novation IMPULSE 25 Key MIDI Controller Keyboard User Guide

: July 10, 2024
: Novation

Table of Contents

IMPULSE 25 Key MIDI Controller Keyboard
Specifications:
Product Usage Instructions:
1. Connecting the Impulse:
- For Mac:
- For Windows:
2. Impulse Basic Operation:

IMPULSE 25 Key MIDI Controller Keyboard

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Specifications:

Keys: 25, 49, or 61 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch
Controls: Pitch bend wheel, modulation wheel, faders, encoders,
transport controls, drum pads
Connectivity: USB class-compliant
Operating Systems: macOS X 10.7 Lion and 10.6 Snow Leopard,
Windows 7 (64 & 32-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit only), or
Windows XP SP3 (32-bit only)

Product Usage Instructions:

1. Connecting the Impulse:

Plug the square end of the supplied USB cable into the port on
the back of your Impulse. Plug the flat end of the USB cable into a
free port on your computer. Avoid using a USB hub.

For Mac:

The keyboard will connect automatically.

For Windows:

You may be prompted that new hardware has been found. Follow the
on-screen instructions to install the necessary software.

2. Impulse Basic Operation:

Once connected, the Impulse will function as a MIDI keyboard.
Keys send MIDI note messages, controls send MIDI control messages,
and pads send notes when tapped and aftertouch when pressed.

To access Help mode, press the + and – buttons together. The LCD
screen will provide information about different controls:

KEY-BED: The keys are semi-weighted with
aftertouch for added control.
PITCH & MODULATION WHEEL: Alter pitch and
add effects to the sound.
FADERS: Control mixer or MIDI messages.
ENCODERS: Control plug-in parameters or MIDI
messages.
TRANSPORT CONTROLS: Control transport section
in music software.
DRUM PADS: Trigger drum sounds or
samples.
ROLL AND ARPEGGIATOR BUTTONS: Control Pad Roll
and Arpeggiator functions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q: What are the minimum system requirements for using
Impulse?

A: Impulse is designed to work with macOS X and Windows
operating systems. The minimum requirements are macOS X 10.7 Lion
and 10.6 Snow Leopard, and Windows 7 (64 & 32-bit), Windows
Vista (32-bit only), or Windows XP SP3 (32-bit only).

Q: How do I connect the Impulse to my computer?

A: Plug the USB cable provided into the Impulse and then into a
free USB port on your computer. Ensure not to use a USB hub for
connection.

Q: What functions do the drum pads serve?

A: The drum pads can be used to trigger drum sounds or samples
by sending MIDI notes. They also send MIDI control messages when
pressure is applied.

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GETTING STARTED GUIDE
CONTENTS Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Impulse Features………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Box Contents ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 About this Guide …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Minimum System Requirements …………………………………………………………………………. 2 Connecting the Impulse…………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Impulse Basic Operation…………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Top Panel …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3-4 Back Panel ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5 Installation and Setup ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 Using Impulse with your Music Software………………………………………………………….. 7 Ableton Live Lite ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 Registration and Support ………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Introduction
Welcome to the Novation Impulse Professional USB-MIDI Keyboard! Impulse is a MIDI keyboard with a powerful DAW and plug-in control surface. It has a precision semiweighted keyboard with aftertouch as well as pitch and modulation wheels. Fader/s, encoders and buttons provide full mixer and plug- in control over all major DAWs, including clip and scene launch in Ableton Live. The 8 drum pads can be used to trigger notes, perform beat rolls, change the rhythm of arpeggios (in realtime!) and launch clips. Transport control buttons allow you to navigate your music software. Impulse comes with a brand new version of Novation’s Automap control software which gives you instant control of your plug-in effects and instruments in most music software. We suggest you take the time to work through the steps in this guide for a simple trouble-free setup.
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Impulse Features
· 25,49or61notehighqualitypiano-stylesemi-weightedkeyboards · 8rotaryencoders · 9faders(49/61noteversions) · 8largetri-colourbacklittriggerpads · CustomLCDwithdirectfeedbackfromDAW · Transportcontrols · Arpeggiatorwithpad- basedrhythmeditor · BrandnewAutomapsoftware(v4.0)-fareasiertoinstallanduse- seamlessPlug-inandMixercontrol · ButtonswithQWERTYsupportviaAutomap(49/61noteversions) · ClipLaunchmodeinAbletonLive · Rollmodeondrumpads · Brandnewlookandfeel
Box Contents

NovationImpulse

USBCable

GettingStartedGuide ImpulseInstallerDVD-ROM

BassStation RegistrationCard

AbletonLiveLite RegistrationCard

About this Guide
This guide is designed to help you through the basic steps in setting up your Impulse for the first time and getting started with basic music software control.

Minimum System Requirements
ImpulseandAutomaparedesignedtoworkwithMacOSXandWindows.Atthetimeofwritingthe supported operating systems are: MAC – OSX10.7Lionand10.6SnowLeopard(32and64bit) WINDOWS -Windows7(64&32bit),WindowsVista(32bitonly),orWindowsXPSP3(32bitonly) USBclasscompliant(nodrivernecessaryforbasicuse).Automapinstallationincludesadriverfor advanced functionality
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Connecting the Impulse
PlugthesquareendofthesuppliedUSBcableintotheportonthebackofyour Impulse.PlugtheflatendoftheUSBcableintoafreeportonyourcomputer. We recommend you plug the Impulse into the computer directly rather than via aUSBhub.
MAC -OnMacOSXthekeyboardwillsimplyconnect.
WINDOWS -OnWindowsyoumaybepromptedthatnewhardware has been found. OnXP,WindowswilldisplaytheFoundNewHardware’Wizard.Foreach promptanswerNO’toconnectingtoWindowsUpdateand`YES’ to install software automatically. This may occur more than once.

XP

WIN7

Ignore any Windows hardware failure messages as the Automap installer will correct this.

Impulse Basic Operation

Top Panel

Faders

LCD Screen

Encoders

DrumPads

Pitchand Mod Wheels

Precisionkey-bed; semi-weighted with aftertouch

Full transport Arpeggiator and

controls

BeatRoll

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When connected the Impulse will power up and work right away as a MIDI keyboard. The keys will send MIDInotemessagesandthecontrolswillsendMIDIcontrolmessages.Padswillsendnoteswhentapped and aftertouch when pressed.
Now that you’re connected you should see the screen is on along with some of theLEDsonthekeyboard.Pressthe+and-buttonstogethertoenterHelpmode. As you press, slide or turn the controls the display will tell you a little about each of them: KEY-BED TheImpulsehas25,49or61keys(2,4or5octaves ).Thekeysaresemi-weighted for a more realistic feel. The Impulse has aftertouch which allows you to apply pressure to keys after pressing them down for additional control over a sound if the sound supports this.
PITCH & MODULATION WHEEL The pitch bend wheel allows you to alter the pitch of a sound upwards or downwards. The modulation wheel adds a vibrato or other effect to the sound.
FADER/S The fader/s can be used to control the mixer in your music software when used with Automap. They will also send standard MIDI control messages and can be reassigned.
ENCODERS The encoders can be used to control plug-in parameters in your music software when used with Automap. They will also send standard MIDI control messages and can be reassigned.
TRANSPORT CONTROLS The transport controls will control the transport section in your music software when used with Automap.
DRUM PADS The drum pads will send MIDI notes that can be used to trigger drum sounds or samples. They also send a MIDI control message when pressure is applied.
ROLL AND ARPEGGIATOR BUTTONS ThesebuttonscontrolthePadRollandArpeggiatorfunctionsontheImpulse. MoredetailonthesecanbefoundintheUserGuideontheDVD.
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MIXER AND PLUG-IN BUTTONS TheMixerandPlug- inbuttonsareforswitchingtheoperationoftheFaders/ EncodersbetweenMIDImodeandwhenworkingwithAutomap.Theseare available when your music software is up and running.
FUNCTION BUTTONS These buttons are used to access deeper functionality of the Impulse. More about thisisexplainedintheUserGuideontheDVD.
Holdingdownthe`Shift’buttonwillaccessadditionalfeaturesoncertainbuttons. The functions are shown by the labels in white boxes.
Nowpressthe+and-buttonsagaintoexitfromHelpmode.
Back Panel

USBport

Expression and sustain pedal inputs

MIDI in and out ports

Kensington Lock port
USB PORT ForconnectiontoacomputerusingtheUSBcablesupplied,orforstand-alone usetoconnecttoaUSBpowersupply(notincluded).

EXPRESSION AND SUSTAIN PEDAL Standard connections for popular sustain and expression pedals.

MIDI IN AND OUT ForconnectingtoequipmentwithastandardMIDIInandOut.

KENSINGTON LOCK For connecting a Kensington Lock cable for security purposes.
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Installation and Setup
InserttheImpulseInstallerDVD-ROMintoyour computer’sDVDdrive

MAC MAC

PC

If you wish to use the included Ableton Live Lite

software then run the installer and follow the

on-screen instructions

PC

RuntheAutomapinstallerandfollowthe

on-screen instructions

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

After installation the Automap Software Setup page will be shown:
STEP 1 Select your music software from the list on the left hand side
STEP 2 Select the Impulse from the drop-down menu on the right hand side
STEP 3 PresstheSetupbutton to begin the setup process

Follow the steps in the on-screen setup guide that is specific to your music software.

At the end of the setup process the Impulse and Automap will be configured to work with your music software.

MAC

PC

Note, when running, the Automap window can be accessed from the menu bar (Mac) or task bar (Windows)
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Using Impulse with your Music Software
AfterinstallationandsuccessfulsetupstartyourDAW(DigitalAudioWorkstation).Youwillseeonthe Impulse that the fader/s are in mixer mode and the encoders are in plug-in mode. At this point it would be good to create a new song with at least eight tracks. These can be audio, MIDI or instrument tracks.
· OpenthemixerviewinyourDAWandmovethefader/sontheImpulse- youshouldseethetrackvolumes moving on screen Note, pot-pickup is enabled by default. This means that a fader on screen will not move initially until the physical fader has been moved past the postion of the on-screen fader. This is in order to avoid sudden jumpsandcanbeswitchedoffinAutomappreferencesifrequired. · Selectatrackandloadaplug-in Note, in some DAWs you will see both the original plug-in names and Automap enabled plug-ins. BesuretoselectanAutomapenabledplug-in-nameshave(automap)attheend. · Opentheplug- inwindowsoyoucanseethecontrols.TurntheencodersontheImpulseandyoushould see controls in the plug-in window move ForfurtherinformationseetheUserGuideforImpulseandAutomapontheincludedDVD. Congratulations! You now have DAW control working with Impulse
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Ableton Live Lite
Ableton Live has additional functionality when used with the Impulse. PressingtheRollandArpbuttonstogetherengages ClipLaunchmode.
The pads will change colour to represent the status of the first eight tracks of clips in Live on the currently selected scene: GREEN is clip playing AMBER is clip loaded RED is clip selected for record Tapping an amber or green pad will start playback.
WheninSessionViewtheFFandREWtransport buttons will move scene selection up and down. PressingtheLOOPbuttonwilltriggerthe selected scene. InArrangementViewthebuttonsreverttotransportfunctions.
ForfurtherinformationseetheUserGuideontheDVD.
Registration and Support
Thanks for choosing the Novation Impulse.
PleaseregisteryourImpulseonlineat: www.novationmusic.com/support/register_product/
For customer support, please contact us online: www.novationmusic.com/support

NovationisaregisteredtrademarkofFocusriteAudioEngineeringLimited.Impulseisatrademarkof FocusriteAudioEngineeringLimited.2011©FocusriteAudioEngineeringLimited.Allrightsreserved.

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