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Novation Impulse 49 49-key Keyboard Controller

49-key USB MIDI Controller with Semi-weighted Keys, 25 Knobs/Faders/Pads, Dedicated Transport Controls, and DAW/Instrument/Automap Software - Mac/PC
$299.99

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Novation Impulse 49 49-key Keyboard Controller
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Exacting, Intuitive DAW Control

The Novation Impulse 49 USB MIDI controller gives you everything you need to control your DAW with expression and precision. At the heart of the Impulse 49 is its highly responsive semi-weighted keyboard with assignable aftertouch. You get full DAW/plug-in control via 9 faders, 8 rotarys, 8 backlit performance pads, an army of dedicated/assignable buttons and transport controls, and an LCD screen to keep you status-savvy. The Impulse 49 also ships with a tidy collection of cool software and sounds. If you have DAW control issues, check out the Novation Impulse 49.

Novation Impulse 49 USB MIDI Controller at a Glance:
  • First-class keyboard
  • Iron-fisted, velvet-gloved control
  • Works with all major DAWS
  • Free XLN Addictive Keys instrument with registration
First-class keyboard

The Novation Impulse 49's semi-weighted keybed is first-class. Designed to feel like an instrument rather than a computer accessory, these keys communicate musical expression to your DAW with an efficacy you never thought possible. That's always been the challenge with MIDI and computer-based music creation - and the Impulse 49 attacks it head-on. The result is better music.

Iron-fisted, velvet-gloved control

In addition to the superb keyboard, the Novation Impulse 49's multi-function, backlit drum pads let you roll beats, warp arpeggios, launch clips in Ableton Live, and curb the potential for mayhem that lurks beneath the surface of every complex DAW setup. And with immediate access to your DAW's transport, mixer and plug-ins, you'll enjoy increased productivity and focus, resulting in, again, better music.

Works with all major DAWS

The Novation Impulse 49 has been designed and tested to work with all major DAWs and plug-in instruments and effects, including Ableton (Ableton Live Lite comes included with Impulse), Cubase, Logic, ProTools, Reason/Record, Sonar (PC only), FL Studio, Studio One, and Garage Band. Automap 4 control software is the magic that gives you immediate hands-on access to your DAW and plug-ins. In addition, you get Impulse 49 access to your 3rd party plug-in instruments and effects, such as Native Instruments, Waves or FXpansion. In Live, you can even control Scene Launch and Clip Launch using Impulse's back-lit drum pads. The Novation Impulse 49 is one serious controller.

Free XLN Addictive Keys instrument with registration!

Your Novation Impulse 49 also includes your choice of XLN's world-class Addictive Keys virtual instruments. Choose from the following:

  • Modern Upright - A tight, defined Yamaha U3 upright
  • Studio Grand - A remarkably rich Steinway Model D grand
  • Electric Grand - The pop-rock classic Yamaha CP-80 at your fingertips
  • Mark One - A sublime Fender Rhodes through a vintage tube amp

This offer is open to both new and existing customers. To redeem your Addictive Keys license, log in to your Novation account and register your product. You'll find your instrument options under your My Account page.

Novation Impulse 49 USB MIDI Controller Features:
  • Ultra-responsive semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch
  • Automap 4 control software enables instant hands-on access to your DAW and plug-ins
  • Comprehensive DAW/plug-in control surface
  • 9 faders, 8 rotarys, 8 backlit pads, transport controls, and a bevy of buttons
  • Custom LCD screen always keep you status-savvy
  • Multi-function drum pads let you warp arpeggios, roll beats and launch clips in Ableton Live
  • Ships with Ableton Live Lite, Novation Bass Station, Loopmasters sample library, and Mike The Drummer
  • Your choice of XLN Addictive Keys instrument (VST/AU/AAX) with product registration
  • 3-year warranty
If you want absolute DAW control, the Novation Impulse 49 is an excellent choice!

Warranty Info

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keyboard Controller
  • Number of Keys: 49
  • Type of Keys: Semi-weighted
  • Velocity Sensitive: Yes
  • Aftertouch: Channel Aftertouch
  • Pads: 8 Backlit
  • Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
  • Encoders/Pots: 8
  • Faders: 9
  • Dedicated Transport Control: Yes
  • Zones: 4
  • Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (sustain), 1 x 1/4" (expression)
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Computer Connectivity: USB
  • Software: Ableton Live Lite
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: Dual Core processor or higher, 4GB RAM minimum
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: Dual Core processor or higher, 4GB RAM minimum
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.7 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 or later
  • Power Supply: USB Bus Powered, AC-DC USB Adapter (sold separately)
  • Height: 3.94"
  • Width: 33.31"
  • Depth: 13.07"
  • Weight: 11.0 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AMS-IMPULSE-49

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 4/5

Reliable Board, But Faders and Knobs Need Work

Four stars here on Sweetwater means "I like it" which is very true. This board is a lot of fun and continues to serve me well after ~4-5 years of use. I find the keys, wheels, and pads to be very reliable in creating great productions and the digital menu navigation easy to use, but I can't say the same for the knobs and faders. They are way too jittery and loose to make any fine automation motions which unfortunately doesn't provide me with what I need in a set of faders and knobs. If the faders and knobs were thickened up and could do 0.1db increment adjustments flawlessly, this would easily be a truly excellent all-in-one device. Still, don't let that stop you in considering this board as it took me several years to really need the refined fader control and in that time this board has held up as a great studio centerpiece to create with. Overall, it's a really good board to get going on and a lot of fun to play.
Music background: Songwriter, Production, Home Studio
Rated 5/5

Great For Home Studio

I upgraded to the Novation Impulse 49 from my Akai mini 25 about 6 years ago. Bought primarily for using in my home studio for recording.
It works extremely well with my DAW Logic Pro and as well as my Kontakt Player and my MTRON Pro Mellotron plugin software.
The auto map has worked flawlessly with Logic and as a controller mixer. Though I use it almost exclusively as a soft keyboard controller.
It has more features than I use, but after 6 years of regular use, it has held up very well with no issues or complaints.
I recommend this for anyone who wants a decent 49 key controller at a reasonable price.
Rated 5/5

Excelente!!

Es una chulada de controlador, ahora a conocer todas us funciones y formas de programacion, un equipo que tenia unos años queriendolo conmigo!
Rated 5/5

Great feel, great features, great price!

My Rep Andy Miller was extremely helpful in helping me pick the right keyboard. The Impulse has a great feel, semi-weighted, and the feature-set is so robust, I'll be able to spend this LONG Winter enjoying the journey. Thanks Sweetwater and thanks Andy!!
Rated 5/5

Novation Impluse 49 review

Incredibly useful! I am building up a small collection of devices to use in my mobile/home studio setup. I am very much into Open source applications and programs, so I use Ardour as a DAW, in addition to Live since it came with the Launchpad and this Impulse. I have soent some time noww using the Novation Automap software to control garage band, and Live as well. I find it very intuitive to plug in, setup and use to create music. Anything that gets the process of creating out of the way of the creation of the final product is worth its weight in gold. Thanks Sweeteater for making my purchase effortless and affordable, and thank you Novation for making a great product.
Music background: Bachelor of Liberal arts Music from Florida State University, specalized in digital music synthesis.
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