Novation SL MkIII with Eurorack Modular Synths // Sequencer, keyboard & controller

**TIMING INDEX / SECTIONS BELOW ** Thanks to Novation for inviting me down to check out the new SL MkIII alongside Loopop, Cuckoo, Rachel K Collier and Bo Beats for their private event in London a couple of weeks ago. After the event a shiny new SL MkIII was sent out and we were all left to make some content, anything we fancied, no influence from Novation. Naturally I chose to use the device with my Eurorack modular synthesizer and I wanted to present how it can be used as a duophonic sequencing, keyboard, controller, modulator and more. There's 7 CV/gate/clock connections on the back giving us plenty go get going. The real strength of the SL MkIII is in tying a studio together, with USB, DAW control, MIDI and CV. But you're not doubt here for the CV action so let's get stuck in!
TIMING INDEX
00:00 Duophonic CV sequencing and modulation patch
01:04 Hello, welcome, patch previews of what's to come
01:55 What is the Novation SL MkIII and how I'll be using it.
02:53 Building CV sequences with pitch CV, gate, modulation CV (step or controller live recording), pattern chaining and more.
06:46 Sequenced Arpeggios - musical interlude.
07:03 Duophonic patterns, analog clocks and more! Making the most out of the SL MkIII sequencing and modulation kick, clap and hi hat beat as well as modulating feedback in FX chains and granular sampling (Nebulae v2).
11:59 Ambient patching - quick keyboard tinkle.
12:42 Using gate length to add musicality, expression and complexity to modular patching. This goes through gate length from short triggers to merging gates across multiple steps.
15:56 Pattern settings, start and end points, step length, sequencing clock rates.
17:33 Outro - more videos to come and more of my pretty baby face.
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[@RyanGildea]

Great demo! I just picked up the 61SL MkIII. Just scratching the surface and you helped me discover some cool features. Thanks!

[@DivKid]

Yeah it's a deep unit capable of controlling a whole studio. Really cool.

[@Jimantronic]

Cheers Ben, that's a really handy walkthrough. Looking forward to it tying my setup together

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

Very informative as usual, keep up the great work!

[@kirabarsmith9353]

Hard to picture any electronic musician not wanting this controller. Sic intro bassline as always and nice demo, cheers!

[@DivKid]

Thanks Kira, I liked that intro pattern too. I did save it in case it turns into something else at some point.

[@therealjackfisher]

That keyboard controlelr is a solid piece of gear. And this rack synth WOOOW! You have some toys to play with :) I love it.

[@paulceriko4256]

Great stuff...Good timing too, I'm in the market for a controller for my modular. Keep up the excellence!

[@DivKid]

Cheers Paul.

[@midierror]

Awesome video, the best one I've seen on the MkIII !

[@DivKid]

oh nice, thanks mate! :)

[@Neurotypique]

great video! it's nice to hear it in action

[@DivKid]

cheers

[@BURG]

Lovely vid and demo mate! And hey, the first sequence in the clip got my feet stompin ... !! Cheers!

[@DivKid]

nice one, like a bit of a foot stomp.

[@albedo0point39]

I like the format. Works well with you in camera, for sure.

[@DivKid]

thanks, appreciate that. I'll try to do it more.

[@RobinRimbaudScanner]

Lovely groove to that opening sequence!

[@DivKid]

thank you, had fun with that one.

[@jimshannononsounds]

This was really helpful sine I'm about to get into modular. The mk3 is also going to tie nicely in with my Novation Circuit as well. Thanks

[@DivKid]

nice one Jim. Check out more videos on my channel if you're getting into modular and feel free to ask questions anytime.

[@urbannpa]

Great video, keep them coming, thanks.

[@DivKid]

cheers Peter

[@bcitral]

Wow, great product novation.

[@DivKid]

they did a good job.

[@ledgendairy3056]

Excellent, This is why I'm a patreon. I just ordered mine

[@DivKid]

nice one Jason, really appreciate the support.

[@breslin44]

Super demo Ben. Novation have really thought this out well.

[@DivKid]

Yeah felt really well thought out. There's a lot more to it than just modular stuff in my video. DAW control, 8 channels of polyphonic sequencing etc. Lots of good stuff that for me has kind of pulled the whole room together.

[@breslin44]

yeah, have seen some of the other demos showing its other aspects. Love the possibilities of it controlling pieces of hardware with its own limited control. I'm sure more hardware templates will follow.

[@DivKid]

yeah there's open software to make any template you want. That should all be released very soon now as I've had access to that briefly.

[@Individual_two]

Nice demo, Ben! This is a really sophisticated MIDI and CV control center. There must be some considerable processing power inside, which helps explain its high price. I wish Novation would make a smaller unit, preferably 37 keys, or even 25. If that were the case, I'd buy one of these ASAP.

[@DivKid]

What would you want to loose for a smaller keybed? The sliders?

