Novation 61SL MkIII 61-key Keyboard Controller with Sequencer Reviews

This is by far the most versatile controller I've used. The keys feel great; not quite as firm as the NI S61 MKII, but firmer that the Arturia Keylab 61, just for reference. The native control of Ableton Live is phenomenal and it's also great with Studio One. The pads are also great, with polyphonic aftertouch, a sequencer, scale mode, keyboard splits and on and on. This thing is now the center point of my workflow.

Fast shipping, good packaging and good customer support from Sweetwater.

Great controller with more features and functions then any I have owned before. Highly recommended and very satisfied.

I still have a lot to figure out on this, but it seems great so far. I'm happy with the keybed and Ableton interaction, but need to learn more of the sequencing functions and templates. This was maybe a bit much if I plan on getting some other hardware sequencers, but seems to be able to handle what I need from it without using others.

I wanted a 61 key midi keyboard. The 61 SL mk3 looked nice, but I was considering cheaper alternatives. Wasn't sure in the end I would use all the functionality and get my money's worth, and I'm more of a logic user - seemed this was really Ableton centric. But I'd been happy enough with my Novation Peak and have a number of hardware synths I integrate, so convinced myself to splurge and got the 61 SL Mk3. Very, very glad I didn't pass up on this. It's quickly become the center of my home studio, and really enables me creatively. I am eating up all the functionality I thought I would let go to waste. It opens up possibilities, this thing. The "Zones" lets me take real time control of multiple synths at once in one spread. The sequencer and multiple arps... it makes everything possible right in one place in front of me. It works well with logic, I really thought I would have more challenges with that but it has fit right in with my logic workflow. Integrates with some key hardware out of the box like the Peak and Octatrack, but was able to successfully integrate others that didn't have stock templates such as Moog Grandmother and some Korg Volca units. It was easy, actually. I am very happy with this and highly recommend, including for Logic users like myself. No regrets on this one.

The 61SL MkIII is exactly what I have been looking for in a midi controller. The seamless integration with Ableton's Live is too sweet. Just really getting started with digging into all the options available. It pairs well with my Push2. There is a little bit of a learning curve for my being a newbie to the midi controller world. However, I definitely made the right decision with this acquisition. Note, I am not a piano or keyboard player, hence the Push2. The 61SLMkIII will expand my creativity and instrumental skillset. Nothing like having the necessary tools to put it all together and produce your own audio productions.

First off, I want to state that Novation and Apple seem to have fixed the integration with Logic. I received my SL today and followed the steps listed on Novation's website, and everything works flawlessly. The keyboard itself is INCREDIBLY sturdy, and the keybed feels great. I've barely gotten to unpack what the SL can really do, but I'm incredibly pleased with it thus far. Massive shoutout to my sales engineer Josh for being the best as always.

I suppose the first thing to mention is just how beautiful this controller is an how great it feels to play it. The keybed reminds me of the great keys that I used to play on older synths from Roland and Yamaha. Compared to some of the cheaper controllers that I have owned, with clackety, noisy keys, this is a dream to play. The older synths that I used to play were almost all 61 key synths. So, this is like a return home for me. If I call up the Roland Cloud Juno or JX3P, it just feels right again. I won't go over the features, other than to say that I look forward to using the full compliment of connections and splitting capabilities to jam from one central hub. And, if we ever get to the point of being able to play live again, this will be what's in front of me for sure.

First I'm going to address previous reviews with issues using Pro-Logic X. Remember, recently they updated the software to mimic similar features to Ableton Live Suite and are having programming issues because of that. You'll need to contact Apple Programmers, not Novation. It's a software interface issues to the Hardware. All Novation can do is, maybe send Apple the SLMK3 and allow the programmers to write/change source codes to effectively work with the hardware, which also includes other controller/sequencers.

SLMK3 runs well with Ableton Live Suite and what I really love about it is the usability and it's templates to external Midi Hardware. Not like the brand new Arturia KeyStep Pro 37-key Controller & Sequencer, while playing Arturia, you have to walk, reach, and change the parameters on the various Midi Hardware. With SLMK3, all the buttons on the SLMK3, once assigned, you now control the various Midi hardware right in reach on the keyboard controller sequencer.

