Nektar Impact LX25 Review

The Impact LX25 is a compact MIDI keyboard controller made by Nektar. I bought it a while ago and have been using it a lot, so I wanted to write a quick review about it in case anyone is looking for a new MIDI keyboard.                                                                    

First of all, the Impact LX25 is pretty easy to set up. The instructions in the manual are thorough and it’s not a super complicated device. The keyboard easily connects to your computer through a USB cord. It has a 25-note keyboard with velocity sensitive keys and 8 velocity sensitive pads for playing drums. The pads can also be programmed to different keys on the keyboard with just a few simple steps to be played as a MIDI note or to trigger loops. The keys aren't amazing but they're not terrible either. You could definitely find better, but considering the price of the Impact, I am fine with the keys. The Impact also has a pitch bend wheel and a modulation wheel for extra musical expression.

One of the most intriguing features of this keyboard is that it has pre-mapped integration with many of the most popular DAW's like Cubase, Studio One, Logic, Sonar, and others. This makes things very convenient when you are using the keyboard to make music! I use the Impact with Studio One and I like having so many controls on the keyboard so that I don’t always have to click controls on my computer. There are buttons on the Impact for play, record, stop, undo, and more. There are also knobs that allow you to control gain levels and edit instruments.

There are even more controls and features that I haven’t used yet or even discovered. My overall impression of the Impact LX25 so far is that it’s a great portable keyboard for an affordable price. While there are many more expensive MIDI keyboards out there that provide even more features and quality, I recommend this keyboard for musicians who don't have a huge budget or just want something affordable for their home studio. It's also ideal for musicians who travel a lot and want something that is easy to carry around. That is one of the main reasons I bought it, and I have already used it multiple times while travelling.

You can find the Impact on Amazon for $99.99. If you get this keyboard, I would also recommend getting the Nektar NP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal. It's an excellent pedal for only $19.99.

If you want a bigger keyboard, the Nektar Impact also comes in a few bigger sizes: