Nektar's Impact LXmk3 series introduces four MIDI controller keyboards—LX25, LX49, LX61, and LX88—engineered to provide a customized, DAW-integrated workflow that enhances both performance and production. A re-engineered keybed offers expressive, clean action with refined velocity response, while full-resolution encoders and color LED buttons support intuitive parameter control and DAW navigation. 

A standout feature is the dedicated DAW Looper, enabling hands-free loop creation and editing directly from the controller. This works seamlessly with linear timeline-based DAWs and supports clip launchers as well. Timeline scrolling, loop recording, and point adjustment are managed via LED buttons and the large encoder, boosting recording efficiency and creativity. 

The global encoder delivers three toggleable modes with Nektar DAW integration: channel volume, instrument cutoff, and control select of any DAW/plugin parameter. Fine 10-bit resolution control and real-time parameter value display offer studio-level precision. The controller supports Native Instruments' NKS standard, integrating with Komplete Select for immediate control of any NKS-compatible plugin, in any DAW. 

Eight velocity-sensitive LED pads are pre-mapped to common drum instruments but can be fully customized. Mixer and Instrument modes offer hands-on control of faders, encoders, sends, pan, and plugin parameters, with pre-mapped templates for popular virtual instruments. 

Advanced performance tools include: 

• Scale Mode: Constrains notes to a selected scale. 
• Chord Mode: Plays 2-6 note chords, with user presets and inversions. 
• Hold Mode: Offers legato or flexible sustain. 
• Transpose: Shifts key globally, affecting all active modes.

Hardware highlights include USB-C connectivity, 8 faders, 8 full-resolution encoders, 8 pads, transport buttons, a bright LED display, and full MIDI programmability. The LX88mk3 features semi-weighted keys, while LX25mk3, LX49mk3 and LX61mk3 use a synth-action keybed. 

DAW integration 

Looper and timeline navigation. 

Designed to augment the power of supported DAWs, Impact LX mk3 includes unique timeline options enabling fast navigation, as well as loop creation, throughout a project. Activating loop record via the dedicated Impact LX mk3 looper button is a creativity boosting experience in a linear DAW. With loop  recording complete, loop points are automatically set, perfectly truncated to the part and playback of the recording begins. Artists no longer need to decide the length of a  loop before recording starts and can move on to immediate overdub or record the next part much quicker. 

Loop points can be set or moved at any time and adjusted in length by just pressing LED buttons. The large encoder can scroll through the timeline while the display bar position updates as the play head or loop moves. 

DAWs with clip launchers are supported to instead record and activate clips on the selected track. 

Global Control. 

The large encoder is a global control that doesn't change operation when Mixer, Instrument or Preset modes are selected. 

With Nektar DAW integration, the associated button toggles 3 encoder states: • Channel volume. 

• Cutoff (instrument). 
• Selected parameter. 

The “Selected parameter” enables control of any DAW or plugin parameter by simply clicking to select, then control. With multiple plugin windows open, it’s a gratifying tactile control experience when moving from instrument to effect parameters. 

Fine control and displaying parameter values. 

The Impact LX mk3's global encoder offers precise parameter control at either standard MIDI or a finer 10-bit resolution. 

This fine control option, pioneered on the Nektar Panorama CS12, delivers a level of UI-precise control that's typically not possible from a controller keyboard. 

To support this accuracy, Impact LX mk3 receives parameter values directly from your DAW, with the display updating instantly as controls are moved. For example, if a parameter is centered at 0 with +/- values on either side, the display will reflect that. Similarly, if values range from 20-20kHz, the display shows that range. These formatted values provide comfort during use and are especially helpful when dealing with detailed parameter adjustments.

NKS support: The control standard that works in any DAW. 

Native Instruments developed the Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) which is supported by thousands of plugins including the entire NI Komplete Select package, which is now part of the Impact LXmk3 software bundle. 

Navigating presets, plugins and control pages can all be done from Impact LXmk3 with the 8 encoders dedicated to page parameter control. 

Working alongside Nektar DAW integration, Impact LXmk3 automatically switches to NKS control whenever it’s detected when selecting a track. The experience can be augmented by combining NKS with the global encoder's selected parameter feature and the Nektar “grab” mode controlling other parameters using the faders. 

Pads: Mapped to drum and percussion plugins. 

The 8 pads are freely assignable to send any MIDI note or MIDI cc message. DAWs that include drum and percussion instruments are in addition pre-mapped so the pads immediately send the right notes, with the associated arrow buttons selecting banks to cover all drum sounds available. 

Mixer mode: 8 channel mixing. 

With 8 channel control surface mixing, Impact LXmk3 controls volume, pan, solo and mute with LED colors used throughout to identify solo, mute and arm status. The global encoder can control the currently selected tracks’ channel volume while the 8 encoders control the track’s 8 sends. 

Instrument mode: Default mapping and customization. 

Selecting Instrument Mode reassigns the faders and eight encoder controls to directly control the instrument hosted on your selected track. Many popular instruments come pre-mapped, with controls clearly labeled on the unit, eliminating guesswork. The LXmk3 also allows you to temporarily override Instrument Mode assignments to work with other parameter sets. Plus, customized mapping can be created and saved directly from Impact LX mk3, with most DAWs. 

Hardware: Performance Tools 

For both novice and experienced keyboard players, performance tools offer powerful ways to enhance creativity and simplify complex playing. 

Impact LX mk3 includes new features such as Scale, Chord, and Hold, all of which can interact seamlessly. For example, Scale and Chord can be used together to ensure chords only contain notes within the selected scale. Then, free up a hand using Hold for either perfect legato, or to hold specific notes and continue to play normally on the rest of the keyboard. 

Scale: The library of scales configures the keyboard so keys played outside of the selected scale are adjusted to notes within the scale. Select the scale tonic to play in different keys, or simply use the transpose function and always play in the key of C. 

Chord: A selection of chords from 2 to 6 notes is available with options to also capture user chords. Up to 3 chord types can be played at any time at the push of a button, with chord inversions selectable for each chord type. The Sub-octave button complements the chord with additional voicing, adding a note -1 or -2 octaves below the played root. 

If both Scale and Chord are enabled, the notes of any chord will be adjusted to the scale.

Hold: The default hold option results in perfect legato, with new notes replacing previously played notes. A second mode enables “flexible sustain” where notes can be removed or added while other keys can be played normally. 

Transpose: Affects both Chord and Scale, so it’s possible to always play in one key even with both scale and chord active.