Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of ARTURIA. The hardware unit and the software product described in this manual are provided under the terms of a license agreement or non-disclosure agreement. The license agreement specifies the terms and conditions for its lawful use.
PROJECT MANAGER Kevin Molcard PRODUCT MANAGER Glen Darcey PROGRAMMING Kevin Molcard (Lead Developer) Emilie de Fouchecour Bruno Pillet Adrien Courdavault Tobias Carpenter Philippe Wicker Vincent Travaglini Niccolo Comin Guillaume Piolat ELECTRONICS Laurent Baret Bruno Pillet DESIGN Glen Darcey Sebastien Rochard Morgan Perrier Shaun Ellwood (Decoder Design) SOUND DESIGN Noritaka Ubukata Jean-Michel Blanchet Christian Lafitte (Cigale Prod) Mike Hosker Kevin Shröder Greg Savage Pierce Warnecke Oliver Fauqu
SPECIAL THANKS Sean Weitzmann, Gérard Buracchini, Cedric Pallier, Elodie Cao, Denis Frouin, Philippe Girard-Buttoz, Yannick Bonnefoy, Peter Gelhaus (acoustic drum kit photo), Kevin Lamb, Patrick Kunz, Frank Orlich, Miguel Silva, Houston Haynes, Cristian Kreindler, Paul Steinway Sébastien Rochard, Tobias Carpenter, Hung Lee, Jason Huang, Wenyu Huang, Matty Yuan, Chen Xiaomai SOUND SAMPLES ARTURIA – SPARK CREATIVE DRUM MACHINE – USER’S MANUAL 4
Thank you for purchasing Spark! This user manual covers three distinct products: Spark software, a highly creative beat production center Spark Creative Drum Machine controller SparkLE controller The manual concentrates on two main areas (hardware and software) with occasional “side-chains” to focus on the specific functionality of each controller and its unique approach to controlling the software. In most cases, the information in one chapter will be sufficient to cover both controllers.
Special Message Section The Spark controller uses USB or an external power adapter. Do not connect this product with any other power supply or adapter than the one specifically recommended by Arturia in this manual.” WARNING: Do not place this product in a position where someone could walk on, trip over or roll anything over power or connecting cords. The use of an extension cord is not recommended! If you must use one, make sure the cord has the ability to handle the maximum current needed by this product.
PRECAUTIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING: Read and understand all the instructions. Before cleaning the instrument, always remove the electrical plug from the outlet, and detach the USB cable.. When cleaning, use a soft and dry cloth. Do not use gasoline, alcohol, acetone, turpentine or any other organic solutions; do not use a liquid cleaner, spray or cloth that's too wet. Do not use the instrument near water or moisture, such as a bathtub, sink, swimming pool or similar place.
Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 1.2 WELCOME TO SPARK................................................................................................................................. 9 HISTORY....................................................................................................................................................
1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 WELCOME TO SPARK BEAT THE FUTURE Combining the power of analog synthesis, physical modeling and samples through the intuitive workflow of a hardware drum machine, Spark is a highly creative beat production center. Spark will save you time when looking for the right drum kit and will get you hooked by its amazing ease-of-use and sonic possibilities. Spark embeds vintage analog drum machines, sample based beatboxes and REX loop playback.
create: everything from drum n’ bass stabs to Star Wars’ R2-D2 sounds have been made with the ARP. At the Winter NAMM Show 2006, ARTURIA announced the release of its seventh product: the Prophet V. This powerful hybrid gives you two instruments in one: it combines the warmth of the legendary Prophet 5 programmable analog synth with the unique Vector Synthesis textures of the digital Prophet VS. The next year at the summer 2007 NAMM Show Arturia launched the Jupiter-8V.
2 REGISTRATION & AUTHORIZATION Once the Spark has been installed, the next step is to register the software. The registration process will require you to enter the serial number and the unlock code you received with the product. In order to proceed, go to this web page and follow the instructions: http://www.arturia.com/register Note: If you don’t have an Arturia account yet, you will need to create one.
3 THE SPARKLE CONTROLLER: AN OVERVIEW 3.1 THE FRONT PANEL In this overview we will focus on the features specific to the hardware controller. 1. Transport zone 2. Pad controls: Select Instrument / Shortcut, Toggle Instrument page (1-8, 9-16), Mute and Solo buttons 3. Tempo knob 4 FX Live pad and FX Selection buttons 5. Master Volume control knob 6. Jog Dial and Project / Kit / Instrument mode buttons 7. Instrument parameter knobs 8. Sequencer zone 9. Instrument pads 3.1.
3.1.2 The Pad controls The buttons in this zone can select an Instrument, execute a Shortcut, switch between two pages of Instruments in the kit, and Mute and/or Solo instruments on the fly. 3.1.3 The Tempo knob Use this knob to adjust the tempo of your pattern or song. 3.1.4 The FX Live pad Real-time control of performance effects on an X/Y axis. Three buttons toggle Global effects (Filter, Splicer, Roller) and three more control effects for the selected Instrument.
