I was hesitant about upgrading my mkii to and mkiii controller but after reading a lot of reviews and seeing videos like this i guess i'll keep my old sl mkii
It’s 2023 and I just bought the novation SLMK2 25 i’ve owned 2 SLKMK2 49‘s both beautiful keyboards so like a lot of people I’m really picky about the keys and the keys on the SLMK2 are the Fatar 9 key bed which are really nice. Once you go to all the cheap keys on other controllers you’ll never go back that’s why the SLMK2 is such a great system.
So here is the official story on why Novation "claims" they used a different keybed from the previous MKII which had the FATAR TP/9s. They say through blind internal testing most people preferred the keys on the new MK3. However I firmly believe this was a cost saving measure. All the new gimmicks they added costs money and something had to be scaled back. It appears the only modern Midi COntroller with good keys comes from the NI KK S series boards.
I own the komplete kontrol mk2 black and noticed on the very low and high octaves the keys are less responsive almost like their about to stick. I tested tge guitar center models ans it was the same. They do feel good over all but not on tgw high and low octaves.
Agreed. Not a fan of the MK3 keys. The Studiologic Sledge also features a Fatar TP/9S keybed, so you might consider it as a MIDI controller. The yellow version is unweighted, the black semi-weighted.
Thank you for your post. It proves that if you research anything enough, you will find the answer. I literally just spent the last 4 days searching for a proper MIDI controller, only to be disappointed that the keybeds in the new offerings suck the Grand Wazoo. I was going to buy the NI, which has the Fatar, but is otherwise deficient in that it's really just a computer screen for NI instruments (Komplete). It has no faders (for Hammond Organ). Novation's "official" statement is either corporate BS or a canary in the coalmine that proves that most controller buyers are not musicians anymore. The Fatar TP9 is far superior to the new keybed. I own Numa Compact 2x which has the piano version of TP9 and wanted a 61 key top board, so I found the MK2 Novation 61 used at Sam Ash for almost nothing and bought it. Hopefully it works with my Windows 10 and Apple M1 machines, but if it doesn't, it's main purpose is for my Behringer synths anyway.
It's good that you made a comparison side by side. I own an MK III but I'm buying an MK II as well. The XY pad is not too good on it, but I want to assign Cutoff and Resonance values to the Joystick and set it for free motion. This is why Joystick and pad are so important, itallows you to do some interesting things with sound during live play that you cannot do with knobs, because with knobs you need to use both hands to control two of them at the same time, whereas on SL MK II you can actually control the XY pad AND the Joystick with just one hand, - giving you control of 4 parameters. Where MK III beats MK II hands down is Gate CV and Clock ports. You don't have anything like that in MK II. MK III is the integrative piece for both DAWs and Hardware synths in your studio.
I just bought the 2 over the 3, since it has the Fatar keybed and the 3's keybed is OK but not great. Why Novation cheaped out on this (when competitor NI kept Fatar in its flagship controller) is beyond me. Can the CV ports on the 3 do anything that turning the knobs on the actual synths can't do? New to synths (not to keys, I'm a veteran Jazz saxophonist, pianist and guitarist). Thanks... (synths are Behringer Model D and Pro-800, only a few CV ports on these).
Hello. I have come to the same conclusion about the Mk3 as opposed to my older Mk2. I need to learn how the advanced mode works on the SL Mk2. Peace…Aria
gGreetings Mr. Tiho, this content is really interesting and I totally agree with you, the MKII model is one of the best of the best, but in the same place there exists or was, the Remote SL 37 and the limited edition was magnificent. Unfortunately I couldn't get it.
Well that's good news thankyou because I just picked up the Mk2 for a good price. I am freaked out because it's it's so complex so I have to read the manuals. Doesn't seem like any in depth Video tutorials exist online unfortunately. I can use it to move VST sliders in cakewalkn play stop don't work and now my keys don't send midi so a bit to figure out. Love the key bed feel. I read it's a Fatah key bed which are well known for quality.
ok for anyone else who looses their keyboard sending midi notes when other controls are working on your DAW. I went hit quickedit button, along LCD top row, KeybChan and set it to CommCHAN (it was on 1 and wasn't sending midi). 1 might work on another setup but wasn't on mine.
First you need to know if you are using ZONES or not. If you use ZONES, you have to do ZONES edit. Keyboard PORT determines through which output from SLMK2 the MIDI signal comes out. USB or MIDI1 or MIDI2. The MIDI channel on the tape in CUBASE must be the same as ComnChan. Then you will be able to send MIDI messages to a VST or an instrument connected to SLMK2 through CUBASE. The SLMK2 has no internal sounds.
