Nektar has introduced the Impact LX49, the first in a new line of budget controllers, designed to offer deep integration with many popular DAWs.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
The Impact LX49’s real magic shows with the unique DAW integration which offers pre-mapped support for Cubase, Digital Performer, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Reason, Sonar and Studio One, with additional DAW support scheduled for following release.
Nektar has developed custom integration with a common workflow. As such, Impact LX49’s integration goes way beyond the typical basic Mixer mapping. Users of supported DAWs will be able to navigate tracks, switch between controlling mixer or instruments, trigger and set loop points, switch metronome on/off, Undo and more.
Here are the details:
Keyboard
- 49 note velocity-sensitive synth-action keyboard
- 4 velocity curves plus 3 fixed
- Pitch bend & Modulation assignable wheels
- Octave shift buttons
- Transpose shift buttons
- Foot switch pedal socket (sustain)
System Requirements
- Class compliant (no driver needed): OSX and Windows XP or higher
Daw Integration
- Mac OS X 10.7 or higher, Windows Vista, 7 & 8 or higher
Pads
- 8 veoloicy sensitive pads
- 4 velocity curves plus 3 fixed
- Note-learn
- Pads assignable notes and MIDI cc messages
- Load or Save to any of 4 pad maps
Weight & Dimensions
- Dimensions: 31 5/8″(L) x 10 1/2″(D) 3 “(H)
- Weight: 7 Lbs
Controls
- 8 potentiometers
- 9 30mm faders
- 9 assignable buttons
- 6 dedicated transport buttons
- 5 preset locations store control settings
- Integration files for major DAWs
Connections
- Foot switch (sustain) 1/4″ jack input (pedal not included)
- USB port for power and communication with computer
The Nektar Impact LX49 is expected to be available in November, priced at US $179.99/149.99 Euro/GBP 124.99. See the Nektar site for details.
Yet another mediocre keyboard controller. It seems those controller manufacturers are starting to separate their products from the bunch now by – well – leaving out functionality. No MIDI ports? Are you kidding me? And yes, I realize it’s not from Nektar’s Panorama range, but that display would have been more than just nice. Oh, and only eight pads and no way of changing “banks” or so to be able to quickly switch? That’s even weirder than only putting on twelve pads instead of the commonly used sixteen. No aftertouch? Well… At least it doesn’t look as hideous as those Panorama keyboards…
Looks like an axiom. Their early product had a good design…. This is the sos
Of course it would be better with DIN MIDI out and aftertouch. But then it would also be a different product at a different price point I guess. As a competitor to something like the M Audio Oxygen I think it looks very compelling. Lots of hobbyists/home studio folks get by without aftertouch. If the build quality is above average then for the money this looks quite nice.
And to Henry above, it is labelled with Pad Map 1-4 beneath the pads so I don’t think you’re limited to just a single set of 8 pads…
I do get the thing with leaving out certain features to be able reaching a lower price point. But honestly, leaving out a MIDI port… Well… At that price, it should be possible to include such – especially when considering what the competitors are doing, e.g. M-Audio, Novation and the like.
And btw, I can’t see any of the buttons telling anything about switching pad banks or the like. The labels under those pads do seem to be for something different though, as per Nektar’s website:
“For groove and beat creation Impact LX49’s 8 velocity sensitive pads makes life easy. 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 just 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 for getting the most out of your pads. Assignments are stored over power cycling so you don’t lose your settings when you switch your system off for the night. In addition, 4 pad map locations can store your settings for future recall.”
This is just boring. Why send up yet another 49-note controller unless you can offer something really different, or at least different for the price? The display is already a disappointment, and I guess black-on-gray controls are better than Nektar’s black-on-black controls (on the Panorama) but not by much. Dull. This product will be forgotten before it hits the shelves.