Arturia SparkLE Hybrid Drum Machine review

[@ozmir2176]

Very impress by you hands on review. The way you present your product is super helpful for a novice like myself thinking of buying it. Thanks a lot

[@sosmooth7]

Thanks for the making this demo for this product. I enjoyed the fact that you demoed some of the sounds and how to use them. This a really good demo. Some people don't really take time to actually really perform on the machine.

[@SoundsAndGear]

because the kit is setup to use choke groups, the purpose of a choke group is so you can use samples to cut each other off. You have to take it out of the choke group if you don't want that sample to cut other samples off.

[@SoundsAndGear]

thanks for watching, glad to help

[@SoundsAndGear]

glad to help man, thanks for watching

[@SoundsAndGear]

yeah I really like the small form factor too, thanks for watching!

[@RetzyWilliams]

When you get any drum pad in front of you, it's like you're so at home with it, you generate interesting sounds and beats quickly. Fun to watch!

[@SoundsAndGear]

thanks for watching man! yeah, I just dig the idea of being able to quickly do it without assigning anything :)

[@SoundsAndGear]

you can route the sounds out to separate tracks if you wish, or you can trigger the plugin via midi tracks

[@SoundsAndGear]

load it as a plugin in your daw, I may do a video on loading it in a daw

[@christopherkent3294]

PLEASE do this video! Ive been trying to get my SparkLE into Protools 12 for a week with no success!

[@RazorReg]

This joint hits hard too. Made my drumz sound fat and clear!!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Reggie Brown Thanks for watching.

[@SoundsAndGear]

thanks for watching, the two are very different so it depends on what you want to do with them

[@SoundsAndGear]

there's no poly setting but you can set choke groups, you do have filter cut off and a few other things. Really depends on if you're looking for a drum machine or not, Ra is dope for sure.

[@SoundsAndGear]

it's mainly a drum machine, I would look into something like maschine if you want to make full beats, but this is a nice tool for sure and you can definitely make some music with it

[@KnockSquared]

man them sounds are nice ..I love the look of the Interface/hardware. Dope

[@SoundsAndGear]

you could record it as audio, or record the midi data, either way would work just depends on what you want to do. I can look into doing a video on it if you want.

[@SoundsAndGear]

you would probably load both into a daw, you could most likely midi sync them together but in order to create a final recording you're going to need a daw of some sort.

[@HipHopBluesman]

Have you reviewed Spark yet? I'm interested in the stand alone features in that. This looks dope though, just something classic about this new piece of gear, if that makes sense.

[@SoundsAndGear]

you can load whatever you want inside of it, you can load loops if you want but I don't believe it will automatically timestretch them

[@SoundsAndGear]

yeah you can make your own kits using all the sounds in the library

[@SoundsAndGear]

yes I plan to be buying one for myself

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah, this isn't something I would compare to Maschine at all, I definitely enjoy it's form factor and on a strictly size basis it is more sexy than the Mikro which I also have. But this thing is just something different than that, it really just feels like a classic drum machine with it's own vibe, good stuff!

[@SoundsAndGear]

I see some on eBay already from dealers you may check there and get it a little cheaper, as for the stores it just depends on when each store will get their shipments.

[@notsogood9449]

Thanks for the reply Saint Joe I know you can use SparkLE as a plugin in your DAW... But how many tracks does the SparkLE's sequencer have standalone?

[@SoundsAndGear]

it should come in the box with the controller, or you can just buy the software on it's own from their website

[@Diayse]

Have you checked out the analog drum sounds in Spark? Some of them sound really cool and you get more tweaking possibilities than with samples.

[@SoundsAndGear]

It's dope man, I loved it ever since I first saw it, but having a chance to really play with it makes it even more dope, they did a good job.

[@SoundsAndGear]

yep, it can work in any program that hosts vsts

[@donniekeele]

that's rough...ordered one of these earlier this week...trying to incorporate this with live instruments...somehow i missed no dedicated tempo key on this model. Still looks like fun...I guess I'll see when it gets here.

[@SoundsAndGear]

haven't used it in that mode yet let me check it out

[@99MUZIK]

Thanks brother!!! Good2 know this will be mine Christmas gift and so is the minilab keep up the good work.

[@SoundsAndGear]

yes, it's the same software/sounds just a different controller and you can change the software interface to look like the SparkLE or the big Spark

[@SoundsAndGear]

There's an export option in the library menu

[@SoundsAndGear]

I don't get everything free, and I definitely don't get paid by the companies lol. I do get some stuff for review, but my expense sheet is quite large as well lol, however this is what I do so...it's all part of the business. I just started off reviewing stuff I had already purchased and it grew from there.

[@GiuseppeCdH]

oh. Thank's for your quick replay :)!! I'll surely come back in this vid when this baby'll arrive

[@palo569]

glad you are back man, when will you review the arturia minilab?

