Nektar's new Impact LX 49+ MIDI controller keyboard is an update to their budget Impact LX range, but with several new features.

It has the same parameter mapping technology found in their top of the range Panorama keyboards, its but the savings come through LED display, less controls, no moving fader and more affordable keybed.

What Nektar has also done is to add common synthesis parameters, screen printed onto the the unit and mapped either by hand, or using intelligent algorithms in their driver to make an educated guess as to which plug-in parameters should go where.

There is natvie DAW control for: Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar and Studio One. Other DAWs may be supported with generic MIDI control mappings.

We had a visit from product developer Tim Chandler to give us the low down on what the LX+ offers. Which we have to say seems pretty impressive when you consider the price.

Available now as 49 and 61 key versions, with 88 and 25 on the way.

LX 49+ $199/£139 and LX 61+ $299/£169 both come with Bitwig 8 Track software as standard.

More Information

• Nektartech.com

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