I was researching for weeks on end at workstations in the $3k range like the Korg Kronos, Roland Fantom, Yamaha Montage. Hoping to take advantage of the DAW like Ableton or Pro-Logic X I own if I wanted to. But an example like the Yamaha Montage uses Cubase Lite and the $3000 workstations are more a standalone system.

I also own Push 2 but I wanted to use a Keyboard which I'm more used to playing than the touchpads. I'm sure I'll take advantage of Push 2's capability for other things.

SLMK3 is a Game Changer, soon as I opened the box and took minutes to set up and play. Within minutes I was able to create and record. The only problem I have is some of the Tutorials are from previous software updates and some functions have moved. One example is when you push "IN CONTROL" button, the Swing Sync Rate that was there on the right side of the second screen; above the 4th button on the sequencer: Is now placed under the tempo button on the left of the second screen; above the 3rd button on the sequencer on a new update.

It is a little bit of a learning curb because I have to literally research FAQ on the Novation Forum or watch many Youtubes to figuring out how all the knobs/faders can be used for. You can literally set up every knob/faders to configure any way you like.

I'm still trying to figure on the SYNCHING your SLMK3 and ABLETON video, how the guy is able to press record and it surpasses the 16 steps to 24 steps on a sequencer. Lol, but again like any instruments you buy, you need to play to figure it out as I'm staring at the "STEP" button lol.

I recommend this SLMK3 whether to use it as a standalone on stage controlling external MIDI devices or to use it with DAWs.

The Novation SL MK3 has been great for streamlining my workflow with my hardware and Ableton setup. The key-bed is very solid, a good quality semi-weighted action. I currently use it as a master clock and controller for a Peak, Summit, Sub37, Analog Four, and Analog Rytm. I use the sequencer primarily for the Peak and the Sub37 when required (including parameter automation!!), and use the transports and clock to keep the Elektron gear in sync with everything. It's easy to switch back and forth between the DAW "InControl" mode and the hardware control mode so that I can stay locked into my workflow without having to change controllers. I do use a Push 2 in conjunction with the SL MK3, and they play together seamlessly.

The SL MK3 requires some time to get through the initial learning curve, but going through the effort leaves you with some powerful tools at your disposal.The sequencer is powerful but could use some additional features (easier to program triplets, retrigs, micro timings). All that being said, the sequencer is extremely easy to use. The firmware updates have been effective at addressing most of the early bugs with the controller.

All in all, this unit has stream-lined my workflow by enabling me to control, play, and sequence several instruments and Ableton all at the same time with a nice key-bed. If you have a hardware heavy set-up and a DAW, I would definitely recommend this controller.

Arrived packed extremely well, as is typical for Sweetwater gear. A beautiful "little" MIDI controller and workstation. The Ableton that comes with it doesn"t lack many features and will keep you busy for days or weeks.

The included USB cable is also really nice (cloth wrapped), and I had the firmware updated in a matter of minutes. It was very intuitive. The Arpeggio creator is a very cool feature. The pitch wheel is very solid feeling and grippy. Scale mode is also pretty interesting.

After 3 weeks with the Novation SL MkIII (61 key), I have yet to come across a single issue with it. Further, I've accomplished more finished tunes in a short period of time than I ever have before, and never had so much enjoyment doing them. I've tested it with a few configurations of hardware and software, but I should note that I rarely use a DAW, so I can't speak to that. I've primarily been using it to control a setup including a Novation Peak, a Roland/Studio Electronics SE-02, Roland System-8, an iPad, a Roland TR-09 and Eventide H9 Max. For the keyless desktop units like the Peak, SE-02 and a Moog Minitaur, the SL MkIII is a dream.

Easily configured, excellent key action (with great aftertouch), responsive wheels. The SL comes with a number of gear "templates", but if you need one that's not included (for instance, the SE-02), it's only a matter of minutes to create one in the excellent Novation Components software. For the other systems (System-8, Sub 37, TR-09, H9), the SL is excellent as a rock-steady clock and for start/stop. If necessary, it takes clock from other devices (like certain iPad apps) and passes it on just fine. The Circuit-like sequencer of the SL is just fantastic. In a matter of an evening or two, I am easily able to use the SL as my central control center like a "hardware DAW" to construct and refine sequences for all that gear, and play along on top of it. Splits and layers are logical, fast to set up and a breeze to play (the LED light system is brilliant). The LCD screens are super helpful, and make even a big tangle of gear easy to navigate. The whole system is REALLY well thought out, and the manual is well-written and complete.

