NektarImpact GX49 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard with Nektar DAW Integration

This review is based solely upon my initial impressions after using for a couple of hours. Firstly, I'm not a keyboard player and so I cannot fairly judge as to the 'playability' of the keys but, after sampling a couple of 'mini' keyboards (and finding them to be too small and uncomfortable to play) prior to purchasing this Nektar product, I am already feeling that this full-size 49 keys midi keyboard is more what I can 'comfortably' play and that it will be more than adequate for its primary function, which is to input notes into the DAW on my PC. I don't need lots of DAW control from a midi controller and so I opted for this unit which has that sort of limited functionality and hoped that the keyboard would be at least half-decent. Considering that it only cost me sixty five quid brand new I believe that this keyboard is great value for money and hence the 5 stars. Yes, its very much a plastic unit and in comparison to the two and three hundred quid alternatives out there will obviously feel very much like a cheap & cheerful option but, for the cost, the comfortable full-size keys (velocity sensitive too) I still think this is very good value. Also - its plug and play with my Windows 10 PC which meant that I was able to plug the USB straight in and I could immediately make music hooked up to my software synths in my DAW. The only thing that caused me a little trouble was trying to figure out why the transport controls didn't seem to work properly with my DAW (I'm running FL Studio 20) but a quick read of the manual and a quick registration of the keyboard serial number online at the Nektar website (all of which took me less than 10 minutes) enabled me to view the manufacture instructions for connecting this up to FL Studio (the manual covers connection instructions for every other major DAW too) and once I had correctly 'ported' to midi (a quick 2 minute job in FL Studio) the transport controls work perfectly so that I can now easily switch on 'record' or play, pause, stop, track forward and reverse from the keyboard into the DAW without having to use the PC's mouse. I'll update this review if necessary.

I liked it's ease of use.I used it with bitwig DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)Music recording software

Good keyboard in a budget.

I'd been researching controller keyboards for a while to use with Logic and Garage Band and wanted something I could leave set up that would fit in with my workspace. Although my 88 note keyboard did the job, it was a hassle to set it up each time I wanted to record secondary parts during the mix. Having decided that 49 notes was the minimum I could use practically to play, the reviews led me to the Nektar GX49, which for most sellers was an order only item. When it became available on Amazon I took the plunge and have not been disappointed!Its worth paying the extra over the cheaper model to get additional controllers for the DAW, but I suspect the keyboard is the same if cost is an issue. Keyboard action is good and very playable even if you are used to a velocity sensitive keyboard, its not an issue to adjust. I have found the ability to shift the range of the keyboard quickly resolves the lack of a full size keyboard whilst playing, and has meant I don't have to resort to using a full size keyboard even for more complex parts. Its also a nice feature that any sustain pedal can be used as it automatically detects the polarity when the keyboard is turned on.Integration with Garage Band and Logic is seamless after downloading the drivers from the Nektar website. It even comes with a free license for Bitwig 8 Track DAW software so if you don't have any application installed you can get started straight away.In conclusion, its a good quality keyboard to use with a DAW, (it supports all of the popular software) and after using it for a couple of days am very pleased with it. Its what the reviews led me to believe, so far, so good!

Very very good works with all daws

Used as a controller for Bitwig , pre setup so all transport and action buttons mapped. Key action is nice to use perfect If you want a controller without lots of knobs and sliders which I simply don’t need so wanted a clean 49 key device

Almost certainly my fault but it took me ages to get my head around getting the keyboard to work with Reaper. Once I got the tone bend wheel to work I was 100% delighted. Not only much, much easier and satisfying than using the computer keyboard but less latency, Thoroughly happy with the shorter of the two keyboards. Great value for money, quality and feel. Totally happy to recommend the product.

Easy to set up. Compact.I wanted to use it with Sibelius (notation software). On my computer the GX 49 does not react quickly enough to work. The 'action' is spongey and has none of the resistance found on other keyboards. I play accurately but the input speed is random and inaccurate. I am a trained musician and I do know how to use Sibelius. My computer is fast. I'll try the GX 49 with a better cable but, as it stands, this controller is not up to the job I want it to do. A pity, because it was inexpensive and easy to use.