Arturia Spark 2 and Spark LE in Depth Review

[@afreezaphorogiancossack2194]

Dude I love your shirt!!! Been a while since I've watched your video and since I still have the SparkLE and the VST, I decided to give you another watch. This is very good and informative. tyvm

[@-Deena.]

In a studio none DJ setting, being able to create midi and audio via a dedicated hardware interface/software engine is incredibly useful.. to me at least. The drag and drop midi export straight to the tempo of your DAW is heaven. I also use the Minilab/Analog Lab combo which works in a similar way i.e. dedicated hardware to software. Love the physical connection. With Spark 2 you can also create your midi track and drag it into an XLN Addictive Drums VST mode midi track. Try it. It is a weird sort of confusing joy! Great review. Thanks 😊

[@tobiaslofi]

I just bought a used SparkLE and I love your comparison with the korg volcas that is part of what convinced me to buy it! Thanks :)

[@sisternigel]

Thanks for a great review. just what i needed. i just bought a spark le. hankered after one for a while and just recently took the plunge. i have followed its evolution from its original incarantion from the original spark controller and related software. the new spark 2 software feels more fluid in its use. and the sounds are really good. time to sell my DR 550 i think.....

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

27:46 Hand jive to Latin Jam. Keepin'hit reeel Norfukk stoile boy! Swaffham massive!

[@arthurazoubel5344]

Actually, the Spark 2 has a "Learn Mode" where you can set the software to be controlled externally, without using the Sparkle hardware. You hold command (on mac users) and right click on the virtual pad you want to associate

[@blankgen8003]

6 years ago haha , I thank you from the future

[@arthurazoubel5344]

@@blankgen8003 I hope that you know how to do that by now 😂

[@blankgen8003]

@@arthurazoubel5344 To be honest . I used it in ableton and Ispark and it was so buggy I gave up. Only this week I stated using it stand alone and it is running fine, again thanks I couldn't find it in the Manual

[@chakkimatti]

Threshold is for triggering a specific layer according to a velocity threshold.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Aha, thank you

[@rhythmcity2006]

Got one for 50 bucks at the guitar center yesterday, it was on clearance!

[@rogerclarke268]

Excellent video. thanks

[@monogramadikt5971]

i brought a second hand one the other day, had no instruction manual though so theres still a few things im trying to get my head around, mainly about importing other samples, rex files etc

[@espertempo]

I know I'm late but I found this very interesting.

[@joaquinperalba1624]

Good review. Very helpful to take decisions. Thanks for the effort...!

[@christophermatthias3327]

Useful in-depth review just about to buy Spark Le keep up the good work, those shirts who laid the threads on you man?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

+Christopher Matthias I definitely need sponsorship from Ted Baker or something :)

[@ej1mshan]

Great review, might get this

[@danieldemayo6209]

nice vid. did you see a global tune in there anywhere? for if i don't want a to be 440?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Daniel DeMayo I haven't seen anything like that in the prefs or settings. That'd be a question worth asking Arturia i think :)

[@danieldemayo6209]

thx for the response....im one of thos guys that needs the weird features lol

[@monogramadikt5971]

even though its a pretty feature packed unit, after having one for a day the limitations are obvious, lets hope they do a spark 3 upgrade to address a few of the short comings

[@jeremyobertone7390]

great review thanks!

[@federico7367]

does it hace a midi mode? where you can configure it as a midi controller

[@brianmi40]

Needs a means to set RANDOM entries into a row on the sequencer. TATTOO did it best: a slider that set the density (number) of random hits (within a range...), and then buttons to enable even a new random set with each cycling of the pattern...

[@admdnh]

Mr Molten....good job..done....bravo explanation....tq

[@streetsandlanes]

11:21 and onwards covers song mode. Today I was looking for a way to save from song mode. I can see how one can export from the sequencer, but what if one wants to save a song, built in song mode? There doesn't seem to be any way to save a combined file as an actual tune. Forgive me, I'm definitely a newbie when it comes to audio technology.

[@psyzmech9044]

Nice review. Can you use this as a standalone without a pc and does it come loaded with user patterns.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No, it’s all software

[@konradhoroszko255]

Hi, thank for tutorial, what about grooves?

