Apple Mainstage and Impact LX88 Plus MIDI Controller Performance

The Nektar Impact LX88+ MIDI controller keyboard offers many performance oriented features, from fast and easy access to instrument parameters to controlling a DAW. What’s more, the semi-weighted keyboard action not only features 88 full-size keys with velocity, we have also added some master keyboards functions such as zones, split and layer modes. The Impact LX+ series’ superior realtime control possibilities are best shown live – so already back in 2017 we got together with Australian producer and keyboard player Simon Grey to shoot a couple performance videos. He is using Apple Logic and Mainstage, his setup consists of a Macbook Pro, a Metric Halo ULN-8 and the LX88+. Enjoy!

LIKE PLAYING A HARDWARE SYNTH:LIVE VST-INSTRUMENT CONTROL

In this trap-inspired video, Simon is playing and controlling the Sylenth 1 virtual instrument running in his Mainstage setup. The rest of the playback is prepared in Logic.Like on a hardware synth, he is controlling modulation and filter settings in realtime from the LX88+ encoder section and wheels.

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IDEAL FOR FINGER DRUMMING:HYPER-SENSITIVE DRUM PADS

The Impact LX88+ features 8 very high quality backlit drum pads. They are ideal for finger drumming, with a nice even velocity response and 4 velocity curves to choose from. Assigning notes to the pads is so easy, that our 30 second video on the subject got the comment “that’s all?” Well, yeah. It is pretty much pick a sound and play. In this video, he is building a loop into a playback, switching from drums to bass and other instruments like organ and electric pianoin the process.Again, with plenty of realtime control:

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DAW INTEGRATION: CONTROL YOUR SESSIONS FROM THE HARDWARE

Especially in live situations, you need to be able switch the instrument or patch you are playing. In this video, Simon is controlling the sounds from the hardware Mainstage, but the Impact’s Track and Patch Buttons allow you to do the same without touching the mouse in any of the supported DAWs. Not to mention the transport controls. Some nice live electric piano sound and Sylenth 1 parameter adjustments can be seen in this Dilla-Style jam.

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Want to know more about Impact LX+ and all of the features we haven’t had a chance to mention in above videos? Great! On the Impact LX88+ product page we are covering the details – including a list of supported DAWs, details on deep integration features and more. By the way: We also have Impact LX25+, LX49+ or 61+ versions available. And if you’ve liked Simon Grey’s playing, check out his web page: He is always working on new music.

LINKS:

www.simongrey.com