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Novation 61SL MkIII 61-key Keyboard Controller with Sequencer

61-key Keyboard Controller with Semi-weighted Keys, Internal 8-track Sequencer, Full-color LCD Screens, Comprehensive Hardware Connectivity, DAW Control, and Soft Synth Bundle
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Item ID: SLmk3-61
Novation 61SL MkIII 61-key Keyboard Controller with Sequencer
Price:$749 and 99 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $21/month with 36 month financing*

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Novation 61SL MkIII 61-key Keyboard Controller with Sequencer
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Price:$749 and 99 cents
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A Must-have Music Production Tool

With the Novation 61SL MkIII, you'll take control of your projects like never before. Experience first-class action, thanks to an expressive synth-style semi-weighted keybed. Command your synths and modules with ease, courtesy of MIDI In, Out, and Out 2/Thru; Analog Clock Out; and two sets of CV Pitch, Gate, and Mod outputs. Harness the full power of any InControl- or HUI-compatible DAW using the 61SL MkIII's pads, buttons, faders, and knobs. Beyond that, you'll find that building mind-blowing arrangements is easier than ever, thanks to an internal 8-track sequencer, a built-in arpeggiator, and scales, modes, and zones. You also get backlit pitch and modulation wheels, along with full-color LCD screens for at-a-glance visibility of your parameters. Additionally, the 61SL MkIII includes a soft synth bundle from GForce, featuring an enhanced emulation of Novation’s iconic Bass Station, along with the Oberheim SEM, Oberheim OB-EZ, and GForce Axxess virtual synthesizers. Complete with customizable mappings for effortless setup and recall, the 61SL MkIII is a must-have music production tool.

Harness the full power of your software and hardware

The 61SL MkIII puts all your software right at your fingertips. In fact, at Sweetwater, we've found ourselves looking at our computer screen less and less. It's almost like pulling your software out of the box! And it makes integrating hardware synths into your software-based workflow easy, thanks to its comprehensive hardware connectivity, which includes MIDI In, Out, and Out 2/Thru; Analog Clock Out; and two sets of CV Pitch, Gate, and Mod outputs. With the 61SL MkIII, you can easily take full command of your entire rig with customizable mappings for both your hardware and software. The 61SL MkIII is a great all-in-one solution that's destined to become the centerpiece of your studio.

Synth-style semi-weighted keybed

To say that the Novation 61SL MkIII is playable is an understatement. Its synth-style semi-weighted keybed is both expressive and responsive, with a luxurious spring-like action. Its 10kHz scan rate supplies a super-dynamic action that feels just right under your fingers. Beyond that, it has aftertouch that can be assigned to any parameter you'd like, and you can see scales, modes, and zones instantly, thanks to its on-key RGB LED feedback.

Velocity-sensitive RGB pads

The 61SL MkIII's keybed feels great, but it doesn't stop there. Its velocity-sensitive RGB pads also boast polyphonic aftertouch, providing you with an ultra-expressive way to launch clips, input steps into the sequencer, and tap out drum patterns.

Internal 8-track sequencer

Your productions are about to get a serious creative injection, thanks to the Novation 61SL MkIII's internal 8-track, pattern-based sequencer. Whether you input notes step-by-step or record as you go, you'll be able to play and edit your sequences directly from the 61SL MkIII's keyboard. Bring your productions to life by recording parameter automation straight onto the sequencer. Choose an arp type, set a sync rate, tweak note and pattern lengths, and design your rhythms in real time — with the 61SL MkIII, you can do it all.

Deep integration with Ableton Live and more

Novation worked directly with the folks at Ableton to imbue the 61SL MkIII with unprecedented integration with Live. But its usefulness doesn't end there — deep integration with Logic and Reason, along with HUI compatibility with Cubase, Pro Tools, Studio One, and REAPER, allows users of any DAW to benefit from powerful hardware control over their projects. Not only do you get at-a-glance visibility of your parameters, but thanks to full-color LCD screens, pads, buttons, faders, and knobs, the 61SL also allows you to get hands on with your music.

Updated firmware unlocks unquantized recording

Countless musicians have used Novation's auto quantization to clean up their tracks and keep everything sounding tight. However, some players prefer the organic sound of their original performances. Previous MkIII firmware versions introduced micro-step editing that let users nudge notes off of the grid for slight timing variation. With the introduction of V1.3 Firmware, your can now record with no quantization whatsoever! You're now able to capture your beats and performances exactly as you played them - small and major inconsistencies included!