I've also used it with software synths like Arturia's Collection and the new Pigments, and iOS soft synths like Moog Model D, Korg Gadget, Novation/Ampify Groovebox and more. In each case, the SL made it a breeze to set up and had the features needed to get the most out of the software. And, really, the hardware too; the SL is absolutely an essential extension to desktop gear like the Peak and the SE-02, both of which have deep features like aftertouch and modulation that the SL tackles with ease. Modular is not left out either, with support for dual MIDI and CV/Gate options (worked very well with my System 500).

Can't recommend this controller highly enough for any synth player - desktop, software or modular. Well done Novation and Sweetwater!

As a centerpiece for a complicated hardware/software system, this thing is a real workhorse. However, it's not for everyone. I'm a pretty serious tech junkie and it's taken me several days to understand what it can do, much less how to make it do it.

I have it connected to Live 10.1 and the integration is impressive. Handling levels/mutes/solos/transport is second nature to this thing. You can't create or set up tracks on the SL but once you have them setup you can navigate/activate etc at will with no trouble. Plugin control is somewhat hit or miss. Live's built in devices map perfectly and are mostly a joy to use. Be aware that even with 8 rotary controls (the sliders seem to be restricted to level control), there's still going to be a fair amount of paging up and down involved. Some third party plug ins work fine. Some don't map at all. This isn't a fault of the SL. It basically comes down to whether or not the developer of the plug in chose to expose it's properties. For example, Omnisphere exposes nothing. Therefore there's nothing for the SL to map to. It's probably possible to get some general midi mapping working but I haven't tried it yet. More developers need to expose the properties of their plug ins!

I happen to also have a Push II. I foolishly assumed that connecting the Push and the SL would lead to misery. It actually works great! I assumed it would be a problem for them to both try to be in control of the same things at the same time but neither blinks. A really happy surprise. In fact, using both together largely gets you to the point where touching a mouse is never really necessary. Really nice combo.

Connecting to hardware is generally pretty simple. Even a blank template (just named the same as your hardware) will allow you to create a 'part' for that hardware. Once you tell the SL which port and channel to address your hardware on will have them communicating. You can then switch back and forth between devices by pressing any of the 'part' buttons. Really nice.

Then, you can flesh out these templates. Several come with the SL. The only one that matches gear that I own is for a D.S.I. Rev2. I was never able to get that template to work at all. No idea why. It uses NRPN and I have the Rev2 set to receive NRPN but it just didn't work. So, I created my own Rev2 template using both midi CC and NRPN and it mostly works really well. This was more an exercise in testing the SL than something I really expect to use. The Rev2 already has all the manual controls I could want and it sits right in front of me. If you had something like a Virus or a Blofeld that has few controls this could be a real game changer. It could potentially unlock an instrument that's currently a pain to use.

One weird thing about how the Rev2 works with the SL. There's a lovely OLED display on the Rev2 that shows you the control you're currently tweaking and the value you're setting it to. When changing a value from the SL, the OLED will only show the control/value that you last altered on the Rev2 itself. Ie if you reach over and change the cutoff on the Rev2, the OLED shows you the change. Then if you change the cutoff on the SL, the OLED shows you the change. However, if you then change the resonance on the SL, the OLED continues to show the cutoff. Probably not the fault of the SL. I assume the Rev2 isn't reacting properly. Just something to look out for. This does mean that it doesn't make sense to map some things to the SL. For example, if you map the control to change the FX type, it works, but without being able to see which effect you're selecting, it's really hard to know what you're doing.

I've also created templates for a Moog Grandmother, an Arturia Minibrute 2S, an Arturia Drumbrute Impact, a Yamaha MODX and a Dreadbox Nyx. In some of those case, the Nyx in particular, no midi control of the device is available. So the template is really just a placeholder for a 'Part'. On the Drumbrute, I've also mapped the pads on the SL to 16 of the drum sounds I use the most. That turns the SL into a functional pad control like a Maschine, Push or Launchpad.

Speaking of the Launchpad, this thing shares some of the same philosophy. If you have experience with a Launchpad, you'd no doubt find navigating Live (and probably other DAWs) more second nature.

