Novation SL MkIII Controller Overview

[@Gainn]

The 1.4 update has made a huge difference. Still a few things that could be added or improved, but it's such a useful tool to sketch out ideas.

[@AndyNicholson]

"someone will write in" - so old skool :)

[@ronh8126]

Bought this controller 4 years ago. I wish I had gone with Komplete's version. Great if you're controlling hardware not great if you're only controlling Studio One.

[@DaveChips]

Seems like Ableton is winning hardware lottery lately...

[@ReinhardtBuhr]

Hi there, can one delete clips in Ableton via the sl mk3? Like the Push? Thank you.

[@stepanpro9161]

My Push 2 and Novation SL mk II is the best option for me

[@RobertoBuri]

Where can I find basic lessons for Novation 49SL MKIII, in particular the description of the functions of the various buttons.

[@kristianTV1974]

Me too. The manual is terribly wordy, could do with some more diagrams showing the hierarchy.

[@jdssurf]

did you guys ever find some better tutorials and such

[@QuantizStudioRecords]

How many steps you can record with stepsequencer in a single sequence / pattern pls?

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

Can I use Ableton software instruments (full instruments as well as pre-sets) as instruments for the sequencer tracks?

[@r.e.d.62]

Does the sequencer do polyrhythmic and polymetric sequencing with odd track lengths or odd time signatures?

[@bobcatt2294]

Question: can you save a standalone MIDI effects processor's settings as part of a profile? Which within the profile the effects parameters would be assigned to a particular voice assigned to a MIDI rack mounted device?

[@Onelychild]

Marvelous video! Thank you for sharing this!

[@chrisschwaab]

But why did they forget a chord-mode like in the komplete kontrol? That would be so useful! Please add this in a new firmware update. PLEASEEEE!

[@D.r.e.w_D.r.e.w]

Chris Schwaab they do have it he might have not mentioned it

[@christianthompson1473]

What's the difference between deep level control (reason) and script level (logic) control?

[@bitegoatie]

It was a big mistake letting Automap go to seed. They put in so much effort and just gave up. The new controller is lovely, but had Automap been maintained, this MKIII would be a world-beater. It may be anyway.

[@ChazSeamus28]

wow.. is this something that can be updated in the firmware end of things sometime in the near future?

[@stephenhare7369]

I think their branding took a hit letting it go as well.

[@SunlightOfTheSpirit]

@@stephenhare7369 I know my music took a hit as well as everything defaulted to the VST presets and not the ones I made

[@Jellybeantiger]

@@SunlightOfTheSpirit Just needed an update,hopefully Automap 5 comes out and is stable and intuitive to use brcause the concept is sound.

[@tmarty4269]

Why would i want something like this vs my old roland xp 80. thanks.

[@anonymous_friend]

Just got this controller and there is no way to control brightness of the pads. In a sunny room I cant see the pads, and in a dim room, the pads that are off have backlights and the pads that are lit, are only somewhat brighter, so you dont really know if a pad is lit or not.

[@marleyymarr]

Would you recommend the keyboard besides that issue? I'm really debating between this keyboard and the launchkey mk3

[@anonymous_friend]

@@marleyymarr It's really the best controller on the market despite this issue.

[@marleyymarr]

@@anonymous_friend ok awesome, I am going to go ahead and get it then. After this buy, I don't see myself needing a new midi keyboard for years to come.

[@liothomasart]

This and Push 2... perfect combination 😱💣💥

[@miekwavesoundlab]

How do you custom Sysex toggle on the pads? Like on MK2? I must program pads to transmit: F0 43 7E 00 XX 7F F7 to Midi Out 2 port. XX is 00 ... 0F

[@DopamineOverload]

Hi guys! I still get so confused about the maximum steps per sequence. It's 16 as evidenced by the pads and the playhead, but people say it's 128 max steps. Is it only 128 because of the ability to chain patterns together? So if there's 8 patterns available per track, and each is 16 steps (at 16th note/standard step sequencing rate, which equals 1 measure), then you can basically make Pattern 1 and 2 together be a 32-step sequence, right? Or Pattern 1 2 3 and 4 together would be a 64-step sequence? That's all well and good. Where I get confused is... I read that each pattern has "Pages" within it. If each pattern has 8 "Pages" inside it, then does this mean you can essentially have 8 SEPARATE 128-step sequences per pattern......? Because if so, SWEET. Novation / Calc / SOS... someone.... please clarify, if possible. Thank you! I was on the fence about this board until I did a little more research... wish I could find a solid answer to this.

