NAMM: THE BIGGEST EVER IMPACT
22 January 2015
Nektar has released a full range 88-note version of its flagship Impact LX keyboards – the Impact LX88; the largest keyboard controller ever released by the company.
Rumours about the LX88 release have been swirling for almost a year to the day. The company had a prototype of the LX88 on display at last year’s NAMM show, and many thought it would be released sometime last November. So it’s been quite the wait for those eager to get their hands on it.
Along with all those keys, the new LX features nine faders, nine control buttons, eight pots, six transport buttons, eight velocity sensitive pads, foot switch socket, split, layer, MIDI out and control wheels. Also included are five user presets designed for GM setups, switching between pre-mapped setups and for use with ‘MIDI learn’ capable DAWs or other software.
The split, layer and MIDI out functionality gives users the ability to set split point, program MIDI channels, Octave and transpose settings, then send program changes for each zone in real time.
The keyboard also comes with integrated Nektar Impact DAW, currently supporting Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Studio One and Sonar with additional template setups for Ableton Live and Avid Pro Tools.
A few interesting additions to the DAW functionality is the unique ‘Grab’ feature (only usable on supported DAWs) allowing users to literally ‘grab‘ several instrument parameters and map them to any controls. In an effort to stop parameter jumping, the company has included a ‘soft-takeover’ function, only allowing parameter changes to controls, when its physical position matches the DAW parameter position. A ‘mixer preset’ is also included, giving volume, pan, mute and solo assignment to banks of 8 tracks in your DAW. Along with a bank up/down function that moves the assignments of controls to cover all mixer channels
The eight velocity sensitive pads feature a ‘learn function’ for mapping sounds quickly to pads, and it also has transport buttons, that allow you to move loop points, without the need for a mouse.
Finally, the new keyboard will also ship with PreSonus Studio One Artist DAW (we reviewed the Pro version of Studio One, here) which is a good addition for those who have yet to purchase a DAW, or just to add to your audio editing tool bag.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Impact LX88 is currently only available in a small number of territories, but will be available worldwide by the end of February, with a RRP of US$329.99/ EU€289.99/ GB£219.99. No word as yet on Australian prices. For more info, check: ww.nektartech.com
Australian Distributor: Sound & Music www.sound-music.com
Excerpts from Press release
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