Novation 61SL MkIII Keyboard Controller Review

[@guntvonschratenau9375]

Incredible jam at the end! 🤪👍👍👍

[@Racingheartrecords]

Novation is so close to making my dream machine - a 61-key keyboard with aftertouch and full sequencing capability to create songs without connecting to a computer. I currently use a K2000 as my studio centerpiece and it's great, but the internal sequencer is linear only so it's useless to me except as a notepad. I hate being tied to my DAW for song composition, although I love my DAW for final production. I want something I can take on a stage with some rack gear and jam the way Jacob is jamming now, not on a 1-measure loop, on a fully arranged song. This type of keyboard would be useful to any keyboardist... whether a solo artist or in a band. My dream keyboard is a lot like this, but even more functional for a full range of genres, not just one or two loop music. I also want it to have an internal 16-part multitimbral sound engine with emphasis on synths (e.g., PEAK), and also be fully capable to easily sequencing external gear. I can see my dream machine coming... You are only a nudge away!

[@BroodXindustrial]

Then comes the Akai. :)

[@joeymusic]

Awesome review!

[@JacobDupre]

Joey Sturgis Tones Thanks!

[@libla-music]

Polyphonic aftertouch would a killer feature.

[@artvelcro]

Talented beyond your years. How does all that talent reside in that small head.

[@DanceDeepDas]

You play nice

[@zitherbefree]

41 / 5.000 Übersetzungsergebnisse Compliments, a great presentation !

[@leoopokat8235]

Can't wait 4 25key

[@oldcharon]

How do the keys feel? I think I've been waiting my entire life for this thing.

[@JacobDupre]

I like the feel. As far as synth-action keys go, I'd say the MKIII is right up there with the best.

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Oldcharon! Me too. It's Greg over at Sweetwater Sound. After the end of the SLMkII, I had been waiting for the reinvented SLMkIII. I'm told it's not the same keybed, they've re-engineered it, but it feels every bit as good as my memory of the MkII, perhaps better. The aftertouch is quite responsive, too. They're in-stock, ready to ship. Don't forget these Sweetwater Exclusives: FREE 4pk of 3' CV/Gate Cables, Unlimited Technical-Support, and a 2 year warranty... all FREE! Please contact me anytime to discuss further or place your order. Greg Savino, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [e-mail]

[@dinogoldie9716]

How off grid can the SL3 sequence? How unquantized is unquantized? Can it rival/surpass the Arturia Keystep Pro's 48ppq? Or is it, much like the Circuit grooveboxes, limited at only 24ppq?

[@Karimoz]

I can't seem to find anyone mentioning using Kontakt with Novation 61SL MKIII !!? Do the LEDs above the keyboard show the Kontakt regions like the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2?

[@alkal_alkal]

Nope

[@djba]

Hi Sweetwater … thanks for posting this video. I don’t normally use Ableton so I am not sure if this is the keyboard for me although I like many of its features. If I am trying to control the standalone version of Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol software can you tell me what information is displayed on the screens of the Novation 61SL MKlll? Thanks.

[@miekwavesoundlab]

When will Novation Make programmable SYSEX update for MK3. I really need SYSEX programmable to use it.

[@LouixIskander]

How do I use drum pads on these things can’t figure it out at all or find anything on it😊

[@BojanBojovic]

Can it be used in a simple manner, buttons and knobs to control PC and CC messages, without those fancy stuff mentioned?

[@mauriciomandara5946]

Thanks for sharing!!! Any idea if it has options to send hertz cv for Ms20 and vintage Yamaha?

[@fatih9135]

great jam. but why metronome was on flawlessly:D

[@billbradleymusic]

Sold

[@aqualungs77]

I am having issue switching to a new pattern. I get my drum beat going good and I go to play another instrument, and it goes from the drum beat pattern to playing the same pattern with the instrument. So I'm stuck at drums lol.

[@sej71]

What happens if you're running Ableton and Reason at the same time with "InControl"? Will the SL swap between them depending on which DAW has focus? Is there any way to play tracks from both at the same time? Thank you

[@sweetwater]

Hello! The SL's InControl mode is going to adapt to whichever DAW it recognizes first, there's no way to switch between them. The way to play back tracks from both Reason and Ableton at the same time is to use Ableton to host Reason as a ReWired VST, basically with Reason running as a plugin inside of Ableton. You could set up custom templates to control your instruments in Reason. For example, you have Reason rewired as a track(s) into Ableton Live, InControl is controlling Live, and you have a custom MIDI template to control the instruments in Reason. If you'd like to go into more detail, please call my number below. Thanks for your interest! Nick LaMendola, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1660, [e-mail]

[@מיכאלב-ה5מ]

NKS Support?