[@user178299]

Any update?

[@Dogboy73]

I know it's barely been unveiled. But I wonder if we might see a desktop controller version i.e. just the controller part minus the keyboard. Looks like a really nice, powerful controller. I'd be very happy with just that bit not being a player myself & already having a small keyboard.

[@RonCavagnaro]

I've suggested it to them for years...

[@danielmulholland5869]

Never gonna happen man. They make mad profit off of their Ableton integration, as soon as the start making controller only products they start competing with ableton's push which is just incentive for Ableton to cut them out

[@floydc9482]

A small syth engine with some sounds and a few GB for storage and playing unplugged and unconnected would be a sale from me. The mini-play isn't enough. Nor is it something of this caliber. But maybe on the horizon a New Hybrid controller with a engine will come along. Of course, it will reek havoc on some synth sales so I would assume a high price tag.

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

A lot of us share the same sentiment

[@kalubandali2241]

@@SunnyBeeRandomTuber a lot us dont share your wallet

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

@@kalubandali2241 a lot of you have to work a decade or 2 to earn your living to afford one....if it doesn't float your boat, stick to the entry level stuff junior

[@kalubandali2241]

@@SunnyBeeRandomTuber meanwhile junior has has released more songs made better use of his hardware and had more people listen to his music then you ever have grandad :)

[@laurencevanhelsuwe3052]

And no way to transpose the sequence by simply pressing a key (like on Moog Sub 37 and many other synths) ? Hmm...

[@sternenherz]

Recently tested it for myself. For over 600 Euros i would expect better keys. I know that Synthesizer people are used to this cheap feeling "fast bounce" keys... but as a "main masterkeyboard" i personally would wish for a version with keys which can be enjoyed by piano-feel- people

[@jdssurf]

They should definitely have dif versions with weighted keys

[@jdssurf]

Hey guys new customer, my mod wheel doesn't light up or do anything, it lights up in calibration but not after

[@aboriginalshoota9269]

How do I customize the backlights

[@torianchavis3688]

i promise that you'll gain some extra business if you created some "deep" integration with studio one. it seems like all the major midi controller makers continue to skip over studio one sadly. there are so many people really wanting a controller that takes advantage of the power of studio one.... will it ever be? how soon?

[@leo.nordmann]

Dude I'm on your side. Studio one is just such a good daw, but I still don't know what controller to get for it.

[@MixedbyToryG]

Leo Nordmann right! I ended up getting the Keylab. Not completely deep integration, but at least they made it work.

[@chrisscott7092]

No midi keyboard, but the Faderports have deep Studio One integration.

[@davedeanovic2908]

It’s like they can’t even mention Studio One. I’ve noticed that throughout the years. Even on Sonicstate, the narrators seem to have a hard time passing the name “ Studio One “ across their lips until there’s a major update and even then they won’t dedicate much time to it, probably because the engineers used to work for Cubase. ( jealousy) and now they’ve got a great product that surpasses most but the controller developers will turn a blind eye. It’s like going up against deep state here in the US.

[@chaddonal4331]

HUI? Not Mackie Control? Studio One and Samplitude overlooked again? Some of this seems perhaps an overshoot (built-in sequencer, etc.) -- unless one needs CV for analog synths. Perhaps one of the most important aspects and shining feature of the Mk2 -- playability! -- wasn't even mentioned. Is key size and playability equal to or better than NI KK v.2? However, I love the IDEA of including knobs, faders, pads, and multiple screens. Makes it look like Novation has really upped the game.

