Novation // SL MKIII - Deep Dive
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- Our very own CALC (Chris) deep dives into the features in the new SL MkIII controller keyboard. Exploring how it can be used as a complete standalone sequencer, the zone section, the scales and arpeggiator modes, as well as how all of that can be tied in with your DAW.
SL MkIII is available in a 49 note system or a 61 note (if you want the extra octave).
--- Discover more about SL MkIII here:
novationmusic.com/keys/sl-mkiii
00:00 - Introduction
1:10 - USB connection, MIDI, and CV I/O
3:50 - Sequencer, Sessions, and Steps
5:39 - Templates, MIDI Channels, Automation Sequencing, and Recording in Sequencer
13:56 - Buttons, Mutes and Solos, and Buttons per Template
17:14 - Gate, Velocity, and Patterns
23:00 - CV, Gate, MOD and Clock
27:27 - Zones
31:00 - Scales Mode
32:56 - Arp
36:20 - In Control Mode with Ableton Live 10
43:00 - In Control Mode with Ableton and the Sequencer
To watch a full CALC SL MkIII performance, check out:
• Novation // SL MkIII -...
#SLMkIII - เพลง
Still very relevant review in 2023. Could not have been done better! Thank you, Chris!
Hey sorry, I’m considering buying this keyboard, do you think it’s still a good idea even if it’s 4 years old now? It would be my first keyboard ever but I really like to start going all in
@@Ego_S.B. hi. It depends what you are looking. If you just need a keyboard, don't buy it. There are much cheaper options. If you need a hub for other external devices such as synths etc., then it is a beast which can rule them all even without a computer. It also good for Abelron & Logic Pro. And has an amazing sequencer and other features like scales. To be honest if you are not planning performance outside your studio, then you can use a cheaper option with 67 keys and use a sequencer in your DAW. If you just creating music and don't have much equipment, then buy a cheap keyboard with 49 keys or even less and see how you develop. Save your money for good monitors. Check youtuber Taetro and see what he does with his little keyboard. Hope that helps
Finally, this is what I wanted the Komplete keyboard to be but is much more too and standalone without having to rely on a computer for the extended functions like scales, zones etc.
An idea for future firmware would be to add probability or play once every 1,2,3... bars to the seq/arp steps and maybe a randomise function to fill the sequencer in one go as the Elektron sequencers do. I've got the 61key version on order, can't wait to get this and clear out a few other keyboards inc the Komplete.
I just ordered the 61. I cant wait. I've been waiting for these types of features in a controller for years!
Calc is really a product specialist! extremely well done and explained! thanx
Thanks for providing such a video. Super nice to really have an idea of the workflow.
I'm very thankful for this super deep dive! It was enlightening.
Phenomenal video. I’ve had my SL Mk III for a while but I’ve been wanting to get more out of it - I’ve just been happy using it to play my other synths. I got a lot out of this the first time, but I guarantee I’ll be watching it again in front of the keyboard as I go through everything. Thank you!
Thanks for your feedback! It's great to hear that you found this inspiring.
I've been waiting this for a while! Excellent controller!
Thanks, man! We think you're really going to like this.
Can't wait to put my sequences on display with this monster!
Alba Ecstasy Hey there! I’m all over this as well!
Really nice tutorial - clear and easy to follow. Cheers.
4 years after the making of this video I put this controller on my wishlist. And as with most things Novation, wishing means buying ;-) Thanks Chris.
Thanks for your continued support! 🙌🙏
Just got mine and this helped me learn a ton! Thank you!
Tuning through the CV calibration was slick, just ordered one up!
Had the keyboard for just under a year and I love it. Probably my Best Buy and well worth the price tag. One way I like to use it is to fill a sequence up with complex chords I’d struggle to play live and use it as a trigger pad when over dubbing a track in ableton.
If novation are listening it would be an awesome update to include some kind of save/recall feature for favourite chords in the menu so that you can quickly apply and build a sequence, perhaps taking some inspiration from the Kordbot? Extending choices and suggestions for progressions, also transpose of steps, racheting would be killer updates. All in all though it’s an amazing product as it is and I keep returning to these videos to learn something new.
Wow! Now, that's a really capable sequencer! I almost missed this great innovation because of the Moog One hype :-)
Awesome MIDI controller, and amazing way of explaining everything, a very nice useful video! Thank you, sir!
Thanks! Glad it was helpful!
Amazing presentation and clearly explained
I can’t wait to open up my sl mkiii 61 tomorrow in the mail. Nice watch by the way
This is the kind of machine that makes any synth great. Good for them who kept all theirs...