[@KIsaac-wp5dq]

Im from India . I have a question to ask you bro that is . Will SL mk3 works on mainstage 3 bro ? Please answer

[@shelby789]

Are you able to change the octave of each zone?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Shelby. That is a great question! You aren't able to change the octaves of each zone, just over the entire keyboard, as well as change the transposition of the keyboard, too. That would be a super cool feature, though. Let us know if you have any more questions! Maryann Shirley, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1774

[@monkeyxx]

I'd like to hear the Jacob DuPre remix of Watermelon Sugar

[@edoardoblandamura9324]

newbie's question: can you use the sequencer for creating odd meters (like, making patterns which require, say only 15 steps )?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Edoardo! Thanks for your interest. The sequencer on the SL MkIII keyboards can create patterns of up to 16 steps - so yes, you absolutely could make a 15-step (or 11-step, or 13-step) pattern. For more details, check out the complete user manual for the SL keyboards here: fael-downloads-prod.focusrite.com/customer/prod/s3fs-public/downloads/SL_MkIII_User_Guide_ENG.pdf Feel free to contact me directly with any further questions! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@edoardoblandamura9324]

@@sweetwater thank you so much!

[@theunick37]

What software app do you download for beats? Or what do you suggest for beats with the mini keyboard

[@sweetwater]

Hi, thanks for your interest! All Novation MIDI controller keyboards, including the 61SL, include Ableton Live Lite music production software. Ableton is an industry standard for beatmaking, and I personally highly recommend it. Feel free to contact me directly if you have further questions! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@tyranic1]

Can you have scale mode and key zone together.

[@sweetwater]

Hello! Yes, you can set up scale mode within a particular keyboard zone on the SL mkIII - check out page 23 of the manual for info: fael-downloads-prod.focusrite.com/customer/prod/s3fs-public/downloads/SL_MkIII_User_Guide_ENG.pdf If you want to go into more detail, feel free to call me. Stay safe and healthy out there, Nick LaMendola, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1660, [e-mail]

[@FL0RESYT]

Would you recommend this for mainstage?

[@sweetwater]

Hello! I would highly recommend this for Mainstage. It is a very easy controller to set up inside of a Mac OS, and would be a great choice for a live keyboard piloting your virtual instruments. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SLmk3-61--novation-61sl-mkiii Thanks! Nick LaMendola, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone]

[@FL0RESYT]

Sweetwater is it possible to split the keyboard with different color keys on mainstage as well?

[@sweetwater]

​@@FL0RESYT Yes, it is possible to split the SLmk3 into multiple zones, delineated by the colored LEDs above each key. You can have the upper zone playing one instrument through Mainstage, and the lower zone playing the second instrument. Thanks! Nick LaMendola, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone]

[@FL0RESYT]

Sweetwater could it be possible to make a video on mainstage with this keyboard? That would be awesome

[@domonickroman6412]

what about the launchkey MK2 49 would that be alright as a secondary keyboard?

[@ColonelForkEyes]

It "DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT" because you didn't switch off the DAMN METRONOME throughout the ENTIRE TRACK :/

[@JacobDupre]

VDBSS 🤫

[@ColonelForkEyes]

@@JacobDupre sorry bro I don't mean to seem harsh but it drove me bonkers and detracted from what would otherwise have been a decent and enjoyable video.

[@MarkAnthony5150]

How does this integrate with Fl studio??

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Mark. Thank you for your interest! The 61SL MKIII works mainly through the HUI protocols, which to my understanding is not supported in FL Studio. I was able to find a forum here where some people have discussed other ways they are using the 61SL with their FL sessions: forum.image-line.com/viewtopic.php?t=199804 If you have other questions, certainly feel free to give us a call! Justin Sunday, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1966, [e-mail]

[@MajorSeventh]

Doesn't feel right, doesn't feel right...

[@ChazSeamus28]

i agree, it feels like its way too expensive as well

[@frankyr.8514]

Don’t like theses ping pong sounds, sounds low quality

[@andreidanilov9925]

The “big daddy” you say?

[@JacobDupre]

Andrei Danilov 😅 Couldn’t help myself

[@istvanszabo3275]

Now show us its "fantastic" aftertouch 😂

[@motorize58]

I bought a sl mk3 for fl studio but i can use like generic controller. Fully useless midi controller!! Only work with ableton live👎 you must make a script for fl studio. Am i a programmer? No?! I am musician. And and and i want use all function because ı spend money this product!

[@sequentialbeat]

Ugly sounds for a demonstration

[@TheDougSpot]

Looks cheap and ugly compared to the mark ii