I have to give a shout out to Novation for creating such a comfortable and dynamic USB MIDI keyboard controller for the songwriter and/or producer in you. It is everything you need to either create in an in-home or state of the art recording studio or to use for live performances.
The 61 semi-weighted keys with after touch are ideal ultra responsive and allow you to totally play with ease. I feel so privileged to have gotten the opportunity to review this innovative keyboard controller at my fingertips. The Novation Impulse comes with Ableton Live Lite and is compatible with all DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation) including ProTools, Logic Studio, Reason/Record, GarageBand, Sonar, Studio One, FL Studio and Cubase using either a Mac or PC. Also included is AutoMap 4 software that has powerful integration that allows you to have extensive plug-in and DAW control. The eight key back-lit drum pad enables you to warp arpeggios or roll beats. With the inclusion of Novation Bass Station Synth, Mike The Drummer and Loopmasters, it adds to another expansion of sound for production excellence.
This USB MIDI keyboard actually feels like a real instrument. Check out vid below for brief demo.
Along with droppin’ crazy beats with the multi-function back-lit drum pads in Live, you can control Clip Launch and Scene Launch to release your inner Timbaland. FXpansion, Wave and Native Instruments are third party effects and plug-in instruments that can also be utilized with the Impulse 61. Talk about musical expression, this MIDI controller could easily be called Expression 61 because of its endless possibilities of Neptune dopeness. If you’ve ever watched a live YouTube session with Ryan Leslie creating a song from the ground up, the Novation Impulse 61 with the on board mixer allowing you to have on screen control makes you feel like Next Seleciton is in the building as the producer, the arranger, the engineer, the songwriter and the artist. Listen, whether you’re an up and coming producer, songwriter or musician, already established or none of the above and just in the market for a USB MIDI Keyboard Controller you should not hesitate to cop this affordable gem at the affordable price of just $399. The Novation Impulse also is available in other models such as the Novation Impulse 25 key and 49 key at a lesser price. The Impulse 25 would be ideal for that backpack-mobilized travel if you need to create on the fly. If you need an “Addiction†(pun intended) like R. Les, the Novation Impulse 61 is the perfect high, so take flight.
Specs and Features:
» Ships with Ableton Live Lite, Novation Bass Station, Loopmasters sample library, and Mike The Drummer
» 61-key USB MIDI Controller with Semi-weighted Keys, 25 Knobs/Faders/Pads
» Dedicated Transport Controls, and DAW/Instrument/Automap Software – Mac/PC
» Automap 4 control software enables instant hands-on access to your DAW and plug-ins
» Multi-function drum pads let you warp arpeggios, roll beats and launch clips in Ableton Live
» Ultra-responsive semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch
» Comprehensive DAW/plug-in control surface
» 9 faders, 8 rotarys, 8 pads, transport controls, and an army of buttons
» Custom LCD screen always keep you status-savvy
