Nektar Aura Beat Composer USB Pad Controller

The Aura is a great beat production tool for anybody. It is easily set up and pretty easy to use off the bat in your DAW. The drum pads respond very well and recording drum and sample parts with them has been effortless. There’s plenty of parameters you can dig into with this machine and it only elevates the responsiveness and expression you can achieve with making your music. Just takes the effort to learn how to navigate the settings, but pays off once you learn the layout. Overall a great tool I’ve added to my arsenal.

I love this unit. I wrote a longer review but the AMS system won't let me paste it here. Too bad.

Just received this about a week ago. Looks beautiful the pads are excellent I like them way better than the NI Machine, AKAI MPC and the Presonus Atom. This one is a keeper. Knobs feel great as well. Still trying to figure out best way to import patch names. Great features plugin works great I’m very happy with it.

So I’ve always been intrigued with Drum Machine Based Instruments that work Cohesively with software DAWs and Plugins. But now I see the Full Power of my Program DAWs of Choice Cubase 10 Pro and Reason 11 Suite with Nektar Aura Beat Composer. I really like the fact that I’m able to control the Sequencer Section of both Reason and Cubase via only the onboard controls mutes solo stop play record scroll loop bars section you name it. Than it has its own Drum Machine features various Roll function for your beats via ppqn Increments also for those who need full melody chord structures Chord Memory via pads. The Feel of the Unit in my opinion feels more solid than NI Maschine btw I absolutely am Not sold on that unit at all It always seemed Gimmicky other than the sounds ... MoreSo I’ve always been intrigued with Drum Machine Based Instruments that work Cohesively with software DAWs and Plugins. But now I see the Full Power of my Program DAWs of Choice Cubase 10 Pro and Reason 11 Suite with Nektar Aura Beat Composer. I really like the fact that I’m able to control the Sequencer Section of both Reason and Cubase via only the onboard controls mutes solo stop play record scroll loop bars section you name it. Than it has its own Drum Machine features various Roll function for your beats via ppqn Increments also for those who need full melody chord structures Chord Memory via pads. The Feel of the Unit in my opinion feels more solid than NI Maschine btw I absolutely am Not sold on that unit at all It always seemed Gimmicky other than the sounds by Native Instruments which are top Notch of course. And Yes you can Control Native Instrument plug-ins sounds with this Nektar Aura Composer. Excellent buy for me. Feels like my studio is new again

I Can't Sleep

Overall:At the time I'm writing this review, I've had my Nektar Aura for 3 days. I can't put it down! I know that Nektar products comes with a book, and I think once I settle down a little bit I will look at the book, but loading up drums in the sequencer, and making different timings for them??? What!! Using your plug ins, and changing your scales and chords! What??? Again, I have a lot to learn because I didn't open the book, and this is a new product, so besides watching Namm, I want to experience this myself, and oh my. The screen is bright and colorful. My brain has already adjusted to R1 to browse through my sounds.Bottom line, if you want to sleep, then don't get this. If you want to increase your music skills than look no further. That's all I will say so ... MoreOverall:At the time I'm writing this review, I've had my Nektar Aura for 3 days. I can't put it down! I know that Nektar products comes with a book, and I think once I settle down a little bit I will look at the book, but loading up drums in the sequencer, and making different timings for them??? What!! Using your plug ins, and changing your scales and chords! What??? Again, I have a lot to learn because I didn't open the book, and this is a new product, so besides watching Namm, I want to experience this myself, and oh my. The screen is bright and colorful. My brain has already adjusted to R1 to browse through my sounds.Bottom line, if you want to sleep, then don't get this. If you want to increase your music skills than look no further. That's all I will say so far, and I might have to do another review in a month or 2, once I really know my " Ari"

Review of Nektar AURA Drum Controller

This is a very high quality piece of hardware. Excellent build quality. The finger pads are very sensitive. The buttons and pots feel "premium." The DAW integration is seamless and intuitive. My only criticism is that Nektarine could made more intuitive with a better UI. That said, I love what Nektarine does, I just wish it was a little more user friendly.