Once you have a 'Session' created - containing parts for all the gear you want to use at that moment, you can start to leverage some of the more interesting features of the SL. Sequencing is a breeze. Each part has its own sequencer with all the parameters you'd expect plus things like pattern length and start/stop position. Really nice for getting polyrythmic stuff working. Everything you sequence gets quantized and you can have eight notes per step. On top of that, you can record automation of any control mapped in that template.

At this point, it might make sense to set up splits and layers. You can mix and match all of the parts in your session. I can have the Drumbrute playing a groove, the Grandmother providing a bass line - mapped to part of the keyboard and then assign the Rev2 to a lead part - mapped to another part of the keyboard. And, have all that set up in seconds. Very nifty!

The Scales feature is available here too. At any time you can tell the SL to restrict your playing to notes in a particular scale and key. Or, if you prefer, just highlight the 'correct' notes with the lights above the keys. Some people will love this, some won't care. Some will hate it.

Of course, for the SL to be the centerpiece for all your gear, the key bed needs to be playable. It is. I really like it. I'm not sure what a previous review refers to with respect to shorter keys. They appear to be standard length to me and feel great.

Of course, even after all this, there's a lot that I still haven't mentioned. CV for example. It's here. Two channels worth and it works great. The tuning feature makes using something like a Model D a much more pleasant experience.

So, if this all sounds complicated. Well, it is. Or at least it can be. By the time you configure templates and setting up sessions, you have a fair amount of time invested. In fact, learning how to do these things is time consuming. You could ignore these features and just use the SL as a basic midi controller, but there are far cheaper options if that's all you're interested in.

Because the SL is such a complex and capable device, it needs to be well documented. This leads me to my biggest complaint. The documentation weak. The quick start guide (all that's in the box) is of little use. The user guide - available as a download from Novation's website is far more in depth but poorly written in my opinion. All the info is there, but not presented in a logical way. For a while, I couldn't figure out some of the most basic things - like which mode I needed to be in to do the most basic things. The user guide should start out with an explanation of the modes and their functions.

Eventually, I found a YouTube video (Novation SL MKIII Deep Dive) made by a gentleman named Chris who is a Novation employee. This served as a Rosetta Stone for me. I was able to pretty quickly understand the overall architecture from this video. My kudos to Chris and a note to Novation - Give him a raise immediately!

Novation provides software called 'Component' to create and edit templates and store them to the SL. This exists as a web app and can be downloaded as a standalone application. I have several complaints here. First, it took far to long to even figure out what Component is and where to find it. Much longer to find the downloadable version. The web version forces you to log in with google or facebook accounts. Major faux pas in my opinion. Why do I have to have either to use this software? Maybe I don't want to use either. Bad idea.

Once in Component, the interface is a bit clunky. After you create a template, there are too many steps involved with actually getting it on your SL. Yes, it works. I think it could be much easier. Why do I have to save my template with a name (Rev2 etc) then change the name again when I want to store it to the SL? Component is designed to work with several pieces of Novation gear so I get that the work flow has to work for all of them. I still find it harder to use than needs be and documentation is again really lacking.

Another reviewer complained that the included Live Lite is weak. I'm fairly sure that's true. I find it hard to imagine that many people are buying a $700 midi controller to use it with a bundled free DAW. But hey, what do I know?

Overall, I really like the SL and it will be my centerpiece for the foreseeable future. Here is my short list of complaints.

1. Documentation - throw away what you've created and start from scratch. Have Chris write it. He's already on your payroll!

2. Component - Streamline the process of template creation and moving them to the SL.

3. Templates - Hardware templates are currently limited to 2 rows for the rotaries (1 for the sliders). Plugins seem to have an infinite number of available rows. More for hardware would make a lot of sense. With enough, you could, in theory, control gear that is physically inaccessible.

4. Sequence transpose - Because the SL thinks a lot like a Circuit, there's no way to easily transpose a sequence. Instead, you're expected to create transposed patterns on your own and switch between them. Many sequencers allow you to transpose with the touch of a key (KeyStep, Grandmother etc). I could get much more out of this from a performance perspective if this were available. Stringing patterns together into songs works fine but has to be planned out. If I could transpose on the fly, I could improvise more effectively.

