Nektar has introduced two new USB MIDI controller keyboards, the Impact GX49 and GX61, featuring Nektar’s DAW integration features.
Nektar’s DAW Integration supports the most commonly used DAWs, letting you use the GXs as a controller keyboard to compose, perform and play, without having to reach for the mouse constantly.
Nektar DAW Integration for Impact GX49 and GX61 currently supports: Apple GarageBand and Logic Pro, Bitwig 8-Track, Bitwig Studio, Cakewalk Sonar, Cockos Reaper, Image Line FL Studio, MOTU Digital Performer, PreSonus Studio One Artist, Propellerhead Reason, Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo.
Eight buttons intended for DAW control are at the center of the Impact GX. Highly repetitive tasks like transport activation or navigating tracks do not require reaching for the mouse every time. Used with Nektar DAW integration, the 8 buttons extend functionality includes control over transport and a host of other important DAW functions, right from Impact GX.
The buttons can also be assigned to MIDI messages for use with any MIDI software that’s not supported by Nektar DAW Integration. A primary and a secondary message can be programmed for each of 7 buttons, delivering 14 programmable options total.
Impact GX also works with all USB devices that feature a Class compliant MIDI driver. That includes all version of Windows from XP and higher, Apple OS X 10.5 and higher plus Linux (as long as a USB MIDI driver package is installed).
Impact GX keyboards also work with an Apple iPad using the iPad’s USB camera connection kit (optional). The Impact GX is powered by the iPad which makes it a fully mobile music performance and recording system.
Pricing and Availability
The Nektar GX49 and GX61 are expected to be available at the end of May 2016:
- Impact GX49: MAP / SSP = $99.99 / £74.99 / €99.99
Impact GX61: MAP / SSP = $119.99 / £82.99 / €109.99
See the Nektar site for details.
When will MIDI keyboards support chords (arps) and scales without the use of software like Komplete Kontrol?
I think Arturia keystep may have your answers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TkNI2Tn6Qs
When will MIDI keyboards look like the synthesizers they’re meant to control?
Not to take away from this one. $120 for 5 octaves and any reasonable amount of screen-avoiding DAW integration is a great deal. Though, no aftertouch and only 4 velocity curves is a little troublesome. Whatever, it’s still inexpensive for what it is.
Nektar makes nice stuff. Hopefully this price point introduces new customers to them and at least gets them on the radar of people looking to spend $200-$500 for their more full featured controllers.
Odd that they left Ableton Live out while supporting EVERY competitor.
Nektar products usually are bundled with a light version of BitWig. I am guessing that has something to do with it.
According to Nektar, Ableton has not been exactly cooperative when it comes to assisting them with creating a controller that is tightly integrated with Live. They’d rather not support the DAW than do partial integration. Sounds like Ableton would prefer people bought Push.
That’s a shame because the integration level that Nektar has created is among some of the best out there. The Panorama’s control of Reason cannot be beat.
Velocity ?
Aftertouch / pressure ?
DIN MIDI ?
Tiny pitch / mod wheels !
No sliders / faders = need to reach for my mouse now 😐