Nektar Impact LX25+ USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration

I have two old hardware synths and Reaper. Although my synths are great at making incredible noises, they can also be used as MIDI keyboards. But it's clunky; I can't get a five octave keyboard on the desk (so they're not conveniently sited), and these keyboards can't control the play back or mixers, and they don't have drum pads. Functional, but not ideal. What should I do? I know; why not buy a modern two octave controller?Doing some research, this one seemed like the Reaper community's control keyboard of choice. With manufacturer supplied DAW support, it's excellent. A few quick setup steps gets you where you need to be -- register the device with Nektar, they'll link you to a zip file with an executable and some Reaper-specific doc. Run the executable, follow the simple steps you need to make in Reaper's config, and you're off. Easy -- takes less than ten mins.As for the device itself -- brilliant. USB powered (so no power cables to add your under-desk spaghetti). But with no need for a driver install. Works out of the box. Feels solid, with professional quality resistance on the faders and pots. Nice keyboard for the price; not weighted, but springy rather than flabby. I'm using the default sensitivity curve since I unboxed in and it's good and subtle, but if you want to change the velocity sensitivity, there are five choices of curve. And you can load user or default instrument maps (default drum pads worked straight away with the Manda Audio MT Power Drumkit VST, for example). So no more config required except for advanced tweaks. You can save five user preset maps in the keyboard itself -- but Reaper's "learn" functions and the ability to save unlimited instrument or device maps via Reaper dialogues essentially means you can set up anything with a bit of patience.Nice navigation too -- you quickly learn some easy shortcuts, like changing the octave of the keyboard, or speedily navigating to the mixer. You can control the mixer's volume or pan using the pots for eight tracks, and jump to the next eight using a quick shortcut. You can display a VST instrument GUI and hide it with button combos, and manage the playback.Very configurable, very functional, productive straight away. What an excellent device. I recommend, especially for Reaper users although I've heard good reports for Ableton and Pro Tools users, too. I can't imagine what I would have got for less than £100 that would have been better. Good work Nektar.EDIT: Just updated slightly to correct some atrocious typo's.EDIT, JUNE 2022:I just was talking about controller keyboards to a studio pal and wondered if my review was still here -- and here we are! I would like to report that my Nektar is still working perfectly. I use it nigh on every day.Some of the negative reviews I see near here may be worth commenting on. I can tell some were by people who are new to Music Production or who didn't read the manual. There are three things that I've spotted a few times:- One or two seem to have been broken on arrival. (My response -- that could happen with basically anything in the world. Return it for a refund and order another one. Stuff happens -- why moan about something like that?!)- Some people have reported that they feel like the have to hit the keys hard. What you need to do in this case is change to one of the alternative "velocity curves". Nektar have thought about this and implemented velocity curves to suit different playing styles.- Some people have reported about a delay. Well, yes. There are a variety of things to consider; most professional DAWs (I use Reaper, but there are many others) allow you to manage latency. You might need to adjust the latency in your setup -- it doesn't really mean there's an issue with the Nektar. It's more likely to be your USB connectors, bluntly. Anyway, pro music producers understand this and set up latency compensation accordingly. Also, if you're using a software synth (commonly a VSTi or similar), beware you're not using a patch with a slow attack time. If you don't know what that means then you need to look at some YouTube videos on Synth Theory, not blame the Nektar.As I say, as an experienced producer, I can tell some of the newbie comments. My advice is to beware not to confuse people's inexperience with actual problems with the Nektar.Now, all that said, I wouldn't want to discourage Newbies ever. Music production is an amazing, incredible journey. there is much to learn. The Nektar is a great tool in your armoury, honestly. Good luck.(PS. I promise I don't work for Nektar or anything! Ha ha! I just know £77 well spent when I see it!)

I'm very new to music production, but having previously purchased the Nektar SE25 I have slowly increased my knowledge base, and skills. So I decided to aim a little higher with this model. Since both come with a free copy of Bitwig 8 track studio I was already set up to go. I also use FL Studio which like Bitwig is very easy to map with the fader and the 8 rotary switches, the instructions are quite comprehensive if you have a basin comprehension of midi systems. After a short play around and a fairly steep learning curve, I was of and creating music. The controls are all quite tactile and you definitely get a feel for what you are attempting to achieve. The keyboard has 25 normal size keys which also function well and their sensitivity can be easily altered as described in the brief manual. Recording,play, and stop are all controlled by a control bank located just above the keyboard. This can obviously also been done using your DAW, but these controls save time. The drum pads can be mapped to most drum VST plug ins and their sensitivity can also be changed quite easily. The drum pads make creating a beat very easy and a whole lot of fun. As always you get what you pay for, this is not perfect,but it is very good, and excellent value for money.

I bough this Nektar Impact LX25+ to control Cubase 10.5 as I was tired of using my mouse to control soft synth parameters. The DAW software download/install process was a little bit fiddly so I've given 4/5 stars on that front, but once you are past that and have downloaded the appropriate software for your DAW it really is a breeze.Very impressed with the level of tactile control this unit affords, and amazingly I have been able to map a magazine giveaway synth (CM-303 from way back in 2006!) to the control pots on the Impact LX25+ meaning that I have control over cutoff, resonance, envelope, decay and more all at once. I haven't yet investigated all the features of the Impact LX25+ but look forward to learning more.A really good product, seems sturdy enough for the long run too.

I am using this with cubase and it is a fantastic price of kit. The transport functions improve work flow and the quick keys to bring up the mixer mean you don't have to reach for the mouse so much. The keys feel ok and the velocity curve isnt as linear as it could be but it is still very useable. The only regret I have is that I didn't get the 88 key version.

Bought this for my husband and this is his review.The Nektar Impact LX25+ far exceeds my expectations, it is well made and looks expensive, visually you only see a fraction of it’s capabilities, but most of the buttons and keys are multi functional, it can send all LSB, MSB CC and Program Change messages - and it’s all powered by the iPad, (its a good idea to use a usb powered hub to save the iPad battery).I specifically bought it so that I could use it on my lap with my iPad whilst comfortably sitting on my recliner. I also initially wanted to be able to operate Cubasis3 transport controls using the transport controls on the keyboard, but sadly this feature has not yet been implemented in Cubasis. The rotary controls are already mapped to operate all the controls of almost all my synths within Cubasis with ease and precision, you can create your own midi maps and save them as presets.Money definitely well spent.

Having owned a Nektar Panorama P4 for many years I wanted a more portable MIDI keyboard. The LX25+ is an absolute bargain. Deep integration with many DAWs, I use it specifically with Reason 11 and it drastically improves your workflow. The pads feel sturdy and responsive. Simple transport controls that will work with any DAW and the ability to control VST and RE (if using Reason). Big Nektar fan here!