Novation // Impulse MIDI Controller Keyboard Overview

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The Impulse MIDI controller has a full control surface and comes with Automap software plus a few other freebies. The Impulse is available as 25, 49 and 61 key keyboards.

As well as the major DAWs, Impulse MIDI controller & Automap have been specially designed to give you full control of 3rd party plug-in instruments and effects, like Native Instruments, Waves or FXpansion.

Impulse also has 8 drum pads that are velocity-sensitive with aftertouch! These are backlit with 3-colour LEDs allowing you to do things other drum pads can't.

Novation Impulse MIDI Controller summary:
• 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.
• Backlit drum pads allow you to warp arpeggios and improvise with rhythm patterns as well as launching 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.

[NovationTV]

The Impulse can be used as a standard MIDI device with FL Studio. You can also use Automap to take control of your third-party plug-ins.

[guerraculturosa]

I have an impulse and i'm loving it! Great controller device.

[NovationTV]

@tblv9300 Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately this feature is not supported. However it is possible to send program change messages.

[NovationTV]

This isn't something which has been tested but potentially you can use the Impulse as a standard MIDI controller using the USB camera connection kit.

[NovationTV]

@88josh88josh It sounds like you are referring to Pot Pickup Mode not being selected in Live. Please contact technical support with a screenshot of your MIDI Sync Preferences (check that Pot Pickup is selected).

[Trizlar]

I tested the feel of it and loved the look and feel. So I'll definitely be getting one

[NovationTV]

@Dreadkid08 Impulse is the most recent Novation controller, they both come with Automap and give you extensive DAW/plug-in control. The SL MkII is Novation's flagship controller and is more expensive.
The SL MkII range has an additional 8 pots, more assignable buttons (with LEDs behind the buttons) touch sensitive controls, an even larger LCD display and the speed dial knob. Check out the Novation website for more detailed info.

[NovationTV]

@Notacet Hi,
This is not an issue we have heard of before and we are not aware of any mechanical issues with the Impulse range. We have been trying to replicate the behaviour you describe in-house but have been unable to do so. If you have any further information that would allow us to look into this further, please let us know.

Novation Technical Support

[NovationTV]

The SL Mk II has an X/Y pad and more assignable buttons and knobs than the Impulse, but the Impulse has the drum pads with ARP, drum roll, and Ableton Live clip launch modes.

Which one is better? That depends on your application. Some people will want the extra controls featured in the SL Mk II series, while others will want the ARP, drum roll and clip/scene launch capabilities of the Impulse series. Both are great controllers, so you really can't go wrong with either.

[uselessoldman]

Its a premium quality keyboard right up there with my other keyboards, Native Kontrol S49 and Nektar Impact 88+. Only two complaints, the master stereo volume does not work in DAW mode you have to assign it in midi no big deal (a known Studio One issue not Novation) since I assign the left most DAW faders to a specific output bus and I could not get the split keyboard function to work with Studio One but this does work with Cubase and Ableton.

[NovationTV]

Hi Felipe,
You can use Impulse with iPad as a standard midi controller, but not with Automap.

[MarctheDarc]

Looks really cool! Novation really makes some of the most interesting and useful controllers! 2 humble suggestions:
1st, i would find a 37-key version the optimum compromise between size and playability. So please consider adding 1 to the line-up.
And 2nd, consider shipping them all with a basic size-fitting dust-cover. It'll cost you a few pennies, and go a long way to improve overall longevity in your average studio.
Keep up the awesome work!

[NovationTV]

@HateHaterz144 These are the KRK Rokit 5 G2s

[NovationTV]

Hi chriscash1982,

You can check out the features of both of these on our website. They do have various differences and depending on what you want the controller for you may prefer one to the other.

See if you can try them both out at your nearest music retailer.

Kind regards.

[NovationTV]

@Xend54 The Impulse does not have a Speed Dial.

[DeepSociety]

best controller i had up to date and i had lots

[FocusriteTV]

Hi,

The Impulse works as a Standard MIDI Controller in FL Studio, but it won't work as a control Surface. Check out the Launchkey for FL Studio Integration.

[MajorVision]

The keys on this keyboard feel extremely good. Like the weights on the axiom 49 feel all loose and not comfortable to play on, but this one felt amazing in comparison. I'd definitely reccommend giving it a tr if you're looking to buy a keyboard controller

[NovationTV]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems. Please contact technical support using the contact form on the Novation Answerbase so that we can help you with this.

[SkTf]

@Dreadkid08 I picked the Impulse over the SL MkII mainly because the Impulse has 9 sliders and the SL only 8 (I don't get why; seriously: both the Akai MPK and the Novation Remote SL lack the 9th slider which is fundamental for Hammond control). Also, the Impulse has no AC power connector, it's only USB powered (though you can just buy an AC/USB adapter for 10 €).