British gear manufacturer, Novation, has introduced the SL MkIII – a MIDI and CV-equipped keyboard controller with an eight-track sequencer. What makes this piece of equipment unique is that it can open up any DAW. With deep integrations with Logic and Reason – plus HUI compatibility with Cubase, Pro Tools, Studio One and Reaper, the SL MkIII can easily become a centerpiece to connect, control, and create with your entire setup – with or without a computer.

Novation calls the SL MkIII an all-sequencing, all-dancing hub for all of your music making tools. In addition to the DAW integrations mentioned above, it also has keys designed to play with Ableton Live (Ableton Live Lite included.) The five color LCD screens give you full parameter feedback, enabling you to see everything you are controlling.

With the SL MkIII you can quickly and easily create music with your MIDI hardware and CV/Gate synths. The internal eight-track pattern-based sequencer lets you record notes as you play them, or input step-by-step.

Available in 49 and 61 key versions, the SL MkIII has a synth-style semi-weighted keybed and a high scan rate of 10 kHz that gives the keys a more dynamic feel. The velocity-sensitive RGB pads can be used as steps in the sequencer, as well as for launching clips or finger drumming.

Key features include:

• 49 or 61 note velocity sensitive, individually sprung, synth style, semi-weighted keyboard
• 16 full-colour RGB backlit velocity sensitive drum pads
• 2 Page and 2 scene launch buttons
• 8 continuous rotary knobs
• 8 sliders
• 6 dedicated transport controls
• RGB backlit pitch bend and modulation wheels
• 2 octave / transpose buttons
• 2 Track buttons
• 5x RGB TFT LCD screens
• 59 Backlit buttons with tact switches
• 49 or 61 keybed RGB LEDs
• 16 Assignable buttons x 2 pages (32 assignable buttons)
• Assignable grid x 2 pages | (32 assignable pads)
• Backlit RGB Mode switching buttons including InControl

The 49-key model SL MkIII is available now for $599 USD and the 61-key model is available for $699 USD. To learn more about this controller, check out the promo video up top or visit Novation’s website.