3.2 SIDE PANEL (OVERVIEW) 1. USB Mini-B connector 2. Kensington lock slot 3.2.1 USB connector Use the supplied USB cable to connect the SparkLE controller to your computer’s USB 2.0 port. SparkLE is bus-powered, so no additional power supply is needed. 3.2.2 Kensington lock slot SparkLE is highly portable, so this slot will allow an added degree of security.
4 THE SPARK CREATIVE CONTROLLER: AN OVERVIEW1 4.1 THE FRONT PANEL The Spark Creative controller looks the same as its Center panel in the Spark Engine. In this overview we will focus on the features specific to the hardware controller. 1. Display 2. Sequencer zone 3. Song/Pattern zone 4. Jog Dial 5. FX Live pad 6.
4.1.1 The display Fittingly placed at the center of the Spark Creative controller, the display is the central source for all information about what the controller is doing. 4.1.2 The Sequencer zone Used for viewing, assembling and editing patterns and songs, the Sequencer zone also gives you the ability to alter loops in real time. 4.1.3 The Song/Pattern zone All of Spark Creative’s 64 patterns can be accessed quickly from this zone. They are arranged in four banks of 16 patterns each (A-D and 1-16).
4.2 REAR PANEL (OVERVIEW) 1. USB connector 2. MIDI IN port 3. MIDI OUT port 4. Power supply 9Vdc, 800 mA, center positive 5. Power on/off switch 4.2.1 USB connector This connects to your computer’s USB 2.0 port for the exchange of data and for electrical power. In addition to allowing you to control the Spark Engine this port can also take MIDI data from the outside world and feed it to your computer, and vice versa. 4.2.
5 USING SPARK: The Software Interface 5.1 THE TOOLBAR 1. New project 2. Save 3. Save as 4. Bank selection 5. Musical genre selection 6 Project selection 7. Previous project 8. Next project 9. Import project 10. Export project 11. Sync playback with Host (only in Host mode) 12. Sync tempo with Host (only in Host mode) 13. ‘Connect hardware’ switch (only in Host mode) 14. Metronome volume 15. Metronome on/off 16. Main volume fader and vu meter 17. Soft clipping on/off 18.
5.2 THE MAIN PANEL (SPARKLE) 1. Transport zone 2. Mute and Solo buttons 3. Tempo and Shuffle control knobs 4 FX Live pad and FX Selection buttons 5. Master Volume control knob 6. Current project display 7. Instrument parameter knobs (right-click: edit motion/disable motion) 8. Sequencer zone 9.
5.2.1 The Transport zone 1.a Record button (right-click to select quantized/unquantized recording) 1.b Stop button 1.c Play / Pause button Record, Stop, Play & Pause: the functions seem obvious. But this is a Transport with a twist: Right-click the Record button and you can select whether you want the next pass to be recorded with quantization or without. 5.2.2 The Pad Controls zone 2.a Mute button instruments) (click Mute, then select one or more 2.
3.b Shuffle amount knob (right-click: Swing range / Velocity emphasis) Tempo For slower tempos turn this knob to the left; for faster tempos turn the knob to the right. Shuffle Sets the amount of shuffle applied to a pattern. Shuffle is a rhythmic effect in which the duration of the first note in a series of two notes is lengthened and the duration of the second note is shortened. This is also known as setting the “swing amount.
you release the cursor; "Touch" will cut off the effect when the cursor is released (i.e., the effect is only active when you are clicking on the Pad). You can also enable Latch mode from the hardware controller by pressing and holding the Select button and then pressing the Filter, Slicer or Roller button. In Latch mode you can combine the Filter and Slicer effects: To “slice” the filtered sound, set the filter effect to Latch mode. Now you can touch the pad and change your filter to the desired setting.
Repeat Slicer example 1: Repeat effect options Click to choose a timing value for the Repeat effect. If you click 1/16, for example, a sixteenth-note-sized chunk of the pattern will be looped until you select another value or let go of the pad. Results will vary based on where you were when you triggered the effect. Note that the Repeat effect is similar to the Repeat mix effect, except that Repeat does not continue to play the entire pattern underneath the repeated section.
The Bit Crush effect allows you to reduce the audio bit rate, creating a bit-reduction or bit-crushing sound effect. Reduce the audio anywhere from 7 bits down to 2 bits. Slicer example 3: Bit crusher options Repeat mix Click to choose a timing value for the Repeat mix effect. The effect will be applied for the amount of time your mouse click is maintained. Release your click to cancel and resume normal playing.
