Designed for beat composers and performing artists, the Nektar Aruba is a hybrid hardware/software drum machine / controller that brings an innovative workflow to any DAW or external MIDI setup with 16 hyper-sensitive RGB illuminated pads, an onboard sequencer, a flexible pad repeat engine, and advanced plug-in control. There are eight heavy-duty endless potentiometers, 16 RGB LED performance pads, 8 dedicated buttons (for direct access to patches, mixer, pad setup, and plug-ins), six mode buttons, and seven transport buttons. All pads, switches, and pots are fully MIDI-programmable.

At the heart of Aruba, is the paired Nektarine 2.5 software, which provides deep integration for any VST, VST3, and AU plug-ins. There are 16 slots for loading any instrument plug-in with comprehensive control over plug-in parameters. Each instrument slot provides choke, volume, pan, mute/solo, and sends 1-4 control as well as four effects inserts per slot. Create and store instrument and FX plug-in patches + Nektarine multi-patches. New to the 2.5 software are the K1, S1, and T1 drum synth instruments along with the DP-1 sampler. The software's control page allows you to customize plug-in maps or create new ones from scratch. You'll find full parameter feedback in real-time from the 320x240 TFT display. Should you prefer to use the Aruba hardware as a controller without the Nektarine software, up to 16 presets can be saved and recalled via internal settings.

The integrated sequencer provides a classic 16-step XOX-style programming interface and can record in step mode or in real time. There are 16 patterns (one per pad) with four parts (comprising of up to 16 steps each), adding up to a total of 64 steps. Parts may be triggered in any combination, at any time. Each pattern, and even each part in a pattern can have a different length, which simplifies the creation of interesting polyrhythms. Editing features work at the step level, ensuring deep control over play rate, velocity, accent, gate, and swing, while the internal and external clock modes ensure remarkable synchronization. The sequencer may also be used as a standalone for MIDI instruments connected to Aruba's external MIDI Out.

Create dynamic rolls with the pad repeat engine, which is easily accessed by selecting the dedicated on/off button and settings menu. Use the pad pressure to control velocity while changing repeat rates with the dedicated RGB LED buttons. The highly customizable repeat engine provides access to a host of parameters including repeat rate, gate, accent interval, accent velocity, offset, swing, trigger mode, and clock source.

The dedicated DAW button provides extended transport control, track selection, project navigation, and more, for most major software titles, including Ableton Live, Bitwig, Cubase, Digital Performer, GarageBand, Logic Pro X, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Studio One, and Sonar/Cakewalk. What's more, the seven transport buttons are fully assignable, including MIDI commands, for controlling any software not compatible with Nektar DAW integration.

Hybrid Hardware/Software Drum Machine    Includes Nektarine 2.5 Software    16 Hyper-Sensitive RGB Illuminated Pads    Step & Real-Time Recording, Pad Repeat    Advanced Plug-In Control    Works with VST, VST3, AU Plug-Ins & DAW    Hosts up to 16 Instrument Plug-Ins    Includes K1, S1, T1 & DP1 Instruments    4 FX Insert Slot per Instrument Plug-In    Instant Recall via DAW or Nektarine

• 16 RGB color-illuminated velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads
• 8 heavy-duty potentiometers (360 degrees, endless)
• TFT color display with 320x240 pixels including 4 soft buttons
• 16 RGB LED buttons
• 8 Nektarine buttons for direct access to patches, mixer, pad setup, plug-ins, and more
• 6 mode buttons
• 7 transport buttons with LED illumination
• Fully MIDI-programmable pads, switches, and pots
• 16 presets for storing all internal settings (not required when using Nektarine)
• Rugged housing with aluminum top

• Step or real-time recording
• Stores 16 collections of 16 patterns each
• Each pattern with up to 4 parts for a total of up to 64 steps
• Dedicated programming interface with 16 RGB buttons and parts selection buttons
• In real-time recording, steps are quantized to the selected play rate (i.e 1/8, 1/16, etc.), which can be set individually for every pattern, part, and even step
• Real-time performance features (solo, mute, instant start options, and more)
• Trigger sequencer parts in any combination, at any time
• Independent settings per part (play rate, step length, velocity, accent, gate, swing, and more)
• Extensive editing features all the way down to step level
• Internal and external clock operation
• Latch automation on/off
• Pad Repeat Engine
• 8 adjustable real-time parameters, including note length, accent level and interval, and repeat rate
• Dedicated repeat rate settings and activation buttons
• Display soft button for instant assignment of pressure to velocity
• Tap tempo feature
• Internal and external clock operation

