Thought about buying Arturia Spark. But the hardware controller seems kinda uncomfortable to me
(pads).
I've heard rumors that these are bad. Plus I've heard that there is no midi learn function
in the CDM version (??),
so you have to use the Arturia controller. Is that true?
AND
"Is it possible to midi map the steps of the step sequencer of VDM?"
^^ To that one, I don't understand what you mean. Could you clarify please?
To the rest of it:
Spark is VERY cool software, but currently buggy. They ARE, however, actively doing an update on it. I'm a beta tester for that.
However, to the best of my knowledge, you cannot currently buy the Spark 2 software unless you buy the SparkLE controller.
I personally got the Spark 2 software when I bought the Arturia Collection V4. After V4, it is no longer included in their Collections, and ONLY available if you buy the SparkLE controller, since they no longer make the Spark CDM controller (Which, incidentally, is superior in every way. I personally bought the CDM controller off eBay about a year AFTER getting the software with my Colection V4)
RE: "But the hardware controller seems kinda uncomfortable to me (pads). "
Well, there ya go. You're going to USE IT, so you need it to be comfortable. That said, pretty much ANY new instrument is going to be a bit uncomfortable to use until you get used to it. I've got the CDM controller, like I said, not the current LE controller which has less functionality. I find the pads to be totally comfortable, albeit the velocity sensitivity is a bit narrow. All together tho? I find it to be QUITE intuitive and fast to use. (Again, I'm using the CDM controller, not the LE)
RE: " I've heard that there is no midi learn function in the CDM version (??), "
I'm not sure what you mean by that.
The CDM hardware cannot be changed, no. Nor can the LE as far as I know. The CDM is hardwired to MIDI channel 10 IIRC. Odd, but there it is.
But you can TOTALLY MIDI-Learn parameters in software. But only IF the CDM controller is set as a MIDI input to the DAW. WHICH, importantly, you should NOT have set if you're just using the hardware controller to control Spark. Spark will see the controller even if you don't tell your DAW to use it. And as such, if you DO tell your DAW to use it, you will probably experience some odd behaviors from your hardware/software interface using Spark 2