Novation Impulse 49-USB-MIDI Keyboard

Novation's 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 clips in Ableton live. Impulse, available with 25, 49 or 61 keys, gives you instant access to your DAW's mixer, transport, and plug-ins. Impulse also comes with a stack of free software and sounds including: 1) Ableton Live Lite - powerful loop based music-making software?, 2) Novation Bass Station - legendary analogue bass synth as a software plug-in?, 3) Loopmasters sample library - over 1GB of royalty-free samples, and 4) Mike The Drummer - 502MB of live drum loops and breaks.

From the Manufacturer

Precision keyboard with a full control surface using Automap control software.
Novation Impulse 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 backlit drum pads that can warp arpeggios, roll beats, and launch Live clips.

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.

Many MIDI controllers have knobs, faders and buttons, but using them is difficult and time-consuming. Impulse (as with all Novation controllers) 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.

With 8 knobs, 9 faders and buttons, and a custom LCD screen (1 fader and button on Impulse 25), the control surface allows you to get hands-on control for your DAW and plug-ins. Novation has 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.

Impulse has 8 quality-feel drum pads that are velocity-sensitive with aftertouch. These are backlit with 3-color 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).

Novation has worked with major music software manufacturers to ensure Impulse gives you instant hands-on control. In addition to the major DAWs--Reason, Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, and Ableton Live--Impulse and 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.

Impulse is USB powered, with expression and sustain pedal inputs as well as MIDI in and out ports for connecting external MIDI instruments.

Which Novation Impulse Professional USB/MIDI Controller is right for you?

Number of keys 25 49 61
Unit size (LxWxH) 20.6" x 13" x 3.9" 33.3" x 13" x 3.93" 40.2" x 13" x 3.9"
Weight 7.71 11.02 14.33
Precision semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch
Automap software
Ableton Live Lite, Novation's Bass Station synth and a Loopmasters sample pack included
USB powered
Expression and sustain pedal inputs
MIDI in and out ports for connecting external MIDI instruments
Number of faders 1 9