Nektar Impact LX49+ USB MIDI Controller Keyboard with Nektar DAW Integration,Dark Grey

This is a a great value and a very versatile midi controller. It works will all major DAW software including Ableton Live (despite some of the descriptions to the contrary about it being difficult to use with Ableton Live). I had no issue using it with Ableton Live or Reaper however, it works best with PreSonus Studio One Version 5 and the included license for the Bitwig DAW. The Nektar seems easier to setup completely (apart from the piano keyboard, the volume and mixing controls are easier to setup in Studio One and Bitwig but I also got them to work in Ableton. Reaper was the most difficult setup but it does work.) within those DAWs and it also has no issue with notation software like Musescore, Sibelius and Notion. The keyboard itself has semi-weighted keys so it is easier to play than a regular piano so if you're looking for a more piano-like keyboard, try a keyboard with fully-weighted keys (the Nektar is semi-weighted). The drum pads work very well as do the mixing controls. This is an excellent, feature-rich value at the <$200 range so I highly recommend this Nektar LX49.

Setup was easy and painless with Reaper. I installed some really old versions of Reaper and had to use a generic set up and still it worked great/works great. I had to delete the roaming data to reinstall it on reaper's newer version after my tinkering in old versions. It feels solidly built. I am glad I didn't go with a cheaper model or one that was harder to set up. I am able to buy Reaper for $60 and play with free VSTs to my heart's content. I looked at more expensive software and synths but really for my level of expertise and dedication, Reaper and free VSTs is where I need to stay. But the keyboard worked with lots of different software without a problem for the basic features. I am not experienced enough to comment on the extra bells and whistles this comes with as I have not played with them that much. But they seem to be working. I feel like it will last and it was not much more to buy this instead of a less well made keyboard. I'm happy with this one. The 49 key is as large as I can fit on my desk. I ended up getting a mini keyboard and mouse to use while it is out. My husband added a shelf above my desk for it when I am not using it. The shelf is 2x10 and it overhangs slightly with the cord removed. I am using a powered USB hub with it and have had no issues with power being interrupted. The keys themselves seem full size, not skinny little things. It has some weight to it. I am really happy with this product and would buy from this company again in the future if I wanted to upgrade. I love having the extra keys so I can get a range of sounds out of the synths, for me the 49 key is perfect for now.

Great keyboard and works great with Studio One. However, don't purchase the keyboard relying upon the included Bitwig Studio software. It is terrible and actually its inclusion gives Nektar a bad reputation. It doesn't load properly on MANY computers and attempts to get it to work, to contact support are Very time consuming and didn't fix the loading problem. Again, I'd give the keyboard a 5, but they need to replace the included software!

This is a phenomenal synthesizer for the price it is at. I haven't used it in a long time due to real life concerns but when I eventually go back to making music, I'll blow off the dust and start using it right away. Worth every penny!

First of all this has turned out to be a great midi keyboard. I searched for a couple of months for something that would be a good fit for an iMac/ Logic Pro set up and was close to buying the Arturia brand but I felt when finally comparing Nektar to Arturia they were very similar products however Nektar had the edge both in value for money and ease of use. The Nektar looks good and all the buttons and knobs do something. Once you go through the software integration process you will discover that the track volume controls are already mapped to Logic. Very handy. The knobs for control of your synthesizing needs are not and I am yet to manually map these. The keyboard feels fine. There is good enough sensitivity to the keys for loud and quiet play. I’ve played piano for thirty years and the keys were as expected for a midi. Plastic. Surprisingly I have used the pads. They are fun and if you like creating your own drum beat then they are good to have. To summarize I’m very happy with this midi. I’m still learning all the functions of Logic and Nektar but it’s good value, easy to use and FUN!!

I have purchased three midi controllers from three different makers over the past 2 years. This one in particular was a gift for my son, although I did try it out with him for a while after he opened it. Thus, my opinions are on that short use. Hardware: Compared to the other two midi controllers I own (Akai MPK249 and NI Komplete S 49 MK2) the hardware of this controller is not as nice. However, it is also MUCH less expensive, so that should be expected. Compared to other midi controllers in this price range, the hardware seems about the same as others. So, more or less a wash IMHO. Software / DAW integration: This is where Nektar products shine in my opinion. If your DAW is on the list of supported DAWs, then the integration really helps make this controller far more usable than most other controllers. I have heard that Moog and other high-end controllers in the $2k price range have great DAW integration as well, but I wouldn't know. From what I saw and from what my son has told me, it automatically maps the transport and smart controls in Logic ProX to the rotary encoders, and maps the faders to the mixer controls. Very nice compared to what most midi controllers provide out of the box. Compared to my Akai MPK which has virtually no DAW integration, this is MUCH better. Compared to my Native Instruments Komplete S49 MK2, the DAW integration is about the same. (If you know about NI S49 MK2, you know the main point is integration with NI Komplete software, not really the native DAW instruments. In this regard the Nektar's integration with stock Logic instruments is better than my NI S49 MK2). Let's face it, unless you're a professional musician performing on stage, software integration is what really makes a midi controller useful, so in that case this is one of the best priced options you could make IMHO.