5.2.6 Live effects: Instrument 5.2.6.1 The Filter button The Filter type for the kit is determined by the setting for the Global Filter button, but SparkLE allows you to apply this effect to one instrument at a time rather than the entire kit, if you like. To do this, select an instrument such as the snare (press Select + Instrument pad 2), then press the Instrument Filter button (pictured). Now the Live FX pad will alter the filter frequency and resonance for the snare only.
from the left side of the mix to the right, for example, press Select + Instrument pad 3 and then press the Pan / Level button. Then use the FX Live pad to place the hi-hat where you want it to be in the stereo field. The X axis controls the instrument level and the Y axis controls the stereo position. 5.2.7 Song Mode in the Center panel 5.2.7.1 The Song button Click on the Song button to enter the Song mode. The Song button will flash continuously to let you know that you are now in Song mode.
5.2.9 The Sequencer zone The Sequencer zone is divided into several zones: 5.2.9.1 The Step Pad Function Select buttons (a) When they are selected, these four buttons change what the Sequencer Step pads do: Bank The first four Sequencer Step pads will be labeled A-D and the others will have no labels. This allows you to select between four different banks of 16 patterns Patt. All 16 Sequencer Step pads will be numbered, and each will select one of 16 patterns Seq.
o o When a pad is selected, its entire sequencer track will be erased inside the current pattern For “spot erase” while a pattern is playing, press the Record button, then the Erase button, and then press the instrument pad at the proper time. 5.2.9.3 The Pattern Length buttons (c) These buttons fulfil two functions: while the pattern is not playing they can toggle between the currently selected set of steps and the next (1-16 or 17-32, etc.).
You can edit this track by pressing a pad to add a bass drum event to the pattern. While the pattern plays, click on pads 7 and 15. They will become lit, and you will hear new bass drum events during the first bar of the pattern. Now click on pad 9: the blue light turns to darker gray, and that note has been removed from the pattern. 5.2.9.6 Copying or Swapping Patterns You can also use the Sequencer Step pads to copy or swap patterns in the currently selected bank.
With the 1-8 / 9-16 button lit you can play notes from current instrument pitch upward to +7 semi-tones. You can offset the starting pitch by moving the Jog Dial when you are in Tune mode. 5.3 THE MAIN PANEL (SPARK CREATIVE) 1. Play instruments with pads (right-click: edit the instrument) 2. Instrument parameter knobs (right-click: edit motion/disable motion) 3.
9. FX display window 10. Filter button (right-click: Latch or Touch operation) 11. Slicer button (right-click: Latch or Touch operation) 12. Roller button (right-click: Latch or Touch operation) 14. Jog Dial 15. Bank select buttons (A-B-C-D) 16. Pattern select Buttons (1 to 16) 17. Pre-1.7 instrument browsing selector 18. Pre-1.7 kit browsing selector 19.
20. Record button (right-click to select quantized/unquantized recording) 21. Stop button 22. Play/Pause button 23. Tap button (Tap tempo) 24. Tempo knob (Change tempo) 25. Display previous/next 16 pattern steps 26. Set accent mode button (On patterns or steps) 27. Erase/Cancel Erase button (Use to erase Instruments, tracks or patterns) 28. Divide loop size knob 29. Loop On/Off button 30. Move loop locator knob (right-click: Shift by one step/Shift by one loop size) 31.
5.3.1 The Display The display is the central hub for all the information needed while using SPARK (i.e. Project name, parameter value changes, etc.). 5.3.2 The Sequencer zone The Sequencer zone is divided into several zones: 5.3.2.1 The Sequencer Step pads The 16 Sequencer Step pads are numbered from 1 to 16 or from 17 to 32 depending on the length of the pattern and the timing value assigned to each step. These pads allow you to edit your pattern by triggering note-on messages on your instrument track.
This knob sets the amount of shuffle applied to a pattern. Shuffle is a rhythmic shifting of a Pattern in which the first note in a series of two plays for a longer time than the one that follows. When the Shuffle knob is turned all the way up, the first note in a series will play twice as long as the one that follows. Right click on the shuffle knob to set the swing range (1/4, 1/16, 1/32 of a note). This will define the value of the note on which the swing will be applied.
5.3.2.5 The Tempo knob The Tempo knob allows you to set the tempo for your pattern when SPARK is not externally synced to a host. The internal Tempo range is 10BPM to 300BPM. To temporarily push or pull tempo like a DJ might, hold the SELECT button and turn Tempo knob. This will temporarily increase or decrease the tempo, just like a dj pushing or pulling a turntable, in order to synchronize Spark to an external audio source. 5.3.2.
5.3.2.8 The Loop zone Click on the button "ON" to set Loop mode on. The Divide knob allows you set the loop size. Moving the knob one notch will halve the loop size. The settings are 1/2, 1/8 and 1/4 of the pattern size, all the way down to the minimum loop size: one step. The Move knob allows you to move the beginning of the loop in one of two ways. Using “Shift by one step” mode will shift the loop start to any given step of the pattern (stepwise).
