Novation 61SL Mk3 – 61-Key MIDI Controller Keyboard w/ 16 Velocity-Sensitive Pads & 8-Track Sequencer

OVERVIEW

The 61SL MkIII is the centrepiece for your whole studio, both in and out of the box.

Create one seamless workflow between your DAW and all your hardware with premium semi-weighted keys, all the essential transport and mixing controls, and an eight-track polyphonic sequencer.

Sprawling setup? Bring MIDI hardware and CV/Gate synths together by plugging them all into your MIDI keyboard controller and keep everything perfectly in sync with one routable clock for the whole system.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Total Control:

Get to work with your favourite hardware with all the benefits of a DAW at your fingertips; no need to look at a computer screen. Pull your DAW out of the box and combine it with your hardware synths – connecting everything through SL MkIII. Then easily control everything with highly customisable mappings for your hardware and software. Or create your own in the software editor.

It’s the Feel:

SL MkIII boasts our finest and most playable synth-style semi-weighted keybed, with a sprung action tuned to the needs of the experienced player. It’s got aftertouch too, assignable to anything. Its exceptionally high scan rate of 10 kHz gives the keys a super dynamic feel for expressive performances. And you can see scales, modes, and zones instantly with vibrant on-key RGB LED feedback.

SL MkIII’s velocity-sensitive RGB pads have multiple functions too: they can be used for launching clips, as steps in the sequencer, for finger drumming, and have polyphonic aftertouch.

Keys for Live:

We’ve worked with Ableton® to create an unprecedented integration with Live™. SL MkIII truly pulls your sessions out of the box. The full colour LCD screens give you full visibility of your parameters, while the pads, buttons, eight faders and eight knobs get you hands-on with your music – and in any major music software, using InControl.

Keys to the DAWs:

Deep integrations with Logic® and Reason – plus HUI compatibility with Cubase, Pro Tools®, Studio One and Reaper – mean SL MkIII can open up any DAW.

FEATURES

• Easily integrate hardware with your DAW – get the best of both worlds, recording any electronic performance from one studio centrepiece
• The perfect controller for Live – full parameter feedback across five colour LCD screens, so you can see everything you are controlling.
• Internal eight-track pattern-based sequencer – record in real time or input notes per step, then edit your sequences directly from the keyboard and record automation
• LED feedback directly above each key – work with scales and keys and see all your zones and layers with vibrant RGB feedback
• Comprehensive connectivity – route anything anywhere with USB; MIDI In, Out, Out 2/Thru; three pedal inputs; Analogue Clock Out; and two CV Pitch, Gate, and Mod outputs

INCLUDED SOFTWARE

Everything You Need to Create

SL MkIII includes a unique software bundle to get you creating straight away. Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE help you capture your ideas, while Klevgrand provides two premium plugins for mixing and effects. You’ll also receive instruments from GForce, XLN Audio, AAS, LABS, Native Instruments, and Melodics lessons.

Instruments

Get genre-tailored sounds with Komplete 15 Select from Native Instruments. Play rich strings with Spitfire LABS, classic keys with XLN’s Addictive Keys, and iconic synth tones with the AAS Session Bundle. Plus, create deep, analogue-style bass with the Bass Station plugin, built in collaboration with GForce.

Effects

Shape your sound with R0Verb’s lush reverb and DAW Cassette’s warm, lo-fi textures. Whether you’re adding space or creating a retro vibe, these effects bring character to every performance.

DAWs

Ableton Live Lite makes it easy to arrange loops, launch clips, and sketch out full tracks. Cubase LE is ideal for structured songwriting and production, with multiple audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks so you can start creating straight away.

NKS-READY HARDWARE

TECHNICAL SPECS

Keybed:

Keys: 61 Velocity-Sensitive, Individually Sprung

Key Type: Synth-Style, Semi-Weighted

Key Illumination: 61 RGB Keybed LEDs

Key Size: Full Size

Screens:

Displays: 5 x RGB TFT LCD

Performance Controls:

Pitch Bend: RGB Backlit Wheel

Modulation: RGB Backlit Wheel

Rotary Knobs: 8 Continuous

Sliders/Faders: 8

Drum Pads: 16 RGB Backlit, Velocity-Sensitive

Pad Pages: 2

Scene Launch Buttons: 2

Assignable Grid: 32 Pads (2 Pages of 16)

Navigation:

Assignable Buttons: 32 (2 Pages of 16)

Mode Switching Buttons: RGB Backlit (including InControl)

Octave/Transpose Buttons: Up and Down

Track Navigation Buttons: 2

Transport & Workflow:

Transport Buttons: 6 Dedicated

Additional Backlit Buttons: 59 with Tact Switches

Sequencer:

Sessions: 64

Tracks per Session: 8

Patterns per Track: 8 (16 Steps Each, 128 Steps Total)

Real-Time Record: Notes with Velocity & Automation

Quantisation: Notes to Steps, Automation to 6 Events per Step

Automation: 8 Lanes Maximum (Assignable Controls)

Internal Tempo: 40–240 BPM

Swing: 20–80%

Real-Time Performance:

Scales: 16 Types + Chromatic Transposition

Key Zones: Up to 8 Split Zones

Pattern Expand View: Flip the Grid

Pattern Control: Start/End, Direction (Including Random)

Pattern Chaining: Configurable

Session Switching: Instant or Queued

Editing:

Per Step: Velocity & Gate

Gate Lengths: Multiple (via Real-Time Record)

Automation: Editable per Step

Clear Functions: Step, Automation Parameter, Pattern, Session

Duplicate Functions: Step, Pattern

Connectivity (Rear Panel):

MIDI: 3 x 5-Pin DIN (In, Out, Out2/Thru)

Pedal Inputs:

• Sustain (1/4” TRS)
• Expression (1/4” TRS)
• Footswitch (1/4” TS)

CV/Gate/Modulation: 2 Sets via 3.5mm Jacks

Clock Output: 1

USB Port: USB-B 2.0 Socket

Power Switch: 1

Power Input: DC Socket

Security: Kensington Lock Slot

Software:

Included Software: Ableton Live Lite

Sound Content: 4 GB of Loopmasters Samples

Power Requirements:

Consumption: 12V, 1000mA

Power Supply: Included (Not USB Powered)

Dimensions:

Width: 817mm

Depth: 300mm

Height: 100mm

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR 61SL MK3

• Get Started with Easy Start
• Downloads
• User Guide