[NAMM] Nektar Panorama P4

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Control & Workflow

The workstation keyboard concepts are designed to allow for “on device” selecting and editing of sound with direct visual feedback. It combines a set of features in one instrument.

Design

The design is made of seven distinct areas to operate Panorama in the studio and live. The front panel is angled, raising important controls for easier reach. This is also designed to provide a good viewing angle for the centered hi-res display.

Keyboard

The 49-note weighted synth keybed offers a choice of 5 velocity curves, each optimized dynamically but with different response emphasis. Monophonic aftertouch adds another dimension and the zone function enables programming 4 zones that can be switched on and off during performance.

Control

Panorama has 90 control elements assignable to a MIDI-message. In addition, buttons and pads can be assigned to ASCII messages which allows for sending shortcut commands to Reason. 20 preset locations store the assignments of controls for later recall. A preset is linked to a Pad Map, Keyboard Map and F-Keys Map so you can save and load these components independently of the individual presets.

TFT Display

The display feeds back the information the musician needs, including what each control does and which buttons to press to navigate around the menus. The 3.5” graphic display has a wide viewing angle so you can see what is going on from almost anywhere, Nektar assures.

Pads

12 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads with choice of velocity curves. The pads can be programmed using the “Learn Note” function and saving to any of the 20 Pad Map locations. The “Velocity Spread” feature spreads one note across all 12 pads, each with its own fixed velocity, which allows for nuanced dynamics. The “Scale-Function” assigns each pad to pitches within a defined scale for percussive performances with any sort of keyboard sound, while freely changing intervals or transposing the whole set on the fly.

Reason Control

Panorama is designed to integrate and interact with Reason. Every single Reason device is mapped with parameters and their values visible in the display. Switching between Mixer, Instrument and Transport mode reconfigures the control surface by pressing one button. Patch names are displayed as you step through the current sound bank.

Specifications:

• 49-note velocity-sensitive keyboard
• Aftertouch
• Weighted synth-style keybed
• Pitch bend & Modulation wheels
• 4 keyboard function buttons
• 3.5” high-resolution TFT display
• 16 encoders
• 9 45mm faders
• 100 mm ALPS motorized fader*
• 10 assignable LED buttons
• 28 additional assignable buttons
• 12 pads with velocity/pressure sensitivity
• 4 LED mode buttons
• 5 menu buttons under display
• Pads and motorized fader select buttons
• View and mute buttons
• Sustain pedal jack (pedal not included)
• Expression pedal jack (pedal not included)
• USB port for communication with computer
• USB Micro B connector for extra and external power*
• Mac OS X and Windows XP, Vista & 7 compatible

*Two USB ports or external USB power supply required to power entire unit. One USB port powers entire unit with the exception of the motorized fader.

Pricing & Availability:

The Nektar Panorama P4 will be available in stores worldwide in March 2012 for Msrp US$ 599.99 Anticipated street price US$ 499.99.

Check out www.nektartech.com/Panorama for full product details.