Choosing a MIDI Keyboard for Ardour on Linux — Integration Questions

Getting Stuff Done How do I .... ?
#1

Hi everyone!

I’m thinking about getting a MIDI keyboard to use with Ardour on Linux, and I’d love your input before I buy one.

I’m currently choosing between:

  • Nektar Impact LX49+
  • Nektar Impact GX49
  • Nektar Impact LX49 mk3

I’m not entirely sure if it’s worth going for the LX line (especially the mk3) — I’ve heard they don’t support Ardour natively, and I’m not 100% clear on what “integration” actually means in practice.

What I’m Trying to Understand

  1. What does “integration” actually mean?
  • I understand the LX keyboards have deeper DAW control with transport, faders, etc., and some “presets” for supported DAWs (like Logic, Cubase, Reason, etc.)
  • But I don’t know if those presets are useful in Ardour, or if I’d have to set everything up manually anyway.
  1. On Linux / Ardour, how easy is it to set up?
  • Will I need to configure mappings manually for each VST instrument, or is there some sort of global mapping?
  • For example, if I want the faders/knobs to control plugin parameters, do I set that per plugin, or once and it works everywhere?
  1. Musescore integration
  • I also want to use the keyboard in MuseScore — things like entering notes, changing durations, etc. — and I assume whichever keyboard I choose will work fine for that.

What I’m Looking For

If you use one of these keyboards (especially the LX series):

Does it work smoothly with Ardour on Linux?
Are the extra controls actually helpful or just extra buttons you never use?
Do you have to set up everything manually (for each plugin), or is there some kind of “global” control/config that sticks?
Any tips for setup — software (like qsynth, qjackctl, MIDI routing, etc.) or workflow recommended on Linux?

Thanks in advance!

1 Like