Having knobs on your MIDI controller means you can assign them to any effects and layer them up in real-time without the need to access each plugin and tweak them with your mouse. To be honest, it’s mostly for synth gurus who know what sound they desire and how to get it from rotating the countless knobs and customizing settings on the screen. They can be either 270 degrees or endless rotary. There isn’t much difference, but the endless rotary knobs can be adjusted to be less sensitive, which adds more control, especially if your fingers aren’t trained. To make it a fair fight, let’s compare Impact LX25+ MIDI controller to other 25-key MIDI keyboards that take a big chunk of the market as well. Nektar Impact LX25+ VS Akai MPK Mini MK2 I'm not a huge synth tweaker or sound designer. When I'm making beats, I tend to cycle through presets for each instrument and, if necessary, make minor changes to the sound by twisting the knobs to improve on it if I wish. Not saying that's the “correct” way to make beats — it's just the way that I like to do things. So to me, knobs on a MIDI controller is an optional feature that I personally don't use so much. The one caveat I found in this department was Ableton Live integration. While the Nektar LX25+ does automatically work with Ableton Live, it only functions as a generic controller.

I usually went through plugin presets and found the sounds I like without touching the knobs. Once or twice, I stumbled onto some interesting sounds by adjusting a knob sound. I think this is a smart move from Nektar. Let’s be honest, people often don’t use the software that comes with controllers unless they are well-known applications or plugins. The fact that you don’t need to install additional software to configure it to your DAW is also a major point. The Nektar "Grab" mode allow you to temporarily assign parameters to controls as you work on your project. It's as easy as holding down shift while moving the parameters on the instrument you want to control followed by moving the controls on Impact LX25+ you want them assigned to. Some DAWs even supports saving "grabbed" parameters to a Nektar map* which means you can completely customize your assignments for future use. Perhaps a matter of personal preference, but I prefer infinite rotation on the mixer knobs. This is provided on similar products and it makes them handier. I bought this MIDI-keyboard because I wanted something with enough options in terms of controlling my DAW and plugins, something to write small melodies and something that would fit neatly under my desk as well.Even with some attempts to configure my mixer controls into Ableton Live, I was not able to get it to function as smoothly as FL Studio or GarageBand. I’ve also heard that there may be similar problems when using this controller with Pro Tools, but I’d suggest you do some research before buying it if you mainly use that DAW. Make sure Reaper is already installed on your computer. If not, please install Reaper first and open it at least once, before running the installer for Nektar DAW integration software.

M-Audio is another one of the more popular brands when it comes to music equipment. The Oxygen line of MIDI keyboards has been present for a while, and they are now on their 4th generation with the Oxygen 25 MKIV. Overall, the Nektar IMPACT LX25+ is a great MIDI Controller for someone just getting into music production. It offers everything you might need from a standard controller and adds control options that its competitors simply overlook. However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers. Three handy buttons allow you to shift between presets, choose your presets, and switch between the mixer and instrumental modes. DAW Integration With the mix control and customizable crossfaders, you can even start mixing sets through dj software and add your own synth or basslines to it!

NEKTAR DAW INTEGRATION

If you were to ask me which MIDI keyboard has the most intuitive workflow, I would probably suggest Impact LX25+. It’s crazy how many functions of your DAW can be automated with the controller – you’ll barely ever have to touch your mouse! The controls are where Nektar Impact LX25+ actually shines. The velocity sensitive pads also utilise the ‘Pad Learn’ feature which allows you to select the pad you want to use, play the note or sound you want on the keyboard and the sound with automatically be assigned to the pad you selected. This is useful for speeding up your workflow, giving you near instant access to your sounds on the pads. Also featured are 4 pad map locations which you can recall in the future at any time. Additionally, there are 5 user assignable user presets programmed for GM compatible setups. This opens up a world of customisation, allowing you to virtually customise and assign a range of presets to suit your needs. Compact and versatile Novation keyboard comes with a lot of controls and twice as many pads as any other 25-key controller, which is crucial if you are into trap beats and drum rolls – the more pads you have, the more variety you can add to the beat. Other control options, such as knobs, wheels, and buttons are similar to other MIDI keyboards in the price range. The Nektar Impact LX25+ is designed for simple and easy integration with your favourite digital audio workstation. Nektar DAW Integration is custom designed to work with programs such as: FL Studio, Bitwig, Cubase, Digital Performer, Garageband, Logic Nuendo, Reapeer, Reason, Sonar and Studio One. Its ability to instantly integrate with this range of popular audio software makes your workflow increase tenfold, allowing you to control everything at your fingertips with ease.