Novation Impulse 61 Reviews

4.1/5.0 based on 5 customer reviews

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April 7, 2013

Garbage

I've had this for about 9 months and can say it's a very frustrating pice of gear. I use it to control Ableton Live and as a key controller with Maschine. The action is great, the pads feel nicer than both Maschine and my Tempest. That is where it ends thou. The software is constantly losing the connection. Unplug/replug and it works again. Every now and then it just completely stops working so you have to uninstall and reinstall Automap. Novation support is about a three day wait only to have them suggest you read the manual. I will never buy another Novation. I've owned Akai, M-Audio and Alesis and never had anything like this to keep them running. Novation = constant fiddling and troubleshooting.

Jared Forkner
from San Francisco
March 6, 2013Music Background:
DJ & Producer

Quality Keyboard - Automap Not so good

This is a great keyboard controller. The roll/arp functions are huge helps in workflow. I will say tho that the automap software is less appealing. It's clunky.

Javier
from San Juan, PR
February 4, 2013Music Background:
Pro Musician

Simply Incredible!

I had being looking for a decent MIDI Controller that could have all the necessary things to create music as fast as possible. The Novation Impulse 61 has everything I wanted; great feeling Keys, touch pads, parameter knobs, and a relative large mixer (for a keyboard). But the most amazing thing is the Automap software. I configured all the plug-ins and mixer options in Pro Tools 10 in literally 3 minutes. Other controllers, to setup, usually require more time. It's that simple. Highly recommend getting this controller. Every $$ is worth it. Much better than other midi controllers with the same features.

James Woodgrain
from Atlanta Ga.
December 22, 2011Music Background:
Producer singer songwriter.

Logic's Best Friend

For years now I'v wanted a keyboard controller that would give me real control over Logic Studio. Out of all the other brands that failed to deliver this one just works. You load the auto map software go into controller setup in logic scan and then close and it works giving you control over the mixer with full banking no matter how many tracks your using, Volume & Pan controls, full mapping to any plugin you click on letting you tweak sound in real time like never before and full transport control.

On top of that programming the trigger pad on this thing is the most logical I ever seen. You hit the controls button find the sound you want on the keys hit that key then hit the pad you want to assign it to. Yes I would highly recommend this to any logic user that needs an all in one real time control set up. Love the product and most of all love the sweet service from sweetwater sound. Love it Love it Love it!!!!!!

Jeff Griffith
from Maine
November 19, 2011Music Background:
Pro Musician

Excellent Buy

Superb keyboard, solid built, Excellent responsive semi weighted keys. Automap software makes using this board with VSTi's a breeze

inSync Review

Mitch Gallagher
2-24-2012

The latest USB keyboard controller from , the Impulse aims to provide complete control over your entire rig, with a slew of controls and functions. Does it succeed in its goal? Let's check it out!

There are three flavors of Impulse available: , , and . I received the 49-key Impulse for review. Aside from the number of keys, the controllers are all similarly featured. The semi-weighted keybed has assignable aftertouch, and it feels great under your fingers. The obligatory pitch-bend and modulation wheels are provided. A nice blue LCD screen gives you visual feedback for what you are doing.

But this controller is about more than just the keys. It's decked out with eight assignable rotary controllers (knobs) and nine sliders. (The sliders are only available on the 49- and 61-key versions -- there isn't room for them on the 25-key version.) Having nine sliders allows for full control over tonewheel organ simulation, if that's what you're using them to control. They could also be assigned to control DAW mixer faders or other control applications. Each fader is accompanied by an adjacent assignable soft switch.

There are eight responsive groove-box-style pads for playing drums. Additional switches allow you to use these pads to do rolls, launch clips, or arpeggiate. A full set of transport controls rounds things out.

All of these controls, plus others, can be quickly and easily assigned to send out MIDI control change messages. As just a MIDI controller, the Impulse has all of the control and features you could want. But it's when you install the included Automap V4 software that things get hopping. Automap V4 is an application that automatically detects what software you are running on your computer and instantly configures the Impulse to be able to control the parameters in that software -- be it your DAW, a plug-in, or a virtual instrument. This feature is amazing, and it truly allows the Impulse to become command central for your entire virtual studio. It's a joy to be able to get your hands on your software, whether you are mixing, tracking, playing, or processing. Automap V4 makes the process seamless and transparent.

The Impulse is one of the most full-featured controllers I have encountered, with a great-feeling keyboard and plenty of controls. Combined with Automap V4, it's a stellar package that can take charge of any virtual rig.