Nektar Impact LX MK3: New MIDI Controllers Offer Deeper DAW Integration, NKS Support, Amazing Price
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Need a MIDI controller to work with your DAW? Get excited about the new Nektar Impact LX MK3 keyboards with 25, 49 and 61 keys.
Nektar Impact LX MK3
There are lots of companies making MIDI controllers and they all offer something different. Nektar has gone after the market that prizes DAW control over piano-like playability. Its latest MIDI controller series, Nektar Impact LX MK3, will offer 25-, 49-, and 61-key controllers with deep DAW integration and even NKS compatibility.
Nektar Impact LX MK3: New Modes and Controls
Compared to the original Impact LX+ series, the new LX MK3 controllers feature three new modes. The big selling point are the scale and chord modes, which can help you get a big sound from basic chords. There are also two new hold modes for doing interesting things with legato playing.
There’s also a large knob for quickly adjusting volume and pan on the selected DAW track. You can also use this to control plugin instrument parameters in instrument mode, which Nektar ported over from its Panorama CS12. If you prefer to use the faders, you can engage Grab mode to assign parameters to any of the eight faders. The new Nektar Impact LX MK3 controllers also sport endless high-resolution encoders rather than pots as on the older models.
There’s no aftertouch or MIDI in/out, however, with all data transfer handled by USB-C.
Nektar Impact LX MK3: DAW Loop Control
Nektar has designed these new controllers from the ground up with DAW integration in mind. Case in point are the new loop modes. Using the dedicated buttons on the unit itself, you can control the DAW timeline and even set up loop points. There’s also a loop recording mode. Engage it and the LX MK3 will record a loop, cut it up and present it on the buttons for further tweaking.
“It’s very very simple for loop-based recording,” Tim from Nektar says in the Sonicstate demo video (below).
Nektar Impact LX MK3: NKS Compatibility
Native Instruments announced that third-parties could now use NKS technology in their controllers, and that includes Nektar. Accordingly, the new LX MK3 controllers offer control over compatible software instruments, including parameter adjustment, patch selection and even plugin selection.
Nektar Impact LX MK3: Price and Availability
Nektar plans to sell the new Impact LX MK3 units at very affordable prices.
- LX25: $129
- LX49: $199
- LX61: $229
There’s no word yet on when they’ll be available.
More Information
- Nektar home page
- All about Nektar
- All about MIDI controllers
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