Novation SL mkiii

It’s been almost a decade since the release of
Novation’s acclaimed SL MkII controller
(9/10,
140), featuring the company’s
proprietary Automap system. This made
‘wrapped’ copies of all your plugin instruments
and efects, the parameters of which were
automatically mapped to the knobs and sliders
on the SL MkII’s surface. It worked well enough
on its own terms, but was hardly the most
immediate approach to plugin control; and
things have moved on since then, with Native
Instruments’ NKS protocol in particular proving
that there are better ways to achieve largely the
same result.
With the arrival of the SL MkIII (available in
49- and 61-key versions), Novation have at last
stepped away from Automap in favour of
alternative (if not always truly comparable)
protocols, and added a whole host of further
bells and whistles to their lagship controller
keyboard that qualify it to take on a far more
central role in any electronic music studio, be it
hardware-based, software-based or a hybrid of
the two.
Making a Mk
Right out of the box, the SL MkIII makes a grand
irst impression: weighty, solid-feeling (despite
being all-plastic) and clearly built to Novation’s
usual high construction standards. Connection
to Mac or PC is over USB, and it requires external
N o v a t i o n
sL mkiii £540/£630
With a built-in eight-track sequencer and enough connectivity to drive
your entire studio, this kaleidoscopic controller keyboard raises the bar
“With the SL MkIII,
Novation have
stepped away from
Automap in favour of
alternative protocols”
power via the included adapter. Also around the
back are the usual MIDI In/Out/Thru 5PIN DIN
sockets (Thru can alternatively serve as a
second Out), Expression, Sustain and Footswitch
inputs, plus two sets of 3.5mm CV/Gate/Mod
output jacks and a Clock Out for connection to a
Eurorack rig or any other so-equipped analogue
gear. In conjunction with the SL MkIII’s
sequencer and eight discrete Parts (see Seeing
Patterns), all this connectivity enables
independent playing and sequencing of any
combination of MIDI, CV and DAW/computer-
hosted instruments – a feat that no other
controller we’re aware of can pull of.
The synth-action keys are semi-weighted and
feel great, while the mod and pitch wheels move
smoothly and exhibit no lateral travel. Drawing
comparison with NI’s Komplete Kontrol ’boards,
every key is topped with an RGB LED that’s used
to provide orientation for custom scales, as well
as visual feedback on keyboard zoning, and
notes output by the sequencer and arpeggiator.
90 / Computer musiC / February 2019
> reviews / novation sl mkiii
CMU265.rev_slmkIII.indd 90 06/12/2018 15:30