

Vintage Drum Machines
The Spark software provides emulations of the following vintage drum machines: Roland TR-808, TR-909, TR-707, TR-606; EMU Drumulator; LinnDrum; Oberheim DMX; Korg KPR 77, DDM-110, DDM-220; Sequential Circuits Drumtraks; Simmons SDS-V; Roland CR78 / Acetone Rythm Ace*; Yamaha RX5; Casio RZ1; Linn 9000.

Modern Electronic Kits
It includes a broad library of electronic kits covering all modern music styles: EDM, hip hop, dubstep, electro house, deep house, minimal techno, R&B, trance, techno, abstract hip hop, dancehall, industrial.

Acoustic Drum Sets
Acoustic drum kits are included to cover the main drumming styles: Modern rock, funk, R&B, pop, vintage rock, Latin percussion. Samples are recorded and produced by the best third-party companies for the highest audio realism, and multi-layered for accurate velocity response.

Sample-House partner companies:

Integration

Plug-in & Standalone
The Spark software can be used as a stand-alone application or as a plug-in within Digital Audio Workstations such as Steinberg Cubase, Digidesign Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro X, MOTU Digital Performer, Cakewalk Sonar and Bitwig Studio, to name a few. In plug-in mode, the 16 audio outputs can be routed directly into the audio tracks of your DAW.

Import/Export
You can import AIFF, Wave, MIDI and REX2 files. The Spark software allows for simple drag & drop export of patterns into your DAW in either the .wav format or as a MIDI sequence.

MIDI Controller
It is working perfectly in combination with the Spark software, of course. But it also excels as a universal MIDI controller, capable of controlling any other USB/MIDI compatible software. It ships with our MIDI Control Center application that enables you to remap all controls easily to suit your specific needs. Support files for Reason, Ableton Live and other popular apps are available to registered users.

Hardware Specifications

• Dimensions : 284mm x 171mm x 17 mm - Net weight : 1 Kg - Gross weight : 1,5 Kg
• 8 velocity and pressure sensitive pads
• 3 user assignable encoders
• Touch sensitive XY pad
• User mapable MIDI controller mode
• Kensington Lock
• Neoprene slipcase
• USB Bus-Powered

Software Specifications

• Pristine quality sound engines including : TAE® analog synthesis, physical modelling, and multi-layered samples provided by our top-tier development partners
• 1900+ instruments / 180+ kits:
  • Vintage drum machines : analog emulations of the TR-808, TR-909, TR-606, Simmons SDS-V, and Eprom based Linn Drum, Drumtraks, DMX, Drumulator and more
  • 10 new emulations from « Spark Vintage Drum Machines »: CR-78, Mini Pops 7, Ace Tone FR-2L, Yamaha MR 10, Maestro Rhythm King MRK2, Boss DR-55, E-mu-SP-12, Roland DR-727, Roland R-8, Casio VL-Tone and SK-1
  • Electronic kits covering the most popular modern music styles : EDM, Dubstep, Hip Hop, RnB, Pop… as well as experimental possibilities thanks to our physical modelling engine
  • Acoustic drum kits mixing physical modelling and samples for high audio realism
• 16 key – 64 step sequencer
• 8 velocity & pressure sensitive pads
• 41 switches
• Touch sensitive FX pad with repeat, tape, reverse, strobe, pan, mix, bit crusher, 3 mode filter and roller
• Advanced loop mode with divide and move functions
• Real-time automation on all parameters
• 16 track mixer with 14 high quality effects : multiband compressor, bit crusher, multiband EQ, chorus, delay, reverb, distortion, phaser, plate reverb, destroyer, flanger, space pan, limiter, sub generator
• 16-tuning mode available from pads and steps
• New Oberheim Filter
• Choke groups to naturally mute instruments
• MIDI clock output to synchronize your hardware instruments
• Easy MIDI and automation drag & drop export to your DAW
• Shuffle and shift modes to humanize grooves
• High precision rotary encoders
• Aluminum enclosure

Awards