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Nektar Impact LX49+ USB Keyboard Controller

$132.00 to $180.27 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (11)

1 Critic Review

3 Reviews

Find out who is using Nektar Impact LX49+

3 community setups

3 wishlisted

26 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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4.5 (43)

$159.99

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5.0 (3)

$142.95

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4.6 (961)

Used

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5.0 (5)

$180.27 3 available New

$110.00 1 available Used

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5.0 (8)

$142.95

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3.3 (4)

$159.99

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4.6 (179)

$132.00

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Average Price: $149

Budget/Beginner

$200

$501+

Price Tier

In the MIDI Keyboard Controllers category, Nektar Impact LX49+ USB Keyboard Controller is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Nektar Impact LX49+ USB Keyboard Controller". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Nektar Impact LX49+ USB Keyboard Controller

Unleash your creativity with the Nektar Impact LX49+ USB Keyboard Controller. This versatile controller is designed to deliver superior performance and seamless integration with popular DAWs, offering a level of control that is unsurpassed in its class. Its 49-note velocity-sensitive keyboard features a synth action with medium tension, accommodating a wide range of playing styles. The octave and transpose buttons, pitch bend and modulation wheels are within easy reach, allowing you to adjust your performance on the fly.

The Impact LX49+ also features 8 performance pads, offering an additional layer of control. These pads can be easily assigned to MIDI notes or messages, allowing you to trigger or toggle sounds with a simple touch. The controller also comes equipped with 9 control faders and 8 control pots, providing hands-on control for an immersive music creation experience.

The controller's extensive DAW integration offers a smooth workflow, with support for popular DAWs such as Cubase, Digital Performer, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar and Studio One. The Impact LX49+ is also bundled with Bitwig 8-Track DAW software, making it a complete package for music production.

Key Features:

49-note velocity-sensitive keyboard with synth action and medium tension
8 Performance pads for MIDI note assignment or toggle buttons
Extensive DAW integration, compatible with most popular DAWs
9 Control faders and 8 control pots for hands-on control
Comes with Bitwig 8-Track DAW software
4 velocity curves and 3 fixed velocities for versatile playing
Octave and transpose buttons for easy adjustments
Pitch bend and modulation wheels for additional articulation
6 Dedicated transport buttons for easy navigation and control
Class Compliant for true plug-and-play
Powered via USB
User-defined parameter assignments with 5 user presets

Owner's manual

Nektar Impact LX49+ USB Keyboard Controller User Manual

Product specs

Type	Keyboard Controller
Number of Keys	49
Type of Keys	Synth Action
Velocity Sensitive	Yes
Pads	8 LED Backlit
Other Controllers	Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
Encoders/Pots	8
Faders	8 plus volume
Dedicated Transport Control	Yes, full integration for major DAWs
Pedal Inputs	1 x 1/4" (assignable)
MIDI I/O	USB
USB	1 x Type B
Computer Connectivity	USB
Software	Bitwig 8-Track (VST plug-in compatible)
OS Requirements - Mac	OS X 10.7 or later, iOS (Apple Camera Connection kit required for iPad)
OS Requirements - PC	Windows 7 or later
Height	3.00"
Width	31.60"
Depth	10.50"
Weight	7.0 lbs.

FAQs

Is the Nektar Impact LX49+ compatible with all major DAWs?: Yes, the Nektar Impact LX49+ offers full integration with major DAWs such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, and more, providing seamless control over your music production software.
Does the Nektar Impact LX49+ require any special drivers to work with my computer?: No special drivers are required. The Nektar Impact LX49+ is class-compliant, meaning it connects via USB and works with both Mac and PC without additional drivers.
What type of keys does the Nektar Impact LX49+ have?: The Nektar Impact LX49+ features 49 synth-action keys that are velocity-sensitive, allowing for expressive playing dynamics.
Can I use the Nektar Impact LX49+ with an iPad?: Yes, the Nektar Impact LX49+ can be used with an iPad, but it requires an Apple Camera Connection Kit to connect via USB.
Does the Nektar Impact LX49+ have assignable controls?: Yes, the Nektar Impact LX49+ includes 8 pads, 8 encoders, and 8 faders, all of which are assignable to various functions within your DAW for customized control.
What software is included with the Nektar Impact LX49+?: The Nektar Impact LX49+ comes with Bitwig 8-Track, which is VST plug-in compatible, providing a great starting point for music production.