• AAX, AU, VST, or VST3 plug-in version and standalone application for OSX and Windows
• Load any VST, VST3, and AU instrument plug-ins
• 16 instrument plug-in slots
• Each instrument slot with choke, volume, pan, mute/solo, sends 1-4 controls
• 4 effect insert plug-in slots per instrument (AU / VST / VST3 FX)
• 4 send effect plug-in slots (AU / VST / VST3 FX)
• Store instrument and FX plug-in patches plus Nektarine Multi-Patches
• Browser Settings are remembered per plug-in slot
• Handles all pad-, plug-in-, and patch-management with complete control from Aruba
• Control editor for customizing Nektar plug-in maps or creating new ones from scratch
• Full parameter feedback with display updated in real-time
• Scale and Chords mode for building tracks
• Multi-Patch with Pad settings save as default, load as default. All browser settings can be saved with tags for slots tag, kick, slot 1, etc.

• K1: kick drum synth with body that ranges from deep to open, tight to loose, and smooth to harsh; Bend, Slope, and the filter intact to produce classic electronic kicks or entirely new ones
• S1: snare drum synth combines wire, noise, body, and transient processed by a low-pass or saturation filter
• T1: tom synth build around the parameters of K1 but focused on a higher frequency range; ambience parameter blends sampled tom ambience with the sound of the synth oscillator
• DP-1: classic sample player with attack, decay, slope, drive, cutoff, and resonance parameters; the “1982” parameter lowers to playback resolution to anything between 12 and 24 bit, and drag and drop samples are supported
• The addition of audio file browsing in Nektarine enables audition and loading of samples directly from Aruba; audio samples are loaded straight in DP-1 for immediately use and manipulation
• Aruba includes a library of over 600 exclusive drum sounds used in 50 preconfigured drum kits, ready to be loaded in Nektarine
• The library shows off the 4 included drum instruments K1, S1, T1, and DP-1 covering styles from '60s and '70s rock kits, acoustic studio kits to '80s and beyond as well as vintage and latest electronic kits

• Ableton Live Suite
• Apple Logic + Garageband
• Bitwig 8-Track + Studio
• Cockos Reaper
• MOTU Digital Performer
• Presonus Studio One
• Reason Studios Reason
• Steinberg Cubase + Nuendo

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does this come with everything you need except the speaker?

A: Yes, although you may wish to connect it to a mixer before outputting to a speaker for greater output control.

Q: 2. Doesn't the original have a "sweet spot of focus"? I can't wait to see the difference in this new lens.

A: The Lensbaby Composer Pro II with Double Glass II Optic (Canon RF) is similar to the original, but with a metal body and a tilt function, as well as the same sweet spot of focus.

Q: 3. Does this record in stereo

A: This is not a stereo microphone, it only gives out a mono signal.

Q: 4. Does anyone know what the symbols on the screen mean when a battery is on charge? Obviously the bolt symbol is got charging but what does the download symbol mean? It seems I have to remove and replace the battery to start charging again.

A: It means it's on a down charge cycle. It fully decharges it then recharges it fully.

Q: 5. will this work with the ProFX12v2 sound board?

A: This can connect to the ProFX12v2 mixer via an XLR cable.

Q: 6. Does this require batteries?

A: No

Q: 7. Will this work with the Novation SL61 for Ableton Control?

A: On its own, the Nektar Technology WIDIFLEX USB Wireless Bluetooth MIDI Dongle is not compatible for use with the Novation SL MkIII MIDI and CV Keyboard Controller. To enable compatibility, you will need to use the Nektar Technology WIDIFLEX Wireless Bluetooth MIDI Adapter (B&H # NEWIDIFLEX).

Q: 8. Mine is giving off a loud humming noise. Anyone else have that?

A: The fan is loud while charging

Q: 9. Does this fit in the small or medium portabrace bag?

A: The Anton/Bauer Performance Series Quad Charger Gold Mount can fit in both the PortaBrace Sack Pack (Small, Blue), BH #POSP1, and the PortaBrace Sack Pack (Medium, Blue), BH #POSP2, however the charger would be a tight fit on the medium and would most likely stick out of the top of the small bag.

Q: 10. How much of the effect is lost when mounted to a Canon APS-C such as the Canon R7?

A: The visual effect created with the Lensbaby Composer Pro II with Sweet 35 Optic for Canon RF is not lost on cameras with an APS-C size sensor.