To edit your Song, refer to section Error! Reference source not found. “The Song Panel”. 5.3.3.2 Editing Songs from the Center panel The song mode in Spark is a powerful tool designed to build longer sequences or an entire song by combining individual patterns. When in Song mode, each step pad from 1 to 16 represents a pattern chain. A pattern chain is a list of up to 8 patterns that will play one after the other.
Scrolling the Jog Wheel will let you navigate the result list. Clicking on the Jog Wheel will load the highlighted element. Scrolling the jog wheel while the “Select” button is pushed will navigate the list of filters. Clicking on the jog wheel while Select is held will activate/deactivate the current filter.
5.3.6 The Filter / Slicer / Roller Buttons 5.3.6.1 The Filter Button The Filter button offers a Low pass, a Band pass and a High pass filter, Oberheim Low, High, Band and Multi-mode filters with cutoff and resonance. To select your filter click on the FILTER button repeatedly. Your choice will be displayed on the center display window.
Repeat mix will continue playing the pattern while the effect is applied. Repeat The Repeat effect is the same as Repeat mix, except the pattern is not played while applying the effect. Tape The Tape effect simulates the effect of slowing down a tape player. Reverse The Reverse effect simulates the effect of playing a tape recording backwards. Strobe The Strobe effect will play and shut off the sound alternatively at the rate of the selected note value.
Roller Swing Mode’ preference let you choose between dotted notes or triplet notes. The ROLLER can be LATCHED on by pressing and holding SELECT + ROLLER button. Now any pad you play will have the roll effect played. This is a great way to enter notes into a pattern. On the Roller, other functions are available to control the selected instrument main parameters: Pressing Roller button once will set the pad to control the Roller.
With 1-8 / 9-16 button off you can play notes from current instrument pitch minus 8 semi-tones to current instrument pitch minus 1 semi-tone. With 1-8 / 9-16 button on you can play notes from current instrument pitch to current instrument pitch plus 7 semi-tones. You can offset the starting pitch moving the jog dial when you are in Tune mode. To exit Tune mode, Hold Select button and press step sequencer 13 again.
Common instrument parameters are tuning/pitch, filter cutoff, envelop decay, attack and release, different effect depths and rates (ring, shift, etc). Filter parameters are Cutoff and Resonance. You can set the filter type for each instrument in the studio panel. Mixer parameters are Aux1 effect amount, Aux2 effect amount, Panning and Volume. Fx parameters depend on the chosen insert effect set on the instrument mixer track.
move your mouse up or down to change the parameter. The Digital display window in the center of the main panel shows you the changes applied to the selected parameter in real time. These motion parameters can be recorded as automations into the pattern and edited later accurately using the automation editor (see section 5.4.2.2). Right-click on a Filter or Mixer knob to edit or disable its Motion. Cutoff: Set Filter cutoff on current instrument Resonance: Set Filter resonance on current instrument.
5.4 THE SEQUENCER PANEL The Sequencer panel is both a composing tool as well as a powerful editing tool. 5.4.
8 Change number of bars 9 Change number of steps 10 Change step resolution 11 View steps 1-32 or 33-64 The time signature is a notational convention used in musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat. Time signatures consist of two numerals, one stacked above the other: the lower numeral indicates the note value that represents one beat (the "beat unit"). The upper numeral indicates how many such beats there are in a bar.
5.4.2 The Sequencer area Underneath the toolbar described 5.4.1, the sequencer panel shows the 16 instrument tracks as well as an automation edition area for the currently selected instrument. 1. Currently selected track. Click on the track name to select it 2. Set track volume 3. Set track panning 4. Set Solo on/off on one sequencer track in the current pattern. The solo button in the center panel will flash to indicate that a solo has been set from another panel (studio, mixer or sequencer). 5.
9. Delete automation lane 10. Deactivate automation lane 11. Add a new automation lane 12. Automation tools 5.4.2.1 How to select a track To select a track, move your cursor over the track. When the track lights up, click to select.
5.4.2.2 The Automation editor 7 Automation area: Click and drag to draw automation on a single parameter using the pen or line tool or erase drawing. Except for velocity, repeat and shift parameters, you can use up to 4 sub-values per single step. Use Cmd on MAC and Ctrl on WINDOWS to erase or move the four automation sub-values of a single step note together 8 Current parameter shown in the automation area.
5.5 THE SONG PANEL The Song panel allows you to chain patterns together to create longer sequences, or a full song. Activate the Song mode by clicking on the button found In [1]. Alternatively, you can use the Song button found on the Main panel. The Song mode contains 16 chains. Each of these chains can contain up to 16 patterns. The patterns used in a chain are the ones you create in the Sequencer panel, or in the Main panel.
