Arturia Forums
DRUMS => Spark => Spark Users Community => Topic started by: deanfreud on February 20, 2018, 12:01:37 pm
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We have waited so long for an update, many users said Spark is dead but the employees from Arturia promised an update.
Spark 3 would be a good restart for 2018.
We have DrumBrute, BSP and MiniBrute 2S with polyrhythmic sequencer.
Much new software synth to work with Spark.
It would be cool to have Spark as a bridge between the Hardware and Software.
I would love to see in Spark 3
- a polyrhythmic sequencer
- new effects
- more sampling options
- recordable master effects
Your turn! What do you want for Spark 3?
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I wanted more DAW integration, for example if you select pattern / mute or solo something from SparkLe Controler that it record it into DAW like Ableton, but nothing happened, so I sold my controller and use ist now with Ableton push. The Software with its expansion sounds very good, so I would welcome very much to open spark 3 more for other controllers like ableton push, renew the effect section
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Hi Spark is going to get an update soon but it will only deal with bug fixes and there will be no new features. I don't know why arturia are not going to give us a Spark 3 ?
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...I don't know why arturia are not going to give us a Spark 3 ?
Because they don't care about customers...
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Hi Spark is going to get an update soon but it will only deal with bug fixes and there will be no new features. I don't know why arturia are not going to give us a Spark 3 ?
So this will be the end of this great idea, of an easy to use Soft/Hardware Drummaschine! :'(
Terrym you are a Beta user for Arturia right?
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Yes I am a tester
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Take a look at this thread and please report there any bugs you've experienced.
I believe them right now when they say they have a team working on Spark 2.
https://forum.arturia.com/index.php?topic=90964.0
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Take a look at this thread and please report there any bugs you've experienced.
I believe them right now when they say they have a team working on Spark 2.
https://forum.arturia.com/index.php?topic=90964.0
Sorry Artao, but this thread is not only about the Bugs in Spark 2! It is that Spark has more potential than a few bug fixes! Spark started with a great idea and left the users with a big hole between the hardware and software.
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I too want a Spark 3. And perhaps if the update of Spark 2 goes well they'll look into it. It really IS decent software, if only it had some improvements.
Still, it's now my go-to drums unit, cuz it mostly works for what I want it to do.
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Yes! Spark needs some love! It's about time.
If beta testers are needed I am up for it.
Feature idea: 2 More Multi-out tracks so there is actually enough for the FX return track as well.
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Spark could be a great tool for playing live... if you make new Hardware please make it with Faders!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/yR6fUQikZVE
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Hi Spark is going to get an update soon but it will only deal with bug fixes and there will be no new features. I don't know why arturia are not going to give us a Spark 3 ?
So this will be the end of this great idea, of an easy to use Soft/Hardware Drummaschine! :'(
Terrym you are a Beta user for Arturia right?
There is currently an update happening. I am a beta tester for it.
HOWEVER!!
It is only a bug fix/update to Spark 2. GREATLY needed, for sure.
HOWEVER!
In my communications with Arturia, it sounds like there's very little chance of a Spark 3.
That said, I know from personal experience (to wit: getting this fucking bug fix update going, for which I'm personally in no small part responsible for) that user-noise can make Arturia do stuff.
They've been SO focused on making hardware recently that I think they've somewhat forgotten about their software.
I think if they took a good look at Spark, they'd re-invest some time to make a Spark 3.
And I, for one, would pay for it. (as long as it included CDM support.)
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I think if they took a good look at Spark, they'd re-invest some time to make a Spark 3.
And I, for one, would pay for it. (as long as it included CDM support.)
What the heck is CDM support??
Personally the thing that kind of ruins Spark to me is the same thing that ruins Maschine, I don't know of any "song" mode that allows you to record yourself jamming out patterns into the song layout. You're stuck arranging the patterns by hand and with the computer. That would be a big change, along with a way to record a pattern that overlays things like cymbal hits etc. after the arrangement is done.
Spark 3 added those things in I would update in a second, honestly though if Spark 3 came out I would probably just update. I prefer the MIDI drop single song pattern approach of Spark over Maschines 16 MIDI channel, multiple port approach.
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I think if they took a good look at Spark, they'd re-invest some time to make a Spark 3.
And I, for one, would pay for it. (as long as it included CDM support.)
What the heck is CDM support??
Personally the thing that kind of ruins Spark to me is the same thing that ruins Maschine, I don't know of any "song" mode that allows you to record yourself jamming out patterns into the song layout. You're stuck arranging the patterns by hand and with the computer. That would be a big change, along with a way to record a pattern that overlays things like cymbal hits etc. after the arrangement is done.
