Novation 61 SL MK3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, 61-Key

zZounds Gear Experts Say...

Rock all your software instruments, MIDI hardware and CV/Gate synths with Novation's 3rd-gen SL controller keyboard -- tightly integrated with Ableton Live.

Overview

Bring MIDI hardware and CV/Gate synths together by plugging them all into the Novation SL MkIII, taking total control directly from the internal eight-track polyphonic pattern-based sequencer.

See how to integrate the SL MkIII with your hardware in this video from Novation:

Easily integrate hardware with your DAW

Do you use a DAW and crave integrating your favorite hardware? Well, you can have the best of both worlds. Make controlling your software easy by recording productions from a studio centerpiece.

The perfect controller for Live

Novation worked with Ableton to create an absolutely stunning keyboard controller for their Live music-making software. The five color LCD screens give you full parameter feedback, enabling you to see everything you are controlling.

V1.3 Firmware Update: Unquantized Recording

This firmware update delivers one of the most requested SL MkIII features, Unquantized Recording. In the previous firmware version, Novation introduced micro-step editing, allowing users to position notes off the grid for subtle timing variations. With unquantized recording, users have the ability to record into these micro steps. This means that the organic, human quality of performances and punched-in beats can be captured.

Internal eight-track pattern-based sequencer

Real time record or input notes per step. Play and edit your sequences directly from the keyboard. Record your movements as automation into the sequencer, bringing life to… read more your production.

One routable clock for the whole system

Whether you're in the box or outside the box, the MIDI and analogue clock and transport controls keep everything running in time.

Arpeggiator

Choose an arp type, set a sync rate, tweak the length, and then use the pads to design your rhythms in real time.

Customizable templates

Highly customizable mappings for hardware and software easily control everything. Create your own templates in the software editor, and save them to the keyboard.

LED feedback

Work with scales and keys and set up multiple zones and layers on the keyboard. See everything instantly with vibrant on-key RGB LED feedback.

Comprehensive connectivity

USB; MIDI In, Out, Out 2/Thru; three pedal inputs; Analogue Clock Out; and two CV Pitch, Gate, and Mod outputs can be used to route anything anywhere.

Control all major music software

Your choice of music software is crucial to your creativity. SL MkIII's pads, buttons, eight faders and eight knobs take control of all major music software using InControl. SL MkIII also works with any HUI-compatible DAW.

High-resolution scan

The SL MkIII has an exceptionally high scan rate of 10kHz (10,000 times per second), giving the keyboard a huge dynamic range for expressive keyboard performance.

Keys for the player

The 49SL MkIII boasts Novation's finest, most playable and expressive synth-style semi-weighted, sprung action keybed, and their highest scan rate, all tuned to the needs of the experienced player. It's got aftertouch too, assignable to anything.

Selectable Velocity Curves

The Velocity Curves come to you from a Novation engineer who's been designing and playing keyboard controllers for two decades. Choose from a comprehensive selection of Velocity Curves to suit your playing style.

Pads

SL MkIII's velocity-sensitive RGB pads have multiple functions: they can be used for launching clips, as steps in the sequencer, they are perfect for the finger drummer, and have polyphonic aftertouch.

Backlit Pitch and Modulation wheels

Pitch and Modulation wheels have RGB LEDs that change color to show what track you're working on. Brightness gives you the value of what you're changing.

Components

Components allows you to backup and restore your templates and sessions in the cloud, enabling access from anywhere in the world. All content can also be saved locally.

GForce Bass Station (Included)

The definitive virtual version of a classic '90s mono-synth with a range of brand-new features: 16 voices, 300+ presets, a built-in Arpeggiator and Sequencer, effects, and much more. GForce Bass Station delivers enormous versatility and creative potential. Available as a standalone app on Mac and PC, supporting AU, AAX, VST, and VST3.

Features:

- 61-key MIDI and CV-equipped keyboard controller with 8-track sequencer
- Easily integrate hardware with your DAW – get the best of both worlds, recording any electronic performance from one studio centrepiece
- The perfect controller for Live – full parameter feedback across five colour LCD screens, so you can see everything you are controlling.
- Internal eight-track pattern-based sequencer – record in real time or input notes per step, then edit your sequences directly from the keyboard and record automation
- LED feedback directly above each key – work with scales and keys and see all your zones and layers with vibrant RGB feedback
- Comprehensive connectivity – route anything anywhere with USB; MIDI In, Out, Out 2/Thru; three pedal inputs; Analogue Clock Out; and two CV Pitch, Gate, and Mod outputs
- Includes NKS support: This controller unlocks seamless control of over 2,000+ NKS instruments and effects. It enables users to load instruments and effects, tweak parameters, browse and manage presets with tangible controls, keeping creators' minds and hands on the music. No time is wasted creating, saving, and resetting controller parameter mappings.
- Includes free Native Instruments Komplete 15 Select bundle packed with synths, sampled instruments, and studio effects suited to your genre of choice to start experiencing the seamless connection between the controller and NKS.

