Novation Impulse 61From real comments

Verdict distilled from 19 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%
PROS 50%
CONS 50%

Rank based on 19 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a quality semi-weighted keybed comparable to pricier controllers
  • You're willing to learn MIDI CC mapping for deep DAW control
  • You can find one used at a bargain price

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need reliable, precise aftertouch out of the box
  • You want simple plug-and-play setup with no configuration
  • You're not comfortable troubleshooting drivers on modern OS versions

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
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Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
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Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
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Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
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Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
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Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
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Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Novation Impulse 61
Deep DAW mapping once configuredAftertouch and expression I/O includedHigh-quality keybedComplex setup and steep learning curveDated design and pricing concernsAutomap and driver issues
Novation Impulse 61
Deep DAW mapping once configured
Aftertouch and expression I/O included
High-quality keybed
Complex setup and steep learning curve
Dated design and pricing concerns
Automap and driver issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The keybed draws consistent praise for feel and quality. Long-term owners describe the keys as great and on par with or better than Novation's own pricier S61 mk2, and note the unit has held up reliably for years of use. It shares a similar keybed to Novation's Impulse-adjacent lines but adds aftertouch. Some testers, however, found the action clicky compared to a basic Casio, showing opinions vary.

Deep DAW integration is powerful but requires real setup effort. Users successfully configured pads as CC buttons and knobs for mixer and plugin control in Cubase/Nuendo, calling the result superb once mapped. Automap and MIDI CC configuration form a convoluted learning curve for newcomers, and some hit real obstacles: Automap showing no controls, drivers failing to initialize fully on modern macOS with Luna, and DAW disconnects after minutes of inactivity.

Aftertouch and pricing are the biggest points of contention. One user found aftertouch almost impossible to use with no resolution and considered returning the unit, despite valuing the feature highly for controlling synths and Kontakt. Others appreciate that Impulse offers aftertouch and expression I/O missing from cheaper Launchkey replacements. Multiple commenters, given the design is over a decade old, questioned paying full price (~£300) versus used units for around £100-135.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?