Spark 3 added those things in I would update in a second, honestly though if Spark 3 came out I would probably just update. I prefer the MIDI drop single song pattern approach of Spark over Maschines 16 MIDI channel, multiple port approach.
CDM support means their first hardware controller for the software. The one before the SparkLE, which they sell now.
The CDM is a good deal larger, AND has a small screen. It ALSO (and wonderful-wonderfully) has three assignable knobs PER PAD (easily set up using the hardware, to boot. Change the assignment on-the-fly) The SparkLE has only the one set of 3 knobs shared by all of them.
I got the Spark software with the V Collection 4, and BOY was it awesome when I got the hardware controller about a year later. Its layout is exactly the same as the software's, which is nice and intuitive.
Well ... here .... take a look: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hbcdhfo1fE4/maxresdefault.jpg
I got mine off eBay for a really good deal. The box was beat to hell, but the unit is self is in almost new condition. And I LOVE using it. Pretty much don't have to touch the software AT ALL, nor really even look at the screen. You can access pretty much everything directly on the controller. And it's pretty smooth and intuitive to use, as well. ... Building kits using the controller only can be slow and tedious perhaps. But it's great for jamming or performance.
RE: " I don't know of any "song" mode that allows you to record yourself jamming out patterns into the song layout. You're stuck arranging the patterns by hand and with the computer."
A workaround for that is to set your DAW to record MIDI OUTPUT. And make sure Spark is set (Preferences page) to send MIDI from the sequencer (and pads, cuz why not .. and it's prolly a good idea to set it to import and export Spark format MIDI)
That'll also then capture any live improv you might do on the pads to add to a sequence, right? I'm not sure if it records knob tweaking tho. I've never tried it.
You have to remember to set you DAW to record the OUTPUT of the track rather than the MIDI INPUT. I've helped several people who had difficulty with the proper setup to record MIDI performance out.
Also VERY VERY IMPORTANT is to go in and make sure Host is turned OFF within Spark. Otherwise Spark will not only play the recorded MIDI, but start playing whatever pattern is selected as well. Of course, leave Tempo Sync on. Host simply starts Spark playback when the host starts playback.
The thing is, Spark doesn't remember this setting per-project. So if you're make one setup with recorded MIDI with Host and save it, then go to another project that needs Spark itself to play the patterns, you will find that Host is now turned off and must be re-enabled.
Yeah, it's a PITA. Perhaps I should report that as a bug.
You're right tho. It'd be nice if Spark itself would record performances into the Song mode sequence. I'd not expect that to be put in there. No new features, pretty much just bux fixes.
Do not expect a Spark 3. I have communicated directly with them. It is more than unlikely, sadly.
I mean HELL! I would freakin LOVE IT if, rather than have the CDM's screen constantly scrolling the project name (useless) it would actually keep useful and pertinent information on the screen. (user-assignable and/or auto-change on-the-fly as knobs are used)
For instance: Even tho the screen is only two lines by I-forget-how-many-characters, it has enough space there to display what functions are assigned to the pad. Cuz the pad has three "current functions" at a time, right? Cuz there's three pad modes. ... I'll often try to switch from one mode to another, and have to cycle through them because I'm unsure what is already assigned to that mode -- or how many presses it will take to get to the mode I DO want.
There's plenty of other "I wish" for a Spark 3, but like I said .... As far as I can tell, it's pretty much a no.
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The Spark 3 uses TomTom's tried-and-true design of a four-way directional pad underneath a black-and-white display. It's a bit chunkier than Garmin's GPS watches, which integrate the controls into a circular face, but the Spark 3 felt comfortable to wear.
Wrong forum, dude.
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Hi Spark is going to get an update soon but it will only deal with bug fixes and there will be no new features. I don't know why arturia are not going to give us a Spark 3 ?
So this will be the end of this great idea, of an easy to use Soft/Hardware Drummaschine! :'(
Terrym you are a Beta user for Arturia right?
There is currently an update happening. I am a beta tester for it.
HOWEVER!!
It is only a bug fix/update to Spark 2. GREATLY needed, for sure.
HOWEVER!
In my communications with Arturia, it sounds like there's very little chance of a Spark 3.
That said, I know from personal experience (to wit: getting this fucking bug fix update going, for which I'm personally in no small part responsible for) that user-noise can make Arturia do stuff.
They've been SO focused on making hardware recently that I think they've somewhat forgotten about their software.
