Nektar Panorama P4 49-Key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard

The Panorama P4 is a 49-key keyboard controller instrument with an extraordinarily intuitive workflow. Its deep integration with Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Logic Pro and Reason puts the spotlight on performance and creativity and answers a need music makers have been voicing for years. Keyboard and pads are dynamic, sensitive and balanced carefully with a solid feel that allows for complete expression. All of this, combined with 93 real-time controls available at any one time makes Panorama the definitive keyboard controller for Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Logic Pro & Reason.

The Action

Panorama’s keyboard action uses weights to offset the otherwise increasing tension you would experience from the spring. This means the down movement is as clean as possible and not heavy or fatiguing to play. In addition, the dynamic range is wider than what you experience on most controller keyboards, allowing better control of both low and high velocity values. Five velocity curves give you a choice of response, in case your playing style requires a different feel. Monophonic aftertouch, pitch bend and modulation wheels, plus foot switch and expression pedal jacks sets you up for peak performance.

The Display

A crystal-clear 3.5″ color TFT display delivers the information you need for each mode or menu. Regardless of whether you are operating Reason or programming MIDI assignments in Internal mode, the display provides detailed information that makes your workflow fluent and fast. Panorama takes the hard work out of using a controller and makes operations that are ordinarily complicated and non-transparent, straightforward and simple.

The Controls

A large complement of assignable controls makes Panorama of the most comprehensive and fully featured MIDI controller keyboards around. 16 encoders, 9 45mm faders, 1 100mm motorized ALPS fader, 10 LED buttons, 28 buttons, 12 pads each with strike and pressure component, foot switch jack, expression pedal jack, keyboard after touch, pitch bend and modulation wheels gives you immediate control of up to 93 parameters at any one time. You can store settings in 20 presets with individually save and loadable keyboard, pad and F-keys maps.

The Pads

Playing drums or percussive parts on a keyboard can be a challenge, but luckily on Panorama you don’t have to. 12 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads with choice of 7 velocity curves will inspire you to play in ways you would never do on the keyboard. The pads are easy to program using the “Learn Note” function.

The “Velocity Spread” feature quickly spreads one note across all 12 pads, each with its own fixed velocity, making it easier to create consistent and nuanced dynamics.
The “Scale-Function” assigns each pad to pitches within any of the pre-defined 30+ scales. It’s a quick and easy way to completely change pad assignments while freely changing intervals or transposing the whole set on the fly. Great for percussive performances with any keyboard sound as well as percussion.

Reason devices such as ReDrum, Dr. Octo Rex and Kong are of course automatically assigned to pads in Panorama P4’s Instrument mode with an additional 4 virtual pads available, when needed.

The Transport

Panorama features an extended 11 button transport bar, positions right where you need it controlling: Return to L, Forward to R, Undo, Click on/off, Record Mode, Cycle on/off, Back, Forward, Stop, Play and Record. Using the shift button, these also double up as 11 function buttons each assignable to MIDI commands or QWERTY macros.

Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro, Mainstage, Reaper and Reason

For Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro, Reaper and Reason users, Panorama is a dream come true. The dedicated communication protocol ties Panorama and your DAW tightly together so all you have to do is select the mode and menu you want to control. Panorama does the rest.

Three modes allow you one-button control over the Mixer, Instruments and Transport, with the 4th mode, Internal, still providing access to traditional MIDI control. Integration with Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro, MainStage, Reaper and Reason is so deep that you can immerse yourself in your music without having to constantly reach for the mouse. Panorama gives you the creative freedom to just focus on your music.

The Connections

On the back of Panorama you find the connection points you need for foot controls, power and data including:
USB Micro B for external power supply or additional power for the motorized fader (cable included)
USB port for power and data connection to your computer
5-pin MIDI din output port sending data either directly from the unit or from your DAW (working like a MIDI interface)
Foot switch jack, assignable (pedal not included)
Expression pedal jack, assignable (pedal not included)