MIDI Keyboard Nektar Panorama T6

Nektar Panorama T6

Panorama T4 & T6 are the first controllers to deliver Nektar-level instrument plugin control in any VST®/AU™ compatible DAW. Load patches directly from the keyboard and start controlling parameters immediately, with every change instantly visible on the LED display. Control any instrument plugin with one of the many included maps or customize and create your own. Discover new performance tools like the powerful chord, hold and note repeat functions. Tweak repeat parameters, plugin parameters and record it all in your DAW. Panorama T4 & T6 connect to most DAWs delivering track navigation, mixer and transport control with either Nektar DAW integration or MCU compatibility. Experience the unsurpassed integration of Panorama T4 and T6!

Play: 2nd Gen Panorama Keybed

Panorama T4 and T6 feature a 2nd generation Panorama synth-action keybed. Dampened and carefully balanced across the keyboard with medium tension, which means the activation force required is in the middle of the range established for professional keyboards. Five velocity curves shift the emphasis from soft to hard, giving enough choice to cater for any playing style. A fixed option enables velocity values to be set by controls, including the wheels.

The 2nd Gen Panorama keybed is our most expressive keybed yet and features the AfterTouch strip: Easily triggered and controlled, AfterTouch makes it possible to dynamically alter tone or volume by gently applying just a bit of pressure.

Pads: Beats On Tap

Designed with finger drumming in mind, Panorama T4/T6’s 8 large velocity and pressure sensitive pads are the perfect tool for beat creation. Triggering at an extremely low threshold, they will capture ghost notes and flams as easily as you can play them. If the factory settings are not expressive enough for you, it’s even possible to calibrate each pad individually for optimum performance.

Each pad can be assigned any MIDI note number or MIDI cc message for use as MIDI trigger or toggle buttons – and assigning sounds couldn’t be easier: Activate Pad Learn, select a pad, play the required note or drum sound on the keyboard and assignment is done. A Pad Bank Button left to the pads gives you access to another 8 pads, for a total of 16 pads within a pad map. 8 such pad maps are available for recall at any time.

With DAW Integration, you additionally get automatic mapping of dedicated drums synths such as Reason’s Kong and Bitwig’s Drum Machine for a tightly integrated drum machine feeling, complete with full visual feedback on the pads. You can even assign chords to the pads and combine this with the Pad Repeat feature to generate fun rhythmical and chordal figures.

The display’s “Velocity Spread” softkey quickly spreads the last played note across all 16 pads, each with its own fixed velocity, making it easier to create consistent and nuanced dynamics. And “VelFix” gives you access to a pre-assigned fixed velocity level.

Perform: Key And Pad Repeat

Located just above the wheels are the Key Repeat and Pad Repeat buttons. Press to activate the repeat function and notes will be repeated at the set rate. Change the rate in real-time from 1/4 – 1/96 note values, change the tempo, add some swing and set an accent interval.

Repeat settings for pads and keys are independent of each other, so one can be set for the drum beat and the other for an instrumentation part. The Repeat’s trigger mode can be set to repeat from the point of playing a note or to sync with the beat. Clock source can either be internal or external MIDI clock. Repeat is a fun way to look for ideas and facilitate “happy accidents”, regardless of whether you are adding flams to drum beats or creating big repetitive chord progressions.

Control: Access All Areas

Nine 30mm faders, 8 assignable LED buttons and 8 encoders are at the center of the T-series’ control panel. Each control is fully programmable to send any MIDI CC message for use with hardware or software MIDI products.

When used with Nektar DAW integration or Nektarine, the controls provide flexible pre-mapped DAW- or plugin-control, giving you deep tactile control right from the hardware. The DAW integration files also contain automatic catch-up and soft-takeover functions to avoid parameter jumping when you switch between devices.

Our “Null” function additionally allows you to do this without relying on software feedback with independent settings for each of Mixer, Instrument, Multi and Preset modes. Control settings can be stored in any of Panorama’s 10 presets for recall at any time.

Display: Instant Feedback

The custom LCD display provides crisp and clear feedback for all your settings: Here is where you select Panorama’s different modes, access global parameters and navigate your software. With DAW Integration and Nektarine, you will even see your software’s mixer and plugin parameters right there.

The 4 soft buttons below the display will change their function according to the selected menu for fast access. The 4 mode buttons to the right of the display allow you to change from internal mode to DAW or plugin control at the touch of a button. The Multi button is reserved for Nektarine.

By pressing the FOCUS button, you can enlarge the current parameter to fill the whole screen. All of this ensures a fluent and fast workflow without any guessing games.

Where Is Nektarine?

You hardly notice it, but it’s there. Nektarine is discreet and doesn’t impose itself on you or your DAW. But behind it lies a powerhouse of features that enhance control and library management of instrument plugins. Launch Nektarine and it will immediately communicate with your Panorama T4/T6. Now you are ready to take deep control of VST, VST3 or AU plugins from Panorama: Load an instrument plugin that’s supported by Nektarine’s default plugin maps and create new and exciting sounds that you didn’t even know your plugin was capable of. Turning knobs is so much more fun than mousing around. The display will tell you which parameter is assigned to each control as well as status feedback.

The LED buttons below the faders are set up for navigation so it’s quick and easy to find your way around even complex plugins. Each button is labeled with a common control page name such as OSC, Filter, Env, LFO and FX. As soon as you press a button, the corresponding Nektarine factory map page is selected. The LED buttons can be “learned” to any map page so you can set up each map exactly how you want it.

Control Maps

No doubt, there will be plugins out there not yet factory mapped for Nektarine: no problem! Click the “Edit” button in the Nektarine header to open the control edit page. This is where control map pages are created. You can also rename parameters and create navigation assignments so it’s easy to select the plugin’s pages. Drag and drop parameters to assign them to controls on each page or use Panorama’s parameter learn function.

Factory maps are also customizable and any map can be saved for automatic recall every time the plugin is loaded. Nektarine and Panorama T4/T6 deliver an unrivaled control experience with deep integration typically not even available on dedicated hardware synthesizer products. With this level of control you’ll see your instruments in a new light.

DAW Control

Panorama T4 and T6 are compatible with any DAW that supports Mackie® Control Universal (MCU). This includes transport, track selection and basic mixer control. The 6 LED transport buttons put an end to using the mouse for this. Dedicated Track up/down buttons are located below the display. If your DAW is supported by Nektar DAW Integration, you can do even more.

Features

• 61-note 2nd-generation synth-action keyboard
• Velocity and aftertouch sensitive
• 4 velocity curves plus 1 fixed (adjustable)
• Pitch-bend, Modulation wheels
• Octave shift buttons
• Key Repeat and Pad Repeat Buttons
• 9 x 30mm faders
• 8 assignable LED buttons
• 8 assignable encoders
• 4 navigation buttons plus shift for another 4 assignments
• 6 LED transport buttons
• 10 user-configurable presets
• Mixer, Instrument, Multi and Internal mode buttons
• 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive LED color performance pads
• 5 pad velocity curves plus fixed (adjustable)
• Pad Bank button for access to 8 additional pads
• Custom 128 x 64 pixel LCD display with adjustable contrast
• 1/4” TS jack foot switch input (MIDI assignable)
• 1/4" Expression pedal input (MIDI assignable)
• MIDI Out 5-pin DIN socket
• USB-to-host, USB bus powered
• USB class-compliant (no driver needed)
• Bitwig 8-Track DAW software included