Nektar, 49-Key Midi Controller (Impact GX49)

The Akai MPK49 was my most recent midi keyboard. The keys were excellent, the construction was sturdy, and it came with all of the bells and whistles one could desire. It was also quite large. The footprint was so large that it took up an excessive amount of desk space. I also quickly realized that playing in real time was impossible due to the latency when connected via USB. Everything worked out perfectly after I purchased an external midi box (midiman 2x2) and a power supply. br>br>It cost $400 as well. br>br>When I moved, I sold it and went on the hunt for something a little more simple. Good keys, transport controls, and no latency were all required. br>br>I tried Novation's Launch Key (which is still big and has terrible keys), M-Audio's M-Audio, and M-Audio's M-Audio's M-Audio's M-Audio The Alesis v49 (keys were fine but squeaked), and the Audio Keystation II (keys were also terrible). br>br>I considered the Novation Impulse for a moment. It has received a lot of positive feedback - But all I wanted was something simple, small, and with a nice key feel to it. br>br>After reading far too much about midi keyboards, I ordered the Nektar GX49 without even trying it out (which is impossible). No one else, including Guitar Center, seems to have them in stock). br>br>It has a small footprint for a full-sized 49-key keyboard, and the build quality is excellent. The keys are surprisingly good, and the integration with the majority of DAWs is outstanding. Switching between tracks and patches within instruments is seamless in Reason, which I tried first. The buttons for doing so are made of soft rubber and are completely silent (unlike the Akai's clickiness). The octave, transpose, and transport buttons are simple, clear, and use colors like orange, red, blue, green, and yellow to indicate status. They're subtle, but they're perfect for letting you know what you need to know. Reaper was my second choice, and it was just as enjoyable. br>br>It has zero latency (well, 14ms, but that's standard for my DAW at 512 samples per buffer). br>br>It's powered by a bus, and honestly, I can't think of anything that's bad about it except - I've only had Ableton Live for a day, and I've contacted Nektar to see what I can do, but strangely, Ableton is the only major daw that doesn't have Nektar's DAW integration software (there's something going on there). I have no idea- The Akai's transport, on the other hand, did not work with Live). I thought Live could handle the transport controls because there's an entire page in the user manual about using MMC to enable them, but I'm either missing something or the transport only works for non-clip based DAWs (which is all of them except Live). br>br>So, rather than spending $300 on a Novation or $400 on another Akai (the 249), get the $300 Novation instead. I paid $100 for a Nektar. It's fantastic. br>br> I am blown away. br>br>Edit (day 2)br>br>O. br>br>O. br>br>O. br>br>O. br>br> So, when I registered the GX49, I created an account, and last night I opened a ticket asking how to get the transport to work in Ableton Live; today, when I checked my email, I was surprised to see a response suggesting that I install a remote script. br>br>I tried this afternoon, but it didn't work. So I replied, thinking to myself, "You'll never hear from Nektar late on a Friday. " br>br>A few hours later, another Nektar representative (the first was customer service, the second was more of a techie) contacted me with a solution. It only took a few seconds - br>br> There's nothing new here; just a setting change - and Ableton Live now has transport controls. br>br>For anyone looking for a good, inexpensive keyboard - That concludes the discussion. By the way, here's how to fix it: 1. br>br> 2. Click the 'Setup' button. br> 3. Press A2 ('USB Port Setup')br>3. br>4. Press key B3 (labeled with a '2') The transport only works with the overall project (not clip in session view), but that's for another controller. br>br>Press key C5 (labeled 'Enter')br>br>.

Bradley Acosta

| Dec 13, 2021

Great little keyboard that fits easily on and off my lap as I sit at my crowded desk in front of the computer. It has basic transport controls such as forward, stop, record, and so on, as well as a single volume control pot on CC7, but no more advanced rotary encoders, drum pads, or sliding potentiometers. Whatever the case may be, it does the job without being too heavy to carry around, and I prefer to use a different midi controller for the more advanced functions. Overall, the build quality of this keyboard is far superior to that of similar keyboards in this price range. The key touch is a typical very soft "synth style," which may irritate players who are used to more traditional synthesizers. mechanical pianos that have been passed down through the generations However, now that I've gone down that path, I prefer a lighter synth feel. If you want to quibble, the keys on this level of keyboard feel a little thin and plastic, but the GX49 has proven to be extremely tough and durable in the face of a few body slams from out of control kids! This is a good first keyboard, but if you're a techie, you should look at the LX version, which has more knobs to twiddle, a slightly heavier key feel, and an overall beefier build.

Bryce Howell

| Dec 12, 2021

I've read both positive and negative reviews. This is something I really enjoy. Here's a 25-year veteran of the music jingle industry. It'll set you back around $100. What I like best about it is the fact that it has a lot of different options. Is a set of simple octive and pitch transpose keys that change colors as you progress through the scales and octives. It's simple to see and use, as well as having a small footprint. In terms of the action's poor reviews, Some people say it's difficult, while others say it's easy. I say. Seriously, it's a $100 keyboard. It is the most cost-effective option available. I am replacing an akai with a ton of buttons and knobs that ended up sending randome system exclusive messages with a 2000 dollar weighted keyboard (I paid 3000 for my old kurzweil in the 90s, so this is amazing for the price). And they were a pain to put together. As a result, I didn't do it. Drum pads, to be specific. Sliders for changing the volume It was much easier to type and gram with the mouse. Thank you for providing such a high-quality prive point, company.

Neil CHARLTON

| Dec 19, 2021

That setup worked well until the keyboard wore out (despite the numerous wires). Within my budget, I wanted something that felt as authentic as possible. The Nektar GX49, which retailed for $100 at the time of my purchase, had about half the range of a standard piano keyboard and the ability to adjust the octaves. It now fits on my desk and takes up a fraction of the space that my old Casio did. It's a true USB plug-and-play device (USB cable included), with an on-board power supply. I'd like to have an on/off switch in the back so that I can turn it on when I'm ready to use it. My computer (Windows 10) instantly recognizes it and is ready to use in a matter of seconds. It's got a genuine-life feel to it. It has a slightly weighted feel to the keys, making it feel like a piano; however, it is still a plastic keyboard with quick and instant input velocity! This is so much fun to use, and it's perfect for my needs! I can't speak to how it's used in a studio or on stage, but it's well worth the money for composing and arranging!.

Enrique Spencer

| Sep 24, 2021

I'm glad I spent a little extra money on a good product because I literally had this thing up and running in 4 seconds: plug it in, turn it on, Windows automatically sets it up, and boom, I'm ready to tap in some grooves. br>br>This device is lightweight, but the keys and buttons have a premium feel to them. The keys have a nice smooth action and feel precise, while the mod dials have a slightly rubbery feel to them and a nice dampened action to their movements.

Charley Carney

| May 03, 2021