[@Nanaimouk]

This is great!..mine in on the way..much more in depth review..

[@jbforce10]

Hi, I don't suppose you've run the Spark 2 software on a Windows 10 host have you? (The Arturia website has Win7 downloads with updates as recent as September 2015 but no mention of Win10 compatibility so I thought it would be best to ask an actual user who would be likely to be running the latest operating system.) I'm on the edge of taking the plunge and buying a Spark but when Steinberg inevitably forces me to upgrade from Win7 to Win10 in order to run the latest version of Cubase, I don't want to be having to cast-off Spark (along with other unsupported music applications). Cheers.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

+jbforce10 I'm pretty sure i have.... but i'd have to check. I'll get back to you when i can.

[@jbforce10]

+Molten Music Technology that'd be great, thanks.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

+jbforce10 It's no longer installed on my Surface, i think i took it off to make room for more stuff so i'm not going to answer your question any time soon. I'd recommend dropping an email to Arturia :)

[@jbforce10]

No problem, but thanks for checking. I'll admit, I had a quick browse through the "issues" list on their forum and talked myself out of buying one (was looking at a s/h original Spark - the big one). I should really just knuckle down and spend more time on my current synths and apps anyway ;) I might be in touch soon via your website / email regarding rackmount cases for my Rain music PC as I'm only 10 miles down the road.

[@DankDaddyz]

is there a way in the piano roll to make a pitched drum roll where the timing changes throughout the pattern as well as pitch automation? thank you and great review

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I'm not sure, haven't played with it in ages - try asking on their facebook page or forum. Cheers.

[@annother3350]

@@MoltenMusicTech It didnt keep your interest then?

[@chestermarples5837]

Can you use the Sparkle only with the acer Touchscreen???

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No, use it with whatever computer you like.

[@4Joetee]

Where can i buy Spark 2

[@MoltenMusicTech]

in a shop

[@blackradowan8465]

Whats the difference between LE and 2?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Spark LE is the hardware, Spark 2 is the software

[@salembeats]

This is an absolutely amazing in-depth review -- you definitely helped make up my mind to buy this, where others had failed. Definitely didn't hurt that Amazon was running a pretty big discount, too: amzn.to/1uS2g9Y Oh, also, the touchscreen on the desk was a nice touch (no pun intended!). Might have to copy that idea.

[@AudialDreams]

controlling other devices from spark would be awesome. maybe send a mail to arturia to update the software and firmware. they cant just abandon this beauty 😢

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I think it's been a very very long time since they had any interest in this machine

[@AudialDreams]

@@MoltenMusicTech that is sad :/

[@sophiepooks2174]

Currently use mine with a komplete kontrol S49 mk2 , Maschine 2 software probably considered obsolete now but still find it very intuitive and a lot of fun when there is the time and inclination for a pseudo 1980's funk jam.

[@dk6343]

Can you control the drum sounds with regards to the attack and decay using the arturia controller hardware and or the arturia software. Does the spark 2 software integrate with the arturia keylab 88 mk2 controller keyboard. Regards

[@chestermarples5837]

..ore are you using an Apple PC/Mac together with the Acer 232 hl Windows 8 Touchscreen.Please,i need an answer

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I use a PC, a Windows PC.

[@streetsandlanes]

Very informative video. Thanks so much for posting it. The two thumbs down pressed the wrong button by accident, surely.

[@wordlogicvee]

how can i record it into cubase

[@MoltenMusicTech]

You run it as a plugin.

[@citizencayenne1321]

Hi! I love the workflow style and size of the Spark, but what I really want is this type of unit but as a stand-alone drum machine... Can anyone recommend a stand-alone drum machine that would come closest to matching the look, feel, size and approach of this Spark unit?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I would start with the DrumBrute

[@citizencayenne1321]

Okay, cool. Thank you!

[@tobinharrison7787]

Norfolk massive !

