I've owned my SL MKIII for about 18 months, and despite hours and hours of tinkering, watching videos, and combing through forums, I've been almost completely unsuccessful at sorting out how to do what I want. Believe it or not I opened a ticket with Novation just yesterday because I'm so frustrated I'm wondering if my board has an actual issue. I watched your entire SL MKIII series last night and I sincerely hope Novation is paying you because your tutorials are EXACTLY what so many frustrated users have needed and wanted for years. The manual is garbage. Components makes almost zero sense to me from either a functional or a UI perspective. No one knows what a Part is. I'm still very fuzzy on what a Session is (in the context of the SL). I can't figure out for the life of me exactly what the relationship is between a part, a template, and a session. I have some burning questions that I've never been able to find answers to and I'm hoping you can help. Browsing banks & patches. Have you found a way to browse vst banks or patches on the SL? The act of browsing banks and patches seems to be a feature no keyboard controller maker has cared or maybe dared to solve. Aside from creating 100 tracks in Ableton each containing Pigments with a different patch, have you come up with a way to either browse banks & patches on the SL or a way to quickly call up patches within the same track in Ableton? I'm wondering if there's a way to assign patches to the SL pads such that if I have Pigments on Track 1 I could use the pads to quickly choose a patch by simply touching a pad. InControl. I've found that very few of my soft synths display much of anything I would expect in the way of synth controls. For example, in Pigments most patches have macros already built. It seems that pre-configured macros might display correctly, but if I create my own macro and name it, the macro name doesn't display on the SL - it just says "Macro 3", etc. I use Output Arcade quite a bit for inspiration and noodling around. This is a vst that you really need to navigate samples and instruments. Every sample and instrument has a set of predefined macros, yet they (the macros) don't show up at all on the SL. Some synths will at least show up on the SL as generic macros, but with Arcade, nothing at all shows on any of the SL displays. BTW - each of the previous questions are exclusively referring to InControl mode. None of the Arcade macros or controls display with their names on the SL. Components. When/how do you use templates that you build in Components? I know this is long winded, so my apologies in advance. Your videos came at the perfect time and are what Novation should have made years ago. Kudos, and keep them coming!
Thank you for the comment and questions. Unfortunately no I have no affiliation with Novation, however I do agree that Novation should have done a better job of really getting their customers up to speed on how to fully understand the SLMKIII. They show a lot of what it can do but not a lot on how to get it setup properly. 1st Components is Novation's Online center to help organize and store "Sessions, Parts, and Templates" because the board can only hold so many of these (and labeling is impossible on the board itself). A Template is essentially a way to setup and control an external instrument's Midi CC information via CC numbers (Example CC 21 on the novation slmkiii controls a decay knob on a Big Sky Synthesizer) This way you can change those values on your external synth without having to physically touch the external synthesizer. The board had a list built in to it with templates Novation made to control external instruments (TR-8S, Octatrack, PeakSub etc..) Other than those Midi CC control capabilities a template essential does nothing as far as on the board itself. Honestly I'm not sure what a part is ( I will do some digging) but you can in theory control up to 32 external instruments (16 instruments per Midi DIN Out X2 Midi DIN outputs on the back of the board) via these templates and Midi channel routing from the board. To route into other instruments you look to the right hand side of the templates and change your midi routing ( via Midi din outputs) and set the channels to the channel of your external instruments) To note the board can only control up to 8 channels at any given moment via the 8 small rectangle pads under the screen. While in components you can make "templates" with the Midi CC numbers to control different external synthesizers that they don't have on their components list. You could change the name of the CC number in components to make is easier to read for that particular instrument. Once your done you can save it as a template to recall later and or import it onto the board. I don't have really much analog gear so I don't really need to setup this way. The session essentially is an instance on the board. EXAMPLE say you have session 1 with your 8 channels only setup for usb midi to control 8 channels inside Ableton. You could have each channel using