Nektar Technology Impact LX25+ USB MIDI Controller Keyboard

Nektar Technology Impact LX25+ Overview

The Nektar Technology Impact LX25+ is a 25-key, velocity-sensitive USB controller keyboard featuring intelligent mapping, allowing you to manipulate integral aspects of all major DAWs from the controller. Its piano-style keys respond with a medium tension, and four velocity curves are available along with three fixed-velocity levels for instances where consistent output is required.

Octave and transpose buttons are available, as well as pitch-bend and modulation wheels. Eight velocity-sensitive pads allow you to finger-drum in the MPC style, though each pad can be assigned any MIDI note number or MIDI CC message for use as MIDI-trigger or toggle buttons. This keyboard includes the Bitwig 8-Track DAW for music creation, and allows for optional connection with iOS devices.

Control Center

Single 30mm fader and eight encoders line the top of the 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 provide seamless but flexible operation over most DAWs. Personalized settings can be stored in any of the five Impact LX+ presets for recall at any time. 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, Nektar Technology Impact LX25+ boasts eight velocity-sensitive pads, calibrated to trigger at a light touch, and suitable for finger-drumming, providing an even velocity response. Each pad can be assigned any MIDI note number or MIDI CC message for use as a MIDI trigger or to toggle buttons. The “Pad Learn” function allows for easy assignment: simply select a pad, play the note or drum sound you want on the keyboard, and the assignment is completed. Assignments are stored over power cycling so you don’t lose your settings when you switch your system off. In addition, four pad-map locations can store settings for future recall. Four-color LED illumination indicates which pad map is currently loaded and can even tell you which type of MIDI message each pad sends.

DAW Integration

Software integration supports most of the popular DAWs with a common workflow, providing access to many of the functions most likely to needed when recording and performing. Simply complete the installation process and start making music. 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.

Transport and Navigation

Six dedicated transport buttons are mapped to control Cycle, Rewind, Forward, Stop, Play and Record. Press Shift to get access to alternate functions such as Goto L, Set L, Set R, Undo, Click and Mode. Dedicated Track up/down and Patch up/down buttons are located below the display.

Mixer Control

Press mixer and the eight pots are assigned to control the eight channels of your DAW’s mixer. The alternate Bank up/down function moves control assignments to the next or previous group of eight channels. Press the [Mixer] button and they switch to control pan. The fader is assigned to the currently selected channel so you always know where to find it. The pads also have alternate functions and can control Mute for the current bank.

Instrument Presets

The Instrument button assigns all controls to instrument parameters once an instrument track is selected in the DAW. Nektar mapping ensures this is done automatically, and many devices and plugins are pre-mapped to match the blue control labels on the controller. The Nektar “Grab” mode allow for temporarily assigning parameters to controls as you work on your project. Some DAWs even supports saving “grabbed” parameters to a Nektar map which means you can completely customize your assignments for future use.

User Presets and Programming MIDI

If you mainly want to use a DAW’s MIDI learn features, there are two non-overlapping, read-only presets on the Mixer and Instrument buttons, so you can quickly switch between independent and unique setups. In addition, five user presets are programmed for GM compatible and “learn-friendly” setups plus they can be overwritten with custom settings.

Connectivity and iOS Capability

As a low-powered USB device, this keyboard works with all USB devices that feature a Class-compliant MIDI driver. You can also hook the keyboard to an Apple iPad using the iPad’s optional USB camera-connection kit (available separately).

Includes Bitwig 8-Track

Bitwig 8-Track is included with your purchase, giving you access to over 50 software instruments and effects for use on up to eight audio or MIDI tracks, and providing third-party plug-in support as well. Bitwig also offers a selection of loops, clips, and samples.