Even if chain 2 and 3 are linked together, you can still decide to trigger chain 3 anytime you want. When the currently playing pattern will end, chain 3 will start, and when chain 3 finishes, it will move to chain 2. You can select patterns in a chain: Clicking on a pattern will select it. Clicking on a pattern and holding [Shift] lets you select multiple patterns. You can then drag and drop these patterns to another chain, or copy them using [Ctrl]+Drag and Drop on Windows or [Alt]+Drag and Drop on Mac.
5.6 THE STUDIO The studio panel displays all your 16 instruments as well as their parameters. From here you can load instruments into slots, apply filters and effects, etc. Let’s look at the Closed Hat window: a. Instrument name b. Instrument icon Clicking on this icon will trigger the instrument's sound. You may drag the icon to another instrument icon to make a swap operation or hold Ctrl + drag it to another instrument icon to make a copy. c. Set volume Click and drag to set volume.
d. Set Pan Click and drag to set panning. A small window appears next to the knob to let you know the amount and direction of pan applied. Double clicking the PAN knob will reset it to its center default value e. Mute an instrument The Mute button on the center panel will flash to indicate that a Mute has been set from another panel (studio, mixer or sequencer). f.
2 Turn Mute on (M) / Turn solo on (S) / Set choke group. A 'Choke Group' lets you specify instruments that will cut each other off when triggered. In the edit instrument view, select the choke group for each instrument. The choke group combo is near the solo button. You can set up 8 choke groups. 3 Play edited instrument 4 Edit instrument parameters : Mixer, filter, and individual instrument controls 5 For sample instruments : select the layer you wish to edit. Up to 6 samples can be loaded on a pad.
5.6.1.2 The REX player You can load REX files onto a pad. An instrument that contains a REX file will be editable like any other instrument: You will have access to the modular patch and all the usual instrument controls. The REX player has specific controls: For each slice you will be able to specify the pitch, and whether the slice will play in normal or reverse mode. SLICE - The Slice parameter is automatable, which means that you will be able to change the playing slice in realtime or via automation.
5.7 THE MODULAR Each instrument in Spark is made in a fully modular environment. This means that all sample instruments, and obviously analog instruments rely on a modular patch. This should not frighten you because all instruments have dedicated “macro” parameters, which means that you will still be able to edit an instrument in depth without having to rely on the modular panel. But for those who want to go deeper into editing, the modular panel provides endless possibilities for sound design! 5.7.
input of this envelope. The [Output] of the envelope needs to be connected to the [Env] input of the Output modules 1 and 2. Once these elements are connected, you can start building your instrument. You will need an audio source. It can be either one or more Oscillators, a Sampler module or a REX player module. In this case, we have a Sampler module connected [5]. When you load either the Sampler module or the REX module, the main connections required for it to work will automatically be created.
While building your patch, you can preview your instrument by clicking on the instrument icon found in [9] 5.7.2 The instrument parameters area Once you built your patch, you have the possibility to assign the parameters found in the modules of your patch to 6 Macro knobs. These Macros are the ones you can control elsewhere in the Spark project, for instance in the Studio: Each Macro knob can control up to four of the parameters found in your patch.
Then you need to select which parameter you want to control, among those found in the selected module. In [12] we control the Attack of Envelope 1. Then you can specify the Min [13] and Max [14] values for each control. The Min value is the value that the parameter will have when the knob is at its minimum (fully turned counter clockwise); the Max value is the value that it will have when the knob is at its maximum (fully turned clockwise).
5.7.3 Description of the modules 12 different modules are available in Spark to create your patch. Some are used to generate sound, others to modify the sound. Finally, some modules are here to modulate the parameters. 5.7.3.1 The Sampler The Sampler is the module that you will need in order to load samples onto a pad. Inserting a Sampler module will clear your current patch and create a new one with the basic connections already built in. These connections will be required for the Sampler to work.
The essential functions of the REX player will be accessible from the Studio panel : Load a REX file, tweak the individual slices… A more detailed description of the REX player can be found in 5.6.1.2 From the Modular panel, you will have access to these functions: Trig input will trigger the REX player FM input will control the pitch (Frequency Modulation) AM input will control the amplitude (Amplitude Modulation) Output L and Output R are the Left and Right outputs. 5.7.3.
2 Pole (12db per octave) and 4 Pole (24db per octave) Low Pass, Band Pass and High pass filters. There is an additional 1Pole (6db per octave) Hgh pass and a NOTCH filter. Input connections are the audio input, Cutoff frequency modulation, Resonance amount modulation, and Amplitude modulation. Output connection is the audio coming out of the filter. 5.7.3.5 The Stereo Filter The Stereo Filter module is a stereo multimode filter.
