Nektar Impact GX49 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Compact, Powerful, and Always in Control!

The Nektar Impact GX49 shines with its comfortably playable velocity-sensitive keyboard, pitch and modulation wheels, and backlit octave and transpose buttons, plus additional controls like an assignable rotary knob and 7 programmable MIDI/MMC transport buttons, each with 2 freely assignable functions via an extra SHIFT button. Even on its own, the Impact GX keyboards impress across the board, leaving competitors in this price range far behind. What truly sets the Impact GX keyboards apart in this price category is the direct, deep integration with all common DAW software, borrowed from the Nektar Panorama series. Supported DAWs include Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Reason, Bitwig, Studio One, Cakewalk Sonar, Digital Performer, Fruity Loops, Garageband, and Reaper.
With a simple button press, you get direct access to the connected DAW’s mixer, including track selection and volume control via the Impact GX’s central rotary knob. Patches from any software instrument can also be selected directly from the keyboard, greatly streamlining your workflow and often eliminating the need to reach for the mouse. No other USB keyboard in this price range offers such direct control!

The Keyboard of the Impact GX49 Keyboard Controller

The Impact GX49 MIDI controller keyboard is a dynamic and expressive instrument designed specifically for composing and performing with your computer music system. It’s compatible with any music software for Windows and Mac OS, and its straightforward interface makes it a great entry point into the world of Nektar controllers.

It features a 49-note keyboard (4 octaves), a pitch bend wheel, a modulation wheel, and a footswitch input. Two multicolor octave buttons allow you to shift the keyboard range up or down by -3/+4 octaves, with LED colors changing to indicate the exact status. The Impact GX series is well equipped to enable a great workflow.

Special transpose buttons let you shift the keyboard range by up to +/- 12 semitones. These buttons can quickly be reassigned to change the global MIDI channel or send program commands. Additionally, an assignable potentiometer controls any MIDI parameter, with mixer volume control set as the default.

The Nektar DAW integration for most common DAWs makes getting started easy and operating enjoyable. With the Impact GX, your keyboard controller becomes the heart of your system, giving you the creative freedom to compose, perform, and play without constantly reaching for the mouse.

Enhanced Transport Function

Eight buttons dedicated to DAW control are at the core of the Impact GX. Essential tasks like activating transport or navigating tracks are highly repetitive—and constantly grabbing the mouse can kill every spark of inspiration. Combined with Nektar DAW integration, these 8 buttons extend functionality to control transport and a variety of other important DAW functions directly from the Impact GX.

The buttons can also be assigned MIDI commands to work with any MIDI software not supported by Nektar DAW integration. Each of the 7 buttons can be programmed with a primary and secondary message, providing a total of 14 programmable options.

Nektar DAW Integration – The Right Choice for Every Situation

The Nektar DAW integration was carefully developed to provide the best experience with your Nektar hardware. It gives you the freedom to be creative without constantly reaching for the mouse when capturing ideas. Transport control with the ability to navigate and set locators, track navigation, volume control, window launching, and patch navigation are all available directly from the Impact GX. Check out the feature overview below to see how the Impact GX covers all essential functions.

MIDI Control Function and Additional Setup Features

The Impact GX49 keyboard is both a MIDI controller and a DAW controller. If you use MIDI software not supported by Nektar DAW integration, you have a range of options to configure MIDI control yourself. Each of the 14 assignable MIDI buttons, the modulation wheel, the footswitch, and of course the large rotary knob can be assigned to send MIDI CC commands. The 14 freely assignable buttons can also be configured to send program commands or MMC transport controls. MMC (MIDI Machine Control) is often supported by DAWs that don’t allow advanced integration, so the Impact GX61 covers all basics with this option. The setup menu also allows sending program commands, bank LSB/MSB, selecting one of 4 velocity curves, setting the global MIDI channel, and assigning the transpose buttons.

Connectivity with Apple & iOS

As a low-power USB device, the Impact GX works with all USB devices that have a class-compliant MIDI driver. This includes all Windows versions from XP upwards, Apple OS X 10.5 and higher, and Linux (provided a USB MIDI driver package is installed). And if you’re often on the go, you can easily connect your Impact GX keyboard to an Apple iPad using the optional Apple Camera Connection Kit (sold separately). Naturally, the Impact GX is powered via the iPad, so you can work as long as your iPad is charged.

BITWIG 8-TRACK Software Included

Bitwig 8-Track comes with every Impact USB MIDI keyboard controller, so you can produce, perform, and design sounds like a pro from day one. With Bitwig 8-Track, you get access to over 50 software instruments and effects that you can use on up to 8 audio or MIDI project tracks, and you can also use all third-party VST plug-ins. The Bitwig Essentials Package, an extremely versatile, handpicked selection of loops, clips, and samples, is also included to help you get started. Altogether, this provides a powerful sketchpad for your musical ideas, offering the proven workflow of Bitwig Studio.

The Nektar DAW integration supports Bitwig 8-Track, making the combination of Nektar Impact LX+ and Bitwig 8-Track fantastic. If you’re just starting out, you’ll find this the perfect way to take your first steps into digital music production. And if you’re already familiar with computer software, you’ll be amazed at what this combination offers!