The Nektar Aura Beat Composer 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 AURA, is the paired Nektarine 2.0 software, which provides deep integration for any VST, VST3, and AU plugins. 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. 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 AURA 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 AURA’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.
Nektar Aura Beat Composer Features
- 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, plugins 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
Nektar Aura Beat Composer Includes
- Nektar Technology AURA Beat Composer and Performance Instrument
- USB Cable
- Nektarine 2.0 Software
- Bitwig 8-Track
2 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Solid and robust MIDI controller
Jun 29th 2024I have no complaints about this controller and it offers an impressive level of functionality along with surprisingly solid and robust pads and encoder knobs. You get a sense that it is a quality unit just from playing around with it for a minute or two. The only reason I am docking it by one star is that the colored pads are not completely solid, and flash at a very high rate. It bothers me a little bit, not too bad, so it may be better or worse for others.
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Good, but can't stand the flickering lights
Oct 27th 2021This could have been great. Reasonable DAW integration (with Cubase at least), highly playable and configurable pads, and a fine note repeat engine for trap hi-hats. Unfortunately, if you're sensitive to light flicker, having this thing on could give you a headache because of the pad lights. If a new revision comes out with better pad lights, this would be a slam dunk over stuff like the Maschine at half the price. If you don't think the lights would bother you, go for it.
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