Nektar Technology Inc. rolls out two the new budget USB MIDI keyboards, the Impact LX61 and Impact LX25.

These MIDI controllers directly integrate with most DAWs, with special buttons for launching relevant DAW windows and feature extensive mapping of transport functions.

You can program all the controls to send MIDI messages that will control particular features and parameters of your MIDI software or DAW. You can then store these settings in 5 user-presets for quick recall in live or studio situations. A unique pad learn function enables pads to be assigned MIDI note numbers on the fly with setups stored in an additional 4 pad maps.

Both Impact LX25 and Impact LX61 are designed to quickly integrate with popular DAWs including the Reason, Bitwig Studio, Digital Performer, Cubase, GarageBand, Nuendo, Reaper, Logic Pro,Sonar and Studio One. You can navigate through your tracks and patches right on the keyboard controllers, and you can also switch between mixer and instrument control by just pushing a button.

Thanks to automated DAW integration, parameters are conveniently pre-assigned and this includes functions for launching relevant DAW windows, right from Impact LX. Transport mapping is also expanded to beyond traditional buttons to include options to set left and right locators/loop points, click on/off and much more right on the controller hardware.

The compact Impact LX25 has a 25-note, velocity sensitive, synth-style keyboard with pitch bend and modulation wheel. Other controls include fader, 8 pots, 8 pads, and transport control. It also has 3-digit LED display, foot switch and USB sockets. This compact controller provides similar access to DAW parameters and navigation as its bigger siblings.

Impact LX61 is bigger with a comprehensive 61-note velocity sensitive, synth-style keyboard that also comes with pitch bend and modulation wheel. Because of its bigger size, it carries more controls including 9 faders, 9 MIDI buttons, 8 pots, 8 pads, and transport control. Like its smaller sibling, LX61 has a 3-digit LED display, a USB port and a foot switch socket.

The Impact LX61 is now available with an MSRP of $229.99, Impact LX25 will start shipping on May with an MSRP of $129.99. For more information, you can visit Nektar Tech.

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