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specs

- 61 note velocity sensitive, individually sprung, synth style, semi-weighted keyboard
- 16 full-colour RGB backlit velocity sensitive drum pads
- 2 Page and 2 scene launch buttons
- 8 continuous rotary knobs
- 8 sliders
- 6 dedicated transport controls
- RGB backlit pitch bend and modulation wheels
- 2 octave / transpose buttons
- 2 Track buttons
- 5x RGB TFT LCD screens
- 59 Backlit buttons with tact switches
- 61 RGB LEDs plus 49 or 61 keybed RGB LEDs
- 16 Assignable buttons x 2 pages (32 assignable buttons)
- Assignable grid x 2 pages | (32 assignable pads)
- Backlit RGB Mode switching buttons including InControl

Rear Panel & Connectors:

- Power switch
- DC power socket
- USB socket
- MIDI IN, OUT, OUT2 / THRU - 3x 5-pin DIN sockets
- Sustain and Expression pedal 1/4" TRS jack inputs
- Footswitch pedal 1/4" TS jack input
- CV, Gate, Modulation -1- on 3.5mm jack sockets
- CV, Gate, Modulation -2- on 3.5mm jack sockets
- Clock out
- Kensington security slot

Sequencer:

- 32 Sessions
- 8 Tracks per session (2 Synth and 4 Drum)
- 8 Patterns per track (Synth 1, Synth 2, Drum 1&2, Drum 3&4)
- Real time record (notes, with velocity and automation)
- Auto-quantise notes to steps and automation to 8 events per step
- All assignable controls can be automated (8 maximum automation lanes)
- Internal tempo range 40 - 240
- External synced tempo range 30 - 300
- Swing 20 - 80%

Real Time Performance:

- 22 Scale types and chromatic transposition
- Pattern expand view - flip the grid
- Pattern start and end, direction incl. random
- Configurable pattern chain
- Session instant switching and queued switch

Editing:

- Velocity and gate per step
- Multiple gate lengths per step (via real time record)
- Automation edit per step
- Clear step, automation parameter per pattern, pattern, session
- Duplicate step, pattern

Software Compatibility:

- Ableton Live Lite included

Power Requirements:

- Maximum power consumption 9V DC 1000mA
- Power supply included (This product cannot be powered from USB)
Note: Maximum power consumption is required to be screened onto the product next to the power jack and must be consumption and not the specification for the power supply. Format is to the nearest 100mA. Up to 900 write in mA, above 1000 write 1.1A, 1.2A et

Included Software:

- Ableton Live Lite
- 4 GB of Loopmasters sounds and samples

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 18.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 44 x 15 x 6 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): AMS-61SL-MKIII

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-431-2609

Reviews

(4 ratings)

Submitted January 8, 2019 by Nathaniel T in Beaverton, OR

"The end all controller to rule them all"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.

This is the midi controller I have dreamed of, way to go Novation!

Sound
Uh...there are no sounds, n/a

Features
For me, the most important features in a midi controller:1. 61+ keys that feel good and have aftertouch2. programmable midi cc controller knobs/faders (some DSI synths are a bit weird in this regard, so this is a necessity)3. non-usb bus power option, for dawless adventures. If a unit has a ps, even if I have to buy it separately, I do.

Ease of Use
Updating this unit balked initially, but the second go was fine, the software to do so is a bit heavy IMO, close all other internetikins. My emu xboard49 doesn't always show up as on even though it is, the SLmkIII however hasn't failed to do so, once.

Quality
The 'feel' of this unit is on par with what I expect from Novation (owner of BSII, Ultranova, Peak), in fact, the keys kind of feel like the BSII as a reference and I hold every keybed up to my AN1X, which I adore. This...is right there, everything else has fallen short :)

Value
This unit is a smidge on the expensive side, but the value of its versatility and hopefully, longevity makes it well worth it. I am considering purchasing a backup, because they don't tend to make things that are good for very long. The quality of the usb cable is at a level I have never experienced before and I'm going to replace every cable… read more with this woven type.

Manufacturer Support
Never needed to contact to support

The Wow Factor
After the Peak, this unit has the silver in OMG, wow factor. Both are from Novation, interesting...What factors in the wow factor? One word, versatility. A thing can do something, no problem, but when a thing can do...*counts on fingers for a bit* alot, it's value becomes exponential, thank you Novation.

Musical Background:
3 decades of hobby

Musical Style:
Ambient, experimental, drone

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