[@Individual_two]

There is about an octave-sized bit of panel real estate that could be tweaked. Moving the transport controls under the sliders would buy most of the space. Novation repackaged the Impluse and the predecessor of these all the way down to 25-key units, so I would expect we will see something similar for the SLMkIII in the future. Just a thought.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

You’re getting screens for everything which show you parameter names, this is huge and makes the keyboard worth the price imo.. i’m pretty sure i’ll buy one (if the keybed is good?)

[@BirthPiatar]

can't wait coming to Thailand

[@DivKid]

Not sure when it makes its way around the world.

[@dreamsandpromises5564]

great vid. Novation makes quality gear. say, when are you gonna do that massive "eurorack wall" giveaway? and throw in a few of those bits laying around, too. i'm all in for that.

[@DivKid]

not sure they'll be a "wall" giveaway but I do get a tonne of gear in and given away in a charity raffle at the events I hold.

[@MadelnMachines]

Not asking for much ;)

[@alanblight9233]

I hadn't realised you actually lived in a house that had modules for bricks. I haven't been paying attention. It looks good and Novation are good at this. Good value for money as £500 ain't much in modular world. Powerful. Bit of kit.

[@DivKid]

the anti Brexit euro house!

[@Dogboy73]

Great demo. Some lovely sounds / patches in there as well. This looks like a near perfect keyboard controller. $999 (aus). Pretty pricey but some fantastic features. Better start saving ;-)

[@DivKid]

you can't do it with CV without a MIDI interface but the polyphonic sequencing is great.

[@loopop]

Great video!

[@DivKid]

thank you, was a pleasure to meet you on this project. Hopefully someone will pull us all together again soon.

[@DivKid]

yeah that could be cool.

[@MadelnMachines]

Some beautiful sounds and sequences in there. I guess you wish it had cv outs for all of the sequencers but midi to cv helps things.

[@DivKid]

yeah 8 lots of CV out would be crazy, but a lot of hardware and a lot of expense to create. MIDI to CV certainly brings in a good amount more.

[@wildaudiosociety]

I didn't think I needed another controller in my life, but this is literally a dream come true. Would have been nice to see more CV outs on it, but I guess there's a few ways around that. Would also be nice to know if Arturia are going to release a keystep pro... before I drop the cash on the SL.

[@DivKid]

with the 8 polyphonic sequencers on board it's way more than a controller for me. It's become a nice little central hub of the whole room.

[@rebootdeluxe]

Thank you Ben for this great demonstration of this controller! Now I'm really sure that I have to get one! :-) What type of modules did you use for kick, clap and hi hat, starting 07:03? I can only identify a patched "Erica Synths Pico DRUMS", but no more modules for these nice percussion sounds.

[@christianlewislyon]

sounds dynamite !!!!! nice kicks on that second sound example!

[@DivKid]

yeah I really liked that patch, like a lot of moments with the modular though it was just a fluttering moment that passed us all by.

[@serenemachine9110]

This looks like the answer to most of my needs. Would it be suitable for the roll of master clock as well? How does the keyboard feel during playing? I don't like the feel of little keys but those look decent. The new vid format is cool. It's more personal seeing you in front of the camera.

[@DivKid]

I'm not a keys player so I'm not best to judge the keybed, ask Cuckoo about that one though. Feels fine to me though. Thanks RE the more personal video style I'm happy with it. This would serve as a master clock for you too.

[@fxberg]

lovely! so where's those other sl3 demos? ;)

[@cultofours2648]

great seeing your face!

[@DivKid]

thanks, I may show it again in some future videos.

[@Chevytravelleruk]

Liking the new video style Ben.. Are you ready for the memes to begin?.. ;)

[@DivKid]

memes? As in snapshots of my fugly mug ... yeah that might happen, might not. I don't mind.

[@WearySisyphus]

Hi, thanks for your vdeo. I just received mine and I'm struggling because there isn't any manual. I'd lke to splt my keyboard into four : 1st to send CV/G through the frist analog outputs 2nd to send CV/G through the second analog outputs 3rd and four are MIDI channels (usng the Expert Sleepers FH-2). Can you help ? Thanks so much

[@MarktModularSynth]

Great, I've had a circuit since it came out.....the sequencer interface is second to none......and with pattern chaining you get 128 steps.......I assume with midi out to the likes of Yarns you can further expand things and sequence further tracks to send to the modular?

[@DivKid]

I'm using a Mutant Brain MIDI-CV (which is the OCD license for modular) which I'll show in a follow up video.

[@jmaz1100]

Can you send midi notes from DAW and send them out of the CV outputs?

[@anonymous_friend]

I'm trying to get clock into my SL mk3, but not through midi in. Do you know if I can send it clock over cv or gate? or does it only have cv outs? Thanks!

[@manne3d]

No reset on the analog clock out? Or is it there with a stereo plug?

[@sub-jec-tiv]

This thing is a beast but tbh i’m just here for your music. How’s the keybed compared to a Fatar?

[@DivKid]

it's definitely not a Fatar but it's a nicely playing synth action keyboard. Not sure who well trained piano/keys players would feel and I can't play a fast run like I could on another instrument to really test it but I'd say it was good.

[@bd594]

Can you use this MIDI controller as a teaching keyboard? If you apply a MIDI IN signal will the keys light up according to the notes being played?

