Nektar releases Impact GX Mini: Portable USB MIDI keyboard controller with DAW control features

Nektar has unveiled the new Impact GX Mini solution for mobile music production. Despite its small size, this USB MIDI controller offers features including 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keys, a joystick for modulation control, footswitch socket, Nektar DAW control for most popular DAWs and creative real-time performance options.

Impact GX Mini is the portable version of Nektar's top-selling Impact GX range of USB MIDI controllers and fits their considerable control power into a backpack-size unit. The newly designed keybed has 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keys and delivers a defined and expressive playing feel.

Three different velocity curves allow for adjusting the keyboard's response for different playing styles. The centered joystick controls pitch-bend in the horizontal axis and has a freely MIDI assignable y-axis, with the upwards direction pre-assigned to modulation amount, the downwards direction to expression. Also included is a footswitch socket, enabling the connection of a sustain pedal – again the MIDI-message can be assigned to other functions.

Part Two is Nektar's unique performance feature for momentary setup changes at the touch of one button. Pressing one of the dedicated Part 2 buttons, GX Mini can transpose the keyboard up or down, switch to another MIDI-channel or layer a second sound on top. Once you let go of the button, GX Mini reverts back to the initial configuration.

Impact GX Mini is compatible with any MIDI music software on Mac OS, Windows, iOS (requires optional Apple camera kit) or Linux (with a MIDI extension). With the included custom Nektar DAW Integration for most popular DAWs, the workflow is enhanced significantly with pre-mapped extended transport control and project navigation. This includes track selection, setting and navigating to locators and open/close of DAW or plugin windows.

Included is a Bitwig 8-Track software license turns Impact GX Mini into a complete and very affordable entry-level solution and the 'Bitwig Essentials' content package, featuring hand-picked loops and samples.

The new Impact GX Mini is available at resellers worldwide from August 2021.

Price (MAP/MSRP): $69.99 USD / €69.99 EUR / £59.99 GBP.