Novation Impulse 61 Keys USB bus-powered MIDI Controller Keyboard – Robust, ultra-responsive, full-size piano keyboard with aftertouch and velocity-sensitive pads – works on Mac or Windows

For a long time I was looking for a controller that had all of the specific functions I was after, and this is the one for me. I've had it for a year or so and it's the center of my studio. I'm not big on working with DAWs myself, I was looking for a controller for my many hardware synthesizers. Switch channels is a quick knob turn, you can map CC setting to the faders, the arpeggiator is very customizable, and pretty much everything can be edited WITHOUT plugging into a computer. The big one for me is SPLIT FUNCTIONALITY. I don't know why that's not a big thing with controllers these days, but this thing has a 4 Zone Split functionality that is very customizable. Some of the pricier ones have splits, but you need to set it up through a computer any time you want to make changes. The zones can be arrange any way you like on this one and you can do it all on the internal menu.

Very nice keybed and has after touch . Feels better than synth action and keys are more like piano keys . Not the same as launchkey.

Guys, I've scowered the internet, and my local guitar center, in search for the perfect MIDI controller.I grew up playing a Yamaha PSR learning keyboard, so I've learned to be proficient on synth style keys. In addition, I was a piano primary music composition major in college. I spent the majority of my youth locked in my bedroom recording tracks: rock, techno, ambient classical contemporary, pop, hip hop, etc. Now that I'm older, I work at a church where I like to explore different piano sample sounds for the worship service (mostly using Kontakt) and I like to layer many instruments to create these lush, cinematic sounds for when my band is slim. I'll put a bass guitar in my left hand and of course piano in the full range.So, I like that these MIDI keyboard have the faders and knobs to allow me to control the (mostly Low Pass Filters) of my pad sounds, to bring them in and out as I need to.So, the question is, why spend 400 bucks on this novation when I could spend nearly the same and get a keyboard that has BUILT IN sounds? Good question.The ideal situation would be to have a powerful, great sounding keyboard, like a Nord Stage, or Yamaha Motif, and use that to control my laptop sounds in Kontakt. I could even buy a MIDI controller with no keys, just knobs and faders, very cheaply. This is something I might do at some point, for my stage performances in MY venue where I can leave the stuff set up.However, a MIDI controller with the keybed, like this, allows for easy transportation and setup.As a professional piano player and recording guy, I know that keybeds action/velocity curve can either be preference, OR it can be straight up poorly made, like when a key stroke randomly jumps out more loudly than the others.However, I've seen young guys on youtube, playing a Novation, and they are awful keyboard players. Then, as they are playing, they say "Yeah, this velocity curve isn't that great". Umm..actually YOU are not that great. hahaSo on the this Novation.It is heavy and a bit bulky, compared to the Launchkey I own. But, that's not a terrible thing.The knobs and faders feel good. Not like an Allen and Heath soundboard, of course, but they feel decent and comfortable. not wobbly and loose.Drum trigger/pads...I don't do a lot of triggering/ableton stuff. If I play detailed sampled drum tracks, I use the keybed. So for me, the drum triggers are fine.Keybed - this is the big one for people. This keybed feels great. I seem to hit more notes when I do random, sloppy runs and scales. It's very forgiving. and again it just feels great. Some people have said they are annoyed at the velocity curve adjustment within this keyboard. I would advise them to not use it. Use the built in velocity curve adjustments in your virtual instrument. you have so much more control that way.It mapped itself to REAPER just fine. But I don'[t use it for mixing too much.So, this is a great keyboard/Midi controller. I'm very happy with it.I have the Launchkey 49 as my "throw around" keyboard. it's great, and it small. But for serious stuff, I use this. I've also just purchased the SL mkii off Ebay (why not on amazon? what's up with that?) So it will be interesting to see how it stacks up against this one.UPDATE 12-15-16SO I got the SL mkiithe knobs, faders, controls, etc feel great and professional. the unit is strong and heavy. However, the velocity curve simply has too much dynamic range and is too responsive to the smallest variation in playing strength. the impulse feels way better.

I have been using this product now for months, and I must say I like it.Pros:1. The feel of the keyboard is really stable. The keys feel nice with enough action to actually feel a little like real keys. I wouldn't say it's weighted (even semi) as much as I'd say there is a little bit of tactile response, like the difference in a typewriter vs. a mechanical keyboard. I personally like it, although full weight would be perfect. The pads are stable and faders and knobs feel pretty robust.2. The Automap software does make it easy to get started. BUT please follow this if you're on a Mac: ALWAYS start the Automap Server application before you open your DAW and AFTER you've plugged in the controller. As long as I follow that rule, Automap works like a charm. If you accidentally open your DAW before launching the Automap server, you'll have to completely delete and re-install the software. Just a heads up!!3. Bundled AddictingKeys and Addicting Drums 2 are great. Be aware!! you get a copy of the software but only get to choose 1 kit! In fact, if you plan to use the addicting drums software (which I found I actually really loved), you may want to skip registering and just buying the software bundle when it goes on sale. You'll save yourself a lot of money. If you do what I did, you'll only get 1 kit and have to buy more separately. Good news is the software goes on sale frequently.Cons:1. The pads, as others have mentioned, do have some weird sensitivity to them in that you'll frequently push and get duplicate notes recorded. I've found them useful for scratch work but I wouldn't use them live to trigger anything. However, due to my usage, I don't need them for that reason, so you may be able to toggle the sensitivity to get it to work, I just haven't spent the time to do it.2. There appears to be a lot of functionality in the whole middle section of the controller, but other than hard-coding it in, automap doesn't let you use that to toggle between plug-ins in the default condition with Logic Pro. I found it really odd that they had a preset on-board for GarageBand and like 6 other DAWS but not Logic. I personally have gotten by just fine without it, as I only use it for writing music and less for production/live. I'd like to test the functionality because I want to use it for MainStage some day. I'll update if I figure out the best way to use it.Overall, I am happy with this product for the relative price. I'll update more but so far it does what I need and probably a lot more that I don't.

I connected this to my laptop, it caused it to crash. I did get this fix an reinstalled and I eventually got everything working. Does what I need it to.