5.7.3.7 The Ring Modulator The Rind Modulator will process two audio signals. The source signal is the input named Audio. From there, you can decide which signal to multiply it with. If you connect another audio source to the Mult input, then the Audio signal’s amplitude will be multiplied by the Mult input. If you don’t connect anything to the Mult input, then a basic sine wave will be used as the carrier. You can define the depth and the rate of this sine from the two knobs.
damping amount, and add some noise. The damping type can be selected as well. The exciter of the string will be the Audio input. You also have input controls for frequency modulation and damping modulation. The output is the processed audio. 5.7.3.10 The Spring-Mass module The Spring-Mass module is another physical modeling tool that will emulate an array of springs and weights. The Audio input will resonate when connected to this module.
The input connections are: Trig input to trigger the envelope, modulation for Attack, Decay, Release time and Sustain volume. The output connections are: The envelope output (It can be connected to any modulation input, in blue, or to an envelope input, in green), and the End output, which sends a Trig signal as soon as the envelope ends. 5.7.3.12 The LFO module The LFO module will let you create a waveform at low frequencies.
5.7.3.13 The CV Modulator The CV Modulator will take a modulation as CV Input. It could be the output of an LFO for instance. It will then modulate it in various ways: The AM input is an Amplitude Modulation input. The AM knob will add a constant offset to this AM input. The Gain will multiply the CV Input by a certain amount. The Offset will then add a constant value to it. The CV Output is the resulting modulation after these operations. 5.
5.8.1.1 The Instrument tracks 1 Instrument name 2 Open FX1 and FX2 window for this track 3 Set Aux1 and Aux 2 amounts for instrument/Channel 4 Set Pan for instrument/Channel 1 5 Mute/Solo track 6 Track volume and vu meter 7 Assign an output for instrument 1 (available when Spark is inserted into a host sequencer with Multi-output Mode. See section 6.
5.8.1.
5.8.1.3 The Effects When you click on one of the Aux FX buttons, a scroll up window will appear: this is the AUX FX window. To select an effect, click on [SELECT EFFECT. Choose one from the list, for example Compressor. The compressor window appears. You can now set the parameters for the Compressor FX. FX parameters 1 Bypass FX1/FX2 for one instrument /channel-Aux-Master insert 2 Change/Remove FX (Inst.
Compressor parameters A compressor evens out differences in gain by reducing dynamics (difference in volume between quiet sounds and loud sounds). This effect is often used to ‘fatten’ a sound by making every individual element of the sound closer to the same volume. Every time a sound goes over a certain volume (Threshold), it is reduced by a specified amount (Ratio). Attack and Release determine how quickly the reduction is added and how quickly it disappears. Makeup boosts the compressed signal’s level.
Delay parameters Use the Link function to apply the same parameters to the left and right channels. Use the Sync button to sync to the host tempo A delay repeats a sound, giving it more space and depth. Linking channels applies the left channel’s delay time and feedback to the right channel. For separate parameters on both channels Link should be deactivated.
Phaser parameters A phaser is similar to a chorus effect, in that it uses small delay times to affect a signal, the result is a sweeping comb-filter sound. Plate Reverb parameters The Plate Reverb is only available for Aux and Master tracks A reverb emulates the reflections of a sound in a different space (room, hall, etc). Reverb adds depth and richness to a sound by ‘placing’ it in a separate physical space. The size knob changes the size of the space.
Reverb parameters The Reverb is only available for Aux and Master tracks A reverb emulates the reflections of a sound in a different space (room, hall, etc). The material section (HF Dampening and brightness) sets the timber for the reverb (dark or bright sounding). The shape section (Diffusion and Decay time) sets the size and duration of the reverb. The pre-delay section (Feedback and Delay) adds a small delay to the reverb to emulate early reflections.
Flanger parameters Flanging effect by mixing two identical signals together, with one signal delayed by a small and gradually changing period. Varying the time delay causes these to sweep up and down the frequency spectrum. The delay time between signals is modulated: Flanging can create both subtle and extreme effects, depending on the rate and depth of the modulation. High values for Feedback will create repeated echoes.
Sub Generator parameters Sub Generator adds low frequency to your signal. Sub Oscillator adds a decaying boom. Subgrunge and Subgrunge -1 Oct have a similar effect to compress low frequencies. Subgrunge -1 Oct works at an octave below like an octave pedal guitar. Vintage SubHarm adds a smooth sub-octave using the release time parameter. Tune is the maximum boosted frequency, at low value it helps reduce distortion. Threshold is used to gate the low frequency effect and stop unwanted background rumbling.
Analog Chorus parameters For a description of the Analog Chorus, see “Chorus”. The Analog chorus has a different sound which might suit better in some circumstances. Analog Delay parameters The Analog Delay is a different algorithm from the “delay” effect plugin. The sound might suit better in some circumstances.