Chris always does great work
Amazing demonstration ! I am French and I really do not master English but the explanations are so simple, clear and precise that I understood everything except two or three functions that I did not manage to translate in my head. Thank you very much -CALC- ♥️
Glad it was helpful!
I've had my SL49 for about a year now and absolutely love it, though will admit that I didn't even know of most of these features. Well explained and in-depth vid. Cheers.
Hey Calc, hope all well. Great in-depth demo... answered many questions I had 👍🏼
Thanks! Glad you found this useful.
This guy looks like British Super Mario
I love it
More like Obelix without braids
JSupper then the SL mk3 is the green mushroom
@@ckay7665 a talented non-alcoholic Gerard Depardieu
Excellent demo!
Very late to the party, but I recently bought this controller used (like new, got it for a bargain) and I was also going through a "creative crisis". While I'm not a very good keyboardist, this has brought me a new perspective in music making that has allowed me to start writing again! Apart from the aftertouch on keys, which is a bit "jumpy" (goes from 0 to 100 almost instantaneously), I absolutely love this thing! Props to Novation for making such a useful controller!
Great video, love my slmk3
Marketing team: The focus group responded positively to the word 'powerful'
This is awesome
Hey chris, after eventually getting mine updated with the firmware, i absolutely love the SLMK3 49. I use it for controlling multiple synth modules via Cakewalk . And it is superb, I know it is very powerful, but taking it slow and using it in my context it is bearing fruit, i don't use all the features, but i dare say once i get my head around it's many features, i will...in time.
Great video!
LOVE IT!
Would love a transpose sequence & ratcheting features for the sequencer
Can you have the arpeggiator running while playing other sounds and then also still be able to morph and tweak the arpeggiator live?
Great to see someone else has an Electric Storm print on their wall.
Great video. I learned more watching this than I did reading the user manual twice! Amazingly powerful device. Once you wrap your mind around what it can do, you can work wonders. Never have I had so much hardware working so seamlessly with software. I no longer have to open Live just to fool around, but if I do open it, I’m presented with a zillion more options. Anybody wanna buy my Mkii cheap?
Thanks for taking the time to share this with us, Gregory! This is great to see. We're really glad you're enjoying working with SL MkIII.
@@NovationTV I really have been enjoying my time with the SL and have come to know it pretty well. Perhaps you could answer a couple of questions for me though.
1. Do the 'Right Arrow' (to the right of the pads) have any function? I can't find any use for them in any mode. I've never seen them light up - indicating that they have an available function.
2. With respect to sequencing. I know I can store up to 16 steps in a pattern and then store eight patterns in per part in a session. I also know that I can multi select patterns to have them play in order.
Given that, is there any way to have more of a song oriented playback? Ie, play pattern 1 a few times, then pattern 2, then pattern 1 again a few times, then pattern 3, etc.
I realize that I can copy patterns and place them in the order necessary, but this becomes difficult to follow and I eventually start running out of available pattern space. Actually, I run out pretty quickly.
It would be great if a session could be thought of more like a song - in terms of sequencing.
I really am impressed by the SL though. The hardware control alone - paired with an excellent key bed is worth the price of admission to me.
I've created maxed out templates for a Rev2, ModX, Omnisphere, Uno, Skulpt, Moog Grandmother and several others and while I would LOVE to have more pages of controls available, in each case, I can focus on the controls most important to me.
The 'Right Arrow' button thing is driving me crazy though. I feel like I'm missing out on some cool feature!
just got my si49 today. this video really helped me out. thank you so much. a big thumbs up and sub from me.
🙌
Amazing!
This is awesome :o Who'd want the KeyStep Pro when this is out there?
oh wow, look at that. my X-Station's replacement is finally coming out!
lots to like here and nice music
Thanks, Hank. Glad you're a fan 🙏
The tune at 43:40 is good. This guy's got some skill.
Clearly needs a small display above/below the 8 sliders - he has to guess at what each track is. The SL MK1 had this and it makes it much easier without having to look at the computer screen. Other than that, and dropping 8 knobs from the MK1/MK2, this is a pretty awesome looking controller. I absolutely love the scale mode LEDs as I need help when it comes to scales! The new displays above the knobs are a massive improvement over the older models. CV/gate options *almost* replaces the need for a Beatstep pro.
If you hold Shift and move the slider it displays the parameter it is controlling without adjusting anything - essentially showing the names of each fader.
^pro tip right there^^^
@@NiElsir I’ll be dammned. Thanks.
