Aruba

Nektar Aruba is a powerful beat making and performance instrument. This MIDI Pad Controller has 16 hyper-sensitive RGB illuminated pads, an on-board drum machine-style step sequencer with record, a flexible pad repeat engine and incredible plugin control.

The included Nektarine software and drum library turns Aruba into a complete beat making solution that works in any DAW. Use your favorite drum instrument plugin (VST/VST3 or AU) or start creating with the built-in DP-1 drum player, K1 Kick, S1 Snare and T1 Tom synth instruments

Play your own library of audio samples or incorporate any combination of plugins with any other content, to create your own unique kits. All settings, including pad setups, are stored as part of your DAW song/project or Nektarine Multipatch for complete recall when you next start working.

Aruba and Nektarine put a complete beat creation powerhouse at your fingertips. Best of all, Nektarine runs in any DAW as a VST, VST3, AU or AAX plugin so you can load your kits in the environment you prefer. Go on – Make your own beat. It’s a blast!

ARUBA HARDWARE OVERVIEW

Aruba’s hardware is all about realtime access and performance: A host of controls ensures direct access to key features without any menu diving. At the center are 16 large RGB pads – they are velocity and pressure-sensitive and can be fine-tuned to match your personal playing style. ARUBA’s 8 heavy-duty 360-degree rotary pots are always assigned to control a selected feature’s parameters with their assignments shown on the color TFT display. 4 display buttons give access to additional settings, MIDI assignments or secondary menus. Dedicated buttons make it easy to switch between different modes: Internal MIDI controller,  drum machine style sequencer, Pad Repeat or DAW Control are always just one button-press away.

The hardware Step Sequencer is programmed like a classic drum machine from the 16 small RGB buttons. Each pad can be programmed, or recorded in real-time, with its own independent sequence. You can solo, mute or trigger sequences simply by hitting a pad and control other parameters from the pots, which makes the Sequencer an excellent realtime performance tool. The MIDI Out on ARUBA’s back lets you sequence external MIDI gear and can also be used as a MIDI interface from the computer.

WHAT IS NEKTARINE?

Of course you could load an instrument plugin onto a track in your DAW and play it right away – but ARUBA does so much more when paired with the included Nektarine software. Nektarine is a plugin host that itself can be loaded as an AU, VST, VST3 or AAX plugin (meaning it can run in virtually any current DAW).

Start with the simple task of loading your favorite drum plugin in Nektarine and map the pads to it’s sounds. From the Pad Setup menu on ARUBA, just move the pot that sets the MIDI IN note until you hear the sound you want the selected pad to play. With the pads set up, save a multipatch in Nektarine. Both pads and plugin settings are recalled next time you load it. But the fun really begins, when you make your own kits & sounds by combining multiple samples and plugins in Nektarine. Create kits with up to 16 different instrument plugins, 64 insert FX-plugins and an additional 4 send FX. All plugins instantly controlleable. directly from the hardware!

You can even import your sample library and play the samples in Nektarine’s DP-1 drum player. And before we forget: ARUBA includes a license for the Nektarine stand-alone application. This lets you create beats easily by sequencing your instrument plugins from ARUBA, drum-machine-style: get groovin’!

ARUBA NEKTAR DAW INTEGRATION SUPPORTS

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

Features:

• USB MIDI controller and step sequencer for hardware and software
• 16 sensitive RGB pads, with powerful Pad Repeat function for creating dynamic rolls
• Hardware step sequencer gives you instant access to 16 patterns, up to four parts each, for a total of 64 steps
• Deep integration for popular DAWs including Ableton Live Suite, Bitwig, Cubase, Logic, Garageband, Studio One, and more
• Can control an entire MIDI-based rig, complete with internal clock and customizable control assignments
• Nektarine software hosts up to 16 virtual instruments (VST, VST3, and AU) plus effects plug-ins
• Use Nektarine as a plug-in itself within your DAW (AAX, AU, VST, VST3), or as a standalone host for your instruments and effects
• Comprehensive browser makes it simple to find your favorite sounds and custom control maps
• Dedicated buttons to enable DAW control, step sequencer, note repeat, and other modes support a fast workflow