I think if they took a good look at Spark, they'd re-invest some time to make a Spark 3.
And I, for one, would pay for it. (as long as it included CDM support.)
Unfortunately, I don't think user-noise has any influence whatsoever on Arturia's developers, not as Spark 2 is concerned, anyway. As you know, two years have passed since the last update and although both SparkLE and Spark 2 are still being sold, it seems that Arturia has really moved on and focused, as you say, on hardware (Drumbrute being one of them). These forums have been rarely visited by Arturia staff and rarely one of them replies or addresses an issue posted here. This is why I was quite surprised to hear about an update, be it only a bug fix one.
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Well, user noise -- in no small part by me -- lead directly to this Spark 2 update happening.
And there are improvements in the update beta, for sure.
When will it be done? Who knows. When it's done. But it IS being worked on.
Still, there is pretty much no hope for a Spark 3. I just want to make that clear.
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Let's hope that they will at least keep Spark 2 compatible with the Operating systems to come...
Cos having a buggy but highly usable Spark 2 is one thing, but having a perfectly working hardware and an unusable software is much more frustrating.
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Your turn! What do you want for Spark 3?
A stand alone hardware unit. Take the best from the current and/or old controller, stuff it with some powerful ARMs, put a nice big touch screen on it and port an enhanced version of the current Spark software to it. Instabuy!
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Your turn! What do you want for Spark 3?
I want customizable note mapping. Or at least proper GM mapping — if there's just one kick it should fall on C2, not B1!
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You're right tho. It'd be nice if Spark itself would record performances into the Song mode sequence. I'd not expect that to be put in there. No new features, pretty much just bux fixes.
Do not expect a Spark 3. I have communicated directly with them. It is more than unlikely, sadly.
I mean HELL! I would freakin LOVE IT
There's plenty of other "I wish" for a Spark 3, but like I said .... As far as I can tell, it's pretty much a no.
Yeah it's really too bad, I have Spark, Live with Push 2, Maschine Studio, and Beatstep Pro.
In the future it's probably going to be some combination of Beatstep and Push 2 as my main drum writing tools.
Spark besides the bugs we've mentioned here is more than capable in a DAW of being a great tool for drum programming.
Maschine is utterly crippled when it comes to any song with multiple time signatures in it, this is really pretty freaking sad as NI did a great job with the user interface, but it's been years and Maschine still has bugs changing time signatures, it's really about time for me to sell it before it's worth nothing at all. I do far too many songs in odd time signatures, and it's a huge WTF? moment when a dedicated drum machine can't do anything out of straight 4/4 without glitches.
Ableton Live make a good drum machine if you're using their DAW and their hardware, but I only sometimes write in Live so... Time to delve into integrating Beatstep Pro and Battery 4, before NI pull the plug on Battery 4. ::) I really like the drum sounds in Spark... blegh!
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I am just happy that my Spark le drum connects and works like it should. I know NI would have killed it off a long time ago and not bothered
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Gonna pull a Jesus and Lazarus this thread.
Somebody in the Spark 2 Owners group on Facebook asked about whether it can do probability-based sequencing. To be honest I almost bought Geist2 to get my hands on some of that, but I'd rather give the money to Arturia if they would properly develop a product currently bordering on abandonware
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...it seems that Arturia has really moved on and focused, as you say, on hardware (Drumbrute being one of them).
Ironic then that the long-running MatrixBrute thread has a user complaining that Arturia spends too much of its resources developing and upgrading its "shitty software" (their words not mine) instead of its hardware.
And here ladies and gentlemen lays the problem: Arturia have fingers in too many pies, with the result that both the hardware camp and the software camp both feel Arturia are not devoting enough time to debug or enhance their particular products. But that issue is entirely of Arturia's own making.
It could be worse: you could be using Arturia Brass, which truly is abandonware...
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hope to see spark v3 soon
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Would like as well as Spark2 not working well on M1 Mac 😢
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hope to see spark v3 soon
That would be wonderful, there is still hope when I see it in the Software Center :D
There is no modular rhythm software like this
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I am a machine and Heartbeat user and had Spark in my collection for a long time but only recently started delving into it. Spark 2 has become my goto drum machine. It sounds great and easy to use. It would be great to see a Spark 3 with larger GUI, MIDI learn capability so we can use it with other devices.
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im into this, i want to see a Spark 3 , that would be very great, and a SparkLE 2 :O !!! i bought a software which its unusable... writing with my mouse? if i want that i dont buy anything that i like and i kept the native drums