Arturia SparkLE Hardware Controller and Software Drum Machine

SparkLE is a hybrid instrument from Arturia that combines the sounds, work flow and creative tools of the Spark Engine software with a hardware controller. It takes the best elements from a wide variety of vintage analog drum machines, sample based beat boxes and physical modeling, and delivers a modern beat station with synthesis and expressive control.

The package integrates classic "TR“-style step sequencing with real-time beat making. Sixteen sequencer buttons allow for quick sequencing while acting as a visual reference. Patterns can have up to sixty-four steps. Or rhythms can be recorded in real-time using the two banks of eight velocity and pressure sensitive backlit pads, either quantized or free form.

The touch-sensitive XY Pad offers real-time performance effects for transforming beats. A global filter allows for processing an entire mix through an 8-mode filter. The Slicer provides beat slicing, reverse playback, deep Tape drop effects, Strobe, beat sync pans, bit crushers, and more. An advanced Looper acts on the pattern position itself, and allows repeating sections of a pattern at the press of a button.

Three assignable encoders work with the currently selected sound, controlling functions like pitch, instrument filter cutoff and resonance, insert effect parameters, as well as the other synthesis parameters in each engine. The divide and move functions allow for setting the size and position of the loop within a pattern, and shifting these in real-time helps create new and interesting beats.

The software mixer provides a familiar interface for controlling the level, pan, insert effects and sends of instruments. Each of these parameters can be automated in the software or controlled via the assignable encoders on the controller. Each track of the step sequencer has fifteen parameters per instrument that can be automated plus full automation of all the insert effects parameters for that instrument. Fourteen digital effects provide further sonic manipulation.

It is a simple matter to organize all the newly created patterns into a song. The song mode allows for chaining patterns in any order. Simply enter song mode, and drag and drop the patterns required, one by one. For further editing, the usual copy, paste, insert, and delete functions allow more detailed sculpting.

• Two banks of eight pads, backlit and velocity and pressure sensitive
• Real-time programming from the pads
• User assignable encoders
• Touch-sensitive FX pad
• Mode selector - Bank, Pattern, Seq, Tune
• Looper Divide/Move function
• Classic "TR style" programming
• MIDI mode for use as a controller with any software
• Small, portable, solid construction
• USB input
• Bus powered, class compliant
• Kensington Lock
• Protective travel sleeve

• Full-featured Spark software
• Three synthesis engines - virtual analog, physical modeling, sample playback
• Library of over 1,500 instruments and over 100 kits expandable with Arturia add-ons
• FX Pad with 8-mode filter, tape, reverse, strobe, bit crusher, pan, mix, roller and latch mode
• Advanced Loop mode with divide and move functions
• Sixteen-track mixer
• Fourteen effects including multi-band compressor, reverb, sub generator, destroyer, bit crusher, multi-band EQ, chorus, delay, distortion, phaser, plate reverb, flanger, space pan and limiter
• Import REX and Standard MIDI files
• Export of patterns via drag and drop
• Export Standard MIDI files or render audio as WAV files of individual patterns
• Export full project files to share with other SparkLE users
• MIDI Control Center software for remapping all buttons, knobs and pads
• Templates for using SparkLE as a controller for Ableton Live and Reason
• Sixteen assignable outputs within the host software
• Functions standalone or as an Audio Units, RTAS or VST plug-in

• Roland TR-808
• Roland TR-909
• Roland TR-707
• Roland TR-606
• EMU Drumulator
• LinnDrum
• Oberheim DMX
• Korg KPR 77
• Sequential Circuits Drumtraks
• Simmons SDS-V
• Roland CR78/Acetone Rhythm Ace
• Korg DDM-110
• Korg DDM-220
• Yamaha RX5
• Casio RZ1
• Linn 9000

Engineered to be an all-in-one controller solution, the Akai Professional MPK249 is a performance pad and keyboard controller that combines deep software integration, enhanced workflow, and core technologies from the iconic line of MPC workstations. Each member of Akai Pro's MPK series comes fully loaded with a comprehensive interface for manipulating virtual instruments, effect plugins, DAWs, and more. MPK249 features 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 8 assignable knobs, faders, and switches, 16 MPC-style pads with RGB feedback, and onboard transport buttons. Three banks expand the number of knobs, faders, and switches (up to 24 each), and four pad banks expand the number of pads (up to 64 total). Plus, MPK249 is optimized to interface directly with your Mac or PC with USB power and plug-and-play connectivity.

