Novation Impulse 49From real comments

Name: Novation Impulse 49
Rating: 2.3 (11 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 11 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment30%

PROS 30%

CONS 70%

Rank based on 11 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a keyboard that feels like an upgrade over M-Audio Axiom controllers
You mainly need a straightforward piano/synth MIDI controller for Logic or FL Studio
You are willing to dig into Setup menus and CC/MC modes to unlock DAW transport features

What users love

Preferred over M-Audio Axiom0 mentions

Strongly positive

Works as a solid basic controller0 mentions

Widely praised

DAW transport control possible with setup0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You need a dedicated power on/off switch or dedicated program change buttons
You rely heavily on Automap plugins alongside DAW transport controls
You want plug-and-play CC mapping without manual configuration for volume or pedal control

What users complain about

Confusing CC and parameter mapping0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Automap conflicts with transport controls0 mentions

Generally negative

Missing power switch and program change buttons0 mentions

Generally negative

Random note/pad triggering fault0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Expression pedal input not working0 mentions

Generally negative

Unclear loop creation workflow0 mentions

Generally negative

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Novation Impulse 49

DAW transport control possible with setupPreferred over M-Audio AxiomWorks as a solid basic controllerConfusing CC and parameter mappingAutomap conflicts with transport controlsExpression pedal input not working

Novation Impulse 49

DAW transport control possible with setup

Preferred over M-Audio Axiom

Works as a solid basic controller

Confusing CC and parameter mapping

Automap conflicts with transport controls

Expression pedal input not working

Versatile
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Expensive
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Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
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Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Users who upgraded to the Impulse 49 from older controllers report a clear improvement. One commenter who had used M-Audio Axiom midi keyboards for years switched to the Impulse 49 and stated they loved it and would not go back to the Axiom series. This kind of direct comparison suggests the Impulse 49 offers a meaningfully better experience for people coming from earlier-generation controllers, though the comment does not specify exactly which aspects improved.

DAW integration works but requires digging through Setup menus for full functionality. Transport buttons like play, stop, and rewind work in FL Studio only after switching Transport-mode from CC to MC in the keyboard's Setup menu, and confirming with OK. However, this fix breaks compatibility with Novation Automap 4 plugins, forcing users to choose between transport control and Automap features. Other users struggled to figure out how to assign knobs, sliders, and drum pads, or how to create loops using only hardware, without built-in guidance.

A few users experienced hardware glitches and missing physical controls. One user reported a key or pad triggering a note randomly even with the computer off and in standby, an issue that persisted after firmware, driver, and Automap updates. Another could not get an expression pedal to activate through the rear input. Separately, a user noted the unit lacks dedicated program change buttons and a power on/off switch, calling these notable omissions compared to expectations for a controller at this level.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

thumb_upPreferred over M-Audio Axiom

1 mentions

Strongly positive

A longtime M-Audio Axiom user switched to the Impulse 49 and said they loved it and would not go back to the Axiom series. This suggests a positive upgrade experience for users coming from other midi controller brands.

@Batman83

I love mine. I used to use M-Audio midi keyboards (mostly Axiom) until I got my impulse 49. I won't go back to the Axiom series.

smart_display

June 29, 2017

pianoWorks as a solid basic controller

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user plugged it straight into Logic and used it as a piano/synth without configuring advanced features, implying it functions well out of the box for simple use cases. This suggests accessible basic functionality even without deep setup knowledge.

@DylanWOWilliams

I’ve had this for nearly two years and had no clue how to do any of this. Thank you. Haha\n\nI’ve just plugged it into logic and used it as a piano/synth, but was longing to adjust the drum pad.

smart_display

January 19, 2024

settingsDAW transport control possible with setup

1 mentions

Widely praised

Transport controls like play, stop, and rewind can be made to work in FL Studio by switching the keyboard's Transport-mode from CC to MC in the Setup menu. This shows the controller supports deeper DAW integration once configured correctly.

@keyjay9504

it works with FL but the transport buttons dont (play stop fast rew) but apparently \"\"You can open the \"Setup\" on the keyboard and then you can change the Transport-mode from CC to MC.\nAfter that you should press OK and you can use the transport controls!\n\nThe only problem with this method is, that you can't use the transport controls on the keyboard if you use \"Automapped\" (Novation Automap 4) Plugins!\"\

smart_display

April 2, 2012

warningConfusing CC and parameter mapping

3 mentions

Frequently criticized

Users struggled to set up CC7 volume control for an external module and to figure out how to assign knobs, sliders, and drum pads. This points to a non-intuitive mapping process that requires outside help or trial and error.

@victorvargas49

have a request for you. I have an external module and an Impulse 49. I don't know how to set up Impulse so that I can control the volume on the external module from Impulse. Switching banks and sounds is not a problem, but I can't set the most important function CC7 volume so that I don't have to add or subtract from the module during live performance. volume. Thanks for the advice

smart_display

July 15, 2024

@DylanWOWilliams

I’ve had this for nearly two years and had no clue how to do any of this. Thank you. Haha\n\nI’ve just plugged it into logic and used it as a piano/synth, but was longing to adjust the drum pad.

smart_display

January 19, 2024

@TheFUNKJAMMER

how do you assign the nobs and sliders with the drum pad? i just got the same keyboard

smart_display

October 16, 2018

sync_problemAutomap conflicts with transport controls

1 mentions

Generally negative

Enabling MC mode for transport control (play/stop/rewind) in FL Studio breaks compatibility with Novation Automap 4 plugins, forcing a tradeoff. Users cannot have both features active simultaneously.

@keyjay9504

smart_display

April 2, 2012

power_offMissing power switch and program change buttons

1 mentions

Generally negative

One user specifically noted the Impulse 49 lacks a dedicated power on/off button and dedicated program change buttons. They mentioned not using most of the other buttons besides DAW controls.

@LightShadow

2 things It does not have: dedicated program change buttons and power On/Off button. I don't use the rest of the buttons (except for the DAW controls).

smart_display

December 19, 2018

bug_reportRandom note/pad triggering fault

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A user reported a key or pad triggering a note (D3) randomly, occurring even with the computer off and in standby, and persisting after firmware, driver, and Automap updates. This indicates a possible hardware reliability issue on some units.

@lobomarcaprodutora

Hello! I have an Impulse Novation 49 and the D3 is triggering aleatory. It seems coming from the pad or keyboard. I updated the firmware, drive and Automap. It happens even with the PC off, in stand by modeDo you have any tip to solve this issue.

smart_display

March 9, 2023

error_outlineExpression pedal input not working

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user connected an expression pedal to the rear input but could not get it to activate, and asked for help enabling it. This suggests unclear or inconsistent pedal support.

@alessiopelusoart

Hello. Nice video.\nI connected the expression pedal to the input behind the Impulse 61 Novation... but it does not work!\nDo you know how to activate?\nThank you so much from Italy\nSigned up

smart_display

September 21, 2018

help_outlineUnclear loop creation workflow

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user connected to hardware synths with no software could not figure out how to create loops shown in a demo video, indicating the loop workflow is not self-explanatory for hardware-only setups.

@pauljason3813

Brilliant demo of the impulse although I’ve no idea how you create the loops. My impulse is connected to three Roland boutiques and no software, only hardware. I need to know how to do the loops.

smart_display

February 22, 2024

Novation Impulse 49chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Novation Impulse 49From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression