Black Eyed Peas | Keith Harris Stage-Used Novation Impulse 25 Playback Controller (circa 2009-2011)

A stage-used Novation Impulse 25 USB/MIDI keyboard controller (serial #BB123903279) used by Keith Harris — drummer of the Black Eyed Peas — as a live show playback trigger system integrated into his drum kit during The E.N.D. World Tour era. Each key on the unit is individually labeled with color-coded tape identifying specific songs and show cues, providing a direct physical map of the band’s live production workflow.

Historical Context

The Black Eyed Peas — comprising will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie — were among the most commercially dominant acts in the world during the 2009-2011 period, driven by The E.N.D. (2009) and The Beginning (2010). Their touring and broadcast appearances during this era included the 2011 Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (December 31, 2009), the 2010 American Music Awards, the 2009 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and numerous major international festival and arena performances. The E.N.D. World Tour ran from 2009 through 2011 and was one of the most technically elaborate production tours of its era.

Keith Harris served as the band’s live drummer throughout this period. In Keyboard Magazine‘s August 2010 cover story, Printz Board described the show’s playback architecture: “Tim Izo plays a keyboard attached to an Akai MPC, which has internal sounds, so he can play a string patch on that. George has a MIDI-trigger guitar, so he can play keyboard patches as well. Most of the time we don’t need backing tracks. But in the case where there’s five or more parts… we need that on the track.” The Novation Impulse 25 in Harris’s drum kit formed part of this integrated live playback system — with Harris triggering song-specific cues at precise moments from his drum position using keys labeled for each show segment.

According to George Pajon Jr. in the Techno Empire listing: “This keyboard was used by Keith Harris in his drum kit. He would start the playback from certain keys. As you can see the songs have their own key. He would press that key and the playback would start.”

Stage & Performance Use — Key Labels

The 25 keys of the Impulse are individually labeled with color-coded adhesive tape identifying specific songs, segments, and cues in the Black Eyed Peas’ live show. Close-up photography reveals the following labels from left to right: GOOD MORN[ING] (white typed label, partially cut off); INTRO / G MORNING (green tape, two stacked labels); PONER (red tape, handwritten); THIS IS LOVE (white typed label); BANG1 (red tape, handwritten); CRZYKD/SOM/OMG (white typed label — three cues on a single key, separated by slashes); DJ INTRO (handwritten); GEEKW (yellow tape); PEA’S MEDLEY (white typed label); FEELING (yellow tape); FEELMYS (red tape); HELLO (green tape); Scream (handwritten white label); [partially illegible REPRISE] (red tape); STOP (red tape).

The color coding — green, yellow, and red labels — likely corresponds to a show-flow categorization system used by the production team. Additional markings include: a velcro strip affixed along the bottom front of the unit; a tape label on the left front bearing a downward arrow symbol and the letter “L” — a crew positioning or orientation marker. The unit tag on the underside reads: Novation / NOVIMP25 / IMPULSE 25 / BB9123903279.

Specifications

· Manufacturer: Novation
· Model: Impulse 25
· Type: USB/MIDI keyboard controller
· Keys: 25
· Serial: BB123903279

Condition

Represented by prior seller, Techno Empire, at time of original sale as follows:  Very Good. The protective film for the display remains intact — never removed. A few minor scratches and dings visible only upon close inspection. The keys retain their original color-coded tape labels from the band’s live production use. All keys, controls, and the display are in working order.

Presently untested. This unit has not been powered on while in my collection and is sold as-is, with no warranty of function.

Included Items

No cables or power supply included.

Provenance

Acquired from Techno Empire (North Hollywood, CA) as part of the official Black Eyed Peas Collection launched on Reverb on July 23, 2020. Attributed by George Pajon Jr. to drummer Keith Harris and documented as used within his drum kit as a live playback trigger system. Note: The Techno Empire description text refers to the unit as an “M-Audio Keyboard” — the brand and model are correctly identified in the listing fields as a Novation Impulse 25, which is also confirmed by the unit’s own branding.

Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance

This item will be accompanied by a Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance — a document printed on official Nostalgia Bandit letterhead, signed by Nostalgia Bandit’s principal, and affixed with the official Nostalgia Bandit embossed seal. The Letter of Provenance reproduces the complete final listing description for this item in full, memorializing all provenance documentation, attribution, supporting evidence, and condition details as presented herein. It is designed to travel with the item through all future ownership transfers as a permanent, platform-independent physical record of the item’s documented history.

Measurements

» Item: 21 x 13 x 6.5″ · 7.96 lbs.

Shipping

All items ship tracked and insured, with adult signature required. An adult (21+) must be present to sign for delivery, and packages are not left without a signature. Larger pieces may need professional packing or freight; message us before purchasing if you’d like a shipping quote.

All sales are final.

About

Nostalgia Bandit is a boutique online auction house and source for authenticated, one-of-one artifacts from contemporary music, film, television and pop culture. Highlights include stage-played instruments, stage-worn and music video-used wardrobe, and studio and tour gear.

The focus is post-1980 pop culture.

Founded by Jason DeBord, whose 25 years in pop culture run from leading a major auction house to journalism and authentication. Independent, founder-led, and built on documented provenance and honest disclosure.

Every artist-used music artifact is researched, photo-matched where possible, and accompanied by a Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance.

This is the official Nostalgia Bandit shop on Reverb, carrying select pieces from the Nostalgia Bandit collection and consignments.