Review MIDI keyboard Nektar Impact GX 61. Where to buy it?

Nektar Technology’s MIDI controllers offer unrivaled remote control for your music software and are packed with powerful features. They bridge the gap between software and hardware with Nektar DAW control for most major DAWs and performance tools that help you create music more intuitively. I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of this Nektar Impact GX 61 keyboard. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar keyboards so you can compare.

• 61 ‘full size’ speed-sensitive keys with ‘synth-action’
• 4-speed curves
• A total of 14 assignable MIDI buttons
• Transport Controls: Play, Stop, Record, Rewind and Fast Forward
• Advanced Transport Functions: Loop On/Off, Tap On/Off, Go to Locator, and Undo
• Transposition and octave shift button backlit
• Deep integration with the DAW including track volume/track selection, patch selection and more
• Volume control of the mixture using the knobs
• USB powered
• Plug and play compatible
• Connectors: Sustain pedal (6.35mm), USB
• Includes Bitwig 8-track software (license per download)
• Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, Mac osx 10.5 or higher, Linux Ubuntu 4.14
• Compatible with ios with the Apple Camera Connection Kit (not included)
• Compatible with all popular DAWs including Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Reason, Bitwig, Studio One, Cakewalk Sonar, Digital Perfomer, Fruity Loops, Garageband and Reaper
• Dimensions: 965 x 197 x 70mm
• Weight: 2,72kg

This MIDI keyboard is usually priced at around €95/£85/$94 and offers 61 full-size speed-sensitive keys with ‘synth-action’, allowing you to play or compose different musical ideas on your favourite DAW.

In addition to the control functions: transport buttons (rec, play, pause), octave up/down and in total 14 assignable MIDI buttons, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels.

In connections, the Nektar Impact GX 61 has an integrated sustain pedal input and a USB connection. It includes a Bitwig 8-track editor (license by download). And it is compatible with all popular DAWs including Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Reason, Bitwig, Studio One, Cakewalk Sonar, Digital Perfomer, Fruity Loops, Garageband and Reaper.

Now that we have seen the features of this Nektar Impact GX 61 keyboard watch these related videos to learn more.

Posts you may be interested in

• Ranking with the best midi keyboards
• My selection of cheap midi keyboards.
• Best MIDI Software to work with.
• MIDI Basic Guide.
• Midi Keyboards by Brand.

Nektar Impact GX 61 vs Nektar Impact LX61+

The Nektar Impact GX 61 MIDI Keyboard is priced at €95/£85/$94 while the Nektar Impact LX61+ is priced at €148/£133/$148. Let’s go head to head:

• The Nektar Impact GX 61 offers 61 ‘full size’ speed-sensitive keys with ‘synth-action’, and the Nektar Impact LX61+ offers 61 speed-sensitive keys.
• The Nektar Impact GX 61 offers transport buttons (rec, play, pause), octave up/down and in total 14 assignable MIDI buttons, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels. The Nektar Impact LX61+ offers 9 assignable 30mm faders, 8 assignable knobs, 9 assignable buttons, 6 transport buttons, octave shift buttons (up/down), and pitch bend and modulation wheels. In addition to switches and scene clips for DAWs.
• Both integrate a sustain pedal input and a USB connection where they are also powered.
• The Nectar Impact GX 61 includes the Bitwig 8-track license (download license).

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In our first comparison we have on the one hand the Nektar Impact LX61+ which offers 61 speed-sensitive ‘full size’ keys with ‘synth action’, transport buttons (rec, play, pause), octave up/down and in total 14 assignable MIDI buttons, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels. The Nektar Impact LX61+ offers 61 speed-sensitive keys, 9 assignable 30mm faders, 8 assignable knobs, 9 assignable buttons, 6 transport buttons, octave shift buttons (up/down), and pitch bend and modulation wheels. In addition to switches and scene clips for DAWs.

The advantage of the Nektar Impact GX61 is its compact and lightweight 61-key MIDI controller. And as an advantage of the Nektar Impact LX61+ we have a great set of different control functions, including: faders, knobs, buttons, and so on, making this a better choice as a MIDI controller and worth its difference in cash.