a different part of the modes however you'd like (Zones sectioned a certain way, Patterns on another channel, Scales mode on) But the theory is to create a sequence with each channel into your DAW without midi note information actually in your DAW ( If that makes sense) using the plugins like they were external instruments. This is more like sequence based song building. Then you get to session 2 rinse wash repeat. Think of sessions as a way to build a song without your DAW. Each session is technically a "Song" its really a way to make sequence based "songs" with external instruments but you can change every setting on the board as well. You just happen to be able to do this sequencing with you DAW as Well. When you're in INControl mode. This acts more as a bridge to use the controller more so like an Ableton Push or similar midi controller device. They change from having access to the template Midi CC information to a computer based midi ( they're completely separate from each other. If you want to control a VST instrument you can do it 2 ways. You can make it in Ableton and set it up via adding macros and then you will have to rename them in Ableton so you can see its name on the board (While in INCONTROL mode) other wise while not being in INCONTROL MODE you have the default Midi CC numbers built into the board ( which you can technically use to control vsts as well) As far as toggling through preset patches on Pigments. You have to go into the setting icon on the right hand side of the plugin, open that and find learn, Press the arrow button next, then choose a pad on the board you would like to use, then go to learn again choose the back button on pigments and assign it to another button on the board. Only a few VST manufactures actually let you assign the before and next buttons in their plugins....... I wish more manufactures added this into their midi CC control. I hate mouse clicking to go through presets. Hopefully this helps. I am still doing the series on SLMKIII. I just wiped and reinstalled everything on my computer and it has set me back a bunch lol. You can expect a few videos explaining this in better detail in the near future. Cheers!!!
Capture is an Ableton feature that allows you to "capture" the previoulsy played midi information, so if you play a groove and forgot to hit record, if you hit capture, it will remember what you played and load it into a clip
Thanks for the comment. I'll have to double-check. When I record into Ableton (incontrol mode). I don't have it set to quantize my midi notes. Sometimes, I prefer natural swing on my instruments. I know the built-in sequencer quantizes to their steps sequencer on the SLMKIII and has a feature to leave it off. For me just it's just a small critique I have about the incontrol mode. It's an amazing midi keyboard, though.
I'm dying to see what the MK4 will bring. It's so overdue for a refresh and I think they could take it to another level. I enjoy your videos man. I guess it's the similar setup, but I love watching Ableton midi controllers. I do have to say, with so much Ableton control at your fingertips (the Push, MK3, Maschine) I kind of die every time you stop to reach for the mouse. 😂 Stay in the flow!
I'm definitely with you on that one. I feel like there are so many good things built into the MKIII, but it's hard because I don't think most people know what all it can do or the best way to utilize all of its features. I think it's at a good price point, especially compared to a lot of other midi controllers. I would love to see an 88 weighted model, especially with the zones feature. I feel like it would have a lot of space to use that mode. Thanks, man. I really appreciate that! Bahahaha I know! I've been working minimalist setup for over a decade. I'm just now getting used to having all these tools to get me away from the mouse and keyboard. 😆
I’m having issues playing plug ins in Live with the SL mk3. I am trying to use pigments 5.0 and I can play it standalone but as soon as I put it into Ableton it only plays every 4-5 presses of the keys. Do you know what I’m doing wrong. Seems strange
That does seem strange. 1st question when in Ableton, are you only having issues with Pigments 5, or is it all VSTs? 2nd is the board allowing you to go into In-Contol mode? 3rd, is it having issues while not being in IN-Control mode? I was having issues with my board not going into IN Control mode randomly and had to re adjust my setting in Ableton. Double check your settings to match the link down below just in case. support.novationmusic.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360019854140-How-to-setup-the-SL-MKIII-with-Ableton-Live-11
Helpful video man - thank you! Will be watching for more SL MKIII content, I got mine six months ago and I'm still finding my way around. I'm thinking about getting a Push too so was wondering why/how you use both in your set up? And is there anything the SL MKIII can do that the Push can't do in In Control mode (aside form the having a keybed)? Peace!