I have both of them, I like both of them but I prefer SL MKII 61k. Between SL MKII 49k and Impulse 61 I prefer Impulse 61. For arranger sound module minimum i 61k
Thank you for sharing your opinion to the SL MK2. I bought the mk2 last year as my main controller for hardware and using ableton. Until now I was really unsecure if my decision to buy a ten years old controller was a good one. I did not find any time to learn that controller. Your video lets me hope to understand the internal software of the mk2. I made a new firmware setup of everything and got lost, I think I have to load the ableton template to keep on going? thanks again for your interesting choice between these two fascinating controllers. I modded my keyboard with funny cats, cut from different comics btw, there is so much space on the sl 49 mk2 😄
@@Tiho2012 Hi, I just won auction with this controller. The guy is saying that u cant use it in 64x environmental because there is no support of automap. Do u know anything about it?
Quick question, I have an impulse that needs a repair so I brought out my Sl MkII. I always loved this keyboard but I had a problem with the pitch wheel not resetting to zero and then jumping around. I recalibrated it a bunch of times and now it seems ok. I just got tired of having to deal with that issue. I use Logic 10.5. Do I need automap anymore as most plugins are not automap now and there is no longer support? How are all of you dealing with using the Sl MK ii with your DAW? Thanks for doing this video.
@@Tiho2012Does the mkIII have pad bank select so u have more than 16 pads sounds to scroll through on a VST like battery? Does it have full velocity button for pads or muliti velocity or note repeat?
Yes, MK2 is way better. Novation died as brand. Launchkey used to be very popular - but since Novation decided to go cheap with all their products people left brand. I do not know even single one person who purchased their new keyboard controllers.
Thank you very much for this detailed review that focuses on the most critical aspects of both instruments. I really appreciate it.
Glad it was helpful!
I was hesitant about upgrading my mkii to and mkiii controller but after reading a lot of reviews and seeing videos like this i guess i'll keep my old sl mkii
good decision
It’s 2023 and I just bought the novation SLMK2 25 i’ve owned 2 SLKMK2 49‘s both beautiful keyboards so like a lot of people I’m really picky about the keys and the keys on the SLMK2 are the Fatar 9 key bed which are really nice. Once you go to all the cheap keys on other controllers you’ll never go back that’s why the SLMK2 is such a great system.
I completely agree with you.
So here is the official story on why Novation "claims" they used a different keybed from the previous MKII which had the FATAR TP/9s. They say through blind internal testing most people preferred the keys on the new MK3. However I firmly believe this was a cost saving measure. All the new gimmicks they added costs money and something had to be scaled back. It appears the only modern Midi COntroller with good keys comes from the NI KK S series boards.
Man there's no fucking way this thing costs anywhere near £460 to make.
I own the komplete kontrol mk2 black and noticed on the very low and high octaves the keys are less responsive almost like their about to stick. I tested tge guitar center models ans it was the same. They do feel good over all but not on tgw high and low octaves.
I do not have that experience. I play mk2 every day in last 3 years. It works perfectly well to me.
Agreed. Not a fan of the MK3 keys. The Studiologic Sledge also features a Fatar TP/9S keybed, so you might consider it as a MIDI controller. The yellow version is unweighted, the black semi-weighted.
Thank you for your post. It proves that if you research anything enough, you will find the answer. I literally just spent the last 4 days searching for a proper MIDI controller, only to be disappointed that the keybeds in the new offerings suck the Grand Wazoo. I was going to buy the NI, which has the Fatar, but is otherwise deficient in that it's really just a computer screen for NI instruments (Komplete). It has no faders (for Hammond Organ).
Novation's "official" statement is either corporate BS or a canary in the coalmine that proves that most controller buyers are not musicians anymore. The Fatar TP9 is far superior to the new keybed. I own Numa Compact 2x which has the piano version of TP9 and wanted a 61 key top board, so I found the MK2 Novation 61 used at Sam Ash for almost nothing and bought it. Hopefully it works with my Windows 10 and Apple M1 machines, but if it doesn't, it's main purpose is for my Behringer synths anyway.
It's good that you made a comparison side by side. I own an MK III but I'm buying an MK II as well. The XY pad is not too good on it, but I want to assign Cutoff and Resonance values to the Joystick and set it for free motion. This is why Joystick and pad are so important, itallows you to do some interesting things with sound during live play that you cannot do with knobs, because with knobs you need to use both hands to control two of them at the same time, whereas on SL MK II you can actually control the XY pad AND the Joystick with just one hand, - giving you control of 4 parameters. Where MK III beats MK II hands down is Gate CV and Clock ports. You don't have anything like that in MK II. MK III is the integrative piece for both DAWs and Hardware synths in your studio.
