Nektar Impact LX25+ USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration

Product Information

Three handy buttons allow you to shift between presets, choose your presets, and switch between the mixer and instrumental modes. DAW Integration To make it a fair fight, let’s compare Impact LX25+ MIDI controller to other 25-key MIDI keyboards that take a big chunk of the market as well. Nektar Impact LX25+ VS Akai MPK Mini MK2 I have used this almost every day since I bought it and I love it. If you want greater flexibility when playing keyboard I would recommend buying something bigger but if you just want a compact solution that would fit in any studio, this would be it. The keys on the Impact LX25+ are synth-action keys, but nevertheless have a good response when playing. It is important to only enable port 1 in the MIDI Devices window. If multiple ports are enabled Impact will not function correctly. Make sure your setup mirrors that of Image 2 and 6.

The control center and navigation functionality on the LX25+ are perhaps the most impressive features of the controller.

Perhaps a matter of personal preference, but I prefer infinite rotation on the mixer knobs. This is provided on similar products and it makes them handier. Make sure Reaper is already installed on your computer. If not, please install Reaper first and open it at least once, before running the installer for Nektar DAW integration software. However, Nektar does advertise 7 different adjustable velocity curves to choose from. This determines how sensitive the keys are to how you touch them. The higher the curve the more sensitive the keys are to how you press them. Pads

Nektar does offer a live script for integration with Ableton Live here. It’s adequate but should only really be seen as a starting point. Pros Enable ‘Impact LX**’ (Windows) or ‘Impact LX** MIDI1’ (OS X) for your Impact. The mode should be ‘Enable+Control’. The other 2 Impact ports should remain disabled. (See Image 2 for OS X setup and Image 6 for Windows).

BITWIG 8-TRACK INCLUDED

Overall, the Nektar IMPACT LX25+ is a great MIDI Controller for someone just getting into music production. It offers everything you might need from a standard controller and adds control options that its competitors simply overlook. Please note that this extended warranty is currently only available on products sold within the UK, EU or EEA, and is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed on the extended warranty certificate provided. Another standout feature on the Impact LX25+ are the transpose buttons. While most MIDI keyboards allow you to change octaves to change the pitch of the notes, the Impact LX25+ will allow you to transpose the keys to shift the notes up or down. This is the perfect tool for someone who doesn't know a lot of music theory. If your ‘External Devices’ window already shows two Impact LX devices (image 1, image 4) you are ready to go. Move on to step 8.

Keys are full-sized, but not weighted, or even semi-weighted, so it’s going to be harder to learn to play the piano. The Nektar IMPACT LX25+ features all the basics of a MIDI controller. It provides a little of every tool used in various specialized controllers in one place. For players who need extra reach, the 88-key Impact LX88+ and Impact GXP88 provide a great playing experience with their semi-weighted action. What’s more, the Impact GXP range is especially made for performers and combines the streamlined GX-series’ user interface with performance features and direct patch access features.This seamless integration also works with the control center and navigation. Even more impressively, my pad presets transferred to every DAW I used. Despite being only a 25-key controller, Impact LX25+ isn’t exactly a perfect travel buddy (like Akai MPK Mini MK2, for example), sitting at 18 in long and 10 in tall. Nektarine also turns our AURA Beat Composer pad controller into an open-ended and powerful beat creation instrument, that allows the creation of kits from multiple plugins for unlimited sonic possibilites. This includes Nektar DAW Integration and deep plugin control in any DAW using Nektarine. WHAT MAKES NEKTAR MIDI CONTROLLERS SPECIAL? Make sure the ‘Receive From’&‘Send To’ ports are set up according to the table below. (Image 1). Impact LX is used an example but it applies equally to Impact GX: Select any Drum Machine slot by hitting the corresponding pad and control parameters immediately from the pots

Novation keyboard comes with a lot of controls and twice as many pads as any other 25-key controller, which is crucial if you are into trap beats and drum rolls – the more pads you have, the more variety you can add to the beat. Other control options, such as knobs, wheels, and buttons are similar to other MIDI keyboards in the price range. The Nektar Impact LX25+ is designed to provide you with complete control over your favourite digital audio workstation, providing you with everything you will need plus added extras that will improve your workflow and overall experience. The Impact LX25+’s ergonomic design gives you everything you need on the keyboard itself, minimising the need to drift between software and hardware to achieve the sound or effect you desire. The 25-note velocity sensitive keybed provides you with enough keys to span six octaves. However, there are other MIDI controllers out there that can put up a fair fight to the Nektar device, with their own features, that can be more suitable for your particular needs and expectations. The Nektar Impact LX25+ is designed for simple and easy integration with your favourite digital audio workstation. Nektar DAW Integration is custom designed to work with programs such as: FL Studio, Bitwig, Cubase, Digital Performer, Garageband, Logic Nuendo, Reapeer, Reason, Sonar and Studio One. Its ability to instantly integrate with this range of popular audio software makes your workflow increase tenfold, allowing you to control everything at your fingertips with ease. If you don’t have any musical training, you’ll have a hard time making melodies that actually sound good. While playing music may seem like art where you can bend the rules anyway you want, that’s not entirely true. Hitting random keys won’t get you anywhere – you’ll have to learn music theory fundamentals and face a fair share of trial and error before you’ll get better.Also, the ability to call up you mix window, the knobs latch function and the quality of the keys themselves has made this a stable in my studio, still small enough to carry it with me when I am on the road. A big part of what drew me to the Nektar LX25+ were its full-sized keys. Having full-sized keys on a MIDI controller is not to be underestimated. Not only does it give it an authentic feel when making melodies, but it also simplified transitioning the skills I learned onto a real piano. The Nektar “Grab” mode allow you to temporarily assign parameters to controls as you work on your project. It’s as easy as holding down shift while moving the parameters on the instrument you want to control followed by moving the controls on Impact LX+ you want them assigned to. Some DAWs even supports saving “grabbed” parameters to a Nektar map* which means you can completely customize your assignments for future use. They are easily customizable, with the “Pad Learn” feature allowing you to simply select a pad, play the note you want on the keyboard, and the assignment is done. You can also easily assign samples on the pad on most DAWs. I'm not a huge synth tweaker or sound designer. When I'm making beats, I tend to cycle through presets for each instrument and, if necessary, make minor changes to the sound by twisting the knobs to improve on it if I wish. Not saying that's the “correct” way to make beats — it's just the way that I like to do things. So to me, knobs on a MIDI controller is an optional feature that I personally don't use so much.