Thanks!! There's a lot to digest with this board. I feel like it's extremely powerful, however kinda elusive on what all it can do but mainly how to do it. To me, the board is kind of a Swiss army knife with its features. So I'm gonna try to get this series done quickly, so its easy to understand for people getting the board. I personally love my Push 2. I look at the Push 2, like a way to dive into Ableton without clicking on the computer. You can view clips, set loops lengths, quantize easily, bigger grid to easily do a live set ( if that's something you'd like to do), color palate is easier to read, drive into your plugins directly from the push, little things like that. However, I'm a keyboard, the first kind of guy. If I was limited on my budget, I'd go in with the slmkiii for the scales mode, the light guide, incontrol feature. Transpose features midi control features. And access to chord building on the pads. If you're into electronic music then it's extremely fun. To me, the push is luxury, and the slmkiii is essential. But that's because I'm a keyboard first kinda guy.
The Push is about really keeping you away from the mouse and keyboard. It can control almost every part of Ableton, including browsing and loading samples and plug ins, which you basically won't find anywhere else. Novation devices offer a lot of integration, but the Push is in a league of it's own in terms of an almost "standalone" experience.
Nice. But when I switch to different VST instrument controller still showing parameters from the previous one. Any suggestion how to save presets for each VST???
Thanks! I guess I'm trying to figure out the issue you're having. Are you referring to loading a new vst and losing the midi control mappings? Or are you referring to having your vsts tracks open and toggling between instruments on different tracks?
@@GammaLensMedia When I switch to another VST the SL mk3 controller mapping remain still the same from previous VST. Would be great to change mapping automatically when I switch to other VST instrument, but how to do it?
@paphundekel1926 just double checking. If you're switching tracks/vsts Via the arm button it won't switch from the vst information. If you toggle from the middle buttons below the screen it will move vst to vst.
I've owned my SL MKIII for about 18 months, and despite hours and hours of tinkering, watching videos, and combing through forums, I've been almost completely unsuccessful at sorting out how to do what I want. Believe it or not I opened a ticket with Novation just yesterday because I'm so frustrated I'm wondering if my board has an actual issue. I watched your entire SL MKIII series last night and I sincerely hope Novation is paying you because your tutorials are EXACTLY what so many frustrated users have needed and wanted for years. The manual is garbage. Components makes almost zero sense to me from either a functional or a UI perspective. No one knows what a Part is. I'm still very fuzzy on what a Session is (in the context of the SL). I can't figure out for the life of me exactly what the relationship is between a part, a template, and a session. I have some burning questions that I've never been able to find answers to and I'm hoping you can help. Browsing banks & patches. Have you found a way to browse vst banks or patches on the SL? The act of browsing banks and patches seems to be a feature no keyboard controller maker has cared or maybe dared to solve. Aside from creating 100 tracks in Ableton each containing Pigments with a different patch, have you come up with a way to either browse banks & patches on the SL or a way to quickly call up patches within the same track in Ableton? I'm wondering if there's a way to assign patches to the SL pads such that if I have Pigments on Track 1 I could use the pads to quickly choose a patch by simply touching a pad. InControl. I've found that very few of my soft synths display much of anything I would expect in the way of synth controls. For example, in Pigments most patches have macros already built. It seems that pre-configured macros might display correctly, but if I create my own macro and name it, the macro name doesn't display on the SL - it just says "Macro 3", etc. I use Output Arcade quite a bit for inspiration and noodling around. This is a vst that you really need to navigate samples and instruments. Every sample and instrument has a set of predefined macros, yet they (the macros) don't show up at all on the SL. Some synths will at least show up on the SL as generic macros, but with Arcade, nothing at all shows on any of the SL displays. BTW - each of the previous questions are exclusively referring to InControl mode. None of the Arcade macros or controls display with their names on the SL. Components. When/how do you use templates that you build in Components? I know this is long winded, so my apologies in advance. Your videos came at the perfect time and are what Novation should have made years ago. Kudos, and keep them coming!