[@SoundsAndGear]

They are just different types of products, it's more based on the drum machine model than the sampler type instrument. There's not a lot of options so it's just straight forward in terms of making sounds and creating grooves.

[@SoundsAndGear]

cool, thanks for watching!

[@BeatsAndGuitars]

Awesome review Joe!

[@SoundsAndGear]

thanks for watching bro!

[@alandiaco]

Thanks man! That was fast! BTW, you can load your own samples on this, right?

[@tocapelotillas92]

Great review buddy! I'm hesitating about buying this or Native Instruments' Mikro Maschine.

[@SoundsAndGear]

thanks for watching

[@SoundsAndGear]

I knew what you're were saying, I just understand why someone would want to know if it hosted vsts, the sequencer is fun and would make you want to load and sequence vsts in it :)

[@rahsupreme]

When you did that 808 part,you took me back 2 da synsonic drums dayz... #salute

[@erasmustruth]

Nice review, did a good job showing how it works in a short amount of time!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching man!

[@Diayse]

Nice review mate! You can actually adjust the volume of each track easily, select the pad, press Select+XY instrument mode you want (say, vol/pan) and the top two parameter knobs will now be assigned to volume and panning. Same with filters or Aux sends. I use it far far more than the XY to control these parameters.

[@exionem]

Man, this little machine looks fun! I was planning on getting one of the new Volcas from Korg but it seems this little drum machine has much more possibilities!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching. Just remember this must be connected to your computer to work where the volcas are standalone.

[@exionem]

SoundsAndGear.com Thanks for the info. I was wondering if this software requires a very powerful pc ? Is it buggy ? I'm just a little concerned since I've heard some horror stories regarding Arturia's software with the minilab crashing pc's and not being compatible with windows 8.1

[@SoundsAndGear]

exionem I didn't run into any bugs when I was testing it out, I'm on Windows 7 and didn't have any issues with crashing or anything. I can't speak on how it works with Windows 8 as I haven't hooked it up to a Windows 8 computer. As far as power, I don't think it requires anything special, most computers today should be able to run it. I would check their forums for current info or issues from current users just to be sure.

[@SoundsAndGear]

I like the layout of this one a bit better, but, the screen/knobs on the big one is nice. I just think the smaller one looks a bit more sleek.

[@SoundsAndGear]

No problem fam, yeah you can load up samples for sure!

[@KingsizeDesign]

Nice little Toy - but what would be your favourite - Native Machine or The SparkLE then?

[@SoundsAndGear]

you can just adjust the tempo manually, maybe they meant the size and some of the features like tune, etc

[@SoundsAndGear]

if a sound is in a choke group, than any sound in that group will cut off another sound playing in that group, so if you have a cymbal playing then hit another hi hat, it will stop the cymbal from playing

[@SoundsAndGear]

yeah you can put whatever sounds you want on the pads

[@notsogood9449]

What up Saint Joe Maybe you could make a video of using SparkLE as a plugin in Maschine... and make a quick beat using both... just to show guys that are thinking about buying SparkLE but already have Maschine how the two can work together.

[@atommachine]

Can you put your own samples in this EG.. wavs files and how long can the sample be please....nice review

[@theovetscovers]

Hi Saint Joe, thanks for the awesome review, I'm looking into purchasing either a Maschine Mikro, or a SparkLE. I'm looking for something to create beats, loops, has filter envelopes knobs ( I see that the SparkLE has a touch filter which is really cool), but I do a lot of pitch shifting and time stretching, and have seen that the Machine was able to do it, not sure if the Mikro version can do it as well. Could you shed some light on my question if you have the time? thanks very much!

[@SoundsAndGear]

thanks for watching man, I really dig it, it's very fun and sexy lol

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yes, this is just a controller with dedicated software so all of the sound is coming out of your computer @streetsandlanes

[@SoundsAndGear]

***** Yep, all coming from the software

[@SoundsAndGear]

***** Glad to help man.

[@tomgoodson345]

Dope review, as usual. I use my SparkLE almost exclusively for my beats.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Cool, thanks for watching!

[@nadly21]

Well reviewed. What is that audio interface you use behind you? That yellow thing.

[@SoundsAndGear]

It's a Dave Smith Mopho synth

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah in Maschine I would just use it as a plugin and trigger it from Maschine's pads mostly.

[@SoundsAndGear]

this thing is really cool man, loving it

[@notsogood9449]

What up Saint Joe I think I read that you had to send the SparkLE back after the review so... do you like it enough to go ahead and buy your own SparkLE. It's one thing to say you like it... but it's another thing to go out and buy one. So do you plan on buying a SparkLE?

[@SoundsAndGear]

thanks man, I've been banging on pads and drum machines for a while LOL...this thing is fun man

[@SoundsAndGear]

cool, glad to help

[@GiuseppeCdH]

it happened to me to, just using the software as demo while saving money :)!!!! i still don't understand why in ableton it dont happens 1 similar thing.

