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

Impulse is a range of professional USB/MIDI controllers. They each have a precision keyboard and a full control surface powered by a brand new version of Novation's Automap control software - Automap 4 (which makes getting hands-on with your DAW/plug-ins fast and simple). Impulse also has 8 back-lit drum pads which can warp arpeggios, roll beats and launch Live clips.

Impulse 25 unit in gift box 

Length (mm) 582 (Inches) 20.6

Width (mm) 402 (Inches) 15.8

Height (mm) 140 (Inches) 5.5

Weight (kg) 4.2 (lb) 9.25

The PCR-A30 is a compact, USB bus powered 24-bit/96kHz Audio interface & 32-key velocity sensitive MIDI controller offering an addition 27 assignable controls which can send any MIDI message including CC, RPN, NRPN, Sysx, & more. The PCR-A30 has a powerful editor which allows the user to easily create control maps for his or her favorite application. Up to 16 different control maps can be stored in the keyboard for instant recall during performance.

Main Features

• 32 standard-sized keys with velocity sensitivity
• 27 full-assignable controllers (8 knobs, 8 sliders, 9 buttons, 2 pedals)
• 1/4" phone Headphones jack
• 1/4" phone Line input jacks (L/R) and volume
• 1/4" phone RCA pin output jacks (L/R)
• S/P DIF optical output
• USB MIDI IN/OUT Interface
• USB Bus powered, no AC Adaptor required
• Built-in small monitor speakers
• Compatible with WindowsXP/2000/Me/98, MacOS9, OSX
• Intuitive software "PCR Editor" for Windows/Mac OS/Mac OS X
• Low Latency Driver support on PC & Mac.
• ASIO & WDM low latency driver support

The PCR-A30 can control a number of parameters not accessible from other controller keyboards at this price point; such as RPN, NRPN, SysEx.

The PCR-A30 is fully compatible with all the latest operating systems including WinXP and Mac OSX. It is the ideal keyboard for use with Arturia Storm, SONAR, Cubase, Reason, FruityLoops, and most other popular sequencers and software synthesizers. As such it comes equipped with templates for these and other programs.

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 -

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 -