Novation Impulse Driver

• Novation Impulse Driver
• Novation Impulse 61 Driver
• Novation Impulse Software
• Novation Impulse 49 Midi Controller

In this review of quality and affordable MIDI keyboard controllers, we look at Novation Impulse 61 vs. M-Audio Axiom 61.

Novation Impulse 61

The Novation Impulse 61 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard comes from a line of professional USB MIDI controllers made exclusively by Novation. Impulse has 8 back-lit drum pads which can warp arpeggios, roll beats and launch clips in Ableton Live. The Impulse 61 controller keyboard has a precision keyboard and a full control surface powered by Automap 4 control software.

Price:Available on zZounds.com
Keys: 61 Semi-weighted, Lipped Edges
Wheels: Pitch and Modulation
Controls: 9 Faders, 8 Knobs, 8 Drum Pads, Transport Controls, 9 Assignable Buttons
Connections: 1 USB, 1 MIDI In, 1 MIDI Out, Expression and Sustain Inputs
Display: LCD
Power: USB
Accessories: USB Cable, Software/Driver/Manual CD, Installation DVD

Pros: Novation MIDI controllers and keyboards are typically well designed, and the Novation Impulse 61 is no exception. It's a very ruggedly built device, which makes it very good for live work.

The extra backlighting on various controls is helpful in low-light conditions.

The keyboard has a very solid feel for a semi-weighted keyboard, though the whole unit is a bit light and can move around a fair bit on lightweight stands.

The aftertouch 'bounce' is very low on this keyboard. This gives it a much more authentic 'piano' feel for the price. I also like the 'roll' feature on the drum pads for doing rolls and flams.

I really like the integration capability when working with various DAWs in the studio. I've never had the Novation fail to integrate, even with low-end software, as you can always select the 'Mackie HUI' mode. The Automap software also emulates 'Learn' and 'ACT' control programming features that are absent in low-end DAWs, though beginners will still need to learn the MIDI codes for many features.

Cons: Power is supplied through the USB port. If you use other MIDI devices connected to the MIDI ports, you may find this to be a drawback. I'm also not a fan of the low-resolution LCD display.

M-Audio Axiom 61

Price:Available on Amazon
Keys: 61 Semi-weighted, Lipped Edges
Wheels: Pitch and Modulation
Controls: 9 Faders, 8 Knobs, 8 Trigger Pads, Transport Controls, 9 Assignable Buttons
Connections: Power, 1 USB, 1 MIDI In, 1 MIDI Out, Expression and Sustain Inputs
Display: LCD
Power: USB or Power Supply (9VDC)
Accessories: USB Cable, Software/Driver/Manual CD

Pros: The M-Audio Axiom 61 is clearly one of the most popular MIDI keyboard controllers due to its integration with Pro Tools. The LCD can display a great deal of other DAW details, but it really shines in Pro Tools.

All of the controls on the Axiom 61 are re-assignable and feel solid and smooth. You can also re-assign the rotation speed for different functional uses.

The keyboard has a piano-style lipped edge and semi-weighted keys so it feels natural — if a bit 'bouncy' — to pianists.

There are two versions of this product. The older version is identifiable by a numerical keypad. Many users miss this feature but find the new version's layout more usable overall.

Cons: For the cost, Avid might have included the wall-wart power supply. There do seem to be a number of people that have gotten some lemons with the new version due to different factory locations, but most people, including myself, have had no trouble with the M-Audio Axiom 61. Most of the complaints are noisy and/or sticking keys.

Final Tips for Choosing a MIDI Keyboard Controller

Both M-Audio and Novation offer controllers with more options, knobs, buttons, and keys, as do other manufacturers. The keyboard controller you end up going with will depend largely on what style of music you create.

If you're a trained pianist, you'll probably want to go with fully weighted keys. If you have experience with organs, you may want to get waterfall edges on the keys for faster slides. If you do a lot of electronica music, you might want more trigger pads for controlling sound effects and loops.

In almost all modern controllers, you can assign any controller to any process within your DAW, so it's always nice to have more knobs and faders. There are even controllers available that include built-in DAWs and sound cards for using them in standalone modes.

There have been a lot of changes in MIDI keyboard controllers in recent years, and not all of them have been for the better. For instance, a lot of cheaper controllers use a diving board edge on the keys. This makes doing glissandi more difficult, and the keys can be easily broken if you are an aggressive player.

Additionally, many companies have been sold and now use cheaper manufacturing processes that can make the controls sticky and/or noisy.

Novation Impulse Driver

A great option for film composers can be to visit pawn shops and used music stores to find the 'tried-and-true' MIDI devices. The MIDI standard has been around since 1983, and there have been some great keyboard controllers over the years. You might have to play around with a few different models to find out what works best for you.

If you're buying your first MIDI keyboard controller, be sure to check out our MIDI keyboard buying guide.

Novation Impulse 61 Driver

About This Product

Novation Impulse 25 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard

Impulse is a range of professional USB/MIDI controllers. They each have a precision keyboard and a full control surface powered by a brand new version of Novation's Automap control software - Automap 4 (which makes getting hands-on with your DAW/plug-ins fast and simple). Impulse also has 8 back-lit drum pads which can warp arpeggios, roll beats and launch Live clips.

Precision Keyboard: Ultra-responsive semi weighted keyboard with aftertouch

Impulse has a precision 'players' keyboard. It is semi-weighted with assignable aftertouch and has been designed to feel like an instrument rather than a computer peripheral. In addition to feeling good, it is incredibly accurate - this means it can translate musical expression (how you play the keyboard) extremely effectively. So your performance is reflected exactly by the synth or software instrument you are triggering.

Automap 4 control software: Spend more time making music, less time reading user guides

Many MIDI controllers have knobs, faders and buttons, but using them is difficult and time consuming!
Impulse comes with Automap control software. This gives you instant mapping to the things you need to control, meaning you can make full use of faders, knobs and buttons on Impulse to get hands-on with your DAW and plug-ins.

Full DAW/plug-in control surface:

8 knobs, 9 faders and buttons and a custom LCD screen (1 fader & button on Impulse25) The control surface allows you to get hands on control for your DAW and plug-ins. We have worked with all the major DAWs and plug-ins to make sure that you get instant control of your mixer, transport controls and plug-in instruments and effects.

Multi-function drum pads: Warp arpeggios, roll beats and launch clips in Ableton Live

Impulse has 8 quality-feel drum pads which are velocity-sensitive with aftertouch. These are back-lit with 3-colour LEDs which means they can do things other drum pads can't, like warping arpeggios in real time, rolling beats and launching clips in Ableton Live (Ableton Live Lite 8 comes with Impulse).

Works with all major DAWs and plug-in instruments and effects

We have worked with major music software manufacturers to ensure Impulse gives you instant hands-on control. In addition to the major DAWs, Impulse & Automap 4 have been specially designed to give you full control of 3rd party plug-in instruments and effects, like Native Instruments, Waves or FXpansion.

Novation Impulse Software

Impulse 25 Features:

Novation Impulse 49 Midi Controller

• Precision semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch.
• Professional control surface gives you full control of your DAW including mixer, transport, and plug-in instruments and effects.
• Novation's Automap control software makes it fast and simple to assign knobs, faders and buttons to your music software.
• Back-lit drum pads allow you to warp arpeggios and improvise with rhythm patterns – they also launch clips in Ableton.
• Large LCD screen displays control information.
• Hardware design is tough and rugged.
• Comes with Ableton Live Lite, Novation's Bass Station synth, and a Loopmasters sample pack.
• USB powered, with expression and sustain pedal inputs as well as MIDI in and out ports for connecting external MIDI instruments.