[@anzatzi]

Key bed? Dynamics?

[@Darqion]

Is this controller worth it for someone new to making music? I dont have any hardware synths so i would only use it with a daw i guess?

[@ChazSeamus28]

get a launchkey or a keylab for now bud

[@paulj9821]

No get this one. I am new and the Keybed is vastly superior. The cheap units are horrible for new people.

[@Harrysound]

Would be over kill for me. I just kinda want the keyboard and the lights and the faders and....well everything really. I’m a Cubase user though and I fear it might just fall short of what you can do in ableton.

[@Harrysound]

Camgocrvzy I’ll simplify it then. I want all this features but I don’t need them, it’s overkill for my level of use. I also know from past experience you can buy hardware and have great expectations about how it’ll integrate with your daw (Cubase in my case) only to find a world of work around and hurdles that eventually wear you down to the point you can’t be arsed....

[@paulj9821]

@@Harrysound That is why you buy dedicated DAW controllers. This Novation isn't as good as a Push 2 for Ableton but I assure you the Novation's Ableton integration is top notch. For other DAW's you can make templates but they will not have the level of integration that the Novation has for Ableton.

[@futumama1]

How to save finished sequences? In MK3 ?

[@robertlee1176]

How do we set the pads to a scale?

[@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?

[@White5hade]

I just got mine this week and the LEDs don't automatically match Kontakt's region colors. I tried using InControl with the Kontakt 6 vst inside Ableton and I tried the Komplete Kontrol standalone app and vst as well. Can't find a special driver or update for it either, so I would say it's not possible.

[@paulj9821]

@z k Ok but considering your demands a NI-Complete Kontrol S61 or s49 is what you want.

[@paulj9821]

@z k what is it you want exactly. What criterias are you looking for. You may not care fort the Novation Mk3 but it is a great value for what it's offering.

[@paulj9821]

@z k You have me confused again. It seems you want the best NI integration but then you dislike the NI hardware. The lights aren't useless as they serve multiple functions but I guess in your case since all you want is color/region reacting to the NI library and nothing more.

[@BubbIeCum]

@z k You Sir are nothing but a Prick. Not only are you incorrect since you don't even own one but to top it off you are also stupid. Essentially you posses both of the worst traits, arrogance and stupidity.

[@95allifi]

I would be so cool if the faders were motorized

[@papachee323]

I think you are cool.

[@garyusinger]

CAN YOU PLAY SEPARATE ANALOG UNITS ALONG WITH ABLETON AT THE SAME TIME?

[@reaktiv1408]

That looks possible using the zones. One for a virtual instrument, one for a hardware synth

[@pco2004]

yes

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

Why didn't novation do something dedicated to daws like FL STUDIO, REAPER and logic Pro x

[@Mateusz7821]

They work with reaper and logic, they have scripts for them

[@squoblat]

FL Studio are the ones responsible for this not integrating as well, it's up to them to make the script, not Novation. You need to get in touch with Image-Line and request it.

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

@@squoblat appreciate your opinion i wasn't aware....it's just that every 2nd midi controller is aimed at Ableton and not for reaper or fl studio

[@squoblat]

@@SunnyBeeRandomTuber I spoke to Novation about this directly, they would love to have better integration with FL studio, but they need the software provider to integrate their hardware. Ableton has been very forward thinking on this front. I ended up switching from FL studio to Ableton as I wanted hardware integration in my studio. Haven't looked back.

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

@@squoblat I guess the next best plan of action is just to buy those FL studio plugins as standalone vsts and use them on other daws

[@clubjumping]

not sure if anyone would want to use this live but we be ok for the studio i guess

[@pco2004]

using this in a live situation is the only reason why i'm considering this. obviously it shines even more in the studio though.

[@TheInfekt]

is this made out of cheap plastic or metal like the arturia keylab ?

[@ChazSeamus28]

you know the answer to that question already.. haha!

[@paulj9821]

Made of high quality plastic. If you want Aluminium add an additional $200 to the price.

