SB
Tricky installation for Win+Cubase users
PRO's: Construction and feeling are good as expected by Novation. There is no equivalent products at the same price.
CON's: installation and sw compliance (I have Windows 10 and Cubase 11).
The sw installation is quite messy:
1) the start guide makes you land on a page where you can download the driver and a support software: "Automap";
2) If you follow the built-in instructions you will not succeed in properly setting up the midi in your Cubase: the Impulse will not work in "DAW" mode but only as a generic midi controller;
3) Then I discovered among Novation's support pages that, in this order:
i) you have to setup Cubase differently from the starting guide to make it recognise Automap (despite of Automap being unable to configure Cubase because is supports till Cubase 9.5 only. Cubase 10 if you find the unofficial beta version);
ii) BUT...you can get rid of Automap with the latest firmware update (you can perform it via Sysex)...and it works but...
iii) if you use it without Automap the product works only partially because the 8 rotary encoders (knobs) cannot be used as volume controller but only as pan+send for the first 8 tracks;
iiii) I went back back to i) configuration (with Automap correctly set in Cubase 11) and corrected the installation guide with pen to avoid struggling once again at next computer change.
CON's: installation and sw compliance (I have Windows 10 and Cubase 11).
The sw installation is quite messy:
1) the start guide makes you land on a page where you can download the driver and a support software: "Automap";
2) If you follow the built-in instructions you will not succeed in properly setting up the midi in your Cubase: the Impulse will not work in "DAW" mode but only as a generic midi controller;
3) Then I discovered among Novation's support pages that, in this order:
i) you have to setup Cubase differently from the starting guide to make it recognise Automap (despite of Automap being unable to configure Cubase because is supports till Cubase 9.5 only. Cubase 10 if you find the unofficial beta version);
ii) BUT...you can get rid of Automap with the latest firmware update (you can perform it via Sysex)...and it works but...
iii) if you use it without Automap the product works only partially because the 8 rotary encoders (knobs) cannot be used as volume controller but only as pan+send for the first 8 tracks;
iiii) I went back back to i) configuration (with Automap correctly set in Cubase 11) and corrected the installation guide with pen to avoid struggling once again at next computer change.
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ja
amazing price/quality relation
i bought this keyboard mostly to play basslines and use the integrated arpeggiator with rack synths,wich is a pretty rare feature. The semi-weighted keys feel great for plastic ones and the aftertouch works quite well, the drum pads are thick and responsive and as an mpc user i can say they dont feel so bad.
The knobs aren't great but they are infinite rotation and work fine,
all the buttons are thick rubber and the mod/pitch wheels are also covered in this sort of textured plastic/rubber, the pitch is a bit slow on the return but i actually like that.
Overall a great buy, honestly my only regret is not buying the 49 keys version. 4/5*
The knobs aren't great but they are infinite rotation and work fine,
all the buttons are thick rubber and the mod/pitch wheels are also covered in this sort of textured plastic/rubber, the pitch is a bit slow on the return but i actually like that.
Overall a great buy, honestly my only regret is not buying the 49 keys version. 4/5*
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NL
So intuitive, you won't have time for the manual
I'm using this controller with Ableton Live9 on a Windows 7 machine.
The installation was smooth, and the integration with the software amazing. I haven't had the time to read the instruction manual yet, as I'm having too much fun playing with this gem.
The layout of the controls is extremely comfortable, knobs are exactly where they're supposed to be! All the controls, knobs, pads, control buttons, wheels, slider, and last but not least, the keyboard, are very robust and highly responsive.
The device is powered via USB, which is quite handy, but may also be a limitation if you wanted to use the controller stand-alone, e.g. connecting it via MIDI to a synth (and without having to turn on your PC).
The installation was smooth, and the integration with the software amazing. I haven't had the time to read the instruction manual yet, as I'm having too much fun playing with this gem.
The layout of the controls is extremely comfortable, knobs are exactly where they're supposed to be! All the controls, knobs, pads, control buttons, wheels, slider, and last but not least, the keyboard, are very robust and highly responsive.
The device is powered via USB, which is quite handy, but may also be a limitation if you wanted to use the controller stand-alone, e.g. connecting it via MIDI to a synth (and without having to turn on your PC).
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SO
Fun!
I use this keyboard with Logic Pro 9 and Reason 6, it wasn't as easy to setup as the tutorial videos for Automap suggested. It seems that you have to rescan for control surfaces every time you want to use it, otherwise you can only get the basic key functions out of it. That aside however it's the most productive midi control surface/keyboard I've used. The built in arp and roll functions make composition interesting and diverse music fluid. And the control surface features once working make automation fun and easy and well as automation whilst playing. Good product.
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M
Not bad but was faulty
This is a pretty decent keyboard with a lot of features. First of all its quite big. The keys are well done though you have to apply a lot of pressure to work the aftertouch. The pads are fairly hard but thats ok. The compatibilty with Reaper is not good although you can program the transport keys on your own. My problem with this board was that the rotaries where a bit sticky. Not really nice to twist. One of them got stuck every couple of twists so you had to increase your force. Sent it back to Thomann. Since they could not reproduce my problem I got my money refund and gonna try the AKAI MPK
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d
Very nice!
Good build quality and functions! All you would expect from Novation.
Shame the hand manual is only a PDF (common now days). But you can print this and get better use from the unit. Very programmable and flexible. Works well with both ableton and Logic pro.
Also used to control external midi devices very well!
Shame the hand manual is only a PDF (common now days). But you can print this and get better use from the unit. Very programmable and flexible. Works well with both ableton and Logic pro.
Also used to control external midi devices very well!
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J
A good sturdy MIDI keyboard
This keyboard is very solid. Probably not one to throw into a travel bag, but it will give years of service in the studio. The keys are great quality and the control knobs are all rotary encoders, which is a must. It also has an onboard arpeggiator which is a handy feature.
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