First of all, The shipping was delayed due to holiday rush but that shouldn't affect my review as I got pleasantly surprised when I hooked up this midi controller to my computer. Registration process was simple and intuitive. didn't even read the manual. downloaded driver and my god. - Logic X and Cubase integration are amazing. It has VST integration, mixer integration, track control integration, and of course full midi. - Keys are fine. keybed spring action needs some time to get used to specially if you are like me and used to play with piano. - VST controls is amazing and programmable - It does a very good job even as a mixer controller with 8 track full control. - The pad control was another surprise. not only it is responsive and has configurable pressure sensitivity but you can use it for different things not only drum pad. I am still exploring all the things this little affordable midi controller does but boy Nektar did a fine job here. Five star for sure.

I am a skilled musician, been at it for over 15 years (multiple instruments) but i never owed a midi keyboard, or any piano for that matter. So while i do not have a ton of things to compare this to, this is an absolutely amazing investment to my music collection. All quality construction, they keys have a nice wight to them and will recognize how hard you hit the key quite well, all the many, many knobs can easily be programmed in your DAW, with out the box support (in my case FL studio). This thing has added such a dynamic to my recordings i absolutely love it. I will be getting my lil bro one for xmas. Very nice build quality and easy to use out the box. Many nice knobs you can program to control many, many levels in your DAW. Fun to dabble and learn simple piano licks, but nice enough to where a piano player will enjoy playing this. and obviously infinite sounds possiblities with your VSTs out there.

great device to learn to play the piano, free Bitwig software licence which was unexpected however a great surprise. happy days all round

I'll order this midi keyboard and this keyboard quality is awesome

Très bon rapport qualité prix et solidité, pour le son ça dépend de votre logiciel

En lo que a mí respecta, estoy SÚPER SATISFECHO, por el precio, te dan un teclado realmente muy bueno, me sorprendió la calidad. Ya lo tengo hace, más o menos un año. El mío es el Nektar Impact LX49+ Este teclado tiene un ALGO que es menospreciado, a mi entender, por la gran mayoría de las personas, de los músicos, creo que es porque no lo saben. ¿De qué se trata? De la INTEGRACIÓN !!! Si lo aprendes a utilizar bien, tienes algo así como una especie de prolongación de lo que es Cubase, es increíble todo lo que puedes manejar, automatizar, rutear, es extraordinario, porque aumenta la velocidad de tu trabajo musical. Es súper liviano en cuanto al software "driver" que se instala, lo que es muy importante. Novation, por ejemplo, suele tener un software muy pesado en algunos de sus modelos, y eso hace todo más lento. los Nektar en general, se atan a tu DAW, (si es que están dentro de la lista de soportados, como Bitwig y Cubase, por ejemplo), de una manera estrechísima. El teclado, sin dudas, es mejor que, por ejemplo, el M-Audio Keystation, que tiene un precio superior y no tiene controlles MIDI casi de nada. Los pads y su tecnología, en los Nektar, son de gran calidad, diría que están en el tope de la lista. Los potenciometros y los deslizables, me sorprendió la calidad que tienen, muy buenos. Realmente, esta gente le ha puesto muchas ganas al producto, me inspiraron tanto que hasta escribí a la central agradeciéndoles por tal creación. NOTA FINAL: Si te pones las pilas, estudia cómo funciona, aprendes sobre la compatibilidad y posibilidades de manejo de tu DAW, el que sea, como en mi caso, Cubase, bueno..., ahí es donde comienza a brillar, y te darás cuenta de que no es sólo un teclado, sino, francamente, UNA GRAN HERRAMIENTA DE TRABAJO, que es lo que yo quería, que se "casa" paso a paso y parte por parte, con tus VST y con tu DAW. No podría estar más contento y más agradecido, es un teclado genial, altamente recomendado.

Bra keyboard, lätt att installera och ganska lätt att programmera för att styra vst appar.