Best MIDI Keyboard Controller - Novation SL MK 3 Review

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📖 Show Notes 📖

Opening Praise
The Novation 61 SL MK3 is one of the most surprisingly good controllers I've had the opportunity to use. It is similar in power, if not more powerful than, the Push 2, and has keys instead of pads for us Keyboard Players who thrive in that setting. It also comes with the power to control external hardware and has a built-in sequencer and arpeggiator, which makes it really easy to bring together multiple instruments and your DAW into one connected live performance set up

What's In The Box?
Included in the box is:
- the Novation 61SL MK3 itself.
- Internation Power Cable
- Sturdy USB
- Instruction Manual

InControl Mode
InControl Mode is it's native control scripture for your DAW. This is POWERFUL. It allows you control over all mapped parameters, but also allows you to see and control unmapped parameters much the same way Push 2 does. I absolutely love the way this functions.

Control of External Synths OR Manually Mapped Parameters in DAW
This instrument easily allows you to do some of Ableton's most prized functions like looping, and mapping automation on its internal operating system. This means that you can send this type of information easily to external synths. Additionally, you can create up to 64 templates to control a DAW or a device that is able to receive midi information, making it extremely customizable for exactly your individual needs.

✅ Here are some ways you can work more closely with me ✅

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🔥Mainstage To Ableton - Make your transition from Mainstage to Ableton Seamless!

🔥Intro To Sound Design For Keyboardists - The perfect companion to the Quick Synth Map

🔥Sound Design For Keyboardists - In depth sound design study for keyboardists

Favorite Synths:

MY GEAR:

⏲Time Stamps⏲
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - Novation SL MK 3 Expectations
0:51- General Thought After Use
1:32 - Unboxing
2:00 - Keyboard Capabilities
2:55 - Sequencer Demo
4:42 - Arpeggiator Demo
5:27 - InControl Demo (DAW Control)
6:52 - Software Demo
7:25 - Is This Keyboard For You?
7:52 - This Keyboard Isn't For You If...

[zareeninamdar]

You f*cking underrated I wanted to buy this and no review was as full as yours. Dang you need at leat 100k and I know you're gonna grow and you deserve it! Keep it up dude

[cloudychorus]

Damn I was NEARLY gonna buy a NI s series this saved me haha thanks man, this is super incredible

[TheOriginalCoda]

I was with you all the way, listening to every word you said. Then I saw the rainbow lights. Why didn't you start with that? Would have saved me 8 minutes 😂 Gonna buy it just for those 🤣

[realmchat]

I got this keyboard recently, use it to control a dawless hardware synth jam rig, love it - the sequencer on this rocks.

[jjptech]

The SL MKII was an absolute beast, I even think that better than the MKiii. The buttons and knobs had touch sensitivity so they shown the parameter without you needing to move it.

[moguld]

Hi!What do you think, this or the new launchkey Mk4?I need a good key feel.

[omenarya]

I Use slmk3 61 to control my jupiter xm, peak, circuit, mininova and tr8, its really easy and quick to create tracks using the sequencer. The latest update has made it even more better.

[rspmusic]

This question may sound stupid. How are you managing to record loops without metronome on SL MK3. I mean as far as i understood you need to keep looking at the LEDs on the steps and play when the first LED blinks. How is it that this Controller doesn't have a metronome? Or am i missing something? Can you please answer ?

[WycliffStudios]

Arturia Keylab and Arturia Keylab essentials comes with nice software

[jdssurf]

maybe get this before a Push for ableton, since I do play keys?

[JonFairhurst]

“The keys have beautiful resistance…” Argh! What does that mean? Is the spring heavy or light? How does it feel at the top of the black keys? (If the fulcrum is too close and the spring is heavy, it can be much harder to press than the rest of the keyboard.) I prefer a light touch, but it’s hard to find reviews that cover this and I don’t have the opportunity to try things out where I live.

[anniedarkhorse]

I wonder if it's out-performed by another keyboard now, 3 years later. I'm thinking of buying one.

[nickydas]

Thank you for such comprehensive information. I am new to music and like the products capability of sequencing. I am planning to buy a keyboard, would u still recommend me for this model?

[pierrefitch]

Just got the Akia MPC 61 Key next level machine

[uhoh]

Good overview. Some new features, like sequencer, are awesome. Unfortunately, if you want to control vintage Roland hardware, the critical Sysex support is not there as it was in the Mk1 and Mk2. In some respects the MK1 remains the best (more display), and very strong with the sysex you need for real time indepth support of the vintage Roland hardware many love. Would have been nice to get the famed fatar TP/8S action instead of TP/9 which I asume is in this one as it was in Mk1 and 2. Thanks :)

[BojanBojovic]

Can it be used as a simple midi controller so the buttons control PC and CC messages, without any of those fancy stuff?

[treyhudson]

I finally found a rare refurb deal on one of these! Your video is a great overview, but I can't seem to find any good updated info on setting up a workflow with Ableton that utilizes the seq/arp. Nor any decent videos on using Components/Templates.

It's possible I'm overthinking it! Also, I think you can now chain patterns in any order with each pattern playing any number of times.

[anonymous_friend]

Great explanation! Thank you. I'm trying to figure out how to record midi for each hardware instrument in my song, into cubase. Right now its recording one midi track, but I'm sequencing a drum machine and a synth. How do you separate the midi instrument tracks over usb? Thanks

[TahsinR]

Hello, Thanks for the great video, If someone wants to learn to play keyboard and music production, do you think this is a good choice? Will the lights in keybed help in learning with some software?

[lucaselias]

Does all the sequencers work well with logic