Videos

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Reviews

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PROS

Seamless DAW integration across multiple platforms
Easy setup with downloadable drivers from Nektar site
Excellent build quality relative to its price point
Comes with a variety of controls including faders, pads, and knobs
Keys have a good feel, suitable for beginners and intermediates
Drum pads are velocity-sensitive and highly responsive
Offers real-time response to knob and slider movements for immersive control
Affordable price for a full-featured MIDI controller
Positive impact on workflow with transport controls and digital display
Sturdy design with a contemporary aesthetic and matte finish

CONS

Lack of aftertouch feature noted by some users
Keys and pads may have an aggressive velocity curve that requires adjustment
Limited I/O with only USB port and sustain pedal input, lacking MIDI out
The keybed feels "clicky" and lacks springy resistance for rapid note triggering
Some users find the initial DAW configuration process to be less intuitive than expected
The keys are not perfectly aligned, which may affect playability
The drum pads require a hard amount of pressure for full velocity

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Nektar Impact LX49+ USB Keyboard Controller.

Build quality

0 0

The plastic used in the construction is prone to breaking, especially during reassembly after repairs, making it difficult to maintain.
Source
0 0

The USB connection is notably weak, with the cable having trouble staying secure during use.
Source

User experience

0 0

Some users have performed live with the LX25+ and noted the keys feel satisfactory despite minor issues like a faulty pitch bend wheel.
Source
0 0

Some keys show wear differently, possibly due to frequent use, but can be corrected with MIDI editing.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The Nektar LX49+ is generally considered a slight upgrade over Akai keyboards but falls short of newer Arturia and Novation models.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

Despite its build faults, the LX25+ has been successfully used in live performances, indicating reliable functionality in stage settings.
Source
0 0

An owner reported the unit became unresponsive after moving flats, suggesting potential sensitivity to handling.
Source

Software and compatibility

0 0

Requires driver reinstallation each time Studio One DAW is updated for continued integration.
Source

Critic Reviews

Nektar Impact LX49+ Review - Instant Integration from Nektar

musictech.com

The Nektar Impact LX49+ is a budget-friendly MIDI controller that punches above its weight with a rich feature set. It’s well-built, with quality knobs, sliders, and pads that are responsive and versatile, offering great DAW integration across several platforms. The keyboard action feels slightly loose, which is a minor letdown, but the customizable velocity curves help deliver decent performance. Lacking a MIDI Out is a drawback, but expected for the price. Its standout feature is the smart DAW integration, simplifying setup and mapping, although Ableton Live users may face hurdles. Overall, it's a strong contender for those seeking affordability and functionality in a compact package.

positive

Full Review

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

serdar

over 7 years ago

Does many stuff and works fine with your DAW

has many properties which overcomes its price (has many buttons to play with yay!)
so easy to install and works perfectly fine with many of the DAW's around (even with Garage Band)
It adds new stuff to your DAW. Has many cool UI short cuts, I can edit Garage Band's preset sounds with its synthesizer even more that Garage Band allows me to do.
It has a weirdly aggressive velocity curve on keyboard and the opposite on pads. Looks like some engineer mixed their data. You need to get used to it.

panta

309

over 8 years ago

So much quantity for the price!

I immediatly fell in love with it after reading several reviews. Not only the attractive price, but also the implemented controls for various DAW's. The product is actually aimed to use with Bitwig Studio / 8 Track. But it also have macro's for FL Studio, Cubase and plenty of others, EXCEPT Ableton. Thanks to these implementations, the keyboard is great for performance play. Just what I wanted. The knobs and faders all feel very solid, just like the pads. Velocity for the keys sounds good too. And I love that the pads are velocity sensitive as well.

Downsides:

The keys could use improvement. When I got the keyboard, the first thing I noticed was that all the keys where not exactly alligned with eachother. Something you see on very old piano's. Also, it took a while to get the keys smoother. ( Eventually after playing a lot, the keys are now smooth enough to comfortably play it. ) The velocity of the drumpads could use a bit more settings. Tapping with one finger requires a hard amount of pressure to get full velocity. ( Even after setting the velocity to the max settings ) Always need two fingers to press one pad. Ofcourse, you can disable the velocity feature on the pads, but that takes away a precious ( and needed ) functionality.

Overall, for this price you can't expect that much. But taking away the few downsides, you have an excellent midi keyboard. You don't see so much midi keyboards with so much features for that price. And quality wise: It's actually not that bad! It feels like it will last a long time.

If Nektar decides to make another upgrade of the LX, please add a MIDI IN / OUT / THRU port and aftertouch. If so, Nektar will have me as a loyal customer.

Roles:

Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Synthpop

tel_nobody

3007

about 9 years ago

Instant connectability

My Nektar Impact LX49+ landed today and it was simple to install. It has proven in it's first night to be as versatile as I needed it to be, allowing me drum pads, seamless octave jumping, live adjustments to synth parameters, a working and accurate transport bar and 8 channels of mixer sliders that got me straight into recording and mixing without really having to touch the laptop or the mouse. All on the first night. Reviews say the keys are a bit weird, they are high but they are completely usable. A great addition to my setup.