Thank you for the comment and questions. Unfortunately no I have no affiliation with Novation, however I do agree that Novation should have done a better job of really getting their customers up to speed on how to fully understand the SLMKIII. They show a lot of what it can do but not a lot on how to get it setup properly.
1st Components is Novation's Online center to help organize and store "Sessions, Parts, and Templates"
because the board can only hold so many of these (and labeling is impossible on the board itself). A Template is essentially a way to setup and control an external instrument's Midi CC information via CC numbers (Example CC 21 on the novation slmkiii controls a decay knob on a Big Sky Synthesizer) This way you can change those values on your external synth without having to physically touch the external synthesizer. The board had a list built in to it with templates Novation made to control external instruments (TR-8S, Octatrack, PeakSub etc..) Other than those Midi CC control capabilities a template essential does nothing as far as on the board itself. Honestly I'm not sure what a part is ( I will do some digging) but you can in theory control up to 32 external instruments (16 instruments per Midi DIN Out X2 Midi DIN outputs on the back of the board) via these templates and Midi channel routing from the board. To route into other instruments you look to the right hand side of the templates and change your midi routing ( via Midi din outputs) and set the channels to the channel of your external instruments) To note the board can only control up to 8 channels at any given moment via the 8 small rectangle pads under the screen.
While in components you can make "templates" with the Midi CC numbers to control different external synthesizers that they don't have on their components list. You could change the name of the CC number in components to make is easier to read for that particular instrument. Once your done you can save it as a template to recall later and or import it onto the board. I don't have really much analog gear so I don't really need to setup this way.
The session essentially is an instance on the board. EXAMPLE say you have session 1 with your 8 channels only setup for usb midi to control 8 channels inside Ableton. You could have each channel using a different part of the modes however you'd like (Zones sectioned a certain way, Patterns on another channel, Scales mode on) But the theory is to create a sequence with each channel into your DAW without midi note information actually in your DAW ( If that makes sense) using the plugins like they were external instruments. This is more like sequence based song building.
Then you get to session 2 rinse wash repeat.
Think of sessions as a way to build a song without your DAW. Each session is technically a "Song" its really a way to make sequence based "songs" with external instruments but you can change every setting on the board as well. You just happen to be able to do this sequencing with you DAW as Well.
When you're in INControl mode. This acts more as a bridge to use the controller more so like an Ableton Push or similar midi controller device. They change from having access to the template Midi CC information to a computer based midi ( they're completely separate from each other. If you want to control a VST instrument you can do it 2 ways. You can make it in Ableton and set it up via adding macros and then you will have to rename them in Ableton so you can see its name on the board (While in INCONTROL mode) other wise while not being in INCONTROL MODE you have the default Midi CC numbers built into the board ( which you can technically use to control vsts as well)
As far as toggling through preset patches on Pigments. You have to go into the setting icon on the right hand side of the plugin, open that and find learn, Press the arrow button next, then choose a pad on the board you would like to use, then go to learn again choose the back button on pigments and assign it to another button on the board.
Only a few VST manufactures actually let you assign the before and next buttons in their plugins.......
I wish more manufactures added this into their midi CC control. I hate mouse clicking to go through presets.
Hopefully this helps.
I am still doing the series on SLMKIII.
I just wiped and reinstalled everything on my computer and it has set me back a bunch lol.
You can expect a few videos explaining this in better detail in the near future.
Cheers!!!
Capture is an Ableton feature that allows you to "capture" the previoulsy played midi information, so if you play a groove and forgot to hit record, if you hit capture, it will remember what you played and load it into a clip
Thank you for that! That's what I assumed it was. I was struggling to get my head around it and it's usefulness.
By default the recording is quantized. If you press Shift + Record you can toggle between quantized and unquantized.
Thanks for the comment. I'll have to double-check. When I record into Ableton (incontrol mode). I don't have it set to quantize my midi notes. Sometimes, I prefer natural swing on my instruments.