[@kristianTV1974]

It's plastic, but very solid in the quality department. Doesn't feel cheap like, say, the Bass Station 2 does.

[@krisgebruers8471]

Mine start failing after 3 years of light use, one of the keys got sticky and it'll cost me 200 euro to repair it. No Novation products for me anymore in the future...

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

No Auto map??? NO DEAL. Don't wanna spend an entire day having to map my hardware and software VSTS. Pretty lights though!!.

[@ThreeBeingOne]

Just click configure in Ableton, they load into the screens as you click. Takes 5 minutes, works across presets.

[@juhlinpar]

"Error getting updates"...

[@Amatteus]

Why do you call them templates if they are mappings.. Why not call it mappings? Why do you call the function" in Controll" if it is Ableton Ctrl?.. Why do you call it Parts if they are output channels or instruments?.. The names you use are so confusing ... You could make it easier.

[@anonymous_friend]

They didn't think this one through. Unfortunately you find these things out after you buy it...

[@robinr22]

​@@anonymous_friendI found the same and it's why I sold mine. The killers were the pads being way too dim, the ridiculously short pattern length and the need to constantly switch between modes all the live long day with multiple button presses to do things. I have this same problem with the Push 2 - if it takes longer and requires more steps than using the mouse, I'm going to use the mouse.

[@buschovski1]

omg yeah. this has been driving me nuts. They should not use the word parts. They started out the manual calling them tracks. Then switched to calling the tracks parts. Tracks are not parts. The patterns within the track would be the parts. But all you need is the word patterns. this isnt a small issue if it confuses the hell out of someone.

[@buschovski1]

@@robinr22I just got this and it might be going back very soon. I like the Keystep Pro because it will let you do 64 step patterns. Its got its stupid things like freezing, not saving chains, and mini keys. But I may stick with it now

[@WillJukedTheBox]

Analog nuts are crazy. Haven’t you heard of plugins? You can get way more sounds, quicker and easier for a fraction of the price :O this shit is for people who fiddle around with knobs all day and never actually make any songs.

[@sung5032]

You're right, VST's are unbeatable regarding price factor, and so much more convenient to use (you can bring all of them for a gig without breaking your back). But analogue gear has that charm no single VST will never have, the organic feel of holding a beautiful piece of technology in your hands, interacting with the machine to shape electric signal in real time. It's easy to get lost in the process, but you do make songs with it.

[@reaktiv1408]

Or you could just get the best of both worlds, like I do : hardware mixed with software, the only thing that matters is making music!

[@burgerobob]

i used omnisphere and arturia's plug-ins for so long and i had the same thought as you "why would i buy a hardware synth when omnisphere is the most powerful synth in the world ?" and then i bought minilogue just for the fuck of it, and it changed my workflow for the better, it's less about the sound but more about the hands-on workflow for me, sculpting sound with the touch of your hand on the go is way more inspiring in the production process than using a mouse, before you make your mind up about your stance on analog synths, try to integrate analog synths in your workflow, and if you don't like it you can always return it. it's the same reason why it's way more inspiring drawing on a piece of paper than on your computer with a mouse.

[@ChazSeamus28]

LOL! You make a very good point here.

[@ChazSeamus28]

@@burgerobob yeah.. for the price of serum / omnisphere your halfway to affording a used minilougue.. go for the hardware right? at least you have something to show for it.. i own serum btw but man these vst prices are out of control.

[@djRoyalTee]

@19:25 LMKWYSC...thx #djrtnyc

[@XR3NDA]

its nice but its too big for me

[@koreanfriedchildren]

What a shame they didn't make it as sleek and high quality as the SLmk2

[@Gaget01Stuff]

What do you mean?

[@koreanfriedchildren]

danny wensley WHAT A SHAME THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT AS SLEEK AND HIGH QUALITY AS THE SLMK2

[@nrosko]

you are being sarcastic right?

