Novation 49SL MkIIIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 34 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment57%
PROS 57%
CONS 43%

Rank based on 34 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want one controller to centralize zones, CV/gate, MIDI and a built-in sequencer for hybrid analog/DAW rigs
  • You value ongoing firmware improvements and a deep, flexible onboard sequencer for song-building
  • You're comfortable digging into menus to learn a new hierarchy of patterns, templates and sessions

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need polyphonic aftertouch or a Fatar-quality keybed as a priority
  • You want fast one-hand access to more than 8 fader/controller pages without menu diving
  • You mainly work inside a non-Ableton DAW and need built-in Mackie Control support

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Novation 49SL MkIII
All-in-one workflow hubPowerful built-in sequencerStrong fit for hybrid analog/DAW setupsKeybed downgraded from FatarLimited faders and controller pagesSteep learning curve
Novation 49SL MkIII
All-in-one workflow hub
Powerful built-in sequencer
Strong fit for hybrid analog/DAW setups
Keybed downgraded from Fatar
Limited faders and controller pages
Steep learning curve

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

An all-in-one hub that consolidates years of separate controller features. Multiple commenters describe the 49SL MkIII as finally bringing together zones, CV/gate, MIDI routing, faders, pads and a sequencer in a single device, something they'd wanted for years. It's compared favorably to combining an Ableton Push with keys, CV and MIDI output, and praised for working well across hybrid analog and DAW-based setups, centralizing control of numerous synths and software instruments at once.

The onboard sequencer is a standout, but its depth adds a real learning curve. Users enjoy the sequencer for building song ideas and driving external gear like the Deluge, and firmware updates have expanded loop length and other options. At the same time, several commenters say the number of functions, confusing nomenclature (patterns, templates, sessions), and changing knob layouts make the workflow hard to internalize, causing some to fall back on only basic functions.

Hardware limitations and keybed questions temper the premium price tag. Commenters point to only 8 faders and just two pages of assignable knob/fader controls as restrictive versus rivals like Maschine or Komplete Kontrol. Others note the keybed is no longer the Fatar unit from the original SL and lacks polyphonic aftertouch, prompting questions about whether build quality and feel justify what's called a top-priced MIDI keyboard, alongside one report of durability issues on a predecessor unit.

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