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Nektar Technology has expanded its line-up of GXP MIDI keyboards with the launch of 49- and 61-note versions. These join the 88-note model in the range.

The mid-size boards offer semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, and DAW/plugin control. These indicate to be a step up from the bargain-basement controllers you can find on the market.

Features: Impact GXP 49, 61 & 88

• 49, 61 or 88-note full-sized keybed with velocity and aftertouch
• 14 RGB LED buttons for MIDI, note repeat and Nektarine features
• Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels
• 1 push encoder for note repeat tempo control and Nektarine features
• Octave up/down buttons with LED indicators
• Transpose up/down buttons with LED indicators. Assignable to other functions.
• Power on/off switch
• USB port and USB bus powered
• 7 transport buttons for DAW integration or MIDI assignable
• Shift button activates secondary level for a total of 14 accessible buttons
• 1 MIDI assignable potentiometer
• Note Repeat button with LED tempo indicator
• Note Repeat Function button
• 1/4“ TRS jack expression pedal socket (pedal not included)
• 1/4” TRS jack Foot Switch socket for connection of up to 2 standard foot switches (not included, dual mode requires optional Y-cable adapter)
• MIDI Output jack
• Nektar DAW integration support*
• Nektarine plugin control and patch librarian software support*
• *Nektar DAW Integration for Impact GXP88 currently supports: Bitwig, Cubase, Digital Performer, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar, Studio One

There is a Note Repeat feature for adding rhythmic elements to your performances, along with dedicated controls for tempo, repeat rate, accent, interval and swing.

DAW integration is also available – you get transport, track selection, volume and project navigation controls – while the 14 assignable illuminated RGB buttons are on hand to provide visual feedback.

In addition, the keyboards functionality is extended further when you bring the included Nektarine software into play. This can host up to 16 VST or AU instrument plugins, and you get patch control from the keyboard. You can also define keyboard zones, layers and splits for the hosted plugins, and settings and combinations can be saved in a multi-patch.

On the connectivity front, you can plug in one expression and two footswitch pedals, and there is also a full-size MIDI Out port so you can control your hardware gear. Computer connectivity is via USB but, you also have the option of plugging in a power supply – available separately.

Find out more on the Nektar Technology website.

The GXP49 and GXP61 are available now priced at $190 and $230 respectively, while the GXP88 costs $300.

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It is worth noting about Behringer’s recent activity. First it announced a ‘new’ MKII version of its RD-8 drum machine – itself an emulation of Roland TR-808, of course – and now we have the TD-3-MO, a modded-out edition of the company’s TD-3 bassline synth.

This revision has an even more curious backstory; it’s a second-generation version of the TD-3 (a reboot of Roland’s TB-303 bassline synth) that appears to be based on Robin Whittle’s tricked-out Devil Fish 303. So, you might say that it’s a revised clone that’s also inspired by a previous mod project.

You may recall that Behringer provoked Whittle’s ire in 2020 when it posted a mock-up of a ‘Murdered Out’ TD-3 that appeared to bear similarities to the Devil Fish design. Though the name and colour scheme have changed, the TD-3-MO looks pretty much the same.

What this means in practice is all-new circuitry, a sub-oscillator for extra grunt, additional parameter controls, patching capabilities, a MIDI CC-controllable cutoff filter and more.

Features:

• Analog signal path
• Sawtooth and square waveform VCO with transistor wave-shaping circuitry
• 4-pole low-pass resonant filter with cut-off, resonance, envelope, decay and accent controls
• 16-step sequencer with 7 tracks, each with 250 user patterns
• Filter frequency fully controllable via MIDI C/C
• Sub-harmonics oscillator with switchable output level
• Analog slide circuitry with external slide control
• Slide Time control allows for variable slide time (up to 6 times longer)
• Sweep Speed switch features 3 accent speed modes (slow, norm, fast)
• Accent Sweep switch features 3 sweep combinations with high resonance mode
• Filter FM control modulates frequency of the filter from the audio output of the VCA
• Muffler circuitry features post VCA distortion with full bass response
• Dedicated Accent push button to manually activate the accent
• Soft Attack control for wide range of attack times for non-accented notes
• Normal control for wide range of decay time for non-accented notes
• Accent control for wide range of decay time for accented notes
• Filter Tracking control for filter frequency tracking of the current note
• Overdrive control adds insane spice and edge to your sounds
• CV and Gate in/out connectivity
• 16-voice Poly Chain allows combining multiple synthesizers for up to 16-voice polyphony
• 15 controls and 33 switches
• MIDI and USB implementation with MIDI channel and Voice Priority selection

Check out the video above for more details on the new features, or head to the Behringer website.

The TD-3-MO will be available priced at $199, with two options:

Silver Edition – TD-3-MO-SR

Amber Edition – TD-3-MO-AM

It is said to be shipping now.

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Spitfire Audio has followed-up its emulation of the Mrs Mills Piano by bringing you another classic Abbey Road Studios keyboard instrument, the Jangle Box Piano. This forms part of the company’s Originals plugin series.

This famous Challen ‘studio’ piano is slightly smaller than a standard upright and was used by The Beatles on The Fool on the Hill.

Its name comes from the fact that the ‘jangle’ piano features brass-tipped strips of felt that can be dropped between the hammers to create a hard, percussive tone. It can also be played without these; in this guise the sound is darker and more mellow, with long sustain.

Spitfire Audio’s plugin gives you close, room and vintage signals, with the last of these comprising samples that were captured using vintage ‘60s equipment.

The six presets cover both tack and non-tack modes, and the six controls include the option to adjust the volumes of the sustain pedal and hammers. There are also Expression, Dynamics, Reverb and Tightness controls.

Find out more on the Spitfire Audio website.

The Jangle Box Piano weighs in at 8GB and is available now priced at $29.

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