Keyboards · Novation

Make your Impulse 49's knobs work in GarageBand

GarageBand plays the keys, but ignores most of the 9 knobs, 9 faders and 37 buttons on the Novation Impulse 49. KnobLink connects them: it recognises the Impulse 49 the moment you plug it in.

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Also covers: Impulse 61.

Novation Impulse 49as KnobLink draws it

What each control does in GarageBand

Setup in three steps

  1. Plug in the Impulse 49 and open KnobLink. It shows your keyboard, controls and all.
  2. Allow instrument knobs in System Settings › Accessibility, once.
  3. Restart GarageBand, only the first time. Then play.

Questions

Does the Impulse 49 work with GarageBand?

GarageBand plays the Impulse 49's keys and pads, but ignores most of its knobs and faders. KnobLink connects those too: knobs move the instrument's Smart Controls, faders set track volume, transport buttons work.

Do I need to set up the Impulse 49 by hand?

No. KnobLink recognises the Novation Impulse 49 by name when you plug it in and knows its factory settings. If you changed its settings, KnobLink asks you to move the changed controls once.

Does it work with Logic Pro?

KnobLink is made for GarageBand. Logic Pro has its own controller assignments.

Other Novation keyboards: FLkey 49 FLkey Mini Launch Control XL 3 Launch Control XL (MK2) Launchkey 49 [MK3] Launchkey 49 MK4 Launchkey Mini [MK3] Launchkey Mini MK4 SL MkIII