Nektar Technology Panorama P4 Keyboard Controller Delivers Hands-On Reason Control
This week at Winter NAMM 2012, Nektar Technology will unveil the new keyboard controller in the most complete version we’ve seen yet; the company even has an anticipated release date of March, 2012.
The Panorama P4 offers the discerning Reason user tactile control and a number of intuitive features that make working with Reason a piece of cake. According to the manufacturer, the established workstation keyboard concepts allow for complete “on device” selecting and editing of sound with direct visual feedback. The keyboard controller is also said to be comfortable and very easy to operate in the studio or during live performances. The front panel is angled, raising important controls so that they are easy to see and reach, as well as providing the ideal viewing angle for reading the centered high-resolution display.
The synth keybed itself has 49 notes, plus a choice of 5 velocity curves (each optimized dynamically but with different response emphasis), monophonic Aftertouch, and a zone function that enables you to program four zones that can be switched on and off during performance.
As for controls, the Panorama P4 has a ton of them — 90 control elements assignable to a MIDI-message. Buttons and pads can be assigned to ASCII messages, allowing for sending shortcut commands to Reason, while 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 that you can save and load these components independently of the individual presets.
For percussive performances, 12 Velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads are included, which can be programmed using the “Learn Note” function and then saved to any of the 20 Pad Map locations. The Velocity Spread feature spreads 1 note across all 12 pads, each with its own fixed Velocity, which allows for nuanced dynamics. Meanwhile, 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.
Why you need it – It’s the controller’s dedicated Reason control, of course. The Panorama P4 is said to offer completely transparent and with unlimited access to all areas. Every single Reason device is mapped with parameters and their values clearly visible in the display. Switching between Mixer, Instrument, and Transport mode reconfigures the entire control surface by just pressing one button. Overall, the Panorama P4 was designed to give Reason the feel of hardware.
Panorama P4 Specifications:
- 49-Note Velocity-sensitive keyboard
- Aftertouch
- Weighted synth-style keybed
- Pitch bend and Modulation wheels
- 4 Keyboard function buttons
- 3.5″ High-resolution TFT display
- 16 Encoders
- 9 x 45 mm 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
- Compatible with Mac OS X and Windows XP, Vista, and 7
Nektar Technology plans on shipping the Panorama P4 in March, 2012 for $599.99 (MSRP) or $499.99 (estimated street price). Visit nektartech.com.
Via GW
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