Nektar Impact LX61+ USB MIDI Controller

The Impact LX61+ USB MIDI controller is jam-packed with intelligent and expressive performance control not even available on many premium products. Ever wanted a controller that hooks up automatically to your DAW? Impact LX+ does exactly that. Nektar DAW integration custom designed for Bitwig, Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar and Studio One takes Impact LX+ way beyond functionality normally offered by a USB MIDI controller keyboard. With Impact LX+ the hard work is done, so you can focus on your creativity.

The 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard is a synth action with a medium tension. The full-size, piano-style keys are covered to protect against dirt and dust while also complementing the Impact LX design. With four velocity curves gradually increasing in dynamics there is choice for any playing style. If you don't need velocity, three fixed velocity levels will give you a consistent output. Octave and transpose buttons as well as pitch bend and modulation wheels are within reach, so you quickly can shift the keyboard up or down as needed or apply additional articulation with the wheels.

Octave and transpose buttons
There is more to the four octave and transpose buttons than meets the eye. Four functions are selectable on the fly so you can make important changes at any time, even while you play. A key combination makes assignment quick and easy. Choices include sending out MIDI program messages, changing the global MIDI channel or selecting any of Impact LX+'s five user presets with either the octave or transpose buttons.

Control center
Nine 30mm faders, nine MIDI buttons and eight encoders are at the center of Impact LX+'s control panel. Each control is fully programmable to send any MIDI CC message for use with hardware or software MIDI products. Used with Nektar DAW integration, the controls take on a life of their own, providing flexible pre-mapped DAW control, giving you the best of both worlds. Control settings can be stored in any of the five Impact LX+ presets for recall at any time. And if you switch null on, any parameter values are stored when you change presets so you avoid parameter jumping.

Pads
For groove and beat creation, Impact LX'+s eight velocity sensitive pads make life easy. Calibrated to trigger at a light touch, finger drumming is suddenly well within reach with a nice and even velocity response. Each pad can be assigned any MIDI note number or MIDI CC message, for use as MIDI trigger or toggle buttons. But the best part is the 'pad learn' feature, which allows you to select a pad, play the note or drum sound you want on the keyboard and assignment is done — no complex menus for a task that's essential to getting the most out of your pads. Assignments are stored through power cycling so you don't lose your settings when you switch your system off for the night. In addition, four pad map locations can store your settings for future recall.

The four-color LED illumination not only looks good but also indicates which pad map is currently loaded and can even tell you which type of MIDI message each pad sends. With Nektar DAW integration, the pads are automatically assigned in, for example, Reason and Bitwig. The two clip and scene buttons are used in Bitwig to trigger clips and scenes; in Reason, clever control over Reason's location points creates a similar experience.

Nektar DAW integration
Impact LX61+ software integration supports most of the popular DAWs. A common workflow gives access to many of the functions you are most likely to need when recording and performing with your Impact LX+. The best part is that it's all done for you — all you have to do is complete the installation process and start making music! Impact LX+ DAW integration currently supports Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar and Studio One. Buttons and controls are labeled so you don't have to remember how they are assigned. Impact LX+ is therefore a breeze to use, but with enough extra features under the hood to satisfy even the most experienced power user.