NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

The NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ is a 61-note USB MIDI keyboard controller from Nektar’s LX+ generation: the step up from the GX range for producers who want pads, a fader and hands-on mixing as well as keys. Alongside 61 velocity-sensitive synth-action keys, it offers eight velocity-sensitive performance pads with assignable colours, a 30 mm fader, eight control pots, and a full set of transport and navigation controls, all tied together by Nektar’s intelligent DAW mapping for the major DAWs. Bitwig 8-Track software is included, so the keyboard arrives with a DAW to learn on, and the pads can be assigned to MIDI notes or messages for drums, samples and clip launching. This is the LX+ model, not the later LX mk3: it has the LX+ control layout with a fader and pots rather than the mk3’s encoder and fader bank, and buyers comparing generations should keep that distinction in mind.

Why Choose NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ USB MIDI Keyboard Controller?

The NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ earns its place because it covers the three jobs a home-studio controller is asked to do – playing, drumming and mixing – in one desk-sized unit. The pads give finger drumming and sample triggering without a second device, the fader and pots give volume and plug-in control that a mouse cannot match for feel, and the intelligent DAW mapping means transport, mixer and instrument controls follow the DAW’s own layout instead of needing to be programmed from scratch. Sixty-one keys cover most keyboard parts without octave shifting, and the included Bitwig 8-Track software means a new producer can start arranging with the keyboard alone. For studios that already own a DAW, the LX61+ drops into Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic, GarageBand, Studio One, FL Studio, Reason, Reaper, Nuendo, Digital Performer and SONAR workflows through Nektar’s integration.

Key Features of NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

• 61 velocity-sensitive keys: Full-size synth-action keyboard for playing parts, splits and layered sounds.
• 8 performance pads: Velocity-sensitive pads with assignable colours, assignable to MIDI notes or messages for drums and samples.
• Hands-on mixing: 30 mm fader and 8 control pots for volume, mixer and plug-in control.
• Intelligent DAW mapping: Nektar DAW integration for major DAWs, with transport, mixer and instrument control from the hardware.
• Bitwig 8-Track included: Complete starter DAW included with the keyboard.
• USB MIDI controller: Single USB connection for the computer; fully MIDI programmable from the device.

Best Suited For

The NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ suits home-studio producers who play keys, program drums and mix in one session, and songwriters who want a single controller for a laptop rig. It suits desks where a 61-note board plus pads replaces two separate devices. It is not a piano-action keyboard for classical practice, and it is not the later LX mk3: buyers who specifically want the mk3’s encoders, Scale, Chord and Hold modes, and NKS plug-in browsing should choose the LX mk3 models instead.

Setup and Connection Guide

Connect the NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ to the computer with a USB cable and install the Nektar DAW Integration files for your DAW, selecting the LX61+ as the control surface in the DAW’s preferences. Open Bitwig 8-Track or your preferred DAW, load a software instrument, and play it from the keys; assign the pads to drum sounds or samples, and map the fader and pots to mixer volume and plug-in parameters. Use the transport controls for recording and playback, and the navigation controls to move between tracks and patches without reaching for the mouse. Keep the keyboard at playing height with the screen visible above it, so the pads, fader and keys stay in one working arc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ the same as the LX61 mk3?

No. The LX61+ is the earlier LX+ generation, with a fader and control pots. The LX mk3 generation adds full-resolution encoders, a fader bank, Scale, Chord and Hold modes, and NKS plug-in support.

Can the pads on the NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ play drums?

Yes. The eight velocity-sensitive pads can be assigned to MIDI notes or messages, so they can trigger drum sounds, samples and clips in the DAW.

Does the NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ include a DAW?

Yes, Bitwig 8-Track software is included, and the keyboard also integrates with the major DAWs through Nektar DAW Integration.

Technical Specifications

The table below summarises the published specifications of the NEKTAR IMPACT LX61+ USB MIDI Keyboard Controller. Where a detail varies by region or by the software version supplied at purchase, the supplied manual for the exact unit remains the final reference.

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