Nektar Impact LX61+ USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

More Control + More Creativity = More LX+!

The Impact LX61+ USB-MIDI controller keyboard is packed with intelligent, expressive control options you don't usually find on many premium products. Ever wanted a keyboard controller that automatically connects to your DAW? The Impact LX+ does exactly that.

Nektar's DAW integration, developed specifically for Bitwig, Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar and Studio One, takes the Impact LX61+ far beyond what a typical USB-MIDI controller keyboard offers. The Impact LX61+ does the heavy lifting so you can focus on your creativity.

The Impact MIDI Controller With 61 Keys

The 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard features a synth-action with medium tension. The full-size piano-style keys are covered to protect against dust and dirt while enhancing the Impact LX61+ design. With 4 velocity curves that progressively increase sensitivity, there's a setting for every playing style. If you don't need velocity sensitivity, 3 fixed velocity levels provide a consistent output. Octave and transpose buttons, plus pitch-bend and modulation wheels, are within easy reach so you can quickly shift the keyboard up or down or add extra articulation with the wheels.

Octave & Transpose Buttons

The 4 octave and transpose buttons offer more than meets the eye. Four functions are directly selectable so you can make important changes at any time, even while playing. A key combination makes assignment quick and simple.

Options include sending MIDI program messages, changing the global MIDI channel, or selecting one of the Impact LX61+'s 5 user presets using the Octave or Transpose buttons.

The Control Hub in the Middle of the Panel

9 x 30 mm faders, 9 MIDI buttons and 8 encoders sit at the heart of the Impact LX61+ control panel. Every control is fully programmable to send any MIDI CC commands for use with hardware or software MIDI products. Combined with Nektar's DAW integration, the knobs gain a life of their own, offering flexible, pre-programmed DAW control that gives you the best of both worlds. Control settings can be stored in one of the 5 Impact LX61+ presets and recalled at any time. And when you enable the Zero function, all parameter values are preserved when you change presets so you avoid parameter jumps.

Assignable LED Buttons Combined With Perfect MIDI Integration

The Impact LX61+'s 8 velocity-sensitive pads make creating grooves and beats a breeze. The pads are calibrated to trigger on light touches, bringing finger-drumming with smooth and consistent dynamics well within reach. Each pad can be assigned any MIDI note number or MIDI CC command to use as a MIDI trigger or toggle button. Best of all is the "Pad Learn" function — simply select a pad, play the desired note or drum sound on the keyboard, and the assignment is done. No complex menus for a task that's essential to getting the most from the pads. Assignments are saved when the unit powers down, so you won't lose your settings overnight. You can also store your settings to any of 4 pad-map memory slots for later recall.

The four-color LED lighting not only looks great but also shows which pad-map is loaded and can even indicate what type of MIDI command each pad sends. With Nektar DAW integration, the pads are automatically mapped in applications like Reason and Bitwig. The Clips and Scenes buttons are used in Bitwig to trigger clips and scenes. In Reason, clever control of Reason's position points creates a similar scene-triggering experience in any Reason song.

Nektar DAW Software Integration

Impact LX61+'s software integration supports most common DAWs. A shared workflow provides access to many of the functions you'll need most during recording and performance with your Impact LX61+. The best part is it's all set up for you: complete the installation process and start making music. Impact LX61+'s DAW integration currently supports Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar and Studio One. Keys and controls are labeled so you don't have to remember assignments. That's why the Impact LX61+ is simple to use, but with enough extra power under the hood to challenge even experienced power users.

Transport Buttons Make Navigation Easier

The 6 dedicated transport buttons are always within reach and control Cycle, Rewind, Forward, Stop, Play and Record. Press the shift key to access alternate functions like Goto L, Set L, Set R, Undo, Click and Mode. Dedicated track up/down and patch up/down buttons sit beneath the display.

