Nektar Pacer MIDI and DAW Foot Controller Set

Pacer - The Hands-Free DAW and MIDI Controller

The Pacer boosts your creativity by hands-free control of your DAW, MIDI guitar soft- or hardware, as well as various channel and effect switching on your trusted analog amplifier. All integrated into a robust, stage-ready foot pedal with 10 programmable LED footswitches, 4 switching relays, and connections for up to 4 external footswitches plus up to 2 expression pedals. That’s a lot of switching power right at your feet: With just one press, you can send up to 16 MIDI and relay commands to instantly reconfigure your setup. Increase your pace with this powerful MIDI DAW footswitch controller!

The Power of the Switches

The programming possibilities of the Pacer are extensive. At its simplest, a switch can send a MIDI command or change the state of a relay. But the ability to send MIDI commands in a sequence of steps takes the usefulness of a preset to another level. Use one switch to send program change commands during a song, while the other switches remain free to control effects. Or switch your amp channel, start playback in your DAW, and change the program in your effects rack – all with just ONE button press within the same preset. Another 16 MIDI commands/relay settings can be programmed to trigger when one of the 24 presets is selected.

Whether you’re looking for a simple, preconfigured solution to control products like Line 6, Kemper Profiler, AxeFX, and Avid Eleven, want to control your DAW without letting go of your instrument, or want to create your own advanced setups for live show control, Pacer offers it all.

DAW Control Options

Don't stop the music: Pacer is the only true hands-free solution for controlling your DAW and features a complete set of dedicated track and transport controls. It’s MCU compatible (Mackie Control Universal) for controlling nearly any MIDI music software, with a transport preset offering control over cycle/loop, rewind, forward, stop, play, and record. Each switch has its own large icon illuminated by an RGB LED to indicate the current status. The track preset controls solo, mute, record arm, and click.

The Nektar DAW integration offers the highest level of integration with additional options for track and patch selection, individual RGB LED color feedback, and in some cases, extra functions. It supports Bitwig, Cubase, GarageBand, Logic, Nuendo, Reason, Reaper, and Studio One.

Easy Operation Even in the Dark

Pacer features 10 programmable footswitches, each equipped with an RGB LED. Added to this are a clear and large two-line LED display, a dedicated switch for preset recall, and an encoder with push switch for programming, navigation, and control. PACER definitely won’t leave you in the dark, figuratively speaking: Depending on the active mode, the icons in the upper or middle row light up. The RGB LEDs in the lower row indicate the switching state.

How It Works in Detail

Display and LEDs

The two-line red LED display shows the active preset name/number, mode, and selected parameter and value. The data encoder with push switch right next to it makes parameter selection and programming quick and easy. Each switch has its own 3-line RGB activity LED: with functions like "Click" in the top row, transport symbols in the middle, and an activity LED in the bottom row. LED settings and colors are part of a preset and customizable.

Switches A-D

These switches are fully programmable but come factory preset as follows:
A: Track preset (for DAW control)
B: Transport preset (for DAW control)
C: Load previous preset
D: Load next preset
You can reconfigure the switches to send any other function or MIDI message.

Switches 1-6

You can program these switches to send MIDI commands, control one of the 4 Pacer relays, or load presets. When DAW transport or track functions are assigned, the icons in the upper and middle rows light up by default. Notably, each switch can change up to 6 actions simultaneously or in a sequence of presses. That’s quite a lot of switching power!

Reset Switch

The Pacer has 24 presets. Each switch can be programmed to select a preset, but by pressing and holding "Preset" and then selecting a bank and number, you can do this at any time.

As mentioned, each control within a preset can be programmed with up to 6 steps or actions. Furthermore, these steps can be sent simultaneously or in a sequence of presses. When you load a preset, up to 16 MIDI commands or switch states can be sent simultaneously: making a single stomp have a pretty dramatic effect!

The Rear Connections

The Pacer’s connection options allow you to integrate both analog amplifiers with conventional footswitch jacks into your setup as well as software guitar apps or other MIDI-capable hardware. And with just one button press, you can reconfigure your entire setup with up to 16 MIDI commands or relay switch states simultaneously.

