Arturia iSpark A Powerful iPad Drum Machine, Compatible With Spark 2

Arturia has released iSpark for iPad – an iPad version of its Spark virtual drum machine.

iSpark is designed to let you play drum patterns in-real time and to tweak your sound on-the-fly. It also integrates a powerful and flexible 64-step sequencer.

iSpark combines Arturia’s TAE technology with with a modular engine and multi-layered samples – so it can do drum and percussion sounds – but also sonic effects and virtual analog synth sounds.

Here’s the official intro video:

arturia-ispark

The main screen is focused on performance. Its layout, inspired by Arturia’s SparkLE controller, gives you immediate access to a comprehensive set of controls and parameters. Its lower part allows you to play and record your drum patterns in real-time, step by step, to jump between your patterns and to set their length.

arturia-ispark-screen

In the mixer, you can adjust the volume and pan of your instruments, set two individual effects for each of them, and modify the sending levels to the return effects. The VU meters help you to balance effectively your instruments.

arturia-ispark-edit

The Studio is iSpark’s ‘laboratory of sound’. This is where you will customize your kits and all the instruments that compose it. For each instrument, you can choose the samples that are used and adjust a comprehensive list of parameters.

arturia-ispark-wave

In the sequencer screen, all the steps of your different instruments are right in front of you. You can thus create your sequences in a flash. The automation tool allows you drawing modulation curves with a simple glide of your fingertip.

Song Mode

The Song mode gives you the ability to chain your patterns in order to create a whole performance. Organizing your song is as easy as a drag-and-drop. Switch to “Perform” and there are two large XY modulation touchpads that you can use to perform with.

Connectivity:

iSpark offers seamless compatibility with the existing Spark environment. You can transfer projects, patterns, kits and individual instruments between Spark 2 and iSpark.

You can connect the dedicated SparkLE controller to iSpark to combine the flexibility of an app-based instrument with the immediacy of hardware.

iSpark also offers compatibility with AudioBus and Inter-App Audio and the new Ableton Link.

Features:

  • Sound engines include: TAE analog synthesis, physical modeling, and multi-layered samples
  • 640 Instruments / 40 kits
  • Classic drum machines
  • Electronic kits
  • Acoustic kits
  • Shuffle and shift modes to humanize grooves
  • Choke groups to mute instruments naturally
  • Song mode with 16 segments
  • Song segment triggering from hardware
  • Performance master effects: repeat, tape, reverse, strobe, pan, mix, bit crusher, 8-mode filter and Roller
  • 16-track mixer with high-quality effects: multiband compressor, bit crusher, multiband EQ, chorus, delay, reverb, distortion, phaser, plate reverb, destroyer, flanger, space pan, limiter, sub generator
  • Real-time automation on all parameters
  • Compatible with SparkLE controller
  • Ableton Link integration
  • Possibility to share projects, kits and instruments between iSpark and the desktop version of Spark 2.

Arturia iSpark for iPad is available for US $9.99 in the App Store.

Update: Here is set of unofficial demo videos, via Synth Anatomy in the comments:

29 thoughts on “Arturia iSpark A Powerful iPad Drum Machine, Compatible With Spark 2

  1. I put my SparkLe away in its box as I prefer using Maschine, but just bought this for my iPad Air 1 and used the controller…bloody awesome combination! This is going everywhere with me from now on…This makes more sense than the desktop version.

  2. Maybe it’s a 64 bit processor thing. I see that iPad 3 and 4 are also not supported 🙁 Dang. I have the software version on my Mac so I’ll just have to be happy with that.

  3. Hey there,

    iSpark needs really all 64 bits on your CPU 🙂 Seriously, it’s 100%ly the desktop Spark engine without any compromises, so we need the power of the newer HW: iPad Airs, Pros & mini retinas are supported.

  4. I’m wondering if this will work with other class-compliant controllers….
    in one of the videos it seems like it might do (they even show a Beatstep connected to it) but I’m not sure if you can map everything or only the step sequencer…..

    1. Yes it does (subtly mentioned in manual) but the resolution is dependent on pattern length (you can’t exceed 64 steps) so when triplets are enabled the pattern length will be reduced depending on time signature etc. Hope this helps!

  5. Love the app so far. Haven’t tried it with my SparkLE as it doesn’t really need it! Is anyone else having problems seeing iSpark in Audiobus? I can’t see it in the input, effects or output selections.

    Ta

  6. as a user of the original hardware, im a little disappointed there’s no option to use the classic GUI, or support for the full-size controller 🙁

  7. @Hank
    Did you actually try to use the original big Spark controller? I have one myself but did not try yet(have to buy the power adapter and usb cable)

    1. i was basing my comment off their “official” specs, however, I will report on this and get back to you ASAP. I plan on trying it out tonight when I get home.

    2. Hey Vince,

      I realize this comment is about seven months delayed, but I did finally get around to testing this, and was able to get it working. I cannot tell you if it works with a direct connection via usb/camera kit adapter, but I have an iConnectivity ICM4, and was able to get it working that way. I imagine it should work fine with a camera kit adapter as well, all you really have to do is specify the correct midi ports in the “connect” pull down menu, and when I selected the right ports, the Spark controller immediately locked in just like it does with the software version. everything is working great, no problems.

    1. Use MIDI Control Center on desktop to set pads on Beatstep to C3 upwards and then it works fine. The pads are really responsive when used with this app.

  8. I do like this device a lot! Had it run for hours last night, started in the kitchen and doing it there for a couple of hours (that’s what she said). Later we moved into my bedroom and linked with ms Ableton Live.

    Lovely affair!

    And another option to the matrix brute, that I never will afford.

  9. What’s the difference between korg Abu Dhabi and Bilbao and this offering? Gadget has me convinced that this sparkle is for non gadget owners. I am yet to be impressed so far. But differing opinions are welcome.

  10. The controller seems to be better for live performance than gadget. Gadget is the best iOS option for making music on one iPad in my opinion. If you have multiple iPads and want to use synths like nave and animoog on one and then use another iPad for ispark then this app and hardware works well for live performance.

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