Nektar SE61 61-Key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard

PLAY – THE ACTION

The keys are a keyboard controller’s most important feature. So we made sure that the SE models have keys that are fun and expressive to play: Their synth-action keyboard have 61 velocity-sensitive full-size keys with a defined and firm feel. SE61 Top Shot

And as every player has their own playing style and preferences, we have included a choice of 4 different velocity curves (plus 3 fixed ones) so you can adjust the keyboard response to your needs.

PERFORM – THE PERFORMANCE CONTROLS

No matter if you want to play a complex solo in the style of Herbie Hancock or are just trying to make an EDM wobble bass more lively by adding modulation: the SE’s large Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels will get you there.

They have a tight grip and offer just the right resistance. For piano-style sustain effects, you can connect a switch or pedal to the foot switch socket on the back of the SE61.

BUTTON UP – THE CONTROLS

Four buttons and one MIDI-assignable fader to the left of the keys make the SE range MIDI Controllers even more flexible: Shift the keyboard up or down -3/+4 octaves with multi-colored LED indicators showing the exact status. Or transpose the keys +/- 12 semitones with the transpose buttons right below.

These buttons can easily be reassigned to switch MIDI channel, change MIDI programs or select tracks and browse patches when DAW integration is active. Better still, pressing a key combination change the Octave and Transpose buttons function to send out MMC transport functions so you can activate start, stop and record directly from your keyboard.

CUSTOM MIDI ASSIGNMENTS

Take control a notch further: Most soft- and hardware products with MIDI have their parameters assigned to so-called MIDI CC messages. This lets you do cool things such as changing filter cutoff, panning, effects bypass or any other parameter that has a MIDI CC assigned to it from a hardware control on your SE61. Simply set the MIDI Fader, Modulation Wheel or foot switch pedal to control the MIDI CC message you want. Your assignments are stored over power cycling, so next time you can continue where you left off right away.

SIMPLY PLUG IN: SETUP & iOS

SE MIDI Controller keyboards are USB class compliant and don’t require a driver to operate. Installation and connection is easy; just plug the keyboard in to a USB port on your computer. You can also connect an Impact SE61 keyboard to an iOS device using the optional Apple USB camera connection kit. A 1/4″ input jack allows you to add a foot switch pedal for sustain or sending MIDI messages. 

CAPTURE YOUR IDEAS – BITWIG 8-TRACK INCLUDED

You can start producing, performing, and designing sounds like a pro from day one with the included Bitwig 8-Track DAW. It includes over 50 software instruments and effects for use on up to 8 audio or MIDI project tracks, and you can use any 3rd party VST plug-ins you might own, too. The ‘Bitwig Essentials Package’ comes as part of this package as well, featuring a highly versatile handpicked selection of loops, clips and samples, to make it even easier to get you started. With Nektar DAW Integration you can control track selection and transport controls directly from the SE MIDI Controller, making this a fantastic combination. If you are just starting out, you will find it’s the perfect way to take your first steps in the world of digital music creation. And if you’re already familiar with using computer software, you’ll be amazed at what this combination has to offer!

CONTROL YOUR DAW

How about getting a better workflow without any of this nerdy stuff? How about transport control, level mixing and track selection directly from the SE MIDI Controller? Take control of your DAW’s most important functions with our Nektar DAW Integration software! Of course, the SE models works with any MIDI software, but with custom Nektar DAW Integration you can do even more: Use the Transpose buttons for track or patch change, always have the currently selected track’s volume assigned to the fader and turn the Octave and Transpose buttons into Play, Stop, Record and Rewind buttons. How’s that for giving the mouse a break?
Nektar DAW Integration for SE61 surrently supports Bitwig, Cubase, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Digital Performer, Mixcraft, Reason, Reaper, Sonar and Studio One. (In order to take advantage of Nektar DAW Integration, you need to register your new controller and download the integration files from your user account.)