Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $242
Standard/Professional
$99
$300+
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Budget
Standard
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Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Nektar Aura". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Discover a new realm of beat-making and performance with the Nektar Aura, a robust MIDI pad controller designed for both studio and stage. This dynamic instrument melds seamlessly with your DAW, offering an intuitive workflow that feels like a natural extension of your creative process. With its 16 pressure-sensitive RGB pads, the Aura invites you to explore intricate rhythms and dynamic performances.
At the heart of the Nektar Aura is its powerful integration with Nektarine 2.0 software, transforming the controller into a versatile hub for VST, VST3, and AU plugins. Whether you're layering sounds or experimenting with different textures, the Aura accommodates up to 16 instrument plugins simultaneously, each pad capable of triggering its own unique sound. The onboard step sequencer further enhances your creative palette, enabling you to craft complex patterns with ease.
With eight rotary pots and a dedicated plug-in mode, the Aura provides effortless access to key sound parameters. Adjust pitch, tweak decay, or modulate effects directly from the controller, ensuring your workflow remains unbroken. The innovative pad repeat engine is perfect for adding nuanced rolls and dynamic shifts, while the hardware step sequencer allows real-time interaction with your beats.
For those seeking deep DAW integration, the Aura doesn't disappoint. It boasts comprehensive support for popular DAWs, bringing transport control, track selection, and project navigation right to your fingertips. Whether you're controlling your software or connecting to external MIDI gear, the Nektar Aura is engineered to elevate your musical journey.
Key Features:
- 16 RGB illuminated, velocity-sensitive pads
- Nektarine 2.0 software integration for extensive plugin hosting
- Onboard step sequencer with 16 patterns and up to 64 steps
- Eight rotary pots for real-time parameter control
- Comprehensive DAW integration with support for popular platforms
- USB and MIDI connectivity for versatile hardware and software interaction
FAQs
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Is the Nektar Aura compatible with popular DAWs like Ableton Live and Logic Pro?
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Yes, the Nektar Aura is compatible with a wide range of DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Studio One, Cubase, and more, providing seamless integration and control.
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Can the Nektar Aura be used as a standalone device?
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Yes, the Nektar Aura can function as a standalone device, allowing you to connect external MIDI instruments directly to its MIDI Out jack for versatile performance options.
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How many pads does the Nektar Aura feature and are they velocity-sensitive?
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The Nektar Aura features 16 RGB color illuminated pads that are both velocity- and pressure-sensitive, providing dynamic control over your beats and performances.
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Does the Nektar Aura support VST and AU plugins?
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Yes, the Nektar Aura supports loading VST, VST3, and AU instrument plugins, offering extensive flexibility for integrating your favorite sounds and effects.
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What are the main real-time performance features of the Nektar Aura?
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The Nektar Aura offers real-time performance features such as solo, mute, instant start options, and the ability to trigger sequencer parts in any combination, enhancing live creativity.
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What type of connection does the Nektar Aura require to operate?
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The Nektar Aura is USB class compliant, requiring no additional drivers, and works with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 or higher, as well as Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.
Videos
The Quest for Groove
Nektar Aura \\ Great pads! (if you set it up correctly)
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Nektar Aura.
Features and functionality
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The Nektar Aura can only use 8 knobs outside of its VST, which are sent as CCs and lack context sensitivity.
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Each pad's sensitivity can be fine-tuned individually, enhancing the setup for finger drumming.
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The Nektar Aura requires a computer and DAW to produce sound, as it lacks internal sound generation capabilities.
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Software and compatibility
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While the Nektar Aura works under Linux, it's only somewhat supported, requiring workarounds for full functionality.
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The control script in bitwig crashed twice and froze the controller, hinting at potential instability in the software integration.
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Rotary controllers in Reason are hardwired to generic functions; mapping to device performance controls is not possible.
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The Nektarine VST plugin is reportedly ineffective for mapping controls to various VSTs.
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User experience
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An owner experienced a pad becoming unresponsive, staying lit and failing to trigger sounds, even after a firmware update.
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The Aura's internal sequencer works well but lacks integration with bitwig for MIDI clip editing, limiting its standalone functionality.
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Owners praise the Aura for its versatility as a drum sequencer and VST controller, but it must be paired with a sound module or DAW.
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Use cases and applications
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The Aura's standalone sequencer doesn't integrate with Reason and is meant for standalone hardware use.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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