 Number of Keys 49

Number of Voices -

Effects -

Pitch Bend Yes

Μοdulation Yes

Οctave Up/Down Yes

Τranspose -

Display Yes

Βuilt audio intarface -

Headphones Outputs -

• High-quality keyboard assembly — ultra-low mechanical noise

   

• 12 velocity curves

   

• Switchable MIDI Interface

   

• Cool, black (titanium dark gray) body color

   

• 49 velocity-sensitive keys

   

• 27 assignable controls: 8 knobs, 8 sliders, 9 switches, and 2 pedal ports

   

• Rubber-coated pitch-bend/modulation lever

   

• 1 GM2 and 15 user-memory locations

   

• FPT low-latency MIDI transmission

   

• PCR Editor software

   

• USB powered or AC adaptor (Included)

   

• Switchable MIDI Interface mode

   

• MIDI in/out ports

   

• Sustain and Expression pedal ports

   

• V-LINK compatible

   

Engineered to be an all-in-one controller solution, the Akai Professional MPK261 is a performance pad and keyboard controller that combines deep software integration, enhanced workflow, and core technologies from the iconic line of MPC workstations. Each member of Akai Pro's MPK series comes fully loaded with a comprehensive interface for manipulating virtual instruments, effect plugins, DAWs, and more. MPK261 features 61 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 8 assignable knobs, faders, and switches, 16 MPC-style pads with RGB feedback, and onboard transport buttons. Three banks expand the number of knobs, faders, and switches (up to 24 each), and four pad banks expand the number of pads (up to 64 total). Plus, MPK261 is optimized to interface directly with your Mac or PC with USB power and plug-and-play connectivity.

MPK261 comes equipped with 61 semi-weighted, full-size keys and a premium piano-style keybed for unprecedented response and natural feel. Each key is velocity-sensitive and outfitted with aftertouch for dynamic, expressive performances and recordings. In addition, onboard Octave Up and Down controls allow players to access the entire melodic range. Bundled with MPK261 is SONiVOXʼs Eighty-Eight Ensemble, an authentic grand-piano virtual instrument, that lets you compose or perform with pristine, expertly voiced piano samples

System Requirements

Macintosh: 1.25 GHz G4/G5 or faster (Intel Mac recommended), 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), Mac OS X 10.4.11 (10.5 or later recommended)
Windows: 1.5 GHz Pentium 4 or Celeron compatible CPU or faster (multicore CPU recommended), 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP, Windows compatible sound card (ASIO driver support recommended), QuickTime recommended
Available USB Port

Number of Keys 61 Number of Voices - Effects - Pitch Bend Υes Μοdulation Υes Οctave Up/Down Υes Τranspose - Display Υes Βuilt audio intarface - Headphones Outputs - 

25-key Controller with Fatar Keybed and Custom Controls Designed for Total Integration with Native Instruments Komplete 9+

Compact Control for NI Komplete!

Take command of your Komplete instrument collection like never before, with the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S25 keyboard. Far from a typical MIDI keyboard, this unique controller interfaces directly with your NI Komplete instruments, making it freakishly easy to find the sound you want, adjust parameters in real time, and create music in your favorite DAW. Use the Komplete Kontrol S25's purpose-built browser section to navigate through NI's tag-based preset system, remap parts of the smooth-playing Fatar keybed to play chords or scales, and even control your DAW right from the transport section - it's all there!

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S25 Controller Keyboard at a Glance:

• Designed for perfect integration with Komplete
• You'll love playing on this amazing Fatar keybed
• Advanced control options enhance your workflow

When Native instruments introduced their universal tag-based preset system, the Maschine users here at Sweetwater were absolutely stoked. Now they've extended the same capabilities with their Komplete Kontrol S series keyboards. Using the Komplete Kontrol S25's intuitive browser controls, not only can you call up any NI instrument in your collection, you can select individual presets, narrowing down your search by descriptive keywords. Once you've loaded your sound, a set of touch-sensitive controls lets you dial in and tweak your tone on the fly via Native Instruments' Native Map, and the Clear View display lets you view the instrument's most important details at a glance.

There are a few good reasons why keyboardists and keyboard makers love Fatar keybeds like the one in this Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S25. In addition to being extremely well built, they feel fantastic, offering enough resistance so that you can really lay into the keys while recovering fast enough for synth-style repeats. Whether you're playing a piano patch courtesy of The Giant or a lead via Monark, these keys won't let you down. For added expression, Native Instruments also gave the Komplete Kontrol S25 a pair of touch strips, which let you pull off mod and pitch-bending moves out of reach for ordinary control wheels. What's more, the Komplete Kontrol S25's integration with Komplete 10 and up includes its multi-color Light Guide - a series of LEDs above each key that offers performance feedback and reveals advanced playing features.

There are several additional functions onboard the Komplete Kontrol S25 that make playing virtual instruments and writing music even more fun and productive. For instance, you can play chords with single keys or map key ranges to different scales, and the onboard arpeggiator goes far beyond typical arpeggiation, offering you creative new ways to come up with melodies. And to make controlling your DAW of choice simpler, Native Instruments gave the Komplete Kontrol S25 a full set of transport controls.

• Powerful, great-playing keyboard that gives you unrivaled integration with Komplete 9+
• 25-key Fatar keybed offers smooth action and excellent response that lets you get the most from your instruments
• Tag-based unified browsing across all Komplete instruments lets you quickly find the sounds you want, right from the hardware
• Clear View display shows all the most important details at a glance with easily legible text that you can read in any environment
• Dial in the main parameters of any Komplete instrument, which automatically map to the touch-sensitive controller knobs
• Highly flexible touch strip controls with advanced physics offer a level of expression that goes far beyond pitch and mod wheels
• Create arpeggiated melodies at the touch of a button, play chords with single keys, or map the whole keyrange to scales
• Dedicated transport section gives you full access to your DAW's playback and recording controls

Experience Native Instruments Kontrol like never before with a Komplete Kontrol S25 keyboard!