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Novation 49SL MkIII 49-key Keyboard Controller with Sequencer

49-key Keyboard Controller with Semi-weighted Keys, Internal 8-track Sequencer, Full-color LCD Screens, Comprehensive Hardware Connectivity, and DAW Control
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A Must-have Music Production Tool

With the Novation 49SL 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 49SL 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. Complete with customizable mappings for effortless setup and recall, the 49SL MkIII is a must-have music production tool.

Harness the full power of your software and hardware

The 49SL 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 49SL MkIII, you can easily take full command of your entire rig with customizable mappings for both your hardware and software. The 49SL 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 49SL 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 49SL 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 49SL 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 49SL 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 49SL MkIII, you can do it all.

Deep integration with Ableton Live and more

Novation worked directly with the folks at Ableton to imbue the 49SL 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 49SL 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 49SL MkIII Features:

  • 49-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
  • 3-year warranty

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keyboard Controller
  • Number of Keys: 49
  • 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, 4GB Loopmaster Sounds and Samples
  • 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: 32.16"
  • Depth: 11.81"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AMS-49SL-MKIII

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Best Midi controller on the market

As an ableton live user and a push 2 owner, I really wanted to enhance my ableton control. After buying an m audio pro 49 which still does not work with ableton properly despite their marketing (its needs a firmware update) I decided to go with this. Tiberius was more than helpful with this as always and I got the controller right away despite the fact it was sold out of several places. Having read and watched almost every review and tutorial I could find on the internet- the biggest or most negative comment was the faders are not very sturdy.... I can agree with this slightly. They are typical of that of most midi devices. But hell even without the fader-this device is still a monster. I actually use the faders far lesss than I expected bc of the way it automaps the encoders to most features inclunding but not limited to the fact that you can also assign them to anything.
One of the reviews I watched, stated this device controls ableton better than push....and I cannot disagree. Yes the push does some things this cannot-but it goes both ways- but ultimately I enjoy using this device more. This has quickly become my favorite piece of kit-and it will be for you if you take time to learn it. It is worth mentioning this is a very advanced device, so anticipate a small learning curve-but I can tell you everything is UBER simple and logical.
If you need software- this device comes with very little in comparison to devices at half the cost-but the way I look at it-is they put more money into the device functionality vs software licensing- and for a person like me -who already has my preferred software- this device couldn't of been a better fit.
Don't have buyers remorse like I had-go straight to the winner and take your extra time and go have a chicken dinnner!

Don't have buyers remore with somenthing else-
Music background: dj & producer
Rated 5/5

MkIII Keyboard

I haven't spent a lot of time with this unit. I can tell you that set up was very easy to install and the feel/quality is very good. I had an old M-Audio keyboard this replaced and I'm excited to get to use all the features this thing has. So much gear so little time!
Rated 5/5

Home recording

This is a great keyboard for a home studio. I don't think it would be great for gigging, which seems to be the primary complaint of the other reviewers.

This keyboard itself plays nice. It has numerous knobs and sliders that you can program to customize cc input to any kind of midi instrument. It also has CV out x2 -- the modular equivalent of cc -- which I don't use, but hope to some day.

The sequencer is intuitive and very useful. It's easy to create loops that are a measure, or many measures, and then select some subset. It's not complicated like an electron sequencer, but very intuitive and easy to use.

The integration with Ableton is tight -- not as good as a push, but close. If the push had a keyboard, it might look like this.

I think this keyboard is not meant for performance, it is meant for creativity.
Rated 5/5

A masterpiece

I"d probably give this seven stars if I could.

As soon as I took it out of the box, I could feel how solid and well built it is.

The controls are well laid out and the keyboard has good response. The five color screens are more valuable than I thought they would be.

I am testing it right now with Ableton Live 10 and it provides deep integration. Probably the most I have ever seen right out of the box. It is also designed to work with other DAW"s.

With the Novation MKIII, i think I am set for years.
Rated 4.5/5

Definitely the best midi controller I have owned or played with.

I wanted more and bigger keys so I tried the 49SL Mk3 after about a year and a half with the Keystep Pro. I've owned a mishmash of other MIDI controllers including a Launchkey Mk2. This is the first time a MIDI controller has felt like playing an *instrument* when working with VI's. The little OLED screens are much more useful than I expected. My favorite surprise feature is you can fine tune the responsiveness of the encoders using Components. Happy with the keybed and the mod wheels. I agree that the sliders could be a little more solid than they are, and I'm not crazy about soft silicon buttons in general. But these do click and that's nice.

The arpeggiator(s) is (are) actually really special and quick to edit on the fly. Lots of features now that firmware 1.4 is out. Worth reading about.

The sequencer is very fast to work with and reminds me a little bit of a simplified Electron sequencer. If you plan to sequence a whole song your list of parts will probably need to be short. But it's an outstanding sketchpad. Official it's a 16 step sequencer, but you can create a chain and get up to 8*16 steps for your sequence. Overall I like this sequencer better than the KeyStep Pro.

Bottom line, the 49SL Mk3 does a good job of giving me access to features of hardware and software that I have ignored because the built in controls for those modules/software aren't much fun. I think that's what a MIDI controller is *supposed* to do and that's great. It's fun to work with and it's nice to be able to switch between devices and control a few different targets while I'm working up an idea.
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