Piano and keyboard software and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce availability of Hardtek Essentials, the latest Expansion Pack for use with its inspirational SPARK Creative Drum Machine and SparkLE controllers combined with SPARK 2 sound-sculpting and performance drum machine software for Mac (OS X 10.7 or higher) and PC (Windows 7 or higher), as of December 31st.
Hardtek Essentials is a phenomenally powerful addition to SPARK 2 that is totally suited to high-energy productions and live performances. As an effective EDM (Electronic Dance Music) genre, hardtek — also known as tekno — has evolved in tandem with the teknikal movement of the early-Nineties, named to reflect the fact that so many teknikal organisers and DJs were actively making music themselves. Originally influenced by hardcore, rave, jungle, gabber, and techno, with producers taking the sound in a darker, more organic direction, early emphasis was placed on strategically positioned samples drawn from TV shows, films, and popular culture throughout. Today’s hardtek-style music is turbo-fast — typically between 170 to 200 bpm — and characterised by pounding, repetitive kick drums to dance to or die for. Fortunately for those seeking those sounds, Hardtek Essentials authentically delivers in droves.
Drawing upon the collective hardtek talents of international creative collective SP23, Crystal Distortion (a.k.a. British electronic music producer Simon Carter), Ixindamix, and other former Spiral Tribe sound system members, Hardtek Essentials encompasses everything from heavy techno to pure sonic mayhem. Moreover, it includes 30 kits (spanning techno, hardtek, drum ’n’ bass, and hardcore techno stylings, plus more besides); 480 new instruments (instrumentally expanding the SPARK 2 sound set); and 960 customisable pre- programmed patterns. Packing dance floor-filling killer basses, leads, one-shots, and effects to boot, Hardtek Essentials is ready to rip apart any sound system!
The AAX-, AU-, and VST2.4-compatible Hardtek Essentials Expansion Pack is available to purchase as a boxed version for €29.00 EUR/$29.00 USD from any authorised Arturia dealer or online as a boxed version or download directly from Arturia.