Impact LX88+

This keyboard does its job well. It may not be sexy, but it is super thin, seems pretty sturdy, especially compared to the smaller Nektar models, and has good integration with a variety of DAWs. It says the keys are semi-weighted, but I might take issue with this. They really don't feel that semi-weighted compared to my 49. I am used to performing on a Yamaha S90es, so I'm used to fully weighted, piano action keys- I think I would be able to tell a reasonable difference between the 49 and 88 if the keys really are semi-weighted. What I WILL say, is the keys on the 88 definitely feel sturdier and nicer. This keyboard fits great in the Output Platform keyboard tray if you have that desk.All in all, I think it's an awesome deal at its price point. Not the best 88-key MIDI keyboard on the market by far, but it's a solid choice if you're not looking for tons of bells and whistles and nice hammer-action keys.

For less expensive Midi options you can't go wrong.. I'm getting into digitally recording music and I'm used to traditional pianos. The semi weighed keys are a learning curve but not a steep one. Connected right up to my iMac. No installation needed.. Great piece of hardware in my opinion.. Lol don't know enough to review further than that. Buttons and dials feel great and sturdy. Keys are sensitive to how hard to play them. Drum pad is pretty cool not entirely sure how to use it.. But its very responsive played double time and it handle it on multiple pads. I'm loving it so far.

At the time of purchase, the Novation Launchkey 88 was not available, and I would have chosen that instead.The Nektar Impact LX88+ is wonderful in terms of compatibility with software and simplicity. It does not offer many of the "fancier" features that other entry-level 88 key MIDI controllers offer, but it's just enough that you can get to work really quickly and not be limited by features.The keys leave you with something to desire. While they definitely work and are definitely "semi-weighted", I'm not really a fan of the springiness. I find myself recording voice messages to send to my friends, and the sound of the keys bouncing back into place is almost as loud as the music itself.Appearance wise, it does look quite nice. The tiny LED display gives it a retro look, and the other lighting effects accentuate it well.It is compatible with most DAWs as at least a generic MIDI controller, and many popular ones have more specific presets for it as well.It's also fairly compact for an 88 key MIDI controller with the amount of knobs and sliders it has. You could get one with less buttons, but who wants that? :)

I bought it for Reaper and EzkeysHooked it up, computer detected it.Loaded reaper and it detected it as a midi device.Added EZkeys to a track, changed midi input to all channels and record monitoring on and worked no problem.I havent installed any software yet, thats just straight out of the box

My biggest issue with this keyboard is that the black keys are significantly more sensitive than the white keys, which makes it awkward to play pieces where note velocities matter. Also, the keys have a bit of play to them, allowing them to wiggle side-to-side. Aside from those two issues, everything else works on the keyboard as intended, and it wasn't hard to set up. The chassis is pretty sturdy and the drum pads feel pretty good. Of course the keys are clacky, but it IS a cheap keyboard after all.This keyboard would be perfect for the price if not for the key sensitivity issue.

UpdateAfter about 2 years it starts playing the notes out of pitchMoving it from 5 to 3 starsOriginal Review BelowOff the bat I had a little issue with Bitwig and the LX88+ integration (even the 8 Track) but once the support time emailed me that was that.Package came in mint condition thank God, everyting on it works perfectly.The keys though, black verses white velocity are not neutral, the black keys tend to play louder than the white ones with similar amounts of pressure, but I have the same issue with my Keystation (which I still love but not as much as the LX88+) and it has not stopped me from making music so no stars will be knocked off for that.The 8 drum pads are very very very sensitive if they were any more sensitive just looking at them would trigger a note and them being multi-colored surely doesn't hurt, but the main reason I wanted pads were to save the keys from the abuse of drumming, I just never expected them to be this great, Nektar deserves a sixth star 🌟 for that.I won't go too deep on the knobs and the slides or I'll be typing forever, I actually can't believe I was using my mouse to adjust my mixes for so long, the very very first time using sliders it was quite evident that I would never go back to mouse mixing ever again, I'd rather buy a backup Lx+ than to mouse mix, the same can be said for the knobs they make mixing a total joy. Though they are all plastic they don't feel cheap Nektar deserves a seventh star 🌟 for that. I am going to assume there is no note repeat on this device because I haven't seen any on it or in any of the reviews done for the LX88+ (so note repeat and even velocity response on black vs white keys would be things I need the most on the LX line)I haven't really taken advantage of LX88+ ability to adjust the Vsts I have but I haven't had this thing long enough to fully get to everything.This thing is not just a keyboard when you think about it, it's more like a universal remote for the studio.The reason I titled my review (There's No Way To Cover All The Good This Controller Is Capable of) is because as your abilities grow so does the keyboards functions reveal that it can perform tasks to make every process easierI was anxious to get my hands on my very own LX88+ and NEKTAR SURPASSED ALL MY EXPECTATIONS (even after watching tons of Youtube videos LX88 related) my expectations were still surpassed.......