Thanks man!
very helpful i will buy one
That's great to hear!
This is what Circuit 2 will come from
Just bought the 49SL mk3. Awesome!!! Is there an explanation of the the stock templates for the Octatrack, Rytm somewhere? Would you guys have a template for the Deepmind as well?
I think I'm going to get the 61 to replace my mk1 :) should work very nicely as a master keyboard and optional sequencer for deluge
I would love a SL25 to work with the Deluge because this looks very easy to use! Greetz and thanx for all your great vids on Deluge 👍✌️👌
Hey guys @novation My sincerest request is that if you can issue a firmware update where in you can have a dedicated polychord mode....where you can map custom chords across the keybed (a feature present in the behringer deepmind 12) it will be a game changer for composition and orchestration!!!!
this might sound REALLY SIMPLE but how do you control the master volume of Ableton?
There are probably a number of ways to allocate a fader, but what are people finding to be the best way to set this up?
Stay in the "InControl" button mode. AFAIK with Ableton 11 live and firmware 1.4
I love this. It's SO close to perfect. I'm itching to get the 61.
Is there no way to build a custom model with polyphonic aftertouch at the keys themselves?
It would be easy to use it only on the pads, as according to the specs they send polyphonic AT, but that limits what you can do somewhat with technique. Hmm...
Nice! What I want to know is how it coops with paraphonic synths like the Dreadbox Erebus. I like to sustain one note/osc and play the other one/osc. As long as I play that with a midi keyboard this goes well. But does the Novation sequencer work also like that? So for instance, I want to play a low whole note and some high sixteenth notes over that. Will this be recorded and played back like that or will both oscillators reset on the first sixteenth note it encounters because a note-off will be sent with that 16th note?
guys you should release a sequencer controller with 8 tracks in the circuit-mk3 format like the beatstep pro , I bet you are working on it already, thank u for your amazing products
Excellent video man, cheers. Is that the White Noise: An Electric Storm album I see on the wall there Chris? Oh, and by the way, THAT watch! 👌
Superb , maybe some note shift and ratchet features would really pay off too.
How can I make the keyboard slave of the tempo of abelton in order to have the sequencer and the arp sync with the software?
Excellent video, you've convinced me that I want one of these. I have a question about the Oscilloscope board in the background - what is it?
We're glad to hear that you're considering SL MkIII, Byron! Think Chris has a DSO138 in the background.
What happens if you're running Ableton and Reason at the same time with "InControl"? Will the SL swap between them depending on which DAW has focus? Is there any way to play tracks from both at the same time? Thank you
does it also have the "scale chord mode" with predefined chords (triads, 5ths, 7th,...) according to the selected scale, like the Launchkey? I would really need that... is it possible to implement in a firmware update maybe? :)
Awesome tutorial! I just got it too, but when I enter scales mode and change the root key to say F, if I want to step record in a sequencer, it doesnt record the key I press. If I press a step in a sequencer and then press F note, it actually triggers A sharp note. Any ideas?
Hi, great video. I know it's off-topic, but what type of watch is that on your wrist? :)
How do you hook the midi up to each ? are you chaining somehow or do you have a split box of some sort?
So will I be able to set zones when in InControl mode? I wanted to have different zones for software instruments on my DAW
powerful...
Just got my sl mkiii and this really helps!! Going through the manual got me understanding how to navigate the controller, but left me w/ some workflow questions; this helps to see a little farther down the road.
Question. How a bout a deep dive into components?? It is absolutely killing me right now lol. I’m ready to map but just do not understand how components works. Ty!!
Glad to hear that you're enjoying SL MkIII, Mike! Thanks for your feedback, we will certainly look into creating that. You can give us a call if you would like to discuss how to navigate Components: bit.ly/NovationSupport There is also a built-in Tutorial for each element of Components, that you can access from the main menu.
The placement of your left hand, with the red circle in your t shirt makes it look like you’re holding a table tennis bat! 😂😂😂
Hi Chris
How do I go about connecting my circuit to the novation Sl mk3 and what midi port do I use
As there is nothing in the manual to help you also how do you chain synths together
Thanks
Question - I just got this one. May I ask how to clear the sequencer? It has a demo pattern I can't seem to get rid of.
Thanks!
Al
Wahouu ! OKayyyy ! I see a game changer here. A perfect "remote midi keyboard" for all my synth set up, hardware and software ! Great game changer here but i've already said it !
Thanks for checking it out! It's great to hear that you're a fan 🙌
How many synths can you control at the same time? Can you use a midi splitter?
