Zoom ARQ AR-96 Aero Rhythm Trak Synthesizer

Zoom ARQ AR-96 Aero Rhythm Trak Synthesizer Overview:
The ZOOM ARQ Aero RhythmTrak is an all-in-one production and live performance instrument which includes an integrated drum machine, sequencer, synthesizer, looper, and MIDI controller with a built-in accelerometer. Even more, ARQ is freedom. With its wireless Bluetooth Ring Controller, you can escape the booth, move the music, and get in front of the crowd.

The ARQ consists of two powerful components the Base Station (AR-96) and the detachable Ring Controller (AR-96c).

The Base Station:
The ARQ Base Station houses 468 drum/instrument sounds (“one-shot” sampled waveform sounds), 70 types of synthesizer sounds, and dozens of digital effects. Dual 1/4″ line-level audio inputs enable phrase recording and looping. There are also stereo 1/4″ line-level outputs, as well as a dedicated 1/4″ headphone jack with its own volume control. A USB port allows connection to your computer, and an SD card slot lets you save patterns and loops, import prerecorded audio, and update firmware.

The Ring Controller:
The detachable Ring Controller communicates with the Base Station, as well as DAWs, via wireless Bluetooth. It offers 96 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads for clip launching and playing drum sounds, instrument sounds, and sequences. Phrases and sounds can be played chromatically, or you can choose from dozens of preset scales in any key. Its unique Grip Detection automatically prevents accidental triggering of the pads under your hand. There are dedicated buttons at the top and bottom of the Ring for REC/PLAY/STOP, as well as Filter/Delay/Reverb/MASTER FX on/off.

An onboard 3-axis accelerometer generates MIDI control messages to alter sounds and effects in real time. Its internal Lithium-Ion battery automatically charges when the Ring is placed on the Base Station.

The Only Drum Machine for Performers
Not only does ARQ allow you to create incredible drum parts and patterns, you can also use the Ring Controller as a live instrument. Play it while mounted to the Base Station, or remove it to take your performance to the front of the stage. ARQ comes with a multitude of editable PCM drum and instrument sounds organized into 79 genre-specific kits, and you can also develop 20 kits of your own, complete with effects. Once you perform with ARQ, you’ll never use another drum machine again.

It’s a Circular SequencerNo Computer Necessary
Traditional devices take a linear approach to sequencing, but ARQ is anything but traditional. For the first time, you can visualize your music as a true loop, up to 5 parts at a time.

Individual patterns or complete songs can be constructed one step at a time or by recording a real-time performance, with an onboard mixer for setting volumes, muting, and soloing. Instruments can be assigned to single or multiple pads and up to 3 parts can be created at a time. Up to 33 parts can be played back simultaneously, and the timbre or note of each part can be changed with the touch of a button. 384 patterns can be combined in any order to form a complete song, then flattened into an audio loop that can be played back from a single padall without the use of a computer.

It’s a Comprehensive Synthesizer
ARQ’s powerful sound engine offers 468 sampled waveforms that can be pitch-shifted as they are played over multiple padsas well as 70 types of synthesizer sounds that allow you to build completely original timbres. Choose from 538 different oscillator types for sonic variety, then add digital effects such as filtering, delay, and reverb, along with sound-shaping controls like envelope generators and stepped or smooth modulation.

It’s a Loop(er)
ARQ allows you to create completely original loops from onboard sounds or patterns, or by capturing external audio. Set start and end points, change the pitch if desired, choose between forward or reverse playback, then assign each loop to a different controller pad. Up to 16 loops can be played simultaneously and synchronized to the same tempo. ARQ makes creating loops a lot more fun.

Its a Wireless MIDI Controller
Use the Ring for wireless control of all your MIDI instruments and devices connected to your computersamplers, synths, and drum machines, as well as MIDI-enabled effects processors. Its 96 pads are velocity-sensitive and can also send aftertouch (MIDI messages generated based on the pressure applied to the pads once they are being held down).

Accelerate your Performance
The Ring’s onboard 3-axis accelerometer can be used to change sounds and effects in real time. Wave and tilt it to alter onboard effects parameters and to generate MIDI control messages. You can even link it to your digital mixing console and use the accelerometer to fly sounds around the room. ARQ utilizes wireless Bluetooth LE for low power consumption, giving you lots of performance time between battery charges.