Ultimate Mixer Control

Press "Mixer" and the first 8 faders on the Impact LX61+ map to control 8 channels of your DAW mixer. The "Bank up/down" function changes the assignment to the next or previous group of 8 channels. The 9th fader is assigned to the currently selected channel so you always know where it lives.

The buttons under the faders follow the channel assignment of their corresponding fader and can control Mute or Solo. Pan for the group of 8 channels controlled by the faders is handled by the 8 encoders. Fader 9 controls the volume of the current mixer channel as well as the master volume.

To help you manage screen space, Impact LX61+ also includes shortcuts to open and close your DAW's mixer window so you can keep an eye on the mix.

Custom Instrument Presets for Playful Pre-Sets

The instrument panel assigns all the encoders to an instrument's parameters as soon as an instrument track in your DAW is selected. Nektar mapping ensures this happens automatically so you can start fine-tuning immediately. Even better: many devices and plug-ins are already mapped to match the Impact LX61+'s blue controls.

The Page Button

With Nektar DAW integration you can switch between the default and user pages using the Page button, with LEDs clearly showing which page is active. Each page changes the assignment of the 8 pots, with the User page providing space for your custom mappings. Many pre-mapped plugins take advantage of both pages. For example, the pots can provide direct access to the parameters of Oscillator 1 and Oscillator 2, and the Page button switches between the oscillators.

Also, in a typical control layout the ADSR envelopes for amp and filter are placed on the faders for immediate access, whether the Default or User page is selected.

Grab and Nektar Maps

The Nektar "Grab" mode lets you temporarily assign parameters to the controls while working on a project. Hold shift and move the parameter you want to control, then move the Impact LX61+ control you'd like to assign it to. Some DAWs even allow saving "grabbed" parameters in a Nektar map, meaning you can fully customize your assignments for future use. Implementation depends on the DAW.

User Presets and MIDI Programming

If you mainly want to use your DAW's MIDI-learn functions, the Impact LX61+ is easy to work with. There are 2 non-overlapping, write-protected presets on the mixer and instrument buttons so you can quickly switch between independent, unique setups. These presets are also used for the Impact LX61+'s integrated DAW support. Additionally, 5 user presets are programmed for GM-compatible and learn-friendly setups, which you can of course overwrite with your own settings. This lets you configure the Impact LX61+ for use with Pro Tools or Ableton Live, which both have limited native integration. With the Impact LX61+'s generic MIDI controller capabilities you can go a long way. When the Zero function is enabled, parameter values are preserved when switching presets so you avoid parameter jumps.

Connectivity With Apple & iOS

The rear panel of the Impact LX61+ includes connections for:

• USB port for power and data connection to your computer or iPad (via the optional Apple USB Camera Connection Kit)
• Assignable footswitch jack (pedal not included)
• Power switch

As a bus-powered USB device, the Impact LX61+ works with all USB hosts that provide a class-compliant MIDI driver. That includes Windows versions from XP upwards, Apple OS X 10.5 and higher, and Linux (if a USB-MIDI driver package is installed). If you're frequently on the go, you can easily connect your Impact LX61+ keyboard to an Apple iPad using the optional Apple USB Camera Connection Kit. The Impact LX will be powered by the iPad so you can work as long as the iPad battery lasts.

Bitwig 8-Track Software Included

Bitwig 8-Track ships with every Impact LX+ so you can produce, perform and design sounds like a pro from day one. Bitwig 8-Track gives you access to over 50 software instruments and effects across up to 8 audio or MIDI project tracks, and you can use third-party VST plug-ins as well. The Bitwig Essentials package — a versatile, hand-picked selection of loops, clips and samples — is also included to help you get started. Together, these tools form a powerful sketchpad for your musical ideas with the proven Bitwig Studio workflow.

Nektar's DAW integration supports Bitwig 8-Track, making the combination of Nektar Impact LX+ and Bitwig 8-Track an excellent pairing. If you're just starting out, you'll find this is the perfect way to take your first steps into digital music production. And if you're already comfortable with music software, you'll be amazed at what this combination can do!