Novation 61SL MkIII Features:

  • 61-key keyboard controller
  • Expressive synth-style semi-weighted keybed
  • 10kHz scan rate supplies a super-dynamic feel
  • Aftertouch can be assigned to any parameter you'd like
  • On-key RGB LED feedback allows you to see scales, modes, and zones instantly
  • Internal 8-track, pattern-based sequencer
  • Built-in arpeggiator and selectable velocity curves
  • Velocity-sensitive RGB pads with polyphonic aftertouch
  • Backlit pitch and modulation wheels
  • Customizable mappings for both your hardware and software
  • Comprehensive hardware connectivity including MIDI In, Out, and Out 2/Thru; Analog Clock Out; and 2 sets of CV Pitch, Gate, and Mod outputs
  • Deep integration with Ableton, Logic, and Reason
  • HUI compatibility with Cubase, Pro Tools, Studio One, and REAPER
  • Includes a soft synth bundle with Novation Bass Station, Oberheim SEM, Oberheim OB-EZ, and GForce Axxess
  • 3-year warranty

Warranty Info

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keyboard Controller
  • Number of Keys: 61
  • Type of Keys: Semi-weighted
  • Velocity Sensitive: Yes
  • Aftertouch: Yes
  • Pads: 16 x RGB Backlit Pads
  • Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
  • Encoders/Pots: 8 x Continuous Rotary Knobs
  • Faders: 8
  • Dedicated Transport Control: Yes
  • Sequencer: 64 Sessions, 8 Tracks per Session, 8 Patterns per Track, Unquantized Recording, Micro-step Editing
  • Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (expression), 1 x 1/4" (sustain), 1 x 1/4" (footswitch)
  • MIDI I/O: In, Out, Out2/Thru, USB
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Other I/O: 1 x Clock out, 2 x CV out, 2 x Mod out, 2 x Gate out
  • Computer Connectivity: USB
  • Software: Ableton Live Lite, GForce Bass Station, XLN Addictive Keys Studio Grand, AAS Session Bundle, Klevgrand R0Verb
  • Format: NKS Compatible
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.11.6 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later
  • Power Supply: 12V DC power supply (included)
  • Height: 3.93"
  • Width: 38.62"
  • Depth: 11.81"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AMS-61SL-MKIII

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Reviews

Amazing Controller!!
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.
Music background: singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer/producer
Great device
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.
Music background: Musician, Producer
Really nice primary MIDI controller
I purchased this immediately after returning a Native Instruments Kontrol S61 Mk3, which is another 61-key keyboard. If you want good, flexible MIDI, this is vastly better.

The Kontrol S61 Mk3 boasts a really large LCD, but fewer dials, almost no buttons and no faders (and one additional pedal input). Despite this, it has precisely zero MIDI configurability (as of this writing). The Native Instruments has a really nice feeling (synth-style) poly aftertouch keyboard, compared to the channel (mono)-aftertouch Novation which is lighter and is harder to get a good range of expression out of. The NI also says it has MIDI 2.0, but I couldn't get it to work with the MIDI 2.0 Korg Modwave (etc.) that I had, so... whatever.

So, despite the Novation 61SL having a slightly worse key bed and no poly-aftertouch (a crying shame), it's still a much better, more configurable, more usable keyboard, especially if you want to be controlling multiple hardware synths concurrently (e.g., three Korgs, a computer and a drum machine). There is not even a close comparison.

Recommended if you need good, powerful, configurable MIDI.

MkIV wishes: poly-aftertouch. More MIDI outs. Another pedal or two. Screens for each and every control. Maybe MIDI 2.0 or two-way MIDI so controls could be set to "pick up" or "scale."
Music background: Lifetime pianist
Novation 61SL MkIII
Great controller using with Ableton Live 12. Shipped fast and great price.
Music background: 25 plus years, play in 2 bands and atttend Breklee College of music Build amps and guitars with ATAmp.
Perfect!
Fast shipping, good packaging and good customer support from Sweetwater.
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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?
Nick Farmer
The MkII was widely regarded as being the go-to keyboard controller for any studio, and the MkIII expands further on that. This controller is the perfect center piece to any studio. It has seamless integration into your DAW, control voltage outs, MIDI clock outs, and its own sequencer separate from your DAW. You can control your whole studio from this controller, without ever having to look up from your keyboard!
Joe Holsclaw
The 61SL MK3 has become the centerpiece of my home studio. I use it to control the essential functions of Pro Tools and a whole slew of virtual instruments, allowing me to get "hands-on" rather than mousing and clicking, consuming time and detracting from the music-making process. The pre-mapped Templates also make it effortless to take control of analog synths and hardware devices, and all this combined power makes the MK3 a no-brainer.