Features:

• Drum machine, sequencer, synthesizer, looper, clip launcher, and MIDI controller in one device
• Includes 468 drum/instrument sounds (“one-shot” sampled waveform sounds), 70 types of synthesizer sounds, and dozens of digital effects
• Ring Controller can be used wirelessly as a handheld aerial instrument and to launch audio clips from DAW software
• 96 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads and 160 programmable color LEDs
• Grip Detection to automatically prevent accidental note triggering
• 3-axis accelerometer for altering effects parameters and sending MIDI control messages
• Dedicated buttons for sequence REC/PLAY/STOP and for effects on/off
• Use up to 5 effects simultaneously, applied to overall drum kit or individual drum sounds
• Split mode allows one instrument to be assigned to multiple pads for ease of input
• Onboard mixer for setting volumes and muting/soloing parts
• Flexible precount, quantize, swing, and beat settings
• Audible and/or visual click
• Dual 1/4″ inputs for phrase recording and loop creation
• Audio capture from patterns and songs, from SD card, or from incoming audio signal
• Create up to 96 mono or stereo loops, play up to 16 mono loops simultaneously
• Loop start and end points can be adjusted manually
• Loop tempo synchronization, pitch change, and reverse playback functions
• Programmable synthesizer engine
• 538 oscillator types and 16-voice polyphony
• Sound-shaping controls include effects, envelope generators, and stepped and smooth modulation
• Play sounds chromatically, or choose from dozens of preset scales in any key
• Adjustable pad velocity and pressure sensitivity
• Dedicated tap tempo button for synchronization
• Selectable LED light-show animations
• Dual 1/4″ line outputs and separate 1/4″ headphone output with dedicated volume control
• USB port and SD card slot
• Bluetooth LE for low power consumption and extended usage times

Specifications:
CONTROLLER: PADS

• Number of pads: 96
• Velocity sensitive: Yes
• Pressure sensitive: Yes
• Sensitivity curves: 4 types
• Velocity (send): Yes
• Aftertouch (send): Yes
• Number of LEDs : 160
• LED color: Multi
• Accelerometer: Yes
• Number of parameter knobs: 3
• Number of control keys: Base Station: 18
• Ring Controller: 11

INTERFACE

• USB MIDI: Yes
• Bluetooth LE: Connect to Mac/iOS via MIDI over Bluetooth LE

LINE INPUTS

• Type: 1/4″ Phone
• Number of inputs: 2
• Function: Line
• Impedance: 50 kO
• Gain: +10~-65 dB
• Dynamic range: 92 dB typ (IHF-A)

LINE OUTPUTS

• Type: 1/4″ TRS Phone
• Number of outputs: 2
• Impedance: 200 O
• Dynamic range: 106 dB typ (IHF-A)

PHONES

• Type: 1/4″ Stereo Phone(20mW x2 [32 O])
• Impedance: 10 O
• Dynamic range: 102 dB typ (IHF-A)

SOUND SYSTEM

• Internal sound engine: Yes
• Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz
• Bit rate: 24-bit
• Maximum polyphony: 16
• Number of instruments: 33
• Number of oscillator types: 538 (468 PCM sounds + 70 synth sounds)
• Number of patterns: 384 (176 preset)
• Number of filter types: 7
• Number of Insert FX types: 11
• Number of Delay types: 3
• Number of Reverb types: 3
• Number of Master FX types: 14
• Number of Modulation types: 8
• Number of Modulations: 2
• Number of Envelope Generators: 2

SEQUENCER

• Number of Steps: 32
• Motion Sequences: 256 motions
• Song mode: Yes
• Tempo: 40.0~250.0 bpm

LOOPER: AUDIO CAPTURE

• Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz
• Bit rate: 16-bit

MEDIA

• Media type: SD, SDHC, SDXC
• Internal memory: 32 MB

POWER SOURCE: CONTROLLER

• Type: Li-ion Polymer, DC 4.2V maximum voltage, DC 3.7V nominal voltage, 450mAh capacity
• Battery life: About 4.5 hours (differs according to use conditions)
• Recharging times: 2.5 hours

POWER SOURCE: BASE STATION

• External Power: AC adapter (AD-14)
• Rated Output: DC5V / 1A (center positive)
• Power Consumption: Max: 1.25W (No charging),Max : 4.5W (Charging)

OS SUPPORT: BLUETOOTH LE

• Windows: No
• Mac OS: 10.10.4 or later
• iOS: 8.0 or later

OS SUPPORT: USB MIDI

• Windows: Windows 7 SP1 or later,Windows 8 (including 8.1),Windows 10
• Mac OS: 10.8 or later

PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS: BASE STATION

• Dimensions: 260 mm (W) x 64 mm (H) x 260 mm (D)
• Weight: 990g

Display:

• 2.0 inch (320 x 240) full color TFT

PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS: CONTROLLER

• Dimensions: 280.5mm (W) x 33.5mm (H) x 280.5mm (D)
• Weight: 540 g