Arturia has announced that its new creative drum machine, Spark, will be shipping June 1st, 2011. The MSRP will be $599 / €499.

Spark is a highly creative drum machine combining the intuitive hands on control of hardware with the power and integration of software (stand-alone and plug-ins).

By using analog synthesis and physical modelling as well as samples, Spark's sound engine opens a new realm of possibilities in drum design. Subtle fine tuning or dramatic transformations are available instantly at your fingertips, making Spark a flexible and intuitive instrument.

Spark not only integrates seamlessly into any studio configuration, it is also perfect for live performance, thanks to uniquely designed controls such as the FX Pad with filtering and slicing modes, or the advanced Looper.

Loaded with thirty different kits offering emulation of famous drum machines, virtual acoustic drum sets and innovative sounding beat-boxes, Spark may become your weapon of choice to take your music further.

Main Features:

• 480 Instruments / 30 Kits:
  • Vintage drum machines: Analog recreations in the spirit of the TR-808, TR-909, Simmons SDS-V, and Eprom based LinnDrum, Drumtraks, DMX, and more.
  • Electronic kits covering the most popular modern music styles: Dub, House, Techno, Hip Hop, R'n'B... as well as experimental fields thanks to the physical modelling engine.
  • Acoustic drum kits subtly mixing physical modelling and samples for high audio realism.
• Pristine quality sound engines including: TAE Analog synthesis, Multi layered sampling delivered by reference third-party companies, Physical modelling.
• FX Pad with Repeat, Tape, Reverse, Strobe, Pan, Mix, 3 mode Filter and Roller.
• Advanced Loop mode with divide and move functions.
• Real-time automation on all parameters.
• 16 track mixer with 9 high quality effects: compressor, reverb, bit crusher, multi-band EQ, chorus, delay, distortion, phaser, plate reverb.
• Song Mode with up to 64 patterns by song.
• Shuffle and Shift modes to humanize grooves.
• 16 key – 64 step sequencer.
• 8 velocity sensitive pads.
• Touch sensitive FX Pad.
• 30 knobs for in-depth and immediate sound control.
• Aluminium enclosure.
• Works as a universal MIDI controller towards any third-party software.