I just bought the 2 over the 3, since it has the Fatar keybed and the 3's keybed is OK but not great. Why Novation cheaped out on this (when competitor NI kept Fatar in its flagship controller) is beyond me. Can the CV ports on the 3 do anything that turning the knobs on the actual synths can't do? New to synths (not to keys, I'm a veteran Jazz saxophonist, pianist and guitarist). Thanks... (synths are Behringer Model D and Pro-800, only a few CV ports on these).
Very useful information, thanks you.
You are welcome
Hello. I have come to the same conclusion about the Mk3 as opposed to my older Mk2. I need to learn how the advanced mode works on the SL Mk2. Peace…Aria
gGreetings Mr. Tiho, this content is really interesting and I totally agree with you, the MKII model is one of the best of the best, but in the same place there exists or was, the Remote SL 37 and the limited edition was magnificent. Unfortunately I couldn't get it.
Thanks for sharing
Hey... awesome comparison between the two.
Do you have an idea how the SL61 MKii matchup with the Novation Impulse 61? (keybed, durability)
SL61MK2 is much better and it has more options.
Thank you for sharing this very informative video.
Hvala
Good comparison, thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Well that's good news thankyou because I just picked up the Mk2 for a good price.
I am freaked out because it's it's so complex so I have to read the manuals. Doesn't seem like any in depth Video tutorials exist online unfortunately.
I can use it to move VST sliders in cakewalkn play stop don't work and now my keys don't send midi so a bit to figure out.
Love the key bed feel. I read it's a Fatah key bed which are well known for quality.
ok for anyone else who looses their keyboard sending midi notes when other controls are working on your DAW.
I went hit quickedit button, along LCD top row, KeybChan and set it to CommCHAN (it was on 1 and wasn't sending midi).
1 might work on another setup but wasn't on mine.
First you need to know if you are using ZONES or not. If you use ZONES, you have to do ZONES edit. Keyboard PORT determines through which output from SLMK2 the MIDI signal comes out. USB or MIDI1 or MIDI2. The MIDI channel on the tape in CUBASE must be the same as ComnChan. Then you will be able to send MIDI messages to a VST or an instrument connected to SLMK2 through CUBASE. The SLMK2 has no internal sounds.
How do you program sysex to pads on the MK3?
Thank you very much for this video!
You're very welcome!
Which midi controller do you think is the best for SD90 ? Novation SL MKII or Novation Impulse 61? Thanks
I have both of them, I like both of them but I prefer SL MKII 61k. Between SL MKII 49k and Impulse 61 I prefer Impulse 61. For arranger sound module minimum i 61k
Thank you for sharing your opinion to the SL MK2. I bought the mk2 last year as my main controller for hardware and using ableton. Until now I was really unsecure if my decision to buy a ten years old controller was a good one. I did not find any time to learn that controller. Your video lets me hope to understand the internal software of the mk2. I made a new firmware setup of everything and got lost, I think I have to load the ableton template to keep on going? thanks again for your interesting choice between these two fascinating controllers. I modded my keyboard with funny cats, cut from different comics btw, there is so much space on the sl 49 mk2 😄
Internal software is good to control vst instruments but it is better to use on board control for controlling hardware.
the most important minus of mk3 for me he does not know how to control synth with sysex command( mk2 does it great
still should i buy mk2 200 dollars almost and second hand
thanks for the overview
You are welcome
Tiho Hvala ;)
Molim lijepo. Pozdrav
Hi Tiho, is MK2 software compatible with a new Windows 10 version ?
yes
@@Tiho2012 Hi, I just won auction with this controller. The guy is saying that u cant use it in 64x environmental because there is no support of automap. Do u know anything about it?
The SLMK2 is still the Winner in 2020 👊👊
yes
but unfortenatly since Catalina on macs the software is no more supported......... noooot nice :-(
Quick question, I have an impulse that needs a repair so I brought out my Sl MkII. I always loved this keyboard but I had a problem with the pitch wheel not resetting to zero and then jumping around. I recalibrated it a bunch of times and now it seems ok. I just got tired of having to deal with that issue. I use Logic 10.5. Do I need automap anymore as most plugins are not automap now and there is no longer support? How are all of you dealing with using the Sl MK ii with your DAW? Thanks for doing this video.
@@musicstudynetwork which controller do you prefer? The Novation Impulse or the Novation 61SL MKii??? 🤷🏾♂️
Novation 61SL MKii
Is there a undo button on either
On Controller? NO
@@Tiho2012Does the mkIII have pad bank select so u have more than 16 pads sounds to scroll through on a VST like battery? Does it have full velocity button for pads or muliti velocity or note repeat?
In some DAWs you can assign a button on you controller to undo function.
Yes, MK2 is way better. Novation died as brand. Launchkey used to be very popular - but since Novation decided to go cheap with all their products people left brand. I do not know even single one person who purchased their new keyboard controllers.
Thank you for information ( I dont want secondary program for mapping too)
You're welcome