And here is a video of the Nektar Impact LX61+ keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Nektar Impact LX61+ review.

Nektar Impact GX 61 vs M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3

The Nektar Impact GX 61 MIDI Keyboard and the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 are priced at €95/£85/$94. With an equal price, this will be a very interesting comparison. Let’s move on to the face-to-face:

• The Nektar Impact GX 61 provides 61 ‘full size’ speed-sensitive keys with ‘synth action’. The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers 49 sensitive keys.
• The Nektar Impact GX 61 offers transport buttons (rec, play, pause), octave up/down and in total 14 assignable MIDI buttons, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels. The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers an assignable fader, 3 transport buttons (stop, play, rec) for DAW control, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement, and modulation and pitch bend wheels.
• Both integrate a sustain pedal input and a USB connection where they are also powered.
• The Nectar Impact GX 61 includes the Bitwig 8-track license (download license). The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 includes the Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand, AIR Velvet and AIR Xpand!2 licenses.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this comparison, we have on the one hand the Nektar Impact GX 61 which we have already analyzed above, and on the other hand, we have the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 which offers 49 speed-sensitive keys, an assignable fader, 3 transport buttons (stop, play, rec) for DAW control, octave up/down buttons, movement keys and modulation and pitch bend wheels.

The Nektar Impact GX 61 has 61 keys with synthesizer action, and transport controls plus advanced transport functions. The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 has the advantage of a license pack that is highly valued by beginners. Go for the Nektar Impact GX 61, it’s a better controller thanks to its features and performance.

And here’s a video of the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 review.

Nektar Impact GX 61 vs Alesis V61

The Nektar Impact GX 61 MIDI Keyboard is priced at €95/£85/$94 when the Alesis V61 is priced at €144/£122/$144. Let’s have a look at the face-to-face:

• The Nektar Impact GX 61 provides 61 ‘full size’ speed-sensitive keys with ‘synth action’. The Alesis V61 offers 61 sensitive keys.
• The Nektar Impact GX 61 offers transport buttons (rec, play, pause), octave up/down and in total 14 assignable MIDI buttons, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels. The Alesis V61 offers 8 backlit speed sensitive pads, 4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement and modulation and pitch bend wheels.
• Both integrate a sustain pedal input and a USB connection where they are also powered.
• The Nectar Impact GX 61 includes the Bitwig 8-track license (download license). The Alesis V61 includes the Ableton Live Lite software license (download) and xpand!2 by Air Music Tech software (download).

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this comparison, we have on the one hand the Nektar Impact GX61, which we have already analyzed, and on the other hand, we have the Alesis V61 which offers 61 full-size keys, 8-speed sensitive backlit pads, 4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons, octave up/down buttons, movement keys and modulation and pitch bend wheels.

The Nektar Impact GX61 has advanced transport controls and transport functions and the Alesis V61 has the advantage of backlit pads and assignable knobs. If you want to have more than just assignable buttons go for the Nektar Impact GX61, and if you want to have a balance between pads, knobs and buttons go for the Alesis V61.

And here’s a video of the Alesis V61

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Alesis V61 review.

Nektar Impact GX 61 vs Alesis V49

The Nektar Impact GX 61 MIDI Keyboard is priced at €95/£85/$94 when the Alesis V49 is priced at €91/£79/$91, but the difference is so small that this may vary depending on which shop we ask. We will see your face to face:

• The Nektar Impact GX 61 provides 61 ‘full size’ speed-sensitive keys with ‘synth action’. The Alesis V49 offers 49 sensitive keys.
• The Nektar Impact GX 61 offers transport buttons (rec, play, pause), octave up/down and in total 14 assignable MIDI buttons, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels. The Alesis V49 offers 8 backlit velocity sensitive pads, 4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement and modulation and pitch bend wheels.
• Both feature a sustain pedal input and a USB connection where they are also powered.
• The Nectar Impact GX 61 includes the Bitwig 8-track license (download license). The Alesis V49 includes the Ableton Live Lite software license (download) and xpand!2 by Air Music Tech software (download).

