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Novation 61SL MKIII USB Keyboard Controller

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Novation // SL MkIII Overview

Novation SL MkIII Controller Overview

Novation // SL MkIII & Ableton Overview

Novation // SL MkIII & Hardware Overview

Description
The Novation 61SL MKIII is a revolutionary MIDI keyboard controller geared toward electronic musicians and producers seeking an unrivaled level of hands-on control over their DAW. This fully featured powerhouse combines an expansive 61-note keyboard with aftertouch, eight touch-sensitive knobs, nine faders and 16 RGB backlit MPC-style pads. It offers deep integration with popular DAWs like Ableton Live for a seamless workflow. The 61SL MKIII's lightweight design ensures durability for years of inspired performances and late-night studio sessions.
Eight 360-Degree Touch-Sensitive Knobs
The 61SL MKIII's eight touch-sensitive knobs can be tapped, swiped and rotated for a new level of precision control over effects, instruments and more. 360-degree LED rings surrounding each knob display the current value and place in the effect's range. Tap a knob to set a parameter to its default value or double tap to jump to a predefined sweet spot.
Nine Long-Throw Faders
Nine long-throw faders provide fluid control over levels, sends and other continuous parameters in your DAW. Each fader has 10-bit precision for ultrasmooth fading and includes an LED display to show the fader's value, whether default, user-defined or relative to the fader's maximum range.
16 Full-Color Pads With Aftertouch
The 61SL MKIII features 16 ultraresponsive pads with RGB backlighting and aftertouch for advanced beat creation and clip launching. The pads can be easily customized to control drum racks, instruments, effects, transport controls and more. Their removable overlays provide visual reference points to keep you focused on your performance.
Ableton Live Control and Complete DAW Integration
The 61SL MKIII offers dedicated control over Ableton Live through its Ableton Live Control mode. Eight touch-sensitive knobs instantly map to Live's key parameters, and the pads trigger clips, scenes, devices and the Loop Recorder. For other DAWs, use the 61SL MKIII's pre-mapped control profiles or create your own to match your workflow using Novation Components. USB-powered for portability, the 61SL MKIII connects via a single USB cable to your computer or iOS device.



Features
- Bring MIDI hardware and CV/Gate synths together
- Easily integrate hardware with your DAW
- The perfect controller for Ableton Live music-making software
- Internal 8-track pattern-based sequencer
- 1 routable clock for the whole system
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Lead, which is known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Specs
- Ableton Live Lite
- GForce Novation Bass Station
- 4GB of Loopmasters sounds and samples
- Addictive Keys virtual instrument from XLN Audio
Warranty
All Novation products are built to the highest standards and should provide reliable performance for many years, subject to reasonable care, use, transportation and storage.
In the event of a Manufacturing Defect becoming evident within 12 months from date of purchase Novation undertakes that the product will be repaired or replaced free of charge if the product is returned to the authorised dealer from whom it was purchased. In these circumstances, or if you need an out-of-warranty repair to your Novation product, please contact Novation at: mickg@novationmusic.com and you will be advised of the correct return procedure.
Alternatively contact the Novation Reseller from which you purchased the product or the Novation Distributor in your country of residence or business. If you purchase a Novation product outside your country of residence or business you will not be entitled to ask your local Novation Distributor to honour this Limited Warranty, although you may request a chargeable repair.
Alternatively, the unit may be returned at your cost to the dealer you purchased the unit from so that they can organise a Warranty repair with their Novation Distributor.
This Warranty does not include cost of shipping to and from the authorised dealer from whom it was purchased. In every case it will be necessary to provide the original invoice or store receipt to accompany the defective product to the supplying dealer. This Limited Warranty is offered solely to the first purchaser of the product from an Authorised Novation Reseller (defined as a reseller which has purchased the Product directly from Novation in the UK or its Authorised Distributors outside the U.K,) and is not transferable.
This Warranty is in addition to your Statutory Rights in the country of purchase.
Please note: A Manufacturing Defect is defined as a defect in the performance of the product which may be expected from a reasonable interpretation of the published description and performance specifications as published by Novation. This does not include damage caused by post-purchase transportation, storage or careless handling, nor damage caused by misuse.
A significant proportion of products returned under Warranty (which are very few in number compared to numbers sold) are found not to exhibit any fault at all. Please check that the mains voltage is correctly set for your local supply and that your connecting cables are in good order and correctly connected.
If in doubt about the product functions please read the user guide and if necessary contact your dealer for advice before returning the product to the supplying dealer. You can also contact us for general advice.
Reviews
4.25
4 Reviews
75%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
- Concerts3
- Practicing3
- Back-Up2
- Master Controller1
- Performance1
- Difficult To Use2
- Poor Instructions/Manual1
- Professional Musician3
- Experienced1
- Functional4
- Good Quality3
- Easy To Use1
- 8 Banks of 16 steps per instrument1
- 8 track sequencer1
Reviewed by 4 customers
Great controller
submitted2 months ago
byChameleon Sessions
fromOklahoma City
So many features I haven't even utilized yet and look forward to getting it communicating with my modular synth. No complaints at all so far. Owned for 8 months as of June 2025
Great midi controller and polyphonic 8 track sequencer.
submitted6 years ago
byJosh
fromMinneapolis, MN
I wanted a controller that allowed me to play all of my synths as well as my software instruments. Previously, I had sold the SL MKII version and regretted it. When this new one came out, and it had a sequencer on top of all the other nice controller features (see templates), I had to get it. I waited a while to find one in stores in order to see what the new keys were like, but this never showed up at my local GC. Instead, I ordered online, and I love the feel of the keys. They feel nicer than the mark 2 did. Great controller, great feeling keys. Killer sequencer. Love it!
Update to my review
submitted6 years ago
byTB
fromSnohomish
My previous review did not recommend and rent this with three stars because it was not performing as expected with a Kronos workstation. One of the promoted benefits of this advanced controller is its ability to work with analog control voltage or digital keyboards or software with its own built-in arpeggiated or's and sequencer. Based on that I expected to be able to use it with the Krono's and reported in my first review that there were problems with some midi transmissions. However after deeper digging into both instruments the error seems to be on the Krono's, not the novation. Once that was figured out this keyboard for filled all expectations. While it took a while to get there I also have to complement their customer service which was well above what I have received from Korg. Namely an ongoing conversation by email to help resolve the issue So I've updated my review from three stars to six.
Great idea with at least one major flaw
submitted6 years ago
byTB
fromSnohomish
Very imaginative and a truly multi functional tool but has some glitches. I've used it with the Krono's workstation and about 90% of the time it does exactly what I need which makes the Kronos much more of a performance instrument while in sequence mode. However inexplicably mini channels will periodically decide to stop transmitting and can only be fixed by rebooting the Krono's and the novation.. A great idea but seems to have some serious problems still built- in. I can't speak to how it works with software or analog equipment but if they fixed this issue it would be a wonderful tool for me, and jump to five stars. Although this is a small flaw it's a serious one and therefore at this time I cannot recommend this instrument based only on my own personal experience.. I have two of these units and both have the issue
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Q&A
Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.
submitted6 years ago
asked byAyala49ers
fromDowney,CA
Do you need to have a recording software in order to use it or can it be used on its own?
This can be used on its ownsubmitted7 years ago
asked byMason
fromundisclosed
Can it be used standalone?
Yes it can.submitted7 years ago
asked byMason
fromundisclosed
Can it be used standalone? Is it a midi only?
It can be used stand alone or as Midi.