Unboxing Spark and some first impressions

Spark comes with a nice package which you probably want to save for future transportation.

Inside the box there's the hardware controller itself, manual (english, french and japanese) and USB-cable. 

Installing Spark software went very quickly and without any problems. I didn't use the CD which came with the unit, because at Arturia's website there was a newer updated version of Spark (version 1.1.1.) available. After installing the software this same software made me update also the hardware firmware (now running version 1.1.0.1). I must say that all this procedure - downloading and installing updates, registering products - is very painless and fast.

At the moment I have been just messing up with presets, using mainly the standalone program with my Motu Microbook USB-soundcard. 

Some fist impressions are worth mention here:

(+) Spark standalone operates well without noticeable latency / crackles in sound (if the buffer is too small). It works well also with my Mac Book pros own internal sound card.

(+) It's very intuitive and easy to use!

(-) Synth sounds. I was hoping a little more from bass and lead sounds. They just seem to be a little extra. There are some presets (very basic ones) and not much to do to tweak them.

(-) Programming melodic lines with synths can be little difficult / time consuming with step sequencer. 

But maybe these latter points must just be accepted; it's a drum machine, not a synthesizer. In general I am very excited and impressed of the product. It seems to fits perfectly to my home studio which already has Origin as my main synth.

One nice surprise come out today: Arturia gave Spark users a free download of two drum machines: DR-606 and DR-707. First one is modeled and second one is sampled.

Bigger review of Spark coming soon, when I go deeper into it and really start to use it...