Hi there, Just got the SL MK3 and having difficulty moving the red grid in ableton. The red grid that shows which scenes the SL is controlling. I can do one up one down, but not sure how to set it in ones left or right, it will move in 4's 5's but not one by one. thanks
Great tutorial, thank you for making it. Can you quantise a sequence in Ableton directly from the mklll?
Yes. You'll set the quantisation in Ableton itself.
One of the modules I want to connect to the SL3 is a Drumbrute. I don't seem to be able to make a sequence work with it - the keys don't relate to a particular drum sound - am I doing something wrong?
And if I want to record directly in real time a notes sequence or automations of 32 or more steps? Is it possible?
I LIKE YOUR WATCH
nice watch u got
Nice video! Is there an option to transpose each zone individually, without affecting the other zone - s in hardware, or at least in software?
Yes, that's right. Zones are highly customisable. You can set the keyboard range and the Octave/Transpose Settings for each Zone. More information can be found in the User Guide, available here -
fael-downloads-prod.focusrite.com/customer/prod/s3fs-public/downloads/SL%20MkIII%20User%20Guide%20V2%20English.pdf
Hey Chris! This is 99% perfect.
Put in some Kordbot chords type programming in a future software update and this MIDI CTRL from Novation will sell like hot bread. One word: Brilliant!
Thanks for your feedback, Joao. We're glad you're excited about SL MkIII! Using the Sequencer and Scale modes it's possible to quickly create custom palettes of one-finger chords. We can't wait to hear what you create with it!
Hello again Chris! I'm very excited about the SL MKIII, is it possible to show us "Chord Mode" in a short little video. This is a very desirable feature for many users and since it was not talked about in this video i would like to see it in action. I tried to read the manual to know more about this, but there's little info. A video would be really great and it would also help sales. Please...
Joao Filipe Santos I agree!
can you do micro steps in the sequencer for high hat rolls and fills?
Are there any VST control templates out of the box? Or just best to use the editing software?
Thanks for your interest, Thomas. We haven't created any dedicated templates for plug-ins but you can quickly take control of virtually any plug-in using SL MkIII in InControl mode or create a custom template using Components. components.novationmusic.com
Wish it had a scales easy like the komplete kontrol keyboards have. The scales are mapped to the white keys in order from c regardless of root note selected.
How did you get the timing of the clips in ableton to so perfectly match those of your sequencer? I also run into a latency issue when trying to fuse the 2 together and I can figure out the best way to solve it once and for all
Hi Greg, we've got an article that should help with this: bit.ly/3zfP8DB
If you have further problems you're welcome to reach out to our Support Team at bit.ly/NovationSupport.
I'm totally new at this and lost! I bought a Novation launchkey MK3 61 and I'm using Ableton 10 Lite. I downloaded the Standalone features into it thinking that I was supposed too! Now I can't get back to the original settings that came with the controller, when I turn the launchkey MK3 61 on it automatically comes on in the Custom Modes as in the user manual 3.0 Standalone Features. I want to use it the way it in user manual 2.1 Session Mode! How do I change it?
can you adjust the octave of a split, so that when you are setting a split in the upper keys can I drop the octave down a couple of octaves so that I don't get the high pitch on those upper keys?
That's right. Using SL MkIII's Zones feature you can divide the keyboard into bespoke areas, aka ‘Zones’. These Zones can be one note or the entirety of the keyboard. Zones are highly customizable: you could, for example, set your drum sounds to play in one
octave, bass in another, synth sounds in yet another etc. You can find more information on this in the User Guide here: customer.novationmusic.com/sites/default/files/novation/downloads/15929/slmkiii-user-guide.pdf
How about uploading your templates to the Components app? Novation doesn’t offer a lot and I for one would love to have access to premapped Preen and 404 templates (among others).
💪👏👏👏
Thanks 4 all the great information ; few questions 4 u 1. I’m using the motu av usb from long ago to connection all my instruments but compatible windows drivers are hard to find for most of the instruments as well as av, i want to start just using my sl 61 to control everything how would you create mappings that will just do simple changes of instrument patch’s? I don’t really need to change ‘LFO’ ex. instrumentS Yamaha tx81z, Roland jx8p Thanks in advance
You should find that you're able to use Components online to create dedicated SL MkIII Templates for each of your instruments. You can determine the behaviour and messages sent by the rotary controls, faders, buttons, pads, wheels, pedals and keys for each Template. You could create custom assignments that send program change messages to your instruments for functions such as Patch change. You can check out Components online here:
components.novationmusic.com/slmkiii/librarian
If you need assistance, our Support Team can help you set this up - bit.ly/NovationSupport
John // Novation UK 🇬🇧
Will the Key LED Zones interact with NI Kontakt instruments in a similar way that the Kontrol series keyboards do? If not, will it be possible setup presets that mimic the look of the Kontakt instrument?