I think all of these complaints can be resolved and I hope they will be. It would take a fantastic, game changing device and make it into a nearly life altering device!

As you can tell, I really dig this thing. If you're looking for something to tie together several technologies, I think this is a device you should consider. There are competitors, but none that I'm aware of that do it with such a diverse collection of gear.

There is nothing in its price range that allows so much control for hardware and software, hands down, don't bother looking, I tried. And it's a definite plus. Because neither CV, nor USB, nor MIDI take precedence, - it allows for very complex sounds during live playing and live recording from 3 or 4 DAW and hardware synths simultaneously. But I'm quite disappointed in keys. They seem to have an issue that even at fixed velocity they don't register lighter touches, which makes two-handed expressive piano playing a torture. This is so evident that it's outdone even by the likes of Blue Whale by Worlde and Stageright's Monoprice keyboard that sells for around $. I know Novation claims they are semi-weighted, but try playing on it and then on Monoprice and you'll immediately know that something is really off. I would have paid $ more no problem, if that issue was somehow fixed.

Would be five stars if it wasn’t for the bugs that need fixing. Beyond that it is a great tool to have. Connects to everything and having access to my whole studio from one location is great.

If you use Logic, just STOP READING FIVE STAR REVIEWS AND GET A DECENT MIDI INTERFACE AND A REGULAR OLD USB MIDI KEYBOARD CONTROLLER.
In my opinion, you will probably diddle around with the sequencer on the SL MKIII a few times and ditch it. Can't chain the patterns into custom sequences (you know, 'song mode', featured on sequencers since the 1980s), and if you don't compose music in one-bar loops...you can't make songs using the sequencer. You can maybe make a single chorus or verse or something...in fact, that seems to be the length intended by a single 'session.'
Then you can manually toggle between sessions, I guess, to make a song. You will never even try to do this because it's like eating soup with a fork.
So then, you come to your senses and decide Logic and its 5000-times-better sequencer should be the actual 'heartbeat' or 'centerpiece' of your music making, after all.
And then!
Well, I don't know what will happen with you, but I found out that InControl or whatever doesn't even work with M1 macs!
And, in what might seem like esoteric details to some, but are actually either annoying or crippling:
1. In Logic, if you send midi out through the SLMKIII, to one of the many synths you've attached back when it was going to be the centerpiece, you find out that only DIN 1 or DIN 2 out of the SL can be used in a single Logic project. In other words, the SLMKIII can't actually act as a two-port MIDI interface.
2. Every time you cycle power on the SL, it 'forgets' the global setting you set DIN 2 OUT to (thru or out). So you lose everything you've hooked into 2 until you remember and change the Global setting again. Which does NOT save to the session file.
Anyhow, as others have said, it's probably 'great with Ableton.'
I'm only annoyed by the fact that the sequencer is ruined with seemingly arbitrary limitations. Having patterns longer than 16 beats...is such a trivial amount of memory (MIDI is executed in bytes...) that it seems like whoever designed this sequencer did every single thing except try to make music with it. Same with the lack of 'song mode' pattern chaining. It's something that a Roland machine from 40 years ago managed to carve out memory for.

I wanted to love this, I really did, but the Logic implementation is not well done. Even if everything was working as expected this still wouldn't be an ideal controller for Logic. When in InControl mode the pads are hardwired to C6 and above and come out of the InControl port, however you can not make the keyboard come out of the InControl port. The keyboard port and channel for InControl are determined by the last non-InControl port you have used, which is just a nonsensical way for this thing to operate. That means if you are using to control hardware when you go back to the InControl mode it may or may not talk to Logic depending on how you have it setup in Clicks and Ports. The work around is have a template setup that has the port and channel settings you want and hit that everytime before you go to InControl. That's just dumb. The manual incorrectly states that Shift+Next/Previous track will change banks of tracks. This is not true, there is no way to scroll up and down banks of tracks in InControl mode. And these are all issues if the unit is working exactly as it is supposed to.

I did 2 months of troubleshooting including multiple back and forth with Novation's support and could not get this to stop causing midi timeouts in Logic. (for some background, I oversee literally thousands of Macs for a living and have been using Logic for 15 years, I know what I'm doing) Multiple OS, multiple computers and two different SL61 units. If I used this as a DIN midi controller it was fine, but connecting to Logic through USB inevitably lead to midi timeouts. Others have reported this issue.