RELAY 1-4 (R1/3 & R2/4)

4 relays on two 6.3 mm jack sockets for momentary or latching operation. For channel or effect switching on a non-MIDI amplifier.

EXT FS 1-4 (FS1/3 & FS2/4)

Connect two footswitch pedals to the 6.3 mm TRS jack sockets or four footswitches with Y-splitter cables.

EXPRESSION (EXP1 & EXP2)

The 6.3 mm TRS jack sockets EXP1 & EXP2 allow connection of standard expression pedals, such as the Nektar NX-P for real-time control.

MIDI OUTPUT

The MIDI out socket can be used to connect external MIDI equipment or as a USB MIDI interface.

POWER SUPPLY

The Pacer MIDI & DAW foot controller is powered either directly via USB or an optional 9 V 600 mA power supply. A cable tie keeps everything in place.

Preinstalled Presets

• A1 - A4: Program change presets: For any MIDI-compatible device, including virtual systems like Guitar Rig.
• A5: MIDI notes: Send MIDI notes E/F#/G/A/B/C
• A6: Relay 1-4: Simple setup to try out the 4 relays. Pedals 5 and 6 switch relay behavior.
• B1: Line6 Helix 1: Pedals 1-5, snapshot, setlist, tuner, and tap tempo.
• B2: Line6 Helix 2: Pedals 6-10, snapshot, setlist, tuner, and tap tempo.
• B3: Line6 Pod HD: Control Pod HD pedals 1-8, tuner, and tap tempo.
• B4: Line6 Pod 2.0/XT: Switch individual effects of the Pod XT on and off.
• B5: Fractal Audio AxeFX 1: Individual side 1 FX, tuner, and tap tempo.
• B6: Fractal Audio AxeFX 2: Individual side 2 FX, tuner, and tap tempo.
• C1: Avid Eleven Rack: Individual FX on/off, tuner, and tap tempo.
• C2: Kemper Profiler: Individual FX on/off, tuner, and tap tempo.
• C3: Line6 PodHD/Helix Looper: Control looper functions.
• C4: Fractal Audio AxeFX Looper: Control looper functions.
• C5: Elektron Octatrack Pickup Machine: Navigate tracks and control the looper.
• C6: Electro Harmonix 45000 Looper: Navigate tracks and control the looper.
• D1: Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister: Channels, gate and boost as well as FX switching and levels via expression pedal.
• D2: LED colors: Switches 1-6 are assigned MIDI CC, each with its own color.
• D3: Keyboard toolbox: Switches and expression pedals transmit sustain, volume, and expression.
• D4: GM CCs: FX control for General MIDI Spec devices. Can be used to control soft- or hardware with MIDI learn functions.
• D5: MIDI machine control: Transport on MMC-compatible DAWs.
• D6: Step sequence demonstration: Switches 1-6 are configured as 6-step sequences.

Whether Keyboard or Digital Piano, the NX-P Works!

The Nektar NX-P is an expression pedal that works excellently with Nektar Panorama products, the new Pacer footswitch controller, and all other common keyboards and digital pianos. The polarity switch and range control ensure compatibility with all standard keyboards and various other electronic devices requiring a footswitch or expression pedal.

No Wobbling or Slipping

The rubber feet ensure the pedal stays put during performances. The polarity switch guarantees compatibility.

Professional Jack Cable with High-Quality Connectors!

The Pronomic Pro-Line cables stand for clean audio transmission and durable components. The high-quality connectors and the flexible yet robust outer jacket are absolutely stage-ready and won’t let you down even in demanding situations.

Only oxygen-free copper is used for the Pro-Line cables. This ensures durable, consistent quality and protects against corrosion. The connectors are hand-soldered and equipped with strain relief collets so that the solder joints are free from mechanical stress. A high-density copper shield effectively protects the audio signal from impact noise and electromagnetic interference, such as that generated by power supplies and power cables.

Pronomic stereo cables are especially suitable for professional device connections. The two-wire shielded cables prevent interference and hum noise in balanced connections, e.g., between mixing console and power amp. They feature high-quality 6.3 mm stereo jack plugs with gold-plated tips. This ensures clean signal transmission combined with optimal protection against corrosion.

Solid, Robust - Ideal for Studio and Stage!