[@paulj9821]

What are you on about? The MK3 is vastly superior hardware/feature wise. I assume the issue you have is them using plastic for the case shell as opposed to using an Aluminum front cover like the Mk2.

[@ringoze]

@@paulj9821 my mk2 is not aluminum

[@manny_f]

Honestly, you keyboard manufacturers are missing the mark completely. There is demand for a simple keyboard with no BS controls, just pitch & mod wheels, aftertouch (ideally poly), a nice keybed (e.g. Fatar TP/9S or, better, TP/8S), sustain and expression pedals, physical MIDI I/O ports, USB MIDI, bus-!owered (but also with the option of external PSU) and excellent build quality. The rest is bullshit.

[@jrlx86]

Totally agree. Seems obvious.

[@adrianl7604]

AKAI MPK series.

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

Wish they combined ultranova inbuilt sounds along with sl MK2 (to compete with the likes of Akai mpk249 and korg Triton taktile) this is too Ableton intensive, it was and is a turn off for me

[@brutallyremastered4255]

Novation are a shit company for support and quality control. Would never purchase again but it's really nice that SOS are very friendly with them.

[@marleyymarr]

After a year, would you recommend this keyboard? I'm really debating on whether or not I should purchase it

[@jdssurf]

I've called them twice this past couple weeks just for questions and they were unreal helpful.

[@aleatoriac7356]

Polyphonic aftertouch *PADS* Aww guys... So close. SO CLOSE. Just MAKE THE KEYS that way... But no.

[@clivesaunders5576]

you guys are doing a big disservice not showing how the controller works with protools you always use Ableton live in the demos would be nice to see other DAWs!

[@enfield20]

clive saunders maybe because more people have Ableton Live on their computer, this one comes with Live Lite as well... I get you though, I’m about to spend all that money and not sure how it will work as a sequencer for synths and samplers on my ipad, couldn’t find a single bloody video on someone using it that way

[@SjN7HETIK]

WE NEED THIRD PARTY LOGICALLY PREMAPPED! WAS IT THAT HARD???? AKAI (also about NI'sNKS devices) and NI (just about their own devices and JUST SOME THIRD PARTY) DID IT! AND WHAT ABOUT REASON INTEGRATION???? will it control Reasons devices PARAMETERS too or just transport bar and stupid useless things????

[@NSW-ye3xw]

NSW1973 A lot has happened since the release of the mk2 version. Now NatIve Instruments have released the mk2 of their Kontrol keyboards and the development of NKS, there is stiff competition. The NI keyboards are cheaper, bigger screens and better built. Sorry Novation, this is not doing it for me.

[@nrosko]

selling point really is the sequencer & as far as i can tell it's better than anything else in that regard. Did you get to try the keyboard to say its not as good quality? This is my biggest concern for it as I had a MK2 & it was really cheaply put together. I do think they have drastically improved since then though as the Peak is solid.

[@paulj9821]

The NI are far more expensive, where do you get cheaper? NI has a cheap ass budget line but not even you would buy those since they have crappy keybeds, no screens etc.... Native Instruments S49 Mk2 is $680 , while the Novation SL49 Mk3 is $549. If you are comparing this to the NI-A series(budget) then the Novation LaunchKey(budget) is still cheaper and a better buy.

[@Barney-ii1no]

Terrible price

[@VoodooGMusic]

long story short. Nothing new, no native control over third party plugins, hours of mapping required, inferior to the NI Komplete Kontrol. A shame, this could have been a serious competitor.

[@paulj9821]

How is it inferior to the NI keyboard. If you mean for KK integration well of course. Otherwise this is superior for everything else.

[@EclipseSound]

> mixing piano and strings - sound design...

[@TheTinkywinky3]

blah blah blah blah blah

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

All those blinking lights turn me off...

[@chriss1152]

Novation is okay but it looks like you're trying to be like Native Instruments that keyboard looks like it could be one

[@paulj9821]

you are so wrong. They are nothing like NI and in fact they are better. NI makes high quality gear and KK is great stuff, no doubt. Saldy NI is too focused on there KK software as opposed to others.