[@DivKid]

that is a great question. Never heard it referred as a "teaching keyboard" that way but I know the type of units you mean. Searching for you and yes you can, official wording below. "The SL MK3 can be set to light the keys when receiving external midi note data. Set the option Ext. midi leds to ON."

[@bd594]

excellent news! now to save some pennies!@@DivKid

[@VS3d0v]

Jeez, that's a lot of modular synthesisers.

[@DivKid]

indeed it is.

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Superb, Monsieur DivKid,- 🍏

[@glenorpheus]

Hi Ben, great video, how many steps max on the sequencer, is it just 16 or can it do more ?

[@DivKid]

sequencers are up to 16 steps. But you can chain them for up to 128 steps.

[@glenorpheus]

That’s good to know and double what I had hopped for, thank you.

[@bluename4]

How would you compare to the new arturia keylab mk2 for modular?

[@DivKid]

There's no sequencing on the Keylab which is a huge part of the SL MkIII

[@albedo0point39]

What’s that USB power supply and case you’ve got there?

[@DivKid]

case is from Matt Gaines as is the power. I'll have videos on it as soon as I can.

[@ecmxcorp]

Can somebody help me out? Im looking for a standalone keyboard with an integrated sequencer so I can play and loop sound bits on the go, I'm not looking for a midi keyboard, I don't even know if such thing exist, or if I'm addressing it properly. I want something like a Casio Workstation 6600 (the one I currently have) and as an amateur and novice, Its perfect for me, it only lacks the ability to loop and sequence whatever I'm playing, so after looking around I couldn't find something similar, along that price range that has that functionality, please if someone knows about a keyboard that has it I would appreciate it! Ps: I'm not looking for a midi nor a synth controller mainly because I'm starting to learn and I don't have thousands of dollars laying around, I just want a reasonable priced keyboard (that doesn't need a computer to sequence) with loop capabilities, the cheaper the better to be honest. Hope someone out there can help me out, thanks in advance.

[@DivKid]

Possibly some of the more expensive workstations out there can do this sort of thing but it's not something I've looked into so I can't really help there I'm afraid. Good luck finding what you're looking for though.

[@fedesartorio]

Great demo! Could you send me a couple kilos of modules from the MODULE PILE? I’ll send you a bottle of Swiss wine back

[@DivKid]

haha they're safe and well loved here.

[@sojozentra8062]

Wish I had all your gear... (x

[@DivKid]

hoping to have a spot people can come and use some of it someday.

[@jdssurf]

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

[@DivKid]

hellos, I'm an independent video creator who made a demo of this MIDI controller. I unfortunately don't have any involvement with Novation to be able to help you here. I suggest going onto their website and finding a support contact. Hope you get it figured out.

[@flaminggarlic]

Are the sequencers monophonic from midi as well CV or is it more like the circuit Midi

[@flaminggarlic]

*for midi?

[@Chevytravelleruk]

MIDI seqs are up to 8 note poly

[@DivKid]

polyphonic for MIDI, CV can only be one pitch at once. But I'll be adding a Hexinverter Mutant Brain to the set up to get polyphonic CV options too.

[@flaminggarlic]

My thoughts exactly, I have 2 CVOCDs I'd love to incorporate. One of my favorite things about the circuit sequencer is recording 16 chords into the steps of the sequencer, then muting that tracks sequence, the keyboard keys still output notes when you play on the keys, but when you press the pad for the sequence step it outputs the chord at that position in the sequence, making it an easy to program chord librarian for the song, that you can then play along with the keys. I'm trying to think of a way to incorporate that into modular (monophonic) techniques and curious if you could do that with the inbuilt arppegiator? If you have a chance, would you mind giving it a shot? I'm currently planning what to sell to buy one of these! Such a lovely demo.

[@wackenthaljef]

Sorry Mr Novation but i need a ribbon control too!..please.

[@DivKid]

The Eowave Ribbon is a nice one.

[@alamsuryoaja9224]

11:59

[@alanblight9233]

An important feature for me is that it's idiot proof. No messy menus for numskulls to get worn out by. Otherwise its useless to me. Seems intuitive tho'

[@wackenthaljef]

Ahahaa!!! too much modules Kid???....You need a box?...thks 4 the vid oncagain!

[@DivKid]

I have boxes under the desk, and other cases ... I need help! Haha

[@therealone1288]

good functionality but has a cheap look to it

[@DivKid]

doesn't feel cheap to me.

[@ludotex]

Gimmie that poor CsL before it gets scratched and stuff if you're not using it anymore...

[@DivKid]

it's not getting scratched or unloved, don't worry I'm taking good care of it.

[@kristianTV1974]

This whole modular synth wankery needs to stop.

[@DivKid]

How so? If you'd genuinely like to discuss go ahead, if not I'm sure the synth scene is fine continuing to be wankery.

[@hermask815]

As a wanker I’m fine with wanking. Coming from LAN networking, I hate the sh*tty cable mess. I’d be fine with the matrix from Ems vcs3.