Pitch-Shift Chorus parameters Leslie parameters 1 Leslie rotation speed 2 High horn depth 3 High horn width 4 High horn shape 5 Low speaker width 6 Low speaker shape 7 Rate 8 Output level The Leslie speaker is an amplifier/loudspeaker combination that is used to create a modulation effect based on the Doppler effect. Both the treble horn and the woofer speaker have rotating parts, giving that particular tone.
Vocal filter parameters 1 LFO on/off 2 LFO rate 3 Resonance 4 Formant placement The Vocal filter is a formant filter that recreates the sound of vowels. Graphic Equalizer The 10 band graphic equalizer allows you to shape the frequency content of your sound by choosing the individual gains of each frequency band.
5.9 THE LIBRARY 5.9.1 Library overview In the Library tab, you will be able to load Projects, Kits and Instruments or to access a Disk browser. The Project, Kit and Instrument browsers will display factory and user elements. The Disk browser will let you find your samples via a file browser tree.
Double click on a result, or click the “Load” button to load the project, the kit, or the instrument on the currently targeted Instrument. For disk browsing, if you select an appropriate file (.wav or .aiff), you will obtain information such as file type, duration, sample rate/bit depth. You will also be able to select the instrument and the layer on which you want to load this sample.
5.10 PREFERENCES PANEL The preferences are divided into: Sequencer Interface File Jog Dial MIDI Import/Export Controller 5.10.1.1 Sequencer and interface preferences Tune mode: Choose Step sequencer pads or Instrument Pads to trigger notes on the current instrument when Tune mode is active. Switch pattern instantaneously: If set to "Yes", a new pattern will play instantaneously when it is selected. If set to "No", it will be played when the current pattern is finished playing.
Choose your Controller GUI: Select between the Spark CDM GUI and the Spark 2 GUI. Spark CDM GUI is identical to the Spark CDM hardware. 5.10.1.2 File preferences Save a copy of Audio samples in Library: When importing .wav/.aiff files to Spark, the source file will be copied in the library. You have the choice between: Always: always copy files in the library Ask: ask the user Never: never copy files in the library Library path: Changes the path to SPARK's library. 5.10.1.
6 MODES OF OPERATION 6.1 STANDALONE MODE Spark can be used as an independent application on your computer even if you don’t own any sequencer software. This is known as “Standalone mode”. When Spark is operating in Standalone mode you have access to additional parameters for setting up your audio and MIDI connections. To access these: 6.1.1 Launch the application To launch the Spark application: Windows: Start menu > Programs > Arturia > Spark… and choose Spark.
6.1.2.2 Mac OS X To access the Audio & MIDI preferences navigate to the Spark menu > Preferences. The Audio & MIDI settings window will appear. Here you are able to configure the global preferences of SPARK. These settings are saved automatically. (Windows) AUDIO DEVICE TYPE (Mac OS X) (Windows) OUTPUT DEVICE Selects the appropriate driver for your audio device. Chooses which audio output SPARK will send sound out of.
MIDI Clock inputs Displays the available MIDI Inputs for receiving Midi Clock to control Spark Sequencer. When a port is used as a Midi clock receiver, it can’t be used as Midi Inputs for controlling Spark. CLOCK FOLLOWS STOP/CONTINUE Sequencer will start and stop playing according to the Start and stop Command received with the Midi clock signal when the preference is on. 6.1.
2. Tempo button When on, the current Spark tempo will match the host tempo. 6.2.2 Saving a project When the project is saved the Spark Engine is saved in its last mode of operation, with all modifications intact. For instance, if you are working on a project in which you have modified parameters (without saving this as a separate preset in the plug-in itself), the next time you open the project the Spark Engine will load the project and the modifications as well.
6.3.2 Instrument use in VST mode Opening the Spark VST plug-in is the same as opening all other VST plug-ins. Please consult the instruction manual of your favorite host sequencer for more specific information. For instance, under Cubase, open the menu “VST Instruments”, and choose Spark in the rack. 6.3.3 Connection to an instrument track In order for SPARK to play information coming from an Instrument track, you have to choose an Instrument track and select Spark as the output of this track.
6.3.4 Multi Output Mode Create an instrument using the VST Instrument Menu then click on Spark; then select the output you want to enable by clicking on the button just on the left of the instrument name in this menu. 6.4 AUDIO UNIT (MAC OS X ONLY) 6.4.1 Installation The Audio Unit plug-in is automatically installed and by default in the following folder: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ 6.4.2 Use in Logic Pro From version 7 and on, Logic Pro features an Audio Unit plug-in manager.
If an Arturia plug-in poses problem in Logic, start by checking that this plug-in has passed the compatibility test, and that it is actually selected. 6.4.2.1 Stereo Mode Select an Instrument track. On the mixer portion of the corresponding track, click on the button “I/O” to obtain the list of plug-ins, then select AU Instruments > Arturia > Spark > Stereo. 6.4.2.2 Multi Output Mode To use the separate outputs: Select an Instrument track.