[@sentient1705]

I'd use Emagic Logic's environment to send MIDI notes to that software/hardware.

[@SoundsAndGear]

it's not a sampler, you can just load sample files or use the built in sounds

[@lardosian]

Cheers mate, tryin to decide between this, Machine LE and MPC Studio. Probably go with the Spark I'd say. How I miss the beautiful jog wheel of my MPC2000xl!!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Definitely different tools so depends more on what you're looking for. Spark isn't really a "sampler" as the Maschine and MPC are so that's something to think about. It's more of a drum machine type of device.

[@lardosian]

SoundsAndGear.com Yes I'm just looking for something put the fun back into making drum patterns, it will be just to sit in my DAW, I've heard good things about the onboard kits and will can make my own kits as well, plus the step sequencer is another reason I like it, cheers.

[@SoundsAndGear]

lardosian There ya go then, you'll probably enjoy it, it's a great drum machine :)

[@SoundsAndGear]

you can drag and drop the midi into your daw

[@julianbazile6]

Hello, more video with the Sparkle

[@LironBob1]

Great review and playing;) can you use/ record from it to cubase?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching! It will run as a plugin inside of Cubase.

[@donniekeele]

You said there is no tap tempo on the hardware but Arturia touts the Spark LE as better suited for live performances than the original version...is there any way to change tempo on the fly in the software?

[@SoundsAndGear]

yep you can put your own samples in it

[@AlexxLow]

Great review, i'm definitely buying one!

[@PulseTrip]

It looks tight! thanks for showing me this...

[@GrammarProductions]

Nice review. Can you trigger samples say from an old record?

[@SoundsAndGear]

It's not really a sampler but you could import samples into it if you want.

[@GrammarProductions]

OK THANKS good Brotha!

[@SoundsAndGear]

No problem fam!

[@RichardLondonSoundLab]

great review... i want it now!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah it's smaller than the mikro, really sleek and nice. It's a great product, would be dope if I could keep it lol.

[@SoundsAndGear]

fl is fine, ableton I use as well as studio one, don't use logic but it's fine also

[@gan9e]

After seeing the first incarnation in a youtube video I thought wow this is good, maybe better than my Roland TR-8 which I bought recently, not knowing these even existed... now the sparkLE seems very good indeed and your review was inspiring, so I'm gonna sell my TR8 and my TB3 and get one of these and a minibruteSE :) thanks

[@SoundsAndGear]

Ha, cool man, the main difference in my opinion is that the Spark and SparkLE are not standalone, they require the computer since all the sound comes from the software. Where the Tr8 is it's own sound engine.

[@streetsandlanes]

Very nice. Considering getting one. Excuse my naivety, the sound comes out of the computer speakers?

[@julianbazile6]

HELLO, SORRY FOR THE LATE REPLY. COULD YOU PLEASE MAKE SOME TUTORIAL VIDEO ON THIS MACHINE ? THANKS. BYE.

[@SoundsAndGear]

they were in the same choke group (so they cut each other off) so I took it out of the choke group

[@The2011andrey]

Love the 80's studio drums

[@SoundsAndGear]

+The2011andrey Thanks for watching!

[@99MUZIK]

does it have the same amount of kits and instruments on the big brother "SPARK"

[@MrPresto85]

Wow!...I'm diggin that ... Like the look

[@GiuseppeCdH]

wht up at 8.30??? hats are deleting the piano sample??

[@MrTommyTronic]

I think I saw on another demo that you can adjust the volume on any channel by having it selected and using the touch pad to drag up and down... Can't test it, cuz mine hasn't arrived yet.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Tommy Hutcherson Been a while since I used it, there's were a few shortcuts like that though

[@SoundsAndGear]

I wouldn't compare them because they are vastly different tools, this is more of a drum machine and Maschine is more of a sampler/sequencer. I like showcasing them for what they are :)

[@SoundsAndGear]

Possibly ;) But I do understand why the question was asked.

[@themanoutofshadow]

Sorry, I meant that if the software of SparkLE is enough huge and you have 3 synthesis engines: Virtual analog, Physical Modeling, Sample playback, maybe you have all you need in a one, and you don't need to host vst because you can build any sound you like. ;)

[@GiuseppeCdH]

can i make own kit with presets sounds???

[@SoundsAndGear]

yeah you can load it as a vst in FL Studio

[@sosmooth7]

St Joe,can you assign the pads?

[@SoundsAndGear]

cool man, glad to help

[@SoundsAndGear]

the software on the maschine and mikro is the same, it's just the controllers that are different

[@themanoutofshadow]

Maybe the question is: Do you need to host Vsts? ;)

[@SoundsAndGear]

nah the software is the same you can make it look like this controller or the full one, you won't have to remap it, it will automatically work, I can use the full vst interface or the sparkle so you should be good