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this comparison, we have on the one hand the Nektar Impact GX61, which we have already analyzed, and on the other hand, we have the Alesis V49 which offers 49 full-size keys, 8-speed sensitive backlit pads, 4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons, octave up/down buttons, movement keys and modulation and pitch bend wheels.

The Nektar Impact GX61 has a 61-key keyboard plus transport controls and advanced transport functions and the Alesis V61 has the advantage of backlit pads and assignable knobs. If you want to have more than just assignable buttons go for the Nektar Impact GX61, and if you want to have a balance between pads, knobs and buttons go for the Alesis V49.

And here’s a video of the Alesis V49

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Alesis V49 review.

Nektar Impact GX 61 vs Roland A-49 Black

The Nektar Impact GX 61 MIDI Keyboard is priced at €95/£85/$94 when the Roland A-49 Black is priced at €169/£155/$169. Let’s have a look at the face-to-face:

• The Nektar Impact GX 61 provides 61 ‘full size’ speed-sensitive keys with ‘synth action’. The Roland A-49 Black offers 49 sensitive keys.
• The Nektar Impact GX 61 offers transport buttons (rec, play, pause), octave up/down and in total 14 assignable MIDI buttons, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels.
• The Roland A-49 Black offers two knobs and two buttons, both of which are assignable, transport controls (rec, play, pause, stop) and a D-Beam controller, which is an infrared interface that is manipulated by hand or another part of the body, where it functions as a kind of theremin.
• Both can be powered by USB (USB port), have connections for the sustain pedal. The Roland A-49 also has an expression pedal connection and MIDI output.
• The Nectar Impact GX 61 includes the Bitwig 8-track license (download license).

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In our last comparison, we have two MIDI controllers one of the brand Roland, the model A-49 Black, in reference to its color. It offers 49 sensitive keys, two knobs and 2 assignable buttons, and a D-Beam controller that allows you to control and manipulate sounds with hand movements thanks to its infrared beam, a very interesting function not found in any other brand as it is a Roland patent. And on the other hand, the Alesis V61 that we have already analyzed before.

One advantage of the Alesis V61 is its 61-key keyboard, while the Roland A-49 Black offers as its main advantage its D-Beam Controller, which is a Roland patent, and is an infrared beam that is an interface that can control and manipulate sounds by hand movements interacting with an infrared light beam. The controller is usually mounted on the panel of the machine facing upward and detects the performer’s hand (or another body part) at a height of up to 40 cm (15 in.) above the device. Although controlled in a similar manner to a theremin, the operating principles are fundamentally different; the theremin uses capacitive detection.

If you wish to experiment with the D-Beam Controller go for the Roland A-49 Black, if you wish to have a more conventional MIDI controller go for the Nektar Impact GX 61.

And here is a video of the Roland A-49 Black keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Roland A-49 Black reciew.

Which is the best of these MIDI keyboards if I am a beginner on a low budget?

While the answer to this question lies mostly in what specific need you have, for example, if you want to have a keyboard with the widest range of notes possible, or if you want to have as many control functions as possible, or perhaps a mix between the two, that is without leaving behind the different connections and software licenses that most MIDI controllers offer, we will give an objective opinion according to our experience in music production and thus also with the price demanded by the controllers, a kind of value for money.

In this post we find a number of MIDI controllers with a very similar price range, between 90 and 150 euros. We have as the ideal MIDI controller for a beginner to music producer the Nektar Impact LX61+ and this is thanks to its 61-key full size keyboard with speed sensitivity (intensity in MIDI language), plus its control functions, which among others we have: faders, knobs and assignable buttons, plus transport buttons and for other functions. It also integrates a sustain pedal input. For the price it has, it offers a lot of control functions, if you run into it, don’t think too much about carrying it or not.

Where to buy the Nektar Impact GX 61 keyboard

Thomann

• Free Shipping.
• Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
• 100% reliable payment.
• A leader in trouble-free shipping.
• Usually the Best price.
• Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalog and information.