You can choose the output number of each Spark instrument in the Mixer view (see section 5.8). 6.4.3 Use in Digital Performer 6.4.3.1 Stereo Mode To add an instrument, choose the menu Project > Add Track > Instrument Track > Arturia > Spark (stereo) Once you have added this instrument, it’s possible to assign a MIDI track to it. In the connection menu of the MIDI track, select the instrument and the MIDI channel that you want to use. Make sure you activate the track before starting to play or record. 6.4.
6.4.3.3 Assign Midi Track Once you have added this instrument, it’s possible to assign a MIDI track to it. In the connection menu of the MIDI track, select the instrument and the MIDI channel that you want to use. Make sure you activate the track before starting to play or record. 6.4.4 Stereo Mode and Multi Output Mode 6.4.4.1 Stereo Mode To add an instrument, choose the menu Project > Add Track > Instrument Track > Arturia > SPARK.
In order for SPARK to play the information coming from the Instrument track, you have to associate it to an Insert channel via the appropriate menu. More information on plug-in connections can be found in the Pro Tools User’s Manual. 6.5.3 Saving the project When the session is saved, the status of SPARK is saved as it is, even if its programming does not correspond to the preset.
- Configure the Spark track (the right track in the image below): . Set ‘Midi From’ to the new Midi track (2 MIDI in this example) . Set Monitor to ‘Auto’ Press the Record button in Live. Note that the Host and Tempo buttons must be activated in the Spark LE plug-in window. Display the Arrangement view in Live (press Tab) to confirm that you’ve recorded some Midi notes.
- Check the ‘Device is online’ box - Rename the first port to ‘Spark1 Midi OUT’. This is case-sensitive, so be sure to type it exactly like that or it won’t work.
6.7 CONTROLLING SPARK WITH AN EXTERNAL MIDI CONTROLLER 6.7.1 Assign a MIDI note to pads Click holding [Cmd] on Mac / [Ctrl] on Windows on [Pads] #115 to #122 and press a button or key on your MIDI controller. 6.7.2 Assign a MIDI note to bank buttons Same as previous on corresponding button/pad. 6.7.3 Assign a MIDI note to pattern buttons Same as previous on corresponding button/pad. 6.7.4 Assign a MIDI note to loop on button Same as previous on corresponding button/pad. 6.7.
7 THE SPARK CONTROLLERS 7.1 USING THE CONTROLLER WITH THE SPARK ENGINE 7.1.1 Set Move Knob Mode Right-click the Move knob and turn it to switch from “Shift by one step” mode to “Shift by one loop size” mode. 7.1.2 Set Sequencer Follow Mode On / Off (Spark Creative) When you have a pattern containing 32 steps the Sequencer Step pads have the option to follow the position of the pattern when it crosses over from steps 1-16 to steps 17-32. This is called “Sequencer Follow mode”.
7.2 USING THE CONTROLLER WITH HOST APPLICATIONS OR MIDI DEVICES 7.2.1 Device ports (Spark Creative only) The Spark controller is displayed within a host application as consisting of two sets of MIDI ports.
7.3 MIDI CONTROL CENTER Our free MIDI Control Center software allows you to customize the functions of the Pads, Knobs and Buttons of your Spark or SparkLE hardware according to your needs. You can download the software from the Arturia.com web page A full manual of MIDI Control Center features is available from inside the MIDI Control Center software.
8 8.1 SPARK LEGAL INFORMATION SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT 1. General 1.1 In consideration of payment of the Licensee fee, which is a portion of the price you paid, Arturia, as Licensor, grants to you (hereinafter termed “Licensee”) a nonexclusive right to use this copy of the Matrix 12 V (hereinafter the “Product”). All intellectual property rights in the software belong to Arturia SA (hereinafter: “Arturia”). 1.2 The following editions of the Product are available: “Demo”, “Standard”, “EDU” and “NFR”.
Product to Arturia to get access to client support, and to activate his Product. (An internet connection is required to register and activate the Product, either on the computer on which the Product is installed, either on another device able to exchange files with the computer on which the Product is installed). NFR Products are exempt from update, upgrade or crossgrade offers, and cannot be purchased with or exchanged for vouchers or coupons.
5. In case a sound library is part of the purchased Product the following shall apply in addition to the EULA The provided samples, instruments and presets can be used for commercial or noncommercial music and audio Productions without the prior permission from Arturia under the terms of this Agreement.
Follow all installation instructions. Failure to follow instructions could void your FFC authorization to use this product in the USA. NOTE: This product has been tested and found to comply with the limit for a Class B Digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide a reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential environment.
9 NOTES ARTURIA – SPARK CREATIVE DRUM MACHINE – USER’S MANUAL 103