SL MkIII doesn't currently support NKS so it is likely that it won't perform as you are hoping. SL MkIII is primarily designed to function as a central hub for a variety of different creative configurations be that all hardware, in the box or a hybrid of the two.
Great! But even greater would be a 32 or 64 step sequencer. Is there anything out there?
Hiya, re the automation lanes.
Can you mute individual lanes? Say I have a lead I want to use pitch bend on. Can I add that and then mute and unmute the automation lane (not the lead sound)
Regards
Could you help me decide between Arturia Keylab49 mk2 vs Novation SL MK3. I'm very, very torn between the reviews as of now. Im a beginner level musician, producer.
I use Abelton Live aswell as Reaper.
I've also heard that with the SL mk3 if you press the keys hard and fast, you will recieve start to "pivot" and the end of the key (in the back) will hit the top of the inside of the case. Causing a very noticeable "clack" noise. Im not sure if this is intended.
Would I need a audio-interface with any of the 2? Or would normal PC soundboard suffice. Obviously there would be difference but how significant would it be?
Aswell as if I would get the audio-interface could I connect it to portable bluetooth speaker with usb to midi connection? If not what would be the way to connect any of the 2 to a portable, bluetooth like speaker.
I know a lot of noob questions but any help is highly appreciated! :)
on Windows, using the onboard soundcard, you will likely get a very noticable latency/delay from pressing to hearing sound. So yes, get an audio interface.
I have the Arturia Keylab 61 mk2 flagship, and the knobs are erratic and jumpy. Not good. They say they will put a firmware update out, though.
haven't tried the Novation.
This seems like what the Native Instrument mk2 wanted to be.... but its reliance on NI software is its greatest limitation IMO...
Is there anyway to get a hotter gate signal from the CV outs? I’m trying to sequence some older gear that needs a bit more than 5v and o can’t seem to find a way to adjust this anywhere.
Hi there, our Support Team would love to discuss this, please reach out at bit.ly/NovationSupport.
I've wanted to get the Novation SL for many years but I wish the drum pads was like on the AKAI / had after-touch too so I would have all in one. Haven't bought any MIDI thingy whatsoever because I want a good keyboard + the good pads too. Guess having an XY-pad aswell would add even more functionality.
Great to hear that you're interested in SL MkIII! Similarly to the Keys, the SL MkIII Pads also feature poly aftertouch.
This needs its own sound module, with breath controller, expanded sequencer, with 16track midi, and 16 track audio, and a mic input. and a touch screen app for android, ipad, fire tablets.
everything tighly integrated, with no need for a computer, although the tablet could be used for the daw gui.
Still very happy with my Novation SL MKIII, but missing very much: mute individual steps in a sequence... Will this be added in a future update?
Thanks for the feedback! We will pass it along to our dev team.
How do you customize the backlights
How can the settings be configured so that when a midi clip is playing in ableton, the LEDs on the keys are illuminated to display the midi notes of the clip?
First, within Ableton Live's Link MIDI preferences, ensure that the 'Novation SL MkIII (SL MkIII MIDI)' track output is switched on. Then, on the track that the MIDI clip is located, ensure that the MIDI output is routed to 'Novation SL MkII (SL MkII MIDI)'. You may need to change the channel below this to reflect the Part that you are working with on the SL MkIII hardware. Hold 'Shift' and 'Sessions' to view the MIDI channel. Then press play on the MIDI clip and the keys will illuminate to display the notes received from Ableton Live.
@@NovationTV Thanks for getting back to me. It turns out I had the global EXT. MIDI LEDs set to "off". I found out how to do this then, however It still doesn't seem to integrate well with ableton.
Still a great video! Thanks. Question : why is the SL MKIII standard so deeply integrated in Ableton, Logic, but not in Bitwig? Can we expect updates on either side? (instead of using the Moss script).
We've long partnered with Ableton to provide integrated controllers. We hope to expand DAW compatibility, but currently, our devices are most integrated with Ableton.
But the Moss script il incredible, do you really need more ?
I am going to buy this midi doll ..
hey chris :) could i use my sl mk3 as an external controller for my old sysex controllable synths ?
Thanks for your interest. Afraid SL MkIII isn't currently capable of Sysex assignments.