The built in sequencer and arps seem great but I couldn't really get my head around how to use them well, but I was more focused on trying to get it to work with Logic. For Ableton this is probably a great unit.

I'm a huge fan of Novation, I have more of their gear than you can imagine. This unit is a massive disappointment.

The idea behind this thing is awesome but it does a few weird things that bother me and made me have to change a lot of MIDI stuff around. Also, the little faders are terrible and very un-responsive.

Heres my issue....
You can control 8 things at a time. Awesome. But it has two MIDI DIN outs with 16 Ch. each. So you could have 32 things plugged in. Or, in my case, some Sound Modules with multiple channels each. I wanted to have a module (Roland Integra-7) on its own MIDI port with 16 channels all by its self and then the other MIDI port for everything else. I could then use different "Sessions" on the SL MKiii to control 8 of those 32 things at a time. Awesome, everything looks great.

Heres the problem, the device sends Program Change messages on Channel 16 of ALL MIDI PORTS every time you pull up a different 8 device "Session". Most devices have that as default to change patches or sounds.

So, every time you pull up a different 8 device configuration on the keyboard, ALL of your sound modules change patches. And this cannot be turned off or changed in any way, which I confirmed with Novation tech support. Super weird and annoying on a device that is SO customizable in every other way. Its a cool thing to be able to do, I just don't want it so locked out that I cant tweak it.

My workaround was to change all my stuff so it doesn't read from Ch.16 for program change anymore, but it still gets sent into the system every time. And anything new or from a guest will probably be set to Ch 16 so it will need to change to integrate into my stuff.

Next issue, it cannot send LSB /MSB commands in series with CC's. So, you cant send deeper commands to Sound Modules. Only regular CC's. Also a weird limitation that seems to be on everything else. (It can send program change CC)

Rant over. Its still pretty cool, it just doesn't do EXACTLY what I thought it would.

Love the design and colored knobs , faders etc .
The keys are a little shorter than pro synths but they feel nice tho .
It seems to have issues with DAWs in In-Control mode .
I contacted the NOVATION tech support , they could not fix my problem !!!!
Still working on it , hopefully I can fix it
Pads are nice and very useful .
Not as easy as other controllers that I had before .
...I expected more .

My Novation 61 SL fell apart faster than any other keyboard I've ever owned - in 20 years of keyboards.

I purchased this controller on the basis of what Novation advertises as "deep integration" with Logic. Given videos on YouTube and enthusiastic reviews, it seemed like the perfect fit.

It's been a frustrating experience. The first unit was defective and this was confirmed by Sweetwater. I exchanged it, hoping for an improvement, but after talking with Novation's tech support, it turns out there's a known issue with Logic which prevents it from working correctly. I asked for a timeline from Novation, but there isn't one, and Novation won't take a guess. The integration with Logic 10.5 produces exactly the same problems.

Yet Novation continues to advertise "deep integration" and to sell the controller with that advertised feature. There's no "known issues" list and, to my knowledge, no way of knowing about the problem in advance. Sweetwater didn't know about it. I was told by another individual from Focusrite that this issue affects everyone. Novation gets zero points for transparency.

This makes working with Logic a touch-and-go experience. If something doesn't work, maybe it's about the Logic's configuration, or maybe it's about the controller? At this point, I regret the purchase. The controller isn't capable of the role I wanted it to fill and Novation is offering an oh-well shrug. At this point, I would hesitate to purchase another Novation product. This thing has been released for going on two years -- seems like the bugs should be worked out? And if that's not possible, then that's fair, but then don't advertise integration with Logic.

The OneStar is for the look zoning light only ! I get hanging notes back n forth . Very confusing to set it up with Logic Pro x .
The Ableton Live Light is a joke for me and has only a few good sounds .
I like the design and the lights for zoning , but not its functionality .
NOT User-Friendly at all .
They claim it's a Full size keyboard , but the keys are about 1/5" shorter than regular synths such KORG , YAMAHA etc , .
The tech support answered my first email , but the second one ! Lol
I don't get to use the sequencer but watched the tutorials and liked it .
I will give it another chance to figure this very confusing controller out , and if not I'll return it .