[@monogramadikt5971]

as a reason user i have zillions of rex files and its a shame you cant drag individual slices out of a rex file and asign them to their own pads :(

[@willcapone2978]

Wtf were u thinking when u bought that shirt?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I have a large collection of awesome shirts - thanks for noticing :)

[@MrPhatPhilm]

U have such a lovable face bro

[@zenobibonsai]

I'm actually a fan of arturia but find myself disappointed with this product. I heard the term drum machine mentioned many times when people have spoken about this but I find that term very misleading. . It's a midi controller nothing more! It has no internal built in sounds so you have to connect it to a computer.. A drum machine at least has built in sounds. Update this product to have built in sounds and a sampler and I will throw you my cash lol... great video anyways

[@streetsandlanes]

I've bought it, and am using it in the "spark" mode, i.e. non-midi. I'm a bit confused by what you say in your comment, how it's a midi controller, because, at the moment, I haven't had any success getting any response from the unit in midi mode.

[@zenobibonsai]

streetsandlanes try this: downloads.arturia.com/products/spark/manual/Spark_Manual_1_6_EN.pdf

[@streetsandlanes]

***** Thanks John. Yes, reading the manual is the smart idea, but sometimes doing something simple, like saving one's work, seems to be buried in heaps of other information. I'll have another look. ;)

[@zenobibonsai]

streetsandlanes after watching so many vid i decided against the spark and got the NI Maschine but from what i can tell the main software is the heart of tge spark and without it, its jyst a paper weight lol. Anyway to save your work im guessing thus shiuld be possible via the software as for midi thats something you will have to look in the manual for

[@zenobibonsai]

Sorry about the typos im on my phone lol

[@madmac66]

What a plonker. Analysis is so off base. Comparing to a volka and complaining about lack of chromatic pad control is just plain wrong

[@מיכהבןשיטרית-ח1ס]

קק3

[@kingabdolbig4306]

fake movement? i laugh too much

[@T4Cification]

ye kinda of come across as a bit of a snob and kinda also miss the point. Firstly, this is nothing like Korg drum machines. They are hardware and this is a midi controller controlling software sounds. The things you're picking up on as lacking are also a bit hard to swallow. I think you're letting your imagination run away with you and also not fully understanding this machine costs £160. Not 460 or more. So when most people buy it, they'll not stick it on the shelf for a year until they decide to do an indepth tutorial on it, an I'm guessing it's back on the shelf. No they'll use it and not just be an old fart with no beats in his head

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Thanks for your thoughts. I think i was interested in reviewing the version 2 software as it had just arrived and was more engaging (to me) than the original software - and i didn't have the time when i first received it. The Volca's are really touchy feely and instant.... and the Spark is really touchy feely and instant - so that's the comparison i'm drawing, i'm pretty sure i didnt try to convince anyone that the Spark is an analog drum machine - so, in my view using the Spark has some similarities (including the price), but that's just me. I like to point out stuff that i feel is wrong or lacking or could be done better - i think it's important to express those sorts of things rather than just gushing over every bit of gear - i love gear, i get excited by all of it and i loved playing with the Spark and it's easy to say "this is fabulous" all the time but i dont think that helps anyone. Not sure what you mean by snobby - what is it that i'm looking down upon? Don't quite get that but hey, someone else was upset by my shirt so, you know, you can't please everyone :)

[@streetsandlanes]

Molten Music Technology T4C MMT, I agree. I see nothing snobby whatsoever. I thought you came across as quite the opposite: friendly and humble.

[@oob-experience]

T4C MMT, I don't see the reviewer as snobby at all. Those of us who are not experts rely on people like MMT to give some pros and cons based on their years of experience.

[@T4Cification]

Michael Hricko That's good. Thanks. Been a while since I watched this video..but the point I was making was this item is priced to do a certain job and it does it well. It can't be compared to machines 3-4 times it's price. It also can't be compared to hardware drum machines as it's basically a midi controller. So parts of the video are misleading and also made by a guy whose had the device sitting on his shelf for a year unused. If something hasn't been used in a year why make a video about it at all. You obviously don't even have any interest in the thing. Get it?

[@streetsandlanes]

T4C Hi T4C, Did he really say it'd been on the shelf unused? I'm not doubting you, I just missed that bit.