Nektar (www.nektartech.com) has announced two new USB MIDI controller keyboards that sport dedicated Nektar DAW integration features: the $99.99 Impact GX49 and $119.99 GX61 Controller Keyboards.
 
The Nektar GXs’ compact design is comfortable in front of a computer. The Impact GX49 and GX61 are dynamic and expressive instruments, tailored for composition & performance with a computer music system, featuring a 49-note (4 octave) or 61-note (5 octave) keyboard, pitch-bend wheel, modulation wheel and foot switch socket. Two multi-colored octave buttons enable shifting the keyboard range up or down -3/+4 octaves with the LED colors changing to show the exact status, Impact GX are well equipped to deliver a great workflow.
 
Dedicated transpose buttons allow to shift the keyboard range up to +/- 12 semi tones. The buttons can quickly be re-purposed to change the Global MIDI Channel or send Program messages. Additionally an assignable potentiometer provides control over any MIDI parameter, by default controls mixer volume.
 
The acclaimed Nektar DAW Integration supporting many of the most commonly used DAWs makes the GXs a pleasure to use as the controller keyboard becomes an integral part of the music system always providing the creative freedom to compose, perform and play, without having to reach for the mouse constantly. Eight buttons intended for DAW control, are at the center of the Impact GX.

Highly repetitive tasks like  transport activation or navigating tracks do not require reaching for the mouse every time. Used with Nektar DAW integration, the eight buttons extend functionality includes control over transport and a host of other important DAW functions, right from Impact GX.
 
The buttons can also be assigned to MIDI messages for use with any MIDI software that's not supported by Nektar DAW Integration. A primary and a secondary message can be programmed for each of seven buttons, delivering 14 programmable options total.
 
As a low powered USB device, Impact GX works with all USB devices that feature a Class compliant MIDI driver. That includes all versions of Mac OS X 10.5. Impact GX keyboards also work with an Apple iPad using the iPad’s optional USB camera connection kit (optional). The Impact GX is powered by the iPad, making it a fully mobile music performance and recording system.