Amazon

• Free Shipping and the possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
• Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
• Sometimes a better price.
• He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

Also, look at these models with a similar price and features:

• Novation Launchkey Mini MK3
• Akai MPK mini Mk2
• Akai MPK miniplay
• Roli Lightpad Block M Studio Ed.
• Arturia MiniLab MKII
• Roli Beatmaker Kit
• Novation Impulse 25
• Akai MPK mini MK2 white
• Alesis V25
• CME Xkey Air 25
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 25
• Akai APC Keys 25
• Akai LPK 25
• M-Audio Code 25 black
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A25
• Novation Launchkey Mini MK2
• Alesis V mini
• Arturia MicroLab Black
• Akai LPK 25 wireless
• Akai MPK mini Limited Black
• Arturia MiniLab MKII Inverted Edition
• M-Audio Oxygen 25 Mk4
• Korg nanoKEY Studio
• Swissonic EasyKey 25
• Korg nanoKEY 2 black
• Korg nanoKEY 2 Limited Orange
• Korg nanoKEY 2 Limited Blue
• Akai MPK mini MK2 white – AIEP3 Bdl
• Nektar Impact LX25+
• Novation Launchkey 25 MK2
• Alesis Q25
• Akai MPK 225
• Korg microKEY 25
• Miditech Midistart Music 25
• Alesis VI25
• Korg nanoKEY 2 white
• Arturia MicroLab Blue
• Nektar SE25
• Korg microKEY Air 25
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys 25
• Midiplus X2 mini
• Icon iKeyboard 3X
• Keith McMillen K-Board
• CME Xkey 25 silver
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32
• Alesis V49
• Arturia Keystep Black Edition
• Swissonic EasyKey 49
• Arturia Keystep
• Arturia KeyLab Essential 49
• Nektar Impact LX49+
• M-Audio Code 49 Black
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2 Pro
• M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3
• M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 MK3
• Novation Impulse 49
• Nektar Impact GX 49
• Novation Launchkey 49 Mk2
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A49
• M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4
• Alesis Q49 Keyboard Controller
• Roland A-300 Pro
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 49
• Alesis VI49
• Midiplus AK490
• Alesis Vortex Wireless 2
• M-Audio Axiom Air Mini 32
• Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 Network
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys 37 Pro
• Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 BE
• Haken Audio Continuum Half Size
• CME Xkey 37 LE
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys Pro
• Korg microKEY 49 MkII
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2
• Miditech Midistart Music 49
• Roland A-49 Black
• Korg microKEY 37 MkII
• Swissonic ControlKey 49
• Roland A-500 PRO
• Nektar SE49
• Korg microKEY Air 37
• Korg microKEY Air 49
• Roland A-49 White
• Nektar Panorama T4
• Miditech Garagekey mini
• Miditech Minicontrol-32
• Midiplus X3 mini
• Miditech i2-Control 37 Black
• Icon iKeyboard 4X
• Miditech i2-mini 32
• Midiplus X4 mini
• Miditech i2-mini 32 Bluetooth
• Icon iKeyboard 5X
• Acorn Masterkey 49
• M-Audio Code 61 Black
• Arturia KeyLab Essential 61
• Nektar Impact GX 61
• M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3
• Alesis V61
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61
• Swissonic EasyKey 61
• M-Audio Oxygen 61 Mk4
• Roland A-800 Pro
• Korg microKEY Air 61
• GSi DMC-122
• Nektar Impact LX61+
• Alesis VI61
• Novation Launchkey 61 MK2
• Icon iKeyboard 6X
• Acorn Masterkey 61
• Miditech i2-61 Black Edition
• Midiplus X6 mini
• Korg microKEY 61 MkII
• Midiplus X-6 II
• Viscount Physis Piano K5 EX
• M-Audio Keystation 88 MkII
• Kawai VPC1
• Doepfer LMK2+ 88 GH
• Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH black
• Swissonic ControlKey 88
• Viscount Physis Piano K4 EX
• Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH grey
• Nektar Impact LX88+
• Haken Audio Continuum Full Size
• Midiplus Stage 88
• Studiologic Numa Concert
• Icon iKeyboard 8X
• Doepfer LMK2+ 88 GH without Case
• Midiplus X-8 II
• Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH GR without Case