Nektar : Impact GXP88 Nektar

Not every keyboardist needs or wants piano-weighted keys. The Impact GXP88’s newly designed and carefully balanced semi-weighted keyboard action feels great for playing virtual drums, synths, and orchestral instruments as well as piano. And it’s got aftertouch — a rare commodity in this price range — which allows you to lean into your notes for tasty vibrato, filter sweeps, or whatever you have it assigned to. And all this advanced functionality is packed into a sleek, compact, gig-ready 18-pound chassis that looks fantastic in your studio or stage rig.

Advanced DAW integration that just works

The Impact GXP88’s streamlined control panel is based on Nektar’s successful Impact GX series, and in keeping with Nektar’s advanced DAW integration philosophy, it offers extended transport control, track selection, and volume control as well as options to open and close DAW windows and navigate songs. For those who have never used a Nektar controller, the best news is that this is all automatic. You simply download and install the free DAW Integration file for your DAW and viola — everything just works!

Assignable illuminated RGB buttons

What’s more, GXP88’s user interface also has 14 assignable illuminated RGB buttons for direct MIDI program- and bank-selection. Nektar’s new Key Repeat engine adds an intuitive real-time tool for spicing your music with inspired rhythmic patterns. You can control the Repeat feature directly from the GXP88’s illuminated RGB buttons. Once Repeat mode is engaged, the buttons allow for direct selection of Repeat Rates, Accent, Interval, Swing, and routing aftertouch or modulation to velocity. While Repeat is active, the second encoder becomes a dedicated tempo control, unless you’ve set synchronization to external MIDI clock.

Advanced control of your plug-in instruments

Nektarine is a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plug-in that allows advanced Nektar control of your plug-in instruments from Nektar’s flagship Panorama controllers and the Impact GXP88. Nektarine gives the GXP88 powerful master keyboard functionality, with 16 slots for up to 16 VST or AU instrument plug-ins available for simultaneous use. The GXP88 brings instant patch recall to hybrid or entirely software-based keyboard setups with direct patch control from GXP88’s RBG patch buttons and the ability to define keyboard zones, layers, and splits for all hosted plug-ins. You can save your plug-in settings and combinations in a single Multi-patch for recall at the touch of a button. GXP88 works with any MIDI software on macOS, Windows, and iOS and can also be used as a standard MIDI controller for legacy MIDI gear right out of the box.