Best MIDI Controller Keyboards for Reason

Nektar MIDI controllers improve the production workflow in Reason with extensive DAW control features, enabling you to produce your music faster and more intuitively. Find the right MIDI controller for your needs in the following brief overview of our models’ features and capabilities. Nektar’s product range includes entry-level models with essential transport and project navigation as well as advanced models with deep instrument plugin remote control. Top-of-the line are the Panorama models, that get you as close as possible to using Reason as if its hardware – including detailed visual parameter feedback on the hardware. 

ADVANCED REASON DAW + PLUGIN CONTROL

Panorama and Impact LX+ offer a complete Reason DAW control experience with extended transport control including locators, DAW project navigation, mixer control and Reason Instrument device control: 

Panorama P4P6 Products

PANORAMA P-SERIES

Experience advanced and deep control for Reason with Panorama P4 and P6: Select a menu on Panorama and all available parameters are automatically mapped and displayed on the TFT screen for instant control. You can even create and control instrument devices directly from Panorama. Features include extended transport and project navigation, mixer control including Dynamics, EQ, Inserts & Sends as well as AU / VST instrument plugin control. The color TFT screen with full visual parameter feedback makes it easy to keep an overview and Panorama’s motor fader adds pro-console channel control to this experience. Here’s a detailed description (Link). Also available as P1 desktop controller (see further below).

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Nektar Panorama T4 & T6

PANORAMA T-SERIES

Panorama T4 and T6 include advanced Panorama-class MIDI control for Reason: Extended transport control, project navigation, mixer control including EQ, Dynamics and channel sends as well as Reason instrument device control.

AU / VST instrument plugins can also be controlled. In combination with the included Nektarine software you get extensive control and a graphic plugin map editor for easy creation of your own maps. The LED display always ensures full visual feedback of parameter names and settings.

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Nektar Impact LX Plus range

IMPACT LX+ SERIES

Impact LX25+, LX49+, LX61+ and LX88+ also offer advanced DAW control for Reason. Features include extended transport control, track selection and project navigation, Volume, Pan, Mute & Solo Mixer control and Reason Instrument device control including special support for Reason drum instruments. Parameter value feedback is provided by the 3 digit LCD display. Pick your size:

IMPACT LX25+, IMPACT LX49+/61+ or IMPACT LX88+

ADVANCED REASON DAW CONTROL

Impact GX and GXP MIDI controllers provide a more stream-lined Reason DAW control experience, focussing on DAW project navigation and extended transport control including locators. If you are just starting out and you are looking for keys with basic DAW control, the SE49 or SE61 are great choices.

Nektar Impact GXP 49 61 88

IMPACT GXP SERIES

Impact GXP MIDI controllers are more focussed on playing, sporting a stream-lined UI and features like semi-weighted keys and aftertouch. The transport section will still give you access to a host of Reason remote control features. This includes extended transport and project navigation functions including locators, track & patch selection, undo, as well as level control for any selected track or the master out. Includes Nektarine software, so you can create comprehensive multipatches with your AU / VST plugins – complete with recall from the hardware. Impact GXP is a great controller for software-based live setups.

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Impact GX49 GX61

IMPACT GX SERIES

Impact GX49 or 61 are great choices, if you are looking for a compact MIDI controller for your Reason DAW setup: Nice synth-action keybed, extended Reason transport control (including locators), project navigation, track and patch selection, undo, and level mixing for the currently selected track and master out. Impact GX provides compact powerful control!

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SE49 SE61 Top Shot

SE49 & SE61

Just play: The SE series has the features you need when starting out. SE49 and SE61 are very compact entry level MIDI controller keyboards with great synth-action keybeds and essential Reason control, such as core transport features, track or patch selection and even volume control of the currently selected track.  

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MOBILE REASON DAW CONTROLLER KEYBOARDS

If you are looking for a mobile MIDI keyboard controller with dedicated Reason DAW control, check out our super-tiny Nektar SE25, with entry-level essential DAW control, GX Mini with full Impact GX-class DAW integration – or all of these features plus drum pads and plugin instrument control on Impact LX Mini.

Top View SE25

SE25 MINI

Mobile keys: SE25 is our most compact USB mini MIDI controller keyboard. With its tiny enclosure and 25 mini keys, it fits in any backpack, but still offers essential transport control for Reason. Track or patch selection, volume or pan can also be assigned to the 4 buttons. Pitch bend, sustain or modulation can also be controlled from those same buttons. Add to this Nektar’s Part Two Feature for interesting performance options. 

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gx mini controller thumbnail

IMPACT GX MINI

GX Mini brings GX-class DAW control features to Reason. With a size just slightly larger than an SE25, it’s easily backpack-compatible but offers full extended transport control including locators, project navigation, track and patch selection. With hardware features such as 25 mini keys, joystick and sustain pedal connection as well as Nektar’s Part Two performance feature, GX Mini is surprisingly versatile for its miniscule size.

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LX Mini thumbnail

IMPACT LX MINI

LX Mini is our most powerful mobile mini MIDI controller: In addition to all of GX Mini’s DAW control features, LX Mini has extensive Reason instrument plugin control and track volume control. Reason’s internal instruments are pre-mapped for control from the 8 knobs including special support for Kong, ReDrum and Boom 808. But you can also create your own assignments for both, internal or pre-mapped 3rd party VST / AU plugins. Add to that hardware features such as 25 mini keys, joystick, sustain pedal connector, 8 drum pads and two independent arpeggiators.

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DESKTOP & FLOOR MIDI CONTROLLERS FOR REASON

Looking for a MIDI controller than provides mixing-, plugin-, foot- or pad-control for your Reason setup – but you don’t need an extra keyboard? Then check out the AURA pad controller, PACER MIDI foot controller or Panorama P1 desktop MIDI controller.

Aura Product page

AURA 

The AURA MIDI pad controller adds powerful beat creation and performance features to your Reason setup. Apart from excellent drum pads, AURA also includes a step sequencer and pad repeat engine. If Kong, ReDrum or Rytmik are hosted on a track, the pads are remapped and trigger the expected device sounds. Reason DAW integration for AURA includes  transport control, complete with locators and loop length, track and patch selection. You can even assign a footswitch to control DAW transport. In combination with the included Nektarine, it also becomes an incredible VST / AU instrument plugin controller! May be used in conjunction with other Nektar MIDI controllers.

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Pacer Product Page

PACER

PACER puts DAW control right at your feet: This fully programmable MIDI footswitch enables hands-free Reason DAW control.

This includes transport functions, locators, undo, track- and patch- selection. PACER also lets you integrate your DAW, MIDI-gear, FX and guitar amp for plenty of switching power! May be used in conjunction with other Nektar MIDI controllers.

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Panorama P1 Product page

 PANORAMA P1

Panorama P1 brings Panorama class MIDI and DAW control to any MIDI setup: P1 is the desktop version of our acclaimed Panorama P4 and P6 MIDI controllers.

It offers the same level of deep Reason DAW and Plugin control as Panorama P4 and P6, only missing the motor fader and drum pads. With its compact size, this powerful MIDI controller easily fits into almost any setup. May be used in conjunction with other Nektar MIDI controllers.

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