I know the built-in sequencer quantizes to their steps sequencer on the SLMKIII and has a feature to leave it off.
For me just it's just a small critique I have about the incontrol mode.
It's an amazing midi keyboard, though.
I'm dying to see what the MK4 will bring. It's so overdue for a refresh and I think they could take it to another level.
I enjoy your videos man. I guess it's the similar setup, but I love watching Ableton midi controllers. I do have to say, with so much Ableton control at your fingertips (the Push, MK3, Maschine) I kind of die every time you stop to reach for the mouse. 😂 Stay in the flow!
I'm definitely with you on that one. I feel like there are so many good things built into the MKIII, but it's hard because I don't think most people know what all it can do or the best way to utilize all of its features. I think it's at a good price point, especially compared to a lot of other midi controllers. I would love to see an 88 weighted model, especially with the zones feature. I feel like it would have a lot of space to use that mode.
Thanks, man. I really appreciate that!
Bahahaha I know! I've been working minimalist setup for over a decade. I'm just now getting used to having all these tools to get me away from the mouse and keyboard. 😆
I’m having issues playing plug ins in Live with the SL mk3. I am trying to use pigments 5.0 and I can play it standalone but as soon as I put it into Ableton it only plays every 4-5 presses of the keys. Do you know what I’m doing wrong. Seems strange
That does seem strange.
1st question when in Ableton, are you only having issues with Pigments 5, or is it all VSTs?
2nd is the board allowing you to go into In-Contol mode?
3rd, is it having issues while not being in IN-Control mode?
I was having issues with my board not going into IN Control mode randomly and had to re adjust my setting in Ableton.
Double check your settings to match the link down below just in case.
support.novationmusic.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360019854140-How-to-setup-the-SL-MKIII-with-Ableton-Live-11
Helpful video man - thank you! Will be watching for more SL MKIII content, I got mine six months ago and I'm still finding my way around.
I'm thinking about getting a Push too so was wondering why/how you use both in your set up? And is there anything the SL MKIII can do that the Push can't do in In Control mode (aside form the having a keybed)?
Peace!
Thanks!! There's a lot to digest with this board. I feel like it's extremely powerful, however kinda elusive on what all it can do but mainly how to do it. To me, the board is kind of a Swiss army knife with its features. So I'm gonna try to get this series done quickly, so its easy to understand for people getting the board.
I personally love my Push 2. I look at the Push 2, like a way to dive into Ableton without clicking on the computer. You can view clips, set loops lengths, quantize easily, bigger grid to easily do a live set ( if that's something you'd like to do), color palate is easier to read, drive into your plugins directly from the push, little things like that.
However, I'm a keyboard, the first kind of guy. If I was limited on my budget, I'd go in with the slmkiii for the scales mode, the light guide, incontrol feature. Transpose features midi control features. And access to chord building on the pads. If you're into electronic music then it's extremely fun.
To me, the push is luxury, and the slmkiii is essential. But that's because I'm a keyboard first kinda guy.
The Push is about really keeping you away from the mouse and keyboard. It can control almost every part of Ableton, including browsing and loading samples and plug ins, which you basically won't find anywhere else. Novation devices offer a lot of integration, but the Push is in a league of it's own in terms of an almost "standalone" experience.
Nice. But when I switch to different VST instrument controller still showing parameters from the previous one. Any suggestion how to save presets for each VST???
Thanks! I guess I'm trying to figure out the issue you're having. Are you referring to loading a new vst and losing the midi control mappings? Or are you referring to having your vsts tracks open and toggling between instruments on different tracks?
@@GammaLensMedia When I switch to another VST the SL mk3 controller mapping remain still the same from previous VST. Would be great to change mapping automatically when I switch to other VST instrument, but how to do it?
@paphundekel1926 just double checking. If you're switching tracks/vsts
Via the arm button it won't switch from the vst information. If you toggle from the middle buttons below the screen it will